Living Proof

Great live recordings and a must for WA fans

Good album and music

On a bit of an Ash kick these days ( the Mammoth box set has revived my interest ), bought this on vinyl way back when it was first released and was stunned to realise that Martin Turner was no longer involved,the reunion had well and truly unravelled. Apparently,according to Andy Powell,this is the most bootlegged counterfeit Ash album ever. Indeed my CD copy comes with a cover not listed on amazon, its live shots front and back (bought the cd a few months after the vinyl).Still the Turner and Powell version serves up a great album,the sound quality is top notch and unsurprisingly the track list favours tracks from the reunion albums.There is a gaping hole for me personally with the absence of the original rythmn section but Pyle and Weston perform well.The highpoint is of course the guitar interplay between Ted and Andy a joy to listen to, who knew it would unravel completely a few short months later.

Having had the opportunity to see Ash live, up close, and comfortable in Chicago, I always hoped to find a recording that captures the energy of that set. Here it is!

Having first seen and heard Wishbone Ash from a live 1989 concert at Bristol Colston Hall on ITV late one night, I was instantly hooked and especially loved the interplay between lead guitarists Ted Turner and Andy Powell. I subsequently bought a live video with Laurie Wisefield from the Marquee in '83 and although it was excellent, there was something about the other two that struck me and so we come to this live album.What can I say? Well, buy it for one. It really is excellent, there is not one weak track on it and the solo that Andy pulls out on Throw Down The Sword has to be heard to be believed, not since the guitar solo on Comfortably Numb on the Pink Floyd Pulse release, have I heard a guitar played so beautifully ... it really is THAT good. The catchiest track is Why Don't We and shows Ted in fine vocal and musical form with a brilliant solo towards the end and another storming one by Andy midway through. the chemistry between all band members is first-rate, Andy Pyle moonlighting here from the Gary Moore blues band and Ray Weston laying down some solid drumming, which allows the two guitarists to showcase their respective talents.If you like honest-to-goodness, feelgood melodic rock with strong songwriting and exceptional musicianship than Living Proof - Live in Chicago is definitely for you and the twin lead guitar approach is novel and always imaginative. You can actually hear where early Iron Maiden got some of their sounds from in several of the tracks. Wishbone Ash show here that even in 1992 (some 20 odd years after they began) that they can still pack a punch. Buy this album and enjoy, it really is a corker but be prepared to jump around playing wild air guitar on Blowing Free, where Ted and Andy exchange some great fretwork and although Ted is more economical whereas Andy burns away, you see how they compliment each other brilliantly.