MARTIN TURNER'S WISHBONE ASH - THE LIFE BEGINS TOUR

A good collection of classic Wishbone Ash songs performed by the original lead singer/bassist and his current band. Regardless of the arguments between Martin Turner and Andy Powell as to whose band is the "Real Deal," it all comes down to whose sound do you prefer. I used to love the sound of Wishbone Ash in the 1970s and saw them live many times, and for me Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash reproduce that sound better than the "official" band led by Andy Powell.

This DVD was filmed in Leicester (I was in the audience). It starts with an obscure song, Time and Space, which was a bonus track on the No Smoke Without Fire CD. An unusual choice, but it's a good song and sets the scene for what is to come. Then we have the jazzy Vas Dis before one of the highlights of the show, four songs from the Wishbone Four album. The first half of the show ends with the magnum opus (and proggy) Phoenix, which includes a spoons solo (no one can accuse this band of not having fun!).

The second half of the show includes a performance of the entire Argus album, which is probably the only reason Wishbone Ash have been included in progarchives. This culminates in an impressive twin guitar ending to Throw Down The Sword (something never attempted by the original band, where Andy Powell played - and still plays - a single solo) followed by the rocking Blowin' Free.

If you like classic Wishbone Ash, and you don't think Martin Turner is a "Judas" for forming a rival band to Andy Powell's, I would very much recommend this DVD.