Feature: GRTR! Greats – WISHBONE ASH
Photos: Andy Nathan
In 1977, after their successful ‘Front Page News’ tour, Wishbone Ash’s record label posted an advert in the music papers saying “not bad for four boring old farts’, or words to that effect. A time traveller from those days might be shocked in 2025 to learn that there has been a constant flurry of Wishbone activity since this website began in 2003.
With Andy Powell the sole remaining member from the classic line up, Wishbone Ash maintain a punishing touring schedule across the globe. Meanwhile founder member Martin Turner has since 2005 traipsed the highways and byways, mainly in the UK, with a fine band playing the band’s back catalogue with great sensitivity.
The band’s recorded output during GRTR!’s years can be divided into three broad categories. There have been a number of live albums from each party, often commemorating landmark albums like ‘Argus’ or ‘Live Dates’. There have been reissues, particularly belated, but brilliant, legacy projects such as the 30 CD ‘Vintage Years’ package and the current release ‘At The BBC 1970-1988′, officially endorsed by all members of their classic lineups.
And finally, yes there have been new albums from time to time. Wishbone Ash released a pair in quick succession in the mid-2000s, ‘Clan Destiny’ and ‘The Power of Eternity’, which played it rather safe.
There were a further pair in the 2010s in ‘Elegant Stealth’ and ‘Blue Horizon’ where Andy Powell seemed to make a distinct attempt to return to the seventies sound, some longer songs giving full reign to instrumental passages with those marvellous harmony lead guitars that were so influential. However both of them, and even more so their last album to date in 2020′s ‘Coat of Arms’, suffer from some rather bland songwriting and delivery.
Martin Turner trails behind with just the solitary album, 2016′s ‘Written In The Stars’ with moments that reflect past glories, including the original line-up’s late eighties reunion, but again not consistently.
The band’s constant touring during the period – in both Andy Powell/Martin Turner formats – has given labels plenty of incentive to release back catalogue; also a mark time affair between new albums.
Perhaps surprisingly for some readers Wishbone Ash have never been afraid to rest on their early folksy prog laurels. In 2002 Jason Ritchie reviewed a 3-CD box Heritage which included two techno albums!
Talking Elephant released a series of live compilations called Tracks between 2002-2007: “…whether you are a trainspotter or merely a lover of classic guitar-driven rock, you won’t fail to be impressed by these collections.”
David Randall further wrote: “Duplication between releases in the ‘Tracks’ series is inevitable, but for those who want a pretty thorough live resumé of one of our most hard-working bands look no further.”
2004′s Lost Pearls plundered Andy Powell’s attic to deliver some previously unheard tapes from around the time of ‘No Smoke Without Fire’ and ‘Just Testing’ albums.
Also in 2004 the 3-disc Backbones was essentially “an excellent trawl across several Talking Elephant releases, starting with 1996′s ‘Illuminations’ and including ‘Bare Bones’ (1999) and ‘Bonafide’ (2002)”.
In 2007 we reviewed some more “historic” recordings First Light which goes right back to the dawn of the band whilst that year saw one of many reissues of the classic Argus with Jason Ritchie commenting: “For fans a real treat and if you love 70′s rock music then this is a ‘must have’ in any collection.”
I always feel we are a work in progress and could do better.
But that’s what keeps it alive for me. Yes, I suppose there’s a fair degree of frustration. I’m definitely on a mission and don’t feel that I’ve scratched the surface of our potential yet.
Andy Powell, 2006
Photo: Noel Buckley
Wishbone Ash first hit the GRTR! live radar in 2007 when Bill Leslie reviewed the band In October in Pontedawe, South Wales “Wishbone Ash aren’t just trading on former glories.”
The Elegant Stealth Live tour in October 2012 prompted David Randall’s comment that the frequency of the band’s appearances in the UK may induce a certain inertia amongst the audience but Powell is keen to keep things fresh.
The Andy Powell/Wishbone Ash modus operandi was well in place by 2006 as he told David Randall:
We like to shake the set list up for ourselves as well as the audience and with over 50 UK Dates a year this is important. We’ll also be playing our annual show just for the fans, which we do each year. We’ve held these events all over the world and even for a couple of years on cruise ships. They are always fun and bring people together from far flung places.
At this time the band also featured Muddy Manninen on guitar, Bob Skeat (bass player since 1998) and Joe Crabtree (drums).
WISHBONE ASH SET-LISTS
The Pilgrim / Driving A Wedge / Healing Ground / Sometime World / The King Will Come / Peresphone / In Crisis / Lady Jay / Front Page News / Tales Of The Wise / Reason To Believe / Engine Overheat / Jail Bait / Phoenix ..encore.. Blowin’ Free (May 2010)
Blowin’ Free/ Bona Fide (instrumental)/ You See Red/ The Power/ Can’t Go it Alone/ Warrior/ Throw Down The Sword/ F.U.B.B. (instrumental)/ In Crisis/ Northern Lights (instrumental)/ Disappearing/ Front Page News/ The King Will Come/ Reason To Believe/ Engine Overheat/ Phoenix Encore: Persephone (March 2011)
1. The King Will Come 2. Throw Down The Sword 3. Can’t Go It Alone 4. Living Proof 5. In The Skin 6. Open Road 7. Sometime World 8. Warm Tears 9. Invisible Thread 10. Jail Bait 11. Engine Overheat 12. Phoenix Encore: 13. Hometown 14. Blowin’ Free (October 2012)
The band’s 2011 album Elegant Stealth was described by David Randall as “a wonderful return to top form. It may not be fashionable to like this band but you’d be a fool to ignore them.”
Photo: Andy Nathan
Andy Nathan reviewing their London gig in March 2011 commented that there were half a dozen songs from the post-2007 period “relatively average compared to past glories, but live take on a life of their own as they develop into full on twin guitar jams with loads of interesting interplay.”
Andy Powell deserves huge credit for keeping the Wishbone show on the road through thick and thin. As long ago as 1977 they were being dismissed as boring old farts, so now that classic rock is more respected as a genre and there is a greater appreciation of the great acts of its heyday, it is a pleasure to report that the phoenix is still blowing free.
A week or so later, in Birkenhead, Andy Powell commented on the other Andy’s description of ‘Engine Overhaul’ when it …”unexpectedly developed into a meandering jam with bass and guitar solos.”
GRTR!’s Keith Thompson thought that it might have meandered, “but in a nice way” whilst David Randall offered: “Wishbone Ash are masters of their trade whether they stretch out ‘nicely’ or play succinct and accessible songs sparkling with distinctive harmony guitars.”
Photo: Noel Buckley
Running parallel with the Andy Powell version of Wishbone Ash, from at least 2004, was original bass player Martin Turner. After some wrestling with the name rights (finally decided in 2013) Turner would settle on Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash then Martin Turner Ex-Wishbone Ash.
On balance, the Turner version has been less productive in terms of new studio albums although there have been a stream of live releases (including a series of reissues in 2016). The stage setlist has largely revolved around the classic album ‘Argus’ (as at the March 2009 gig with Golden Earring) but later on other albums would be featured in their entirety by way of theming a particular tour.
2008 saw the reimagining of Argus reviewed by David Randall who noted that the album’s original sequencing was restored and with modern recording techniques it sounded better than ever whilst keeping to “the spirit of the original and therefore it highlights the folksy, typically very English, approach and of course retains the pristine guitar interplay.”
This version of Ash have been staples on the festival circuit and our early encounters were at Skegness (January) and High Voltage in July 2010.
Photo: Lee Millward
In February 2010 Andy Nathan noted:
I have great respect for Andy Powell’s dedication in keeping the official Wishbone flag flying through thick and thin by virtue of years of constant touring, not to mention a mixed bag of new product from time to time.
Yet I have to say that – musically – Martin Turner’s outfit feels closer in spirit to the classic line-up of the band, and not only through Martin’s distinctive singing and bass lines.
And in December 2010 Pete Feenstra commented: “Martin’s rock solid bass lines and melodic voice provided the perfect foil for the twin guitar attack of Ray Hatfield and Danny Willson.”
Reviewing their London gig with Uriah Heep in December 2011 Andy Nathan wrote: “…for me, as a die-hard fan of Wishbone’s music, the highlight was ‘Rock n Roll Widow’, complete with a humorous introduction in a fake Texan accent from born raconteur Martin, guitarist Danny Willson doing a fine job on lead vocals and some spectacular slide guitar from Ray (Hatfield).”
Photo: Noel Buckley
Andy was present at a unique gig in late-August 2012 when Turner “and guests” appeared at the so-called “garden party” at Liscombe House in Buckinghamshire. The setting was rural with the stage set up in a farmyard, the setlist was loose and deviated from the usual ‘Argus’ domination. and – moreover – the gig promised some special guests. These included original guitarist Ted Turner, his replacement Laurie Wisefield, and Steve Upton the band’s original drummer (although Steve didn’t play).
As a long time fan of the music of Wishbone Ash (if not quite as long as many present whose experience dates back to the early seventies!) this was a memorable and unique event I will never forget. It was a privilege to be a small part of it.
The Liscombe bash was captured on the 2015 release: “Given that there is a complete lack of new material from Martin Turner (the last band album was released in 2011) ‘The Garden Party’ is both a great souvenir of a “private” and historic event and a stop-gap until, well… er… uhm.. the next live album.”
David Randall chatted to Andy Powell about Wishbone Ash. First broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, in October 2012
Andy Powell’s Wishbone Ash released the band’s studio album in 2014 – Blue Horizon – when David Randall commented “If you can set aside the bitter dispute over the trading name, there is no doubt that Andy Powell has worked tirelessly to produce albums that are completely befitting the Wishbone Ash heritage. He’s also regularly treading the boards to ensure that legacy is perpetuated.”
Randall continued; “If there’s a criticism, there’s an absence of the gritty straight ahead guitar duelling of old – and whilst we have no right to expect another ‘The King Will Come’ something in that vein would have been very welcome. As it is, we have to be content with the admittedly very fine play-out on the title track.”
Martin Turner Ex-Wishbone Ash in 2018
In 2015 Martin Turner finally released an album of new material – ‘Written In The Stars’ and revealed some tracks at a gig in October at the Boom Boom Club in Sutton whilst Wishbone Ash were reviewed at Weyfest in 2016. Reviewing the gig at London’s 100 Club in October 2017 Andy Nathan noted that the band’s performance of ‘Argus’ (at that year’s Ramblin Man Fair) was a festival highlight.
Pete Feenstra chatted to Martin Turner for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio about the band’s progress from the late-1960s, following the release of the definitive 30-CD box set. First broadcast 10 June 2018.
In January 2018 we reviewed Turner at Giants Of Rock and later in October when he played the whole of the band’s first album. There was a new limited edition box set containing no less than 30 CDs including eight previously unreleased live recordings. This coincided with the band’s 50th Anniversary.
In 2017 Yorkshireman Mark Abrahams joined Andy Powell to restore the twin-guitar onslaught following Muddy Manninen’s departure. Nathan noted “A defining characteristic of Andy’s years leading Wishbone has been to push them forward as a contemporary recording act rather than simply wallow in nostalgia.”
Photo: David Randall
And in October 2018 we published two live reviews of the band in London and Buckley when David Randall commented:
While Martin Turner continues to play whole albums and highlights, Powell’s approach is to provide a broad sweep of songs that both underline their early, folkier – and proggy – style and the later more straight ahead rock often reflecting the time of original creation. But of course whole swathes of newer stuff went unheard with the exception of 2014′s Blue Horizon which yielded two songs.
A year later Martin Turner continued the themed tour concept, playing the whole of second album ‘Pilgrimage’ and reviewed at a gig in London.
In the past few years Andy Powell’s Wishbone Ash released Coat Of Arms. Both his and Martin Turner’s band continue to tour regularly, with both reviewed in November 2021 and again in 2022 when Turner played the whole of the ‘Wishbone Four” album.
And, in October 2022, Andy Powell succumbed to the “whole album syndrome” by playing all of ‘Argus’ in celebration of its 50th Anniversary.
That album was celebrated in a handsome special edition box set released in 2023 which included several contemporaneous live recordings (highlights on coloured vinyl, two CDs and a DVD from French and Swiss TV) together with an informative 48 page booklet to which all band members contributed. And there’s also a red vinyl single ‘No Easy Way’ and ‘Blowin’ Free’.
Since 2003 several Wishbone alumni have released albums. Ted Turner and his partner Majella released Better Together (2018) and Divine Timing (2020) whilst Muddy Manninen’s solo album River Flows came out in 2020 and Ben Granfelt’s Melodic Relief in 2013.
Photo: Andy Nathan
2023 and 2024 repeated the twice yearly sighting of both Wishbone Ash iterations in the live context. The 50th anniversary of ‘Live Dates’ was marked by both with gigs in September and October 2023. In 2024 Andy Nathan reviewed two Martin Turner gigs in March and October when the theme was the ‘Live Dates 2′ package originally released in 1980. This year the band also toured in the States with Asia, Focus and Curved Air.
Andy Nathan believes that it is in the live environment that both versions excel:
Andy Powell – as well as having been sole vocalist for some time – continues to be a master of fluid and intelligent guitar playing, not least on his trademark Flying V.
For most of this period his ‘twin’ was inscrutable Finn Muddy Manninen, who proved a good foil with his slide playing helping the band go down more of a blues rock path.
More recently Mark Abrahams’ fiery playing and youthful vigour has given the band a shot in the arm and their professionalism and tightness is something to behold. Live sets also cover the full span of the band’s career from past to present.
Martin’s band are closer to the melodic spirit of vintage Wishbone, not only with the guitars but a greater emphasis on vocal harmonies supporting his characterful vocals and distinctive up front bass playing.
Other than a brief period when their new album was released, the music is solely from the olden days and they went through a phase of playing vintage albums in full, giving us a chance to hear songs rarely played live, if ever. There is also a more light hearted vibe to their shows with Martin’s jokes and entertaining tales of the stories behind the songs.
I really enjoy seeing both, although the Wishbone fanbase is somewhat divided on their varying merits, and a degree of caution is needed in not upsetting one camp over the other! For me, long after they were dismissed as old hat, it is delightful to see Wishbone music past and present still being released and played live.
Andy’s recommended tracks (post 2003)
As stated above, unfortunately none of the post 2003 albums have consistently hit the heights of vintage Wishbone but here are five that have been good enough to find their way into live sets and not look out of place:
Eyes Wide Open – from Clan Destiny (2006)
Growing Up – from Power of Eternity (2007)
Can’t Go It Alone – from Elegant Stealth (2011)
Deep Blues – from Blue Horizon (2014)
Written In The Stars – from Written In The Stars (2016) (Martin Turner)
Pete Feenstra chatted to Martin Turner with tracks from the new box set ‘At The BBC’ on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. First broadcast Sunday 30 March.
Album review (At The BBC 1970-1988, 2025)
An Introduction to (2020)
UK Tour Dates
Wishbone Ash
Wed September 17 DERBY Flowerpot
Fri September 19 CHESTER Live Rooms
Sat September 20 CHESTER Live Rooms (AshCon 2025)
Mon September 22 LYTHAM ST ANNES Lowther Pavilion
Tue September 23 SOUTHPORT Atkinson
Wed September 24 KENDAL Bootleggers Bar
Thu September 25 GALASHIELS MacArts
Fri September 26 HADDINGTON Corn Exchange
Sat September 27 GLASGOW QMC
Sun September 28 GATESHEAD Glasshouse
Wed October 1st STOCKTON ARC
Thu October 2nd LEEDS Brudenell Social Club
Fri October 3rd LEEDS Brudenell Social Club
Sat October 4th MANCHESTER Academy 2
Sun October 5th WOLVERHAMPTON Robin
Tue October 7th STAMFORD Corn Exchange
Wed October 8th LINCOLN Drill
Thu October 9th BURY ST EDMUNDS Apex
Fri October 10th WORCESTER Huntingdon Hall
Sat October 11th GILLINGHAM Glassbox Theatre
Sun October 12th HARPENDEN Eric Morecambe Centre
Tue October 14th MILTON KEYNES Stables
Wed October 15th MILTON KEYNES Stables
Thu October 16th Islington Assembly Hall
Fri October 17th GLOUCESTER Guildhall
Sat October 18th ABERDARE Colliseum
Sun October 19th BASINGSTOKE Haymarket
Tue October 21st SHOREHAM Ropetackle Arts Centre
Wed October 22nd SOUTHAMPTON Brook
Thu October 23rd WIMBORNE Tivoli Theatre
Fri October 24th WIMBORNE Tivoli Theatre
Sat October 25th FROME Cheese and Grain
Martin Turner
Mar 26 Kinross Backstage at The Green Hotel
Mar 27 Glasgow The Ferry
Mar 28 Blackpool Waterloo Music Bar
Mar 29 Hull Wrecking Ball Arts Centre
Apr 4 Derby The Flowerpot
Apr 5 Sheffield The Greystones
Apr 13 Übach-Palenberg, Germany Rockfabrik
Apr 15 Bremen, Germany Meisenfrei Bremen
Apr 17 Wermelskirchen, Germany Haus Eifgen
Apr 18 Hamburg, Germany Logo
Apr 19 Dessau-Roßlau, Germany Kornhaus Dessau
Apr 21 Zwickau, Germany Liederbuch Zwickau
Apr 23 Würzburg, Germany Keller Z87
Apr 24 Metzingen, Germany Glems Hirsch
Apr 25 Habach, Germany Village Habach
Apr 27 Mannheim, Germany 7er Club
Sep 11 London 229
Sep 12 Chelmsford Social Club
Sep 13 Deal Astor Theatre
Sep 18 Bath Chapel Arts Centre
Sep 19 Ivybridge Modbury Memorial Hall
Sep 26 Darlington Forum Music Centre
Sep 27 Otley Courthouse
Sep 28 Warrington Irish Club
Oct 2 Hampton Inspired Hub
Oct 3 Maidenhead Norden Farm Centre for the Arts
Oct 4 Havant Arts Centre
Oct 5 Newport (Isle of Wight) Strings Bar & Venue
Wishbone Ash website
Martin Turner Ex-Wishbone Ash website
GRTR! Greats
Introduction and Conclusion: Andy Nathan
Main story: David Randall
Contributors: Pete Feenstra, Bill Leslie, Andy Nathan, David Randall, Jason Ritchie
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Power Plays w/c 24 March 2025
HARRI LARKIN Too Close To The Sun (Robot Distro)
SANDNESS Not Your Dog (Rockshots Records)
DOCTOR BLACK Drag Me Down (indie)
COHEED AND CAMBRIA Goodbye Sunshine (Virgin Music Group)
LEONI JANE KENNEDY Closer (indie)
SMALL TOWN POLITICS Red Lights (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 24 March 2025
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Singer Songwriter)
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