Burn the chicken

Does 40 years in a Rock Band give the skills necessary to reverse a Transit van up to the stage entrance at Hessle Town Hall? Evidently yes, and Martin Turner, one of the original and founder members of Wishbone Ash showed supreme parking skills between the Police Station wall and and the disabled access ramp for the side door. He's quite deft as well at roadie work and making sure the concessions stand has enough DVD's and T's. The Argus album is 40 years old this year, album of the year in 1971 and now forming the core of a tour of the band as MTWA. The definitive history of the original Wishbone Ash is interesting but in true 'Anvil' style, a catalogue or should that be back catalogue of missed opportunities, wrong musical directions and a degree of conflict not unknown between the personalties and aspirations of any group of 4 persons. A bit like family life but without blood-ties. It can be a bit sad to go from chaffeur driven Limo Stateside to panel van Humber side but the Town Hall was full and appreciative. I was amongst the youngest at aged 48 and I was fearful that my 16 year old son would be approached and offered money for a harvest of organs but there were true fans which, for a band that was never really fashionable, shows that they have been doing something right. The set started with The King will Come and during the rockin' 2 hours (less prostate break) much of the Argus playlist was covered in excellent style and with a pure quality of sound and detail. I had forgotten many of the tracks and also the chronological order of the albums produced from 1970 to 1985. If you get a chance try a playlist to include Blowin' Free, Persephone, Throw Down the Sword, Blind Eye, Way of The World and Living Proof. Martin Turner's bass was thumping and taut and the trademark twin lead guitarists showed a longstanding familiarity with the work of the band. Not bad as they will have been mere teenagers at the time that the band originally formed. The drummer was funky in headband and sweatpants but also held it all together. Myself and son had feared the worst for the gig and had kept expectations low but the quality and musicianship was fantastic. The band lives on and thrives, roll, rock and roll on to the 50th anniversary.