BARE BONES

During the 90's there were many artists "unplugging" their guitars and producing acoustic albums of their best songs, namely Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Nirvana, Neil Young, Page and Plant, Michael Schenker, and even Kiss, Oasis and Rod Stewart were "at it" and here we have Wishbone Ash's contribution, "Bare Bones".

The album could not be described as totally "unplugged", but contains some nice folky and bluesy songs accompanied by many various stringed instruments including acoustic guitars and dobro guitar, plus accordion, violin and harmonica to good effect, even a Hammond organ is used. The material and instruments have been chosen to good effect, producing a beautiful airy, folky effect, almost like the band in your local pub (I wish!!). "Errors of my Way" sounds absolutely brilliant - this had me running for my acoustic guitar, and including the song on my own "list of songs to learn", and the beautiful violin snaking its way through the song is a master stroke. The aforementioned violin appears on some tracks, which contain contributions (listed above) by many established guest musicians.

Overall a very uplifting listen, though I would have been pleased to see more Ash classics on here given the folky treatment, but the songs chosen fit together seamlessly. Though this album is not strictly folk music, and unaccustomed as I am to things folkish (other than Blue Grass/ Leo Kottke style of music, Blues and the odd snatch from JP), this music is right up my street. A very interesting album, though not strictly Prog, something that has worked well for WA, and definitely worth three stars - though the aforementioned "Errors of my Way" is really worth FIVE!