WISHBONE ASH

This is no Argus, that's for sure, but it has its moments and it includes at least one of Wishbone Ash's greatest tracks. Despite it being their debut album all of the band's characteristic traits are already present, from the straightforward boogie of BLIND EYE and the blues-rock of LADY WHISKEY, to the folk-inspired ERRORS OF MY WAY and the jazz-inflected HANDY. This last named song is unusual in that it starts off with a bass solo, with the jazz influence showing up toward the end of its 11-minutes with a swing rhythm and some of Martin Turner's trademark scat vocals. It meanders a bit in the middle and even includes a drum solo, so don't say I didn't warn you. However it and all the other tracks are mere appetizers for the classic PHEONIX with its twin lead guitar salvoes. It starts off slow and moody, speeds up, has one or two stop-start moments, accelerates again etc. That's about as close towards progressive that the album leans, but PHEONIX is a mighty song... if, like me, you enjoy a bit of no-frills rock.