[2020-02-28] Wishbone Ash "Coat Of Arms" (Steamhammer)

Linda · **Posted:** Thu Dec 19, 2019 5:04 pm

Description
In the annals of rock music, there have been few bands with a lasting stylistic influence who continue to be active to this day and are celebrated at their shows not only for their past accomplishments but who continue to impress their fans with new albums, new songs and fresh ideas at regular intervals. Wishbone Ash certainly counts among this rare species. Almost precisely 50 years ago this month, the group led by guitarist/vocalist Andy Powell first caught attention with the release of its debut album, "Wishbone Ash" (1970). Two years later, they went on to write music history with their third release, "Argus", and since then Wishbone Ash has brought out more than two dozen outstanding studio and live recordings, among them classics such as "Live Dates" (1973), "There's The Rub" (1974) and "New England" (1976), as well as more recent gems such as "The Power Of Eternity" (2007) and "Elegant Stealth" (2011). Their upcoming release, "Coat Of Arms", forges an arc to all these offerings, featuring Wishbone Ash's characteristic twin lead guitar parts, their haunting melodies and diverse stylistic facets, while at the same time imbuing the scene with a breath of fresh air.

"Coat Of Arms" sounds stylistically diverse and technically accomplished, yet the new album is typical of Wishbone Ash's traditional strengths — a balancing act that is a challenge to Andy Powell every time.

"Following the countless songs that we have written throughout the history of Wishbone Ash, my own expectations are extremely high," Andy says. "On the one hand, as a composer, you try not to repeat yourself in your creative output but to come up with new ideas all the time. On the other, you want to remain faithful to your style. Good songs need an inner conviction and the right inspiration. We had both when we started working on 'Coat Of Arms'.

"You'd be right in describing the current lineup as the best in the history of Wishbone Ash. We all love our lives as musicians, the direct contact with our fans, travelling, the shows, our songs. It's that commitment by everybody involved that you hear in every single note on 'Coat Of Arms'."

Tracklist
1. We Stand As One
2. Coat Of Arms
3. Empty Man
4. Floreana
5. Drive
6. It's Only You I See
7. Too Cool For AC
8. Back In The Day
9. Deja Vu
10. When The Love Is Shared
11. Personal Halloween

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082JNNCMP/?tag=imwan-20

Geff R. · 27 Sep 2006

Andy, I'm sorry I really like the current WA, but the best lineup by far was the original.

Linda · **Posted:** Sun Jan 12, 2020 7:42 pm

I've updated the cover image in the first post to the full packshot, and here's a promo video for the album's opening track "We Stand As One":

RB59 · 24 Jun 2011

Geff R. wrote:

Andy, I'm sorry I really like the current WA, but the best lineup by far was the original.

By far.

Linda · **Posted:** Sun Feb 09, 2020 7:45 pm

The pre-order price has dropped by nearly $3, down to $12.14:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082JNNCMP/?tag=imwan-20

Linda · **Posted:** Tue Feb 11, 2020 12:19 am

Another track, "Back In The Day":

[2020-02-28] Wishbone Ash "Coat Of Arms" (Steamhammer)

Who is WANline