Search - Wishbone Ash :: Number the Brave

The Third WISHBONE ASH Masterpiece in Four Years!!!

T. Kasuboski | Winneconne, Wisconsin United States | 02/17/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"WISHBONE ASH fans are an interesting bunch. Over the years I've observed that there tens to be three distinct groups of WB fans. Group #1 worships the "Argus period (i.e. pretty much everything up to the "Live Dates" LP, so basically 1969-1973). Group #2 loves the earlier ASH LPs as well, but find themselves listening to the period (basically from 1974-1976) of "There's The Rub", "Locked In", and the hugely underappreciated and killer "New England" LP, far more often than the earlier records. Group #3 tend to focus on the period of approxiamately 1977-1982 beginning with the "Front Page News" album in 1977 and running through the masterpiece (which will be the eventual focus of this review) "Number The Brave" LP released in 1981. And finally, Group #4 (myself included) simply love everything WISHBONE ASH released (HOWEVER, I've chosen to write this review because I feel that the albums so loved by Group #3 and consisting of "Front Page News", "No Smoke Without Fire", "Just Testing", and "Number The Brave" are HUGELY UNDER-RATED, OFTEN OVERLOOKED, and even considered by some, mainly those of Group #1 as NOT "real" WISHBONE ASH). I feel much of this animosity coming from Group #1 (aka the "Argus" crowd)stems from departure of guitarist Ted Turner following the "Wishbone Ash Four" LP. While yes this was a blow to the band, one must keep in mind that he was replaced by one of the most under-rated and skilled guitarists of the 70's, Laurie Wisefield! Wisefield's amazing techinical skill coupled with great song writing skills, revitalized the band (just simply compare "Wishbone Ash Four" to "There's the Rub"). Wisfield's contributions to WISHBONE ASH would play a masive role in determining the direction the band followed into the late '70's and early 80's. In fact the line-up of Andy Powell(guitr/voc.), Laurie Wisefield(guitar/voc.), Martin Turner(bass/voc.), and Steve Upton(drums) remained constant from "There's The Rub'(1974) through "Just Testing" (1980)! Only after "Just Testing" would a line-up change occur when bassist/ASH legend Martin Turner left the band to be replaced by another stellar 70's musician named John Wetton (ex. URIAH HEEP,ROXY MUSIC,KING CRIMSON, FAMILY, etc.). So with this line-up, the pressure was on. Both "No Smoke Without Fire" (1978) amd "Just Testing" (1980) were undoubtedly flawless records demonstrating a revitalized WISHBONE ASH and featuring a newer and more polished sound and featuring an almost funky, spaced out flavor blended with the classic twin guitar attack and mind blowing moody and melodic vocal arrangements that WISHBONE ASH were famous for. From 1977-1981, WISHBONE ASH truly were operating in a league of their own. Live recordings from the era demonstrate an inspired band hittng on all cyinders. Wisefield in particular contributed much stunning material. But could they improve on a masterpiece like "Just Testing" without Martin Turner and with John Wetton instead? From the first moments of the "Number The Brave" album (which opens up with a hard-rocking party/drug tune called "Loaded") it was evident that the band's line-up change hadn't caused them to lose a step. In fact, Wetton's vocals actually were in some ways superior to Turner's and added another dimension to the arrangements! Songs like "Underground" (one of my top 5 favorite ASH tunes), "Kicks On The Street", "Where Is The Love", the absolutely KILLER title track(another one of the best tunes in he WB catalog that many haven't heard), the beautiful rocker "Rainstorm", and every other tune on the LP (arguable with the exception of the possibly unnecessary but well done cover of "Get Ready" once made a hit by Rare Earth)were top-notch. "Number The Brave" completed the unofficial but undeniable trilogy of "No Smoke Without Fire", "Just Testing", and "Number The Brave". Three flawless, innovative, dynamic but in the end TRAGICALLY ignored by even alot of pretty competent WA fans. In my mind, '77-'81 WISHBONE ASH belongs in the same category of pure hardrock brilliance as THIN LIZZY ('75-'82), UFO('79-'82), BLUE OYSTER CULT ('75-'81), RORY GALLAGHER's brilliant but forgotten hard rock records "Photo-Finish", "Top Priority", "Jinx", and MOTORHEAD's much maligned but unreal "Another Perfect Day" LP. DO NOT let the legend of WISHBONE ASH's early 70's "Argus" period BLIND you from the fact that the TRUE glory days of WISHBONE ASH (from a quality perspective) were "No Smoke Without Fire", "Just Testing", and "Number The Brave". Check them out (and then find yourself all the rest of the WA albums as well)! Also, you may find an affordable copy of "Number The Brave" on CD by going to www.gemm.com and looking. Currently, "Number The Brave" and "No Smoke Without Fire" are available one one CD in Russia for like $15!!! They may be technically bootlegs, but they sound remastered(seriously!), look great, are NOT CDRs, and are a hell of alot more affordable than the sickeningly expensive out of print domestic US/Euro. CD version of "Number The Brave". So don't hesitate, if you are a connoisseur of classic 70's hard rock, WISHBONE ASH is a band you MUST add to you're collection. Purely essential. And if you can't find an affordable CD copy of "Number The Brave", simply start with "No Smoke Without Fire" or "Just Testing" both of which are still in print in the US/Europe, remastered, and reasonably priced. LONG LIVE WISHBONE ASH, Laurie Wisefield, Andy Powell, and Ted Turner (I consider you as guitarists of the highest order), and all who've graced a WB line-up with their presence! BEST WISHES!!!!"