Wishbone Ash: Elegant Stealth

The story of Wishbone Ash is a long and winding one, covering some four and a bit decades. Currently there are two versions of The Ash treading the boards, what with the band's original bassist/singer Martin Turner also going out under the WA banner since 2004.

Elegant Stealth however is album number 23 from the version of the band who can rightly trace their history back to 1970, being led by the band's only constant - guitarist and vocalist Andy Powell. Yes, that does make him the only long term member of this band, however guitarist Muddy Maninnen, bassist Bob Skeat and drummer Joseph Crabtree along with Powell have produced in Elegant Stealth, an album not only worthy of the Wishbone Ash heritage, but of their future as well.

Famous through the years for inspiring and pioneering with their twin guitar attack, Wishbone Ash are still probably best known for the 1972 release Argus, an album renowned for its mixture of Hard Rock, Prog and Folk. Over the decades the latter of those categories may have been diluted, however with the wonderful Elegant Stealth, a brooding, moody atmosphere has replaced it in the mix. Sometimes arriving in the shape of twin guitar interplay that eschews histrionics in favour of poise and precision and sometimes in the guise of a gently AORish jazzy vibe. The results are nothing short of marvellous.

On the whole the Wishbone sound may have softened as the years have passed, but the level of songwriting and performance on Elegant Stealth is beyond question. Powell's vocals remind in places of his onetime Ash-mate John Wetton, giving an air of Asia to proceedings, however the album I keep being reminded of as ES spins, is the hugely under rated Driver's Eyes by Ian McDonald. Both albums share an assured confidence and the ability to draw you in on the back of gentle, yet Rockin' vibes, rather than through bristling muscularity. The album opens with a trademark twin guitar trade-off, before morphing into the gloriously catchy Pop-Rock, albeit with stinging guitar licks, of "Reason To Believe". It is a song which captures the imagination, having you singing along from the get go. All in it is a stunning introduction to an album that really doesn't dip from there. A more Progressive approach comes across during songs like "Warm Tears" and "Can't Go It Alone", the latter seeing the Folk Music of old reintroduced courtesy of Pat McManus (Mama's Boys/Celtus), who both wrote the song for the band and plays fiddle on it. Again the feel of both tracks is loose and easy going, but that doesn't mean that the songs are any less memorable or effective for being so.

The Ian McDonald comparison really kicks in with the gently swaying "Give It Up", where a precise steady beat, beautifully intricate guitar work and glorious vocal harmonies make for an utterly irresistible concoction. However if you are looking to Rock out, then step into "Mud-Slick", where Powell and Maninnen trade licks aplenty and Deep Purple's Don Airey turns up to add some extra keyboard weight. Add to that mix the simply beautiful "Searching For Satellites" where the vocal arrangements are a joy to behold, or the slow stomp of "Invisible Thread" and you really are left with an eclectic album that impresses from start to finish. Powell and Maninnen are stunning, while Skeat and Crabtree create a mighty backbone from which all the songs hang.

Argus may remain the album that Wishbone Ash will always be remembered for. However in Elegant Stealth there can be no doubt whatsoever that Wishbone Ash are once again as relevant, impactful and impressive as they have ever been.

Track Listing
1. Reason To Believe
2. Warm Tears
3. Man With No Name
4. Can't Go It Alone
5. Give It Up
6. Searching For Satellites
7. Heavy Weather
8. Mud-Slick
9. Big Issues
10. Migrant Worker
11. Invisible Thread

Added: April 7th 2012
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: The Official Wishbone Ash Web-site
Hits: 3911
Language: english

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