FIRST LIGHT

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 recently. While perhaps less polished than the first MCA recordings, especially the acclaimed Argus album, one can hear the experimentation here that led to that later work. And there is a sort of raw energy that gives the music a very fresh sound. The sound quality is also very good.

As for the songs, 6 of the 8 songs on First Light showed up on later Wishbone albums, but fans will like the versions on First Light for both the raw energy and the alternate arrangements. The versions of Alone (with vocals) and the extended instrumental Handy are special treats. Also included are two previously unheard pieces, Roads of Day to Day and a short instrumental called Joshua. Martin Turner complained that their singing sounded like "choir boys" back then, but it sounds good to me, and the playing is great! This CD will be essential to Wishbone Ash fans, but should be of interest to prog rock fans as well for the experimentation going on in this early Ash music.