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Wishbone Ash - First Light CD (album) cover

FIRST LIGHT

Wishbone Ash

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4 stars First Light is the first studio recording by the original Wishbone Ash lineup, recorded in Spring & Summer 1970 at Advision Studios with engineers Phil Dunne and Eddie Offord. These recordings helped the band get a recording contract with MCA, but were then left languishing in the vaults until recently. While perhaps less polished than the first MCA recordings, especially the acclaimed Argus album, one can hear the experimentation here that led to that later work. And there is a sort of raw energy that gives the music a very fresh sound. The sound quality is also very good.

As for the songs, 6 of the 8 songs on First Light showed up on later Wishbone albums, but fans will like the versions on First Light for both the raw energy and the alternate arrangements. The versions of Alone (with vocals) and the extended instrumental Handy are special treats. Also included are two previously unheard pieces, Roads of Day to Day and a short instrumental called Joshua. Martin Turner complained that their singing sounded like "choir boys" back then, but it sounds good to me, and the playing is great! This CD will be essential to Wishbone Ash fans, but should be of interest to prog rock fans as well for the experimentation going on in this early Ash music.

Report this review (#131568)
Posted Friday, August 3, 2007 | Review Permalink
4 stars A truly solid production from the classic rock titans. This album contains a little bit of everything, some old tunes presented in a more original form, and some song previously unreleased, but overally the strongest point of this album is the presence of all four original musicians from the ARGUS era. Technically this album is as sound as Wishbone Ash was at that time and it certainly sheds new light on the development of their music at the beginning of the 70s. If you're a fan of WA, this album is a must, if you just like classic rock, this is a very nice spot to start.
Report this review (#207361)
Posted Monday, March 16, 2009 | Review Permalink
Easy Livin
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Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin
3 stars The Ash begins to glow

It is difficult to know how to classify "First light". Although released in 2007, the contents actually date from 1970, and thus feature the original line up of the band (the one which recorded the legendary "Argus"). These tracks were recorded by Wishbone Ash to present to record companies in the hope of securing a contract. Whether they were ever intended to be released as an album in this format is doubtful, the recordings really being advanced demos. The tapes lay dormant in the vaults for many years until they were sold at auction in 2006, then released on album by their new owner.

In any event, while these recordings did not make it onto album in the early 1970's, pretty much all of the songs eventually did. While hearing advanced demos of familiar songs will appeal to many fans of the band, it is the two previously unreleased numbers which will generate the most interest. "Roads Of Day To Day" is a magnificent 6 minute number which could have fitted in well on any of the first three albums. This rather moody song was perhaps felt to be too soft for the likes of "Pilgrimage", but in retrospect it could easily have become recognised as a Wishbone Ash classic had it been brought to full fruition on say "Argus". This track alone makes "First light" essential for all fans of the band. "Joshua" on the other hand is a largely forgettable guitar indulgence.

Tracks such as "Blind eye" and "Lady whiskey" from the eponymous début album are instantly recognisable, as is the over long "Handy" (which includes a tediously long drum solo). In all, five of the tracks ("Queen of torture" and "error of my ways" being the other two) here appeared on that first album, with the superb "Phoenix" being the only track not represented in some form on "First light".

The song "Alone" had to wait until "Pilgrimage" to see the light of day, where it appeared as a brief but enjoyable instrumental. The original version here is slightly longer and includes vocals. As such it is somewhat different to the "Pilgrimage" track, but once again well worth hearing. (Interestingly, the official Wishbone Ash website still describes this version as an "instrumental").

In view of the new improved versions which made it onto the first album, this set is largely for collectors only. The inclusion of "Roads of day to day" and the vocal version of "Alone" rather changes things though. Fans of the band should investigate immediately!

Report this review (#291235)
Posted Tuesday, July 20, 2010 | Review Permalink
4 stars The long lost first recordings by Wishbone Ash, the ones that earned them their first contract!

Much like "Perkin Tapes" by Pavlov's Dog, "First Light" contains some material that was re-recorded for WA first and second albums, and two songs that never found their place in an album: Roads of Day to Day and Joshua. Also, here we find the original version of Alone from "Pilgrimage", with lyrics and a quite different approach in general.

The raw and more "amateur" approach on these recordings make them a treasure for any WA fan, as we can listen to great songs in less polished versions that could be on the studio albums like this, if they were not asked by MCA to re-record them.

All in all, a valuable album for any classic rock lover.

Report this review (#1632464)
Posted Saturday, October 15, 2016 | Review Permalink

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