25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MARQUEE (DVD)

This DVD captures Wishbone Ash live on stage at the Marquee Club, London in February 1983. The line-up at this time featured Andy Powell, Laurie Wisefield, Steve Upton, and Trevor Bolder. Bolder's presence is a bit of a surprise, but he was actually a member of Wishbone Ash for a brief period in the early 80's and recorded the studio album Twin Barrels Burning with them. Normally, of course, we would hear Bolder playing bass in Uriah Heep, and before that with David Bowie's Spiders From Mars (having the longest sideburns anybody has ever had!). Bolder sadly passed away earlier this year, just a few months after I saw him live with Uriah Heep looking as well and lively as he does on this video. RIP Trevor Bolder.

Three of the eight songs featured on this live recording were taken from Twin Barrels Burning. These are Can't Fight Love, No More Lonely Nights, and Engine Overheat. These are clearly the worst songs in the set. Two songs were chosen to represent the previous album Number The Brave from 1981 (that featured John Wetton): Open Road and Underground. These are not bad songs. The highlights are however the classics The King Will Come and, especially, the epic Phoenix.

I enjoy watching and listening to this DVD, and it does offer a rare glimpse into a forgotten period and line- up of the band. Yet, it does leave something to be desired; it features only eight songs, the majority of which are not among the band's best. As such it is primarily recommended for fans and collectors.