All instrumental (IRS "No Speak" series).
When "Here To Hear" was published in 1989, I succeeded to buy it in a record shop in my hometown. I hadn’t an idea that the original line-up had reformed and recorded an album prior to that. In the spring of 1990 I had the luck to find this album too. It was in a shop in Helsinki, the capital of Finland. Unfortunately I hadn’t a portable CD player at that time, so I had to wait until I was back home before I could listen to it! What I could do was to read the liner notes by Miles Copeland III. Here's a quotation that made me nod and smile:
"... no need to invent a new hairdo ... just play your instruments ...".
An instrumental album by Wishbone Ash! Who could have hoped for more.
Well, eventually I returned home and did enjoy the songs. Because there’s no lyrics, the songs build up "visions" based on the music itself, the title of the song or whatever. So a lot of the comments are in fact some definitions of my "visions".
A title that forces one to think of a crime story. The beginning is more on the horror genre, but the rest could be interpreted as the name implies. One part is building up the suspense, another part is more action. The "jinglier" part symbolizes the nowadays so typical "domestic problems" of these films.
"Does your dög bite?" If I could do an animated film with a clumsy detective, I’d use this as a signature melody.
The "Whitbread Around the World Race" with some wide angle views of boats sailing on the Atlantic. Based very much on Martin’s keyboards, which he seems to be using as tastily as his bass guitar.
A guitar riff that revolves very nicely. I do enjoy bike rides and this rolls like a bike. At least when you’re riding downhill. The mandolin is a tasty spice.
Really exotic in every way: keyboards, bass, guitars and drums. This one is an exception to the no vocals-rule too: you can hear some human voices (but no lyrics)!
A catchy melody and based very much on guitars. The keyboards are put to rest. Maybe that’s the reason why this song has stayed in the live set for years. Thanks to the live performances we’ve heard some extended versions of the slide guitar jam in the end. Could there be more gems that were edited off, when this album was cut?
One more from the classical side (=two guitars, a bass and drums, no keyboards). The fast pace of this song indicates that it could be used as a signature for a sports program. The title inspires the fantasy too...
Another song "suited for coppers". The verse is has some creepy/stalking guitars and the chorus has more peaceful keyboards.
A wavy guitar in the beginning. Maybe the spirit flies free on the sea? Or maybe this could be a family film with kids playing in the garden where there is a swing. Some more mandolin to "brighten up" this one too.
At first I had a (weird) vision of a thief in the rose garden with creaky shoes. But the melody isn’t threatening at all, on the contrary it’s very peaceful. Later on I’ve learnt that Andy calls this "In the morning". Then it clicked: what a perfect name it would have been. At the same time I was embarrassed of my seemingly "eternal interest for cloak and dagger -stories/melodies".
A majestic finale with an equally majestic name. This melody starts the only Wishbone Ash video I have (when this is written, at least): Live in Colston Hall Bristol,1989. It’s a perfect starter for a Wishbone Ash live performance.
Written by: Rainer Frilund - Last update: Sep, 1998