ALMIGHTY BLUES - LONDON AND BEYOND

Despite the awfully cheesy cover art on this live SACD/CD release please don't be put off - it contains some of Wishbone Ash's most popular and stunning songs, including a few from the excellent "Bona Fide" album, and their most classic album "Argus", no WA live album would be complete without "Warrior", "Throw down the Sword" or "Time Was", would it?

Though I personally approach live albums with some trepidation due to sound quality issues I was very pleased with the sound on this live performance from London, dated April 15th 2003 (they don't say where), so you get a complete uninterrupted show! The sound really sparkles on this SACD, though it is a Hybrid meaning it can be played on an ordinary CD player just the same. Not having 5.1 Multichannel technology on my hi-fi system I am unable to comment on that but the SACD STEREO sound is truly excellent.

Having seen the band earlier this year the album gives a more or less accurate update of their current live set, and as mentioned above includes many classic songs from "Argus" plus "Almighty Blues", "Faith, Hope and Love", "Come Rain Come Shine" and "Ancient Remedy" from "Bona Fide", and includes live favourite "Jail Bait" from "Pilgrimage" . The musicianship is very tight, accurate and includes some blistering guitar solos - of course!

Most of the songs here have been well documented and commented on in their album reviews, but the show includes one or two less well known inclusions, namely "Standing in the Rain" from the album "Strange Affair" and "On Your Own" from "Illuminations". "Standing in the Rain" has a very catchy guitar riff and a singalong chorus ideally suited for a live show, though "On Your Own" from the album "Illuminations" is a much darker number with a classic Ash style boogie beat which contains some fine guitar solos, and fits within this set seamlessly.

Overall an excellent uplifting listening experience for an old live album skeptic like me, this often gets a spin in my house. Those investigating the band for the first time could do little wrong in investigating this SACD/CD. As the album contains such quality Ash material and the aforesaid sound quality, four stars!