Last night, I saw Wishbone Ash for the first time in about four years. I believe the last time I saw them was at a club in far north Austin called The Roost, or something like that. And then I missed them in 2015 when they played the same place; just completely missed that the show was even happening. Anyway, yesterday, thanks to a Facebook event that a friend had replied to, I found out they were playing Sam's Burger Joint in San Antonio. Further research told me they were playing the One World Theater in Austin tonight, but I thought last night's show would be a better bet, so off I went.
Glad I did. I've seen them a few times over the last 15 years or so, and last night was the best one yet. For those of you who are casual fans or know nothing about them, the band has been Andy Powell, original guitarist, and hired hands for the last 24 years. He registered the name and runs it as his own business. This after all other members of the band had quit over the years. It makes sense to me, but it has caused some problems with former bandmates, as he apparently registered the name without asking them. Regardless, for a band run in this fashion, it still seems like A BAND. Not just the original guy and supporting players.
Bob Skeat, the bassist, has been in the band 20 years now. Not bad. Joe Crabtree, the current drummer, has been in the band 11 years and does a lot of the web promotion and blogging, etc. In the other guitarist role, there was a newcomer, Mark Abrahams. Until mid-2017, that role had been filled by Muddy Manninen since 2006 or so, but last year, Muddy suddenly left. Abrahams adds a bit of spice to the stage show (although I think he could use a clothes consultant); I always found Muddy to be a bit stodgy on stage. Great player, but not the most animated guy in the world. And for a band that's been around....jeez, creeping up on 50 years now!.....you like having a feisty guy on stage. Mark still seems a bit reserved and unsure, but he's what I think the band needs at this stage of the game. In the last few years, Muddy had contributed quite a bit of original material, so hopefully Mark can do some of the same.
Great crowd last night. The last few times I've seen WA in Austin, the crowd was....well, just sort of there. I was happy to see the crowd and its reaction last night. I could tell the band appreciated it, too. As a guy who sees several of these so-called "classic" bands in various shapes and sizes, I like the fact that Andy doesn't talk down to the audience. That's a huge pet peeve of mine with classic acts. I saw Edgar Winter open for Alice Cooper and Deep Purple back in July, and both his set and what he said to the audience was just flat out depressing. He must have told the audience three times that his brother was Johnny Winter. Really? In 2017? Please don't treat your audience like they're a bunch of know-nothing Bud Light-swilling blobs of fat. Although, to be fair, some of those folks were there. Pardon my rant; back to WA.
Great set. A bit predictable, maybe, but I'll take it. Five of the seven "Argus" songs were in the set. Even "Leaf and Stream," but to be fair, they didn't play one until about the sixth song of the night. The openers were "Bona Fide" and "Eyes Wide Open." After that, memory is a little fuzzy. Of course, "Phoenix" was the main set closer, but I like the places they take that song. And it's different each time I've seen them play it. The encore songs were "Faith, Hope, and Love" and "Blowin' Free." And that's another thing I need to mention about seeing WA now. Unlike many other classic bands, they're not afraid to play newer songs that their older audience probably won't know. They have some cojones, in other words. Yes, they'll play most of the "Argus" album and "Phoenix," but the rest is up for grabs. Truly.
Fun night last night. I wish I knew more people who liked them. That's all.
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