Progarchives, the progressive rock ultimate discography

FIRST LIGHT

Wishbone Ash

Prog Related


From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Wishbone Ash First Light album cover
3.65 | 14 ratings | 4 reviews | 21% 5 stars

Write a review

Buy WISHBONE ASH Music
from Progarchives.com partners
Boxset/Compilation, released in 2007

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Lady Whiskey (3:11)
2. Roads Of Day To Day (5:51)
3. Blind Eye (3:35)
4. Joshua (2:13)
5. Queen Of Torture (3:09)
6. Alone (with vocals) (3:09)
7. Handy (12:41)
8. Errors Of My Ways (6:24)

Total Time: 40:22

Line-up / Musicians

- Martin Turner / bass, vocals
- Andy Powell / guitar, vocals
- Ted Turner / guitar, vocals
- Steve Upton / drums

Releases information

CD Talking Elephant Records TECD108 (UK 2007)

First release of long lost 1970 studio recordings by the original Wishbone Ash lineup.

Thanks to DocB for the addition
and to Rivertree for the last updates
Edit this entry

Buy WISHBONE ASH First Light Music



WISHBONE ASH First Light ratings distribution


3.65
(14 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of rock music(21%)
21%
Excellent addition to any rock music collection(50%)
50%
Good, but non-essential (21%)
21%
Collectors/fans only (7%)
7%
Poor. Only for completionists (0%)
0%

WISHBONE ASH First Light reviews


Showing all collaborators reviews and last reviews preview | Show all reviews/ratings

Collaborators/Experts Reviews

Review by Easy Livin
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR 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!

Latest members reviews

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 ... (read more)

Report this review (#1632464) | Posted by BigDaddyAEL1964 | Saturday, October 15, 2016 | Review Permanlink

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 ARGU ... (read more)

Report this review (#207361) | Posted by Ampersand | Monday, March 16, 2009 | Review Permanlink

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 re ... (read more)

Report this review (#131568) | Posted by DocB | Friday, August 3, 2007 | Review Permanlink

Post a review of WISHBONE ASH "First Light"

You must be a forum member to post a review, please register here if you are not.

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Forum user
Forum password

Copyright Prog Archives, All rights reserved. | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Advertise | RSS + syndications

Other sites in the MAC network: JazzMusicArchives.com — jazz music reviews and archives | MetalMusicArchives.com — metal music reviews and archives

Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.