WISHBONE ASH: Clan Destiny

Cover	Release	Style
	2006-04-24	Classic rock
	Label
	Eagle records
	Website
	Wishbone Ash
	Contact
	-
	Playing Time	Cat. N°
	47:33	EAGCD322
	Review by	Rating
	Edwin	8/10
nederlands	Review
Many old-time bands that are still around are quite content to just tour and play the same old songs time after time. They don’t seem to feel the need to record new music any more. Don’t get me wrong: I have the utmost respect for bands like URIAH HEEP, JETHRO TULL, SWEET and GRAND FUNK RAILROAD – and live these bands still kick some serious ass. But somehow their failure to come up with new work endangers their credibility, in my opinion. Many other bands prove that they can still release strong material on a regular basis. Take WISHBONE ASH, for example. Sure, this band isn’t one of the most prolific bands around (their last album dates from 2002), but at least the fans have been treated to some fine records every couple of years. The new album is now out, and it’s called Clan Destiny. WISHBONE ASH continues in the same style we’ve come to expect of them. Some great guitar duelling, which has always been so typical if the ASH – this time it’s provided by founding member Andy Powell, and newcomer Muddy Manninen. The distinctive vocal harmonies are also present. Maddinen also manages to put his stamp on the sound with his slide and lap steel guitar. Don’t expect any of the songs to become classics, but the songwriting is by all means fine on this album. Rock, blues, country, pop, and even some more exotic sounds – this is an excellent collection of songs. Still, although, the musicianship is excellent, I wouldn’t have minded some more extended instrumental improvisations – they can be so good at this stuff. Those who expect a heavy rocking ASH might be a bit disappointed, too. I, for one, have no problem with this more laid-back stuff. The albums kicks off with the fine boogie rocker ‘Eyes Wide Open’. ‘Dreams Outta Dust’ is a fabulous pop song, with a superb melody. Other highlights are ‘Capture The Moment’, ‘Slime Time’, ‘Your Dog’, and especially the beautiful ‘The Raven’ – which is not unlike an ALAN PARSONS ballad (it is not the AP song of the same name, though). The fabulous guitar work shows it’s definitely the ASH, though. ‘Healing Ground’ is a very powerful, well-done cover of a song by bluesman Jimmy Thackery, if I’m not mistaken. Another cover is the excellent instrumental ‘Surfing A Slow Wave’, originally a jazz piece by Richie Kicklighter, titled ‘Jungle’. Here, it sounds very SHADOWS-ish, and the ‘surf’ feel to their version made the band decide on the title change. The third track that isn’t a WA original, is the traditional ‘Motherless Child’ – I haven’t warmed to this version yet, I’m afraid. ‘Steam Town’ and ‘Loose Change’ are other songs I’m not really fond of. Not nearly as memorable as their output in the 70’s, but at least WISHBONE ASH shows that, even after 36 years, they can still put out albums that I can thoroughly enjoy. I’m sure many of you will, too.
Musicians
Andy Powell: lead vocals, guitars, mandolin Muddy Manninen: vocals, guitars Bob Skeat: bass, piano, clavinet, vocals Ray Weston: drums, percussion
Tracklist
Eyes Wide Open Dreams Outta Dust Healing Ground Steam Town Loose Change Surfing A Slow Wave Slime Time Capture The Moment Your Dog The Raven Motherless Child
Discography
Wishbone Ash (1970) Pilgrimage (1971) Argus (1972) Wishbone Four (1973) Live Dates (1973) There’s The Rub (1974) Locked In (1976) New England (1976) Front Page News(1977) Classic Ash (1978 comp.) No Smoke Without Fire (1978) Just Testing (1980) Live Dates Volume 2 (1980) Number The Brave (1981) Twin Barrels Burning (1982) Raw To The Bone (1985) Nouveau Calls (1987) Here to Hear (1989) Strange Affair (1991) Live In Windy City (1992) Live in Geneva Live (1996) Illuminations (1996) Trance Visionary (1998) Psychic Terrorism (1998) Bare Bones (1999) Live Dates 3 (2001) Bona Fide (2002) Warriors (2003 – comp.) Clan Destiny (2006)


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