Wishbone Ash - Live Dates (1973) FLACs

 ( U.K 1969 - Present)

During the early and mid-'70's, Wishbone Ash were among England's most popular hard rock acts. The band's sound was rooted in energetic hard rock, with a strong progressive rock influence in their extended compositions, inventive melodic sense, and the epic-scale soloing from their various guitarists (most notably Andy Powell, the group's sole constant member). Despite extensive personnel changes throughout their existence, Wishbone Ash maintained a distinct sound and a prolific longevity that earned them a lasting following. The group's most popular and best-regarded work came in the early '70's with their first four studio albums (1970's Wishbone Ash, 1971's Pilgrimage, 1972's Argus, and 1973's Wishbone Four), while they enjoyed a popular resurgence with 1987's all-instrumental Nouveau Calls, took a detour into electronic music with 1999's Trance Visionaries, and delivered a strong late-career effort with 2014's Blue Horizon.

Wishbone Ash were one of the top guitar bands in the Europe of the 1970's, although they were and remain barely known in the US. They even became tax exiles and lived in the States at the end of the 70's. 'Live Dates' is one of the very best live albums from the 70's, if not ever, for classic two-guitar rock.

It really captures the sound and vibe of Wishbone Ash live. The stylistic diversity is quite clear from their take on boogie numbers including "Jail Bait, Lady Whiskey" and the cover of "Baby What You Want Me To Do". These tracks are surrounded by the pop of "Blowin' Free", the progressive rock of "The Pilgrim", "Phoenix", and "Warrior" along with the quieter English folk of "Ballad Of The Beacon", which in my opinion is an all time classic track.

Album Review 1
I have always been rather wary of live albums for obvious reasons: poor sound quality, audience intrusion/singalong, over-indulgent solos etc., and i have very few in my collection, but "live dates" is one of the best live albums you will find, in my opinion almost up there with "Made in Japan", "Live at Leeds" and "Yessongs". The sound quality is spacious, clear and full, the playing is faultless, this MCA double LP contains some brilliant solos and has tracks taken from each of their first four albums. the album was recorded during dates at Croydon, Newcastle, Reading and Portsmouth during June 1973 on the rolling stones mobile (..now who else used that?? ). Side one LP one kicks straight into "The King Will Come", "Warrior" and "Throw Down The Sword" from "Argus". 

On side two, I wish they'd included "Errors..." and "Handy" instead of "Rock'n'Roll Widow" and "Ballad of the Beacon", but actually these sound better on this live album than the studio versions, so there you go I suppose. This side ends with the blues song "Baby What You Want Me To Do" which includes great blues/slide guitar solos. LP two starts with tight versions of "The Pilgrim", boogie- style "Blowin' Free" and "Jailbait" (really cookin' now) while side four has great versions of "Lady Whiskey" and a beautiful 17 minute long version of "Phoenix" from their first LP. Other than that track, there are no long improvisations, just excellent renditions of some of their best songs. Excellent addition! [thanks to Mystic Fred from Progarchives.com]

Andy Powell and Ted Turner

Album Review 2 (CD Release)
Live Dates is one of those classic live albums of the 70's that any rock fan must have. It is in the same league with the better known Made In Japan (Deep Purple), Yessongs (Yes), Genesis Live (a pity it is not a double album!), Live And Dangerous (Thin Lizzy), Live At Leeds (The Who) , Strangers In The Night (UFO) and very few others. Unlike many of their peers, Wishbone Ash were really better live than in the studio, as this CD shows all the time. Those guys were outstanding musicians and their performances are spotless, beautiful and, believe it or not, extremely well recorded.

Steve Uptown

The reviewed CD is the single disc version, released in the mid-90's by the Beat Goes On label, which were the very first company to actually do a fine, respectful, remastering of the original tapes. Their work on this album is up to their fame: crystal clear sound, where you can hear everything, even the guitarist pickin' on the strings of the guitar on the 17 minute epic Phoenix. The single CD holds the entire double LP in 79:48 running time, quite a feat! The double original CD by MCA has only one song on the second disc, another version of  "Phoenix", not worth the extra money you had to pay for it. At the time I thought this was very unfair to the fans and I still think so. So look for the BGO version.

Martin Turner

The set list is great, picking up songs from their first four LPs. If you ever wanted to know a band that is quite progressive and used no keyboards on their sound, then Wishbone Ash is a good example (just hear the 9 minute instrumental track Pilgrim to get a glimpse of how good and progressive they really were). Great guitar solos, licks and duels, fine vocal harmonies and a very strong rhythm section (the bass is so well mixed you can hardly believe) Those guys were very influential for the 80's hard and heavy metal bands (like Iron Maiden, among others), but not only. Their melodic sound is very original and have some classical and British folk leanings that add to their obvious rock'n roll and blues influences (they deliver a great cover of the Jimmy Reed's blues classic "Baby What You Want Me To Do"). Andy Powell is a superb guitarist, and his slide guitar interventions here and there are quite creative and different from most players.

All in all a classic album recorded when Wishbone Ash was at its peak. One of the few live albums that captures the band outdoing their already fine studio performances. Everything works here. A must have for any rock fan, prog or not. Five stars, no less. [thanks to Tarcisio Moura from Progarchives.com]

This post consists of FLACs ripped from my trusty Vinyl copy, purchased sometime back in the late seventies, after hearing the live track "Ballad Of The Beacon" on an MCA compilation album called Some Hard, Some Hot 'N ' Some Heavy (previously posted on this blog).  

I had seen Wishbone Ash albums in the record racks but knew nothing about them and don't recollect any of their songs hitting the Australian charts at that time.   I think I picked this album up cheap at one of the pop-up record markets that occasionally appeared on my University campus and absolutely loved it.  I still play it today when I feel like hearing their signature duel guitar jams.  Closely followed by some Lynyrd Skynyrd of course!

Weighing in at just under 80mins with some fade outs of audience applause, I have made this rip fit on a single CD for your pleasure. Full album artwork and label scans are also included.

Band photos sourced from [https://www.wishboneash.co.uk/ ] with thanks

Tracks Listing

01. The King Will Come (7:44)

02. Warrior (5:57)

03. Throw Down the Sword (6:08)

04. Rock 'n' Roll Widow (6:08)

05. Ballad of the Beacon (5:22)

06. Baby What You Want Me to Do (7:48)

07. The Pilgrim (9:14)

08. Blowin' Free (5:31)

09. Jail Bait (4:37)

10. Lady Whiskey (5:57)

11. Phoenix (17:23)

Line-up / Musicians

- Martin Turner / vocals, bass

- Andy Powell / guitars, vocals

- Ted Turner / guitars, vocals

- Steve Upton / drums

"LIVE DATES" was recorded during the latter part of June 1973 at the following venues:

Croydon - Fairfield Hall (tracks 1, 8, 9, 11)

Newcastle - City Hall (tracks 2, 3)

Reading - University (tracks 4, 5, 7, 10)

Portsmouth - Guildhall (track 6)

Live Dates FLAC Link (481Mb)