Andy Powell and the Wishbone Ash gang are back with The Power of Eternity, a collection of brand new songs that sees the veteran outfit still cranking out the twin guitar led hard rock close to 40 years after first appearing on the scene. Alongside guitar legend Powell is fellow axe-slinger and newest member Muddy Manninen, bassist Bob Skeat, and drummer Joe Crabtree (who also happens to drum for Pendragon as well as The David Cross Band). If you've followed this classic band at all over the years and enjoyed albums like Pilgrimage, Argus, Number the Brave, Nouveau Calls, Wishbone Ash, and Live Dates, then you'll be happy to know that many of the elements that you have loved throughout their career are contained on The Power of Eternity.
Lead off track "Power" is a classy blues rocker with stinging slide guitar and emotional vocals, and segues into the funky number "Driving a Wedge", a tune that sees Powell and Manninen laying down some meaty riffs and trading off some tasty harmony lines that recall vintage Ash as well as The Allman Brothers Band. "In Crisis" features some melodic vocals from Powell in what is more of a poppy-prog number along the lines of Blue Oyster Cult's mid-late 70's material. Check out the wonderful guitar solos on this one-pure bliss! Images of Robin Trower come to mind on the psychedelic blues-rocker "Dancing With the Shadows", complete with plenty of searing wah-wah guitar leads and plodding rhythms. I'm again reminded of Trower, especially his early 80's collaboration with Jack Bruce, on the bouncy & funky "Happiness", while the instrumental "Northern Lights" is just a gorgeous piece no matter how you look at it. With Powell and Manninen trading heartfelt melody lines, images of vintage Ash, Jeff Beck, or Allman & Betts, instantly come to mind. This is emotional stuff that shows just how effective taste, tone, and restraint can actually be.
Not as successful is the rootsy love song "Your Indulgence", which, despite its smooth crooning vocals, lush acoustic guitar, and tasty lead lines, seems like an odd fit here. "Growing Up" however sees the two guitar aces once again flexing their muscles, this one a driving hard rocking with propulsive rhythms from Skeat & Crabtree, and lots of fretboard gymnastics, making this one a throwback to the band's 70's material and one of the hottest tracks on this CD. The moody blues/jazz number "Disappearing" is nice, but not anything to get too worked up over, and the closer "Hope Springs Eternal" has a proggy feel to it thanks to some effects laden guitar riffs, layers of vocals, and memorable solo spots. Just a real 'big' sound permeates through this one, making for a rousing and memorable finale.
Overall, The Power of Eternity won't make you forget about Argus, but it's a damn good modern record for Wishbone Ash who prove that they still have plenty of licks and riffs up their sleeves. Any time a veteran act from the 70's can come up with new material that sounds fresh and relevant is reason to celebrate in my book, and this band can still teach plenty of twin- guitar groups a thing or two about how to do it the right way.
Track Listing
1 Power (5:48)
2 Driving a Wedge (4:24)
3 In Crisis (6:35)
4 Dancing With the Shadows (5:55)
5 Happiness (3:09)
6 Northern Lights (3:05)
7 Your Indulgence (3:30)
8 Growing Up (4:38)
9 Disappearing (5:14)
10 Hope Springs Eternal (5:55)
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