Album review: WISHBONE ASH – Coat Of Arms

Steamhammer/SPV [Release date 28.02.20]

I think it fair to say that, more recently, you’re not going to get a really duff album from Andy Powell and his men. Patchy maybe, but never dipping like some of the quality control in the 1980s and 1990s. The previous album ‘Blue Horizon’ (2014) was well received and this is the first with new guitarist Mark Abrahams. I can only assume that the band’s incessant touring doesn’t give much time for developing new material.

‘Coat Of Arms’ plays it safe and the most you could say about this album is that it could have been made in the early seventies and typified by the pivotal piece ‘It’s Only You I See’.

From the start, the twin guitar harmony indicates you are back with the masters of heritage rock whilst the title track is also marked by those characteristic robust rhythms and fluent soloing.

But there are some distinctly ordinary tracks on offer here including ‘Empty Man’, ‘Floreana’ and ‘Drive’. And this also extends to the retro/reflective feel of ‘Back In The Day’ (celebrating the band’s 50 year journey). Maybe some of the shortcomings should be placed at the door of Andy Powell’s son Aynsley who has extensively co-written both music and lyrics with his Dad.

We’re not expecting anything on a par with ‘The King Will Come’ or ‘F.U.B.B.’ but there’s no urgency or grit in any of this with Abrahams bedding in, politely. When the album finishes with a mid-tempo blues you are left feeling a tad short-changed. Where’s the meat?

With many older bands these days they merely top up the catalogue with an average new release as the loose basis for the more lucrative touring. Wishbone Ash are constantly on the road and sadly ‘Coat Of Arms’ might not repay too much scrutiny longer term. ***

Review by David Randall

2020 Vision: An introduction to Wishbone Ash

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)