Bonafide

Wishbone Ash | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 17, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Dead Ringer
• ASIN: B00006K09C
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #502,442 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Almighty Blues

2. Enigma

3. Faith, Hope and Love

4. Ancient Remedy

5. Changing Tracks

6. Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda

7. Bona Fide

8. Difference in Time

9. Come Rain, Come Shine

10. Peace

Editorial Reviews

2002 album for the long-running British progressive rock act. 10 tracks including 'Almighty Blues', 'Enigma' & 'Ancient Remedy'. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great -- but not quite Argus, June 17, 2002

By 

Legal Reader (Washington, DC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bona Fide (Audio CD)

Let me start by saying that Wishbone Ash has been my favorite band since the mid-70s. Their unique ability to blend hauntingly beautiful melodies and virtuoso musicianship with hard, driving guitars has actually brought tears to my eyes. With the passage of time and several lineup changes, however, the quality of WA's music has changed -- and generally (IMHO) not for the better. After the debacles otherwise known as Twin Barrels Burning and Number the Brave, I resigned myself to the loss of an old friend. Despite a few diamonds in the rough (Nouveau Calls, Bare Bones), overall the picture has been fairly bleak. I almost cried when I heard Trance Visionary and Illuminations -- what happened to the Ash?

I am happy to say that Bona Fide... is a great album. It is not Argus or Pilgrimmage, but it is a great album. Some of the songs (Come Rain Come Shine; Peace) are as good as anything they've ever done. Several more (Almighty Blues; Faith, Hope and Love; Bona Fide) are at least as good as anything since There's the Rub, and that's saying something. There are double leads galore (although I wish the solos were longer), some straight-ahead rockers, some semi-medieval nuances (vaguely reminiscent of Lady Jay), and two instrumentals -- in short, an excellent cd. Ben Granfelt shares several writing credits with Andy and I think this lineup has some real potential. The bass lines in the middle of Come Rain Come Shine grab your gut, the drumming is crisp, the sound quality is excellent, and even Andy's vocals sound fresh. And their take on September 11 (Come Rain Come Shine) gave me goose bumps, not just for the music (which is awesome) but also in the way the lyrics and extra effects made me re-examine how (and even if) the whole thing will end.

So why not 5 stars? I guess I'm still just a little spoiled by their earlier classics. Virtuosity is great, but I miss the 4-minute high-energy guitar lessons (a la Sometime World), the long double lead trade-offs (Throw Down the Sword), the hard and recklessly intense axwork (Vas Dis/Errors of My Ways). Bona Fide contains some of everything that made WA great, it's just that there's not quite as much of it, and it doesn't last quite as long.

That being said, this is a great cd, certainly better than anything they've done in many years...

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wishbone Ash is back!, February 17, 2003

By 

"nyrube" (Culver City, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bonafide (Audio CD)

I have always been a fan of Wishbone Ash, from the time of Ted & Martin Turner and Steve Upton, along with founder Andy Powell.

They have changed musicians, but Andy is still playing those great guitar licks and with his fine voice, can still sing a mean song.

This CD is like the old Wishbone Ash on the 70's. I just saw the band in Southern Cal. to launch their USA tour. Whew!!

Andy Powell still has the magic and his new band is every bit as good as the old Ash. If you are a fan, this CD is for you.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Instant Classic, May 6, 2002

By 

SamIAM "mkf411" (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bona Fide (Audio CD)

Loved it!! This is a great album that mixes the best of the old style with the new stuff. Andy Powell is the only original member. However, he has finally found another great partner in Ben Granfelt. He seems to bring out the best in all the band guys. I really think that there could actually be a hit on this album. Wouldn't that be cool. Perhaps the time it right. The track Difference in Time would be my choice for a single. Faith Hope & Love is another possibility. Along with a couple of other tracks. I'd love to hear Wishbone Ash on the radio after all these years. Finally they have a product that merits consideration. I like it as much as Argus.