Listen Up: Wishbone Ash - Live Dates II [Japanese limited edition CD]

After a 25-year wait, one of my all-time favorite albums is finally out on CD.  Of course the record company (MCA) wouldn’t make the obvious decision and release it where the band’s largest fan base resides:  the U.S or the U.K.   That would be far too logical.  Instead, U.S. fans like me have to buy an expensive import from Europe or Japan.  I ended up purchasing the Japanese limited edition SHM mini LP sleeve version from Amazon that cost an arm and a leg [over $50].  

I first bought this album on vinyl in 1980 – luckily for me it was the limited edition which contained a second bonus LP of live cuts.  But for some reason this classic live album of ‘70s twin guitar heroics never made it to CD.  Who knows why?  I thought maybe it was some legal issue or the original master tapes were lost or damaged.  All I know is generations of Wishbone Ash CDs and remasters and reissues came and went while “Live Dates II” stayed on the shelf.  Until now.

The Japanese release comes in a mini paper sleeve so it looks just like the original LP set, only smaller.  The first Wishbone Ash live album “Live Dates” sounded like it was recorded in a bucket or under water to my ears, but “Live Dates II” made up for that with its crystal clear sound.  The Japanese reissue is no disappointment and sounds fantastic.  The original engineer cleverly panned the two guitarists left (Andy Powell) and right (Laurie Wisefield)  so you can easily follow who’s doing what.

If you are a fan of ‘70s rock then this really is an essential CD [even though it was released in 1980].  There are so many highlights:

•    The great instrumental break in the opening track “Doctor” at the 3 minute mark
•    Andy Powell's soulful, lyrical solos on “Living Proof”
•    The 9+ minute instrumental called “F.U.B.B.” – a creeping, brooding tune that builds up steam for 6 and half glorious minutes before the two guitarists cut loose.
•    The 10 minute “Way of the World” with its  superb closing section
•    Powell's soaring, emotion-drenched solo on “Persephone” 

While the two guitar players get the spotlight, Martin Turner (bass, vocals) and Steve Upton (drums) provide a great foundation.  While no great singer, I really like Turner's vocal style and on this Japanese reissue, his bass is super clear which highlights his melodic lines.

If I have one criticism of this double album, it’s that the second disc runs out of steam and ends rather quietly.  There were many other great tunes the band was playing at the time like the zippy instrumental “Outward Bound”, “You See Red”, “Lifeline” and the traditional encore “Bad Weather Blues” and those should have been included.  In fact, we don’t get the 2+ minutes of cheering crowd and obligatory encore on “Live Dates II” and I think that’s a mistake because the album doesn’t quite recreate the concert experience like so many of the better ‘70s live albums.

Even so, this still stands as a classic live album and the one-two punch of “F.U.B.B.” and “Way of the World” – originally side 2 of the first LP – represents one of the greatest “sides” in ‘70s guitar history.  At over $50, this is a very expensive collector’s item, but it’s worth every penny.

Track listing

Disc One
1 Doctor
2 Living Proof
3 Runaway
4 Helpless
5 F.U.B.B.
6 The Way of The World

Disc Two

1 Lorelei
2 Persephone
3 You Rescue Me
4 Time Was
5 Goodbye Baby Hello Friend
6 No Easy Road