Wishbone Ash
New England

The title of this seventh career album, dated 1976, by Wishbone Ash refers to their decision to leave their homeland England, fly over the Atlantic, and settle in Connecticut (one of the New England states in the USA, indeed), upon the suggestion of their managers and administrators. Their intentions were to enhance the group's penetration into the lucrative USA market and to avoid the heavy English taxation.

Disillusioned by the experience of the previous album "Locked In," where they had entrusted themselves to producer Tom Dowd and faded, following his advice, all their best features (the two lead guitars in harmony, the grit, the decently produced vocal harmonies, the folk and progressive nuances), the Wishbone Ash meticulously prepared the new repertoire, striving to return to what they excelled at: healthy and solid melodic rock sprinkled with blues, folk, and progressive elements.

Three standout tracks among the nine present: the second track “(In All of My Dreams) You Rescue Me” initially doesn't make a particular impression... it’s an atmospheric slow piece with quiet arpeggio guitars and the not so extraordinary voice of bassist Martin Turner proclaiming the classic ode to the woman capable of rescuing his soul. But then it quiets down, the two guitars in harmony arrive, and another, amazing song begins. Here it's fully evident how the Wishbone Ash were, are, and always will be the best interpreters of the dual lead guitar solution in rock. The weaving of melodies and related harmonizations here is of the highest order, a pity that it fades into a noise of cicadas (?) after over six minutes... it would have deserved to go on ad libitum as far as I’m concerned, without the cicada noise and with still more, inspired guitar playing.

The fourth track on the list “Lorelei” stands on a nice groove found by drummer Steve Upton, but especially by Turner who crafts one of those basslines that will forever be a source of envy and admiration for all his colleagues. Together with the vaguely funky chugging of Andy Powell’s guitar and the lively and brilliantly counterpoints of his colleague Laurie Wisefield, the episode appears perfect, personal, and incisive. Indeed, they would perform it live for decades.

The eighth episode “Lonely Island,” similarly to “You Rescue Me,” rises considerably in quality precisely at the solo moment. None of what is heard before, in terms of subtle blues-tinged chords and absorbed vocals, compares to the decisive solo entry of Wisefield’s guitar, which from nowhere draws a wonderful phrase and then wanders, passing the baton a couple of times with Powell’s other guitar, allowing Turner to sing another verse, and finally concluding in full atmosphere.

For the rest, the opener “Mother of Pearl” is a rock blues developed around a sharp, dragging riff by Wisefield; “Runaway” is a Led Zeppelin-style hard rock blues which, however, with Upton instead of John Bonham and Wisefield rather than Robert Plant, just doesn't work; “Outward Bound” is a skippable instrumental, with the twin leads in harmony that here and there recall the inspiring Allman Brothers; “Prelude” is one of those delightful, brief semi-acoustic interludes that had so well infested the early works, in particular "Pilgrimage" and "Argus": “When You Know Love” is another slow piece with Turner's dull voice briefly unfolding, to then make way for the two guitars and their alternating or combined antics; "Candlelight" at the end is a brief duet between the two guitarists: Powell on acoustic weaving minor arpeggios, Wisefield on ethereal electric with closed tones meandering on the keyboard.

Constituting a notable step forward compared to the weak last previous albums, “New England” marks a good resurgence for Wishbone Ash. It deserves four full stars, and a tender personal memory of my youth years, when I listened to it continuously on cassette in the old Mercedes of my late friend Roberto, the other guitarist in my band, as we headed to rehearsals at his country house, where we too endeavored to make the dual lead guitars work in harmony as Wishbone Ash knew and still know so well how to do.