Customer Reviews

New England/Front Page News

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The two albums contained on this re-issue CD, "New England" and "Front Page News", represent a transitional period in the Wishbone Ash "sound". The band has largely dispensed with the semi-mystical/medieval themes by this time (1976-1977, the prog-rock slaying disco era) and moved to a more slickly produced, even poppier sound. The patented twin guitar work is still there, but is heading in a more mature and subtle direction, as opposed to the "Free Bird" style duels of the earlier albums.Standout tracks include "Lonely Island", "Front Page News" and "Come In From The Rain". Worthwhile for fans of tasty guitar work and melodic, well-arranged rock. I wish more music companies would follow BGO's lead in re-issuing back catalog in such sonically excellent "2-fer" packages--space saving for collectors and more bang for your buck!

This is 2 albums: New England (1976) and Front Page News (1977) re-issued together on a double CD. New England shows W.A. at what was perhaps their creative peak, in retrospect. It alone is worth the price of the package. Creative, great playing, great harmonies. W.A. was one of the most influential 70's British bands, but for some reason never achieved massive stardom. They had a unique style, unique harmonies. Maybe W.A. musicical style was a bit too subtle for the mass public to fully appreciate. Still enjoyable after all these years.

'Front page news' is of course one of the classic albums by Wishbone Ash, definitely 70's music here(always a good thing)and all the tracks are quite good, check out the following tracks- Front page news, Goodbye baby hello friend, Come in from the rain, Heartbeat. These guys are very serious about their craft and it shows. While this remastered BGO version didn't make me stand up and say 'OH WOW!!', it is better than the companion disc 'New England' in terms of sound. 'New England' is a superb album but suffers from a veiled and muddy sound picture. In this case, get the single German import version. Their original label MCA could have given both of these discs a proper remastering but ironically chose not to. This is as good as it will get for now.

I'm giving this 5 stars on the strength of New England alone. It is quite simply one of my all time favorite albums, from start to finish. It can rock your balls off one minute a seduce you with a subtle sweetness the next. Some of the harmony guitars here are extraordinarily beautiful, flowing like a breeze. Martin Turner's voice is as good as it's ever been and his bass playing evolved into a rocking funk thing I've never heard before! Out of all the great WA albums this is the one where friends of all ages and musical leanings seem to favor, it is just that musical.

I already have had New England, for a year or two, and I just got this to get my hands on Front Page News. It's a mellower album, but still very tasteful--and the guitar lead on Come In From The Rain is really great! That's the best song on the album. I can tell that the whole record will grow on me as I hear it more and more. Also, New England is very good. This set is well worth it--also it is 2 seperate cds in one case, not on one disc, you know, which I always like better for 2 album sets.

Like a lot of Wishbone Ash's albums from this era I find a mix of pretty good songs and a few real clunkers. In many ways the band often seemed to be in search of a direction and "Front Page News" is a prime example of this. The music is all over the place with ballads, bluesy numbers, rockers, singer / songwriter type stuff and even some 70's style dance groves. Some of the better tracks include the title track, "Surface To Air", "714", "Come In From The Rain" and the catchy "Diamond Jack". There are also some real duds like "Heart Beat". It just seems like a strange mix to me, and I find this with several of their albums. Like "New England" and "Four" there is quite a bit to like here, but I would not say it is an essential album.

New England by Wishbone Ash is one of the most underated albums of that time period. All of the tunes flow into each other making it a pleasure to listen to. Loreli has to be one of the their graetest tunes.. Couple the album with another outstaning album-Front Page News is like having cool and obscure bonus tracks. Great CD for all Wishbone Ash fans as well as younger baby boomers. Russell Ray Pittsburgh, PA.

I used to have a vinyl copy of this and I wore it out. This is just a typical Wishbone Ash cd. Every song on it is good and will get stuck in your player.

Wishbone Ash has always been known as a band with a loyal following, but no real hits. I liked their sound, and had "Argus" on vinyl. I do recommend "Argus", one of their best. But I liked "New England", and since I had to the chance to get two for one, why not. Some really good songs on "New England" and "Front Page News" also has good songs. If you like Wishbone Ash. You should get this classic two for one.

Be selective with Wishbone Ash, just go straight for their best albums like "Front page news" and "New England", even stacked into one box here. It is super melodic music with excellent guitar playing throughout.

Front Page news (77) was the first one I heard. It seems like a good holiday gave this record the extra relaxed touch. The best song for me is "Surface to air" with its two twin-guitar duels slowly taking flight. The opener "Front Page News" is a good visit card, a bluesy theme with tasteful guitar coloring, "714" is a guitar floating in from heaven on a tropical beach, "Right or wrong" is pure hardrock, and "Heartbeat" shows Martin Turner's voice is at its best at bluesy ballads.

"New England" (76) has the same quality level. Favorites are: "In all of my dreams (you rescue me)" for its lovely chord work and solo's, "Tropical Island" (see "714"), "Outward bound", "Lorelei" and "Runaway" (see "Right or wrong").

For me, they never really came close before or after these!