From the Wishbone Ash newsltter (Andy Powell version)

"This Just in: Universal Music is embarking on a plan for Wishbone Ash's back
catalogue. So far they have scheduled in a Anthology and a Box Set. We will keep you
abreast of this as we find out more."

&

"The new DVD "Wishbone Ash® 40" Live in London is set for a European release on
October 10th, although we've been assured of tour stock for the beginning of the U.K.
tour. This new DVD was produced by RCN TV, the same team who made the highly
acclaimed Live in Hamburg DVD. This 40th anniversary show from Shepherd's Bush
Empire contains performances of Blind Eye, Runaway, Right Or Wrong, Sometime
World, Rainstorm, The Way of the World, Everybody Needs a Friend (featuring
Mark Birch), The King Will Come, Throw Down The Sword, Cell of Fame
(featuring Mervyn "Spam" Spence), Almighty Blues & Faith, Hope & Love
(featuring Ben Granfelt), Engine Overheat, Phoenix, Jailbait & Blowin' Free. If
that's not enough, this production has a special 51-minute bonus road movie as well.
Featuring back stage scenes and travel footage - a kind of "week in the life of the band"
leading up to the big London show. The format is stunning Hi Definition video, 5.1
Surround Sound as well as regular stereo. And yes, this DVD will be offered for sale on
the band's website once we have it in stock.

A separate live CD of the 2-hour performance as well as a vinyl pressing will be
available."

& not to be outdone, this is from Martin Turner's rival Wishbone Ash newsletter:

"UNIVERSAL REISSUES

We are pleased to reveal that Martin Turner has been maintaining his close relationship with Universal Music, working
behind the scenes in formulating plans to celebrate Wishbone Ash’s 40th anniversary, including a series of Wishbone Ash
back catalogue releases, which will coincide with Martin Turner's Life Begins tour in 2010. These are set to include deluxe
editions of the iconic releases, boxed collections and bonus features, and latest marketing techniques (especially grass
roots) being developed to embrace the ever-changing methods of delivering classic music within modern formats. We will
also soon be able to bring you definitive news regarding Live Dates Volume II.

Universal Music are keen to involve all 1970s members of Wishbone Ash in their release programme, as this will
undoubtedly result in a cohesive and defining overall package. To that end Martin Turner has recently been trawling
through his archive of Wishbone Ash multi-tracks for possible bonus tracks, live material, etc.

We look forward to bringing you further details on release plans as they become available."

Geff:
Great news! Thanks for this-if you recall, I had asked about this band a few months ago. I didn't get anything yet, but remasters with bonus tracks (and I hope they do the whole back catalogue) will be great. Plus-the anthology and box set-very nice.
I don't really have any interest in the two competing versions of the band which is a shame. But this is very cool news indeed!

Hallelujah for a release on CD of LIVE DATES VOL 2! Long overdue. This has been announced several times in the past with nothing happening though, so I'll believe it when I see it.

I think all (most?) of the older albums have already been reissued on CD, with bonus tracks, some remixed/remastered by Martin, except for LD VOL2 and NUMBER THE BRAVE, but those two I would definitely pick up. Not sure if I would spring for the others for something like the 3rd or 4th time on CD though, not without significantly rare bonus tracks.

Number The Brave has turned up on Russian cd. I haven't seen LD on cd; fortunately i have a clean vinyl pressing.

There is one i used to own that I don't hear much talk of: An official Japan Live in Japan MCA LP. I THINK it was 2 LP (might have been 1) & I think it was Mk 2 with Weisfield. Unfortunately, I don't have a copy in any format today.

That reminds me - I forgot, Number The Brave was out on Japanese mini-sleeve. I decided not to pick it up though (too expensive).

LD2 is my favorite live Ash recording (and there are literally dozens not counting the hundreds or thousands of bootlegs or fan recordings)! I have it on CDR, only as ripped from (clean) vinyl though, and I'd love to get a real CD of it.



That's a real rare one - 1 LP. I think I have a bootleg CD copy. I'm not sure anyone has the tapes for that in order to release it today on CD, but who knows, maybe Martin or Andy can find it lying around in some stash somewheres (like they did with some other stuff).

Anyone hear when the reissue program begins for these? I've been looking but I've only found the same info that Geff reported on.

I really wish Andy & Martin would get over their fight & merge the 2 bands into 1. It would be so much better then either, & how about a mark 2 reunion with Powell, Wisefield, Upton & Turner??!,

Never say never, but it will "never" happen.

Go to the official band website and read many of the threads up there to understand all of the issues if yer curious. This recent interview with Andy touches on much of it and is a great read:

http://wishboneash.com/blog/post/andy_p ... w_beatleg/

I personally think that Andy's current band is great and don't want to see some kind of reunion type thing spoiling what they have now. The past is gone and its not coming back IMO. That being said, if some kind of reunion happens, then I would support it and see what they could come up with.

Interesting article. I think I've read part of it beore but didn't remember the entire thing.

For some reason, I thought Ted Turner was dead. Glad to see I was wrong!