Time Was,
Wishbone Ash's two CD-live anthology, was assembled by the band and the labels Castle and Sanctuary. Consisting of two previously released live recordings, only half of this is even worth hearing. The first disc, Live: Time Line, sounds like a bunch of geezers on their last legs and features only guitarist
Andy Powell and bassist
Martin Turner from the original lineup. Poorly recorded, tiredly played and utterly boring, it sounds more like a corner bar
Wishbone Ash tribute band than the real thing -- which of course it's not. In fact, the only case that ever needs to be made for bands not reuniting is this one. Disc two, originally issued as King Will Come: Live, is prime
Ash. Recorded in the U.S. and Canada from 1973 through '76, at the height of their powers, this date showcases a restless, hungry, fully adventurous unit with
Powell,
Turner, drummer
Steve Upton, keyboardist Graham Maitland and guitarist
Laurie Wisefield. While the recording itself isn't stellar it's far more than passable and will be a welcome addition to the catalog for punters who didn't get it the first time around. The title track, "Blowin; Free," "The Warrior," "Balled of the Beacon," "Doctor," and "Moonshine" are all here, as well as nine others. This set makes plain the reason they ordered the performances in reverse: if King Will Come: Live had been first, no one would have ever even played Live: Time Line. As it is, folks who encounter Live: Time Line first may feel so ripped off by its horror, they may never stumble upon the treasure that is King Will Come: Live. ~ Thom Jurek