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Track
listing
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1.
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The
Power |
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2.
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Driving
a Wedge |
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3.
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In
Crisis |
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4.
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Dancing
with
the Shadows |
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5.
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Happiness
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6.
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Northern
Lights |
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7.
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Your
Indulgence |
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8.
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Growing
Up |
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9.
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Disappearing
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10.
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Hope
Springs Eternal |
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Label:
Sanctuary
Records
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Release
Date:
October 15, 2007
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The
late 60s and early 70s were a bountiful time for music lovers. New
bands with new ideas were springing forth like wild flowers in an
open field. Rooted in their freshly established harmony guitar sound,
Wishbone Ash was unleashed in this era. Their rich and intricate
musical contribution would soon influence acts such as Thin Lizzy
and Iron Maiden-and continue to inspire rock and roll artists throughout
three and a half decades.
The
Ash original line up is no more, but the one constant, Andy Powell,
continues on surrounded by an entourage of first-class musicians.
Current lineup includes Bob Skeat, Muddy Manninen, and Joe Crabtree.
Their latest offering, The Power of Eternity, may be a great departure
from the early days of Wishbone Ash. But as with all of the band's
modern collections, we hear the hooks, riffs, themes, and elements
of days gone by as we take the exciting leap forward into future
of this ever-evolving, seemingly eternal act.
Power
of Eternity Tracks
The
Power
Appropriately selected as the first track, The Power launches a
catchy riff manifested in some heavy chord and tom work. The tune's
escalating chorus culminates in an explosion of rock in true Ash
form, conjuring up a mental image of air-fisted fans in numbers.
Seize the day and rock all night says The Power.
Driving
a Wedge
Get your funk on. You're about to move, groove, and unhinge your
bad self in this soulful, lyrical lashing. Driving a Wedge brings
you rhythmic riffs, funky bass, and suspenseful peaks, in a playful
James-Brown-style, get-down jam. But wait, here comes the twin guitar
resolution you hoped for, and it's telling you quite an intense
story. Sit still if you savor some punchy Wishbone rebuke.
In
Crisis
And aren't we all? Soft, somber echoing lyrics lend a hint of Alan
Parsons/Floydish-style melancholy, while the steady rhythmic motion
takes us down a fast-churning, contradictive thought process. As
the melody steadily rolls us into the memorable refrain, it sets
the stage for some extremely fancy lead work. You're on the edge
of your seat.
Dancing
with the Shadows
Dark, sinister, blues stomp on you, while eerie vocal harmonies
question you. You can feel the fingerwork fret, as you get lost
inside this deeply grim head thrasher.
Happiness
The brink of a contagious Wishbone Ash riff is brought to life through
a bouncy, seductive, jeering funk sound that is unprecedented. Vocals
exceed expectations with an overtone of borderline insanity, urgency,
and the over-the-top emotion of "going down." Wishbone
Ash meets Thomas-Dolby-mad-scientist-lunatic, brought back to earth
with the familiar banner marches of Argus days and strong lead guitar
resolution. Unforgettable, danceable, jolting, Happiness! Think
you're happy? A surprising end sucks you into eternity, and takes
you to the other side.
Northern
Lights
Get in your car, and crank this instrumental ballad UP LOUD. If
you see waters, fire, landscape, laughter, tears, and your entire
life pass before your eyes, then you were listening to Northern
Lights, a genius guitar composition that encompasses everything
you ever felt everywhere at all times.
Your
Indulgence
The Wishbone Ash love songs frequently get overlooked by gear-stricken
guitar heads, but this one, with its stunning guitar work, crystal
clear expression, and talented harmonies deserves your full attention.
The ultimate tribute to another. Never stated better.
Growing
Up
As the Wishbone Ash home page sound snippit, web fans already know
this lick by heart. Growing Up begins with blast of neatly crafted
and intellectual dual guitar work, which becomes the foundation
for the hooks in this nostalgic self-realization. The lick is so
good it's almost unbelievable-another Ash anthem! Unexpectedly,
this tune lures you into an obsessive-compulsive 70s groove that
could make you sing a memorable song from your past (Can you hear
it?). Nevertheless, this drastic deviation sets the live stage for
spectacular showmanship. You are in your safe Wishbone place with
Growing Up, but not for long.
Disappearing
A dreamy lullaby of delicately picked jazz structures sucks us into
a far-away world of fantasy and wandering escape. The ultimate departure
from the sound and world
we know.
Hope
Springs Eternal
A pounding profession of eternal hope, with a chorus that musically
captures the idea. The Argus marches and powerful harmonies again
ring true, and carry us forth in the faith. The theme of eternity,
brought full circle around, resonates. We are eternal believers
in The Power of Eternity.
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