CLASSIC ROCK LEGENDS (DVD)

Wishbone Ash's entry in the Classic Rock Legends DVD series is one of the better ones that I've seen and is well-deserving of the title. For those who are unfamiliar with the series I can add that it has entries by among many others Rick Wakeman, Strawbs, Uriah Heep, Caravan, Hawkwind, and Asia. Like its companions, Wishbone Ash's entry is graced with beautiful Roger Dean art work for its cover. It features a host of classic Wishbone Ash songs performed with enthusiasm, energy, passion, and precision. The line- up features Andy Powell, Ted Turner, Martin Turner, and Steve Upton.

The performance opens with the instrumental Real Guitars Have Wings which I think is a great little piece that sounds better live than in its studio version. This is followed by the eternal The King Will Come from Argus. Next up is three tracks from the band's most recent album at the time of this recoding, Here To Hear. What you think about this live video probably depends to a significant degree on what you think about that album and especially the songs chosen from it: Cosmic Jazz, Keeper Of The Light, and Why Don't We. Personally, I like the Here To Hear album and these songs.

Blowing Free is performed as the closing number with a medley consisting of bits of Blind Eye, Lady Whisky, Sometime World, and Phoenix being played as the first encore, and then finally Jailbait. The whole concert is very good, but I actually enjoy the first five songs the most. While the set list is not by any means my dream set list, I still think that this is the best Wishbone Ash live experience that I have so far been exposed to.

A fine entry into the Classic Rock Legends series and a welcome addition to any Wishbone Ash collection