Wishbone Ash Choose 20 Track New Band Playlist

Rock icons Wishbone Ash hold a place for many as one of the UK’s most influential and innovative rock bands for being widely considered as being one of the first bands to use twin lead guitars that has now become universally used. Bands who have been inspired by them include metal titans Iron Maiden and Judas Priest as well as Thin Lizzy and more recently Swedish prog-metallers Opeth and Eagles of Death Metal have proclaimed their admiration.

With guest appearances from Don Airey (Deep Purple/Ozzy Osbourne/Black Sabbath) and Pat McManus, Wishbone Ash just released their 28th album ‘Elegant Stealth’. With it they have returned to their 70s roots with a blend of hypnotic entwined twin lead guitar parts, folk tinged three part harmonies, expressive lyricism and subtle and melancholic pop hooks; sounds that you now see threading through acts such as Maps & Atlases, Mostly Autumn and even Wooden Shjips. Watch their video for their new single ‘Reason to Believe’ here:

To celebrate its release Wishbone Ash drummer Joe Crabtree talks us through his choices for a twenty track Wishbone Ash playlist of contemporary musical choices(spotify playlist & all videos below):
http://open.spotify.com/user/lee_puddefoot/playlist/3RkIXW85OoVrB0ZH0OyVFT
Avishai Cohen Trio – 11 Wives

I also recently bought the album Gently Disturbed by the Avishai Cohen Trio. It’s kind of like progressive jazz. Avishai Cohen is a genius and he’s got Mark Guiliana on drums. It’s incredible stuff.

Animals As Leaders – CAFO

On the heavier side of things I’m really into this track by Animals As Leaders. Some very interesting stuff going on there and it’s pretty melodic considering how industrial and heavy it sounds. I can stomach a lot of that kind of music as long as there’s not some hairy guy growling over the top. I think the requirement to have a singer ruins a lot of potentially good bands.
The Stanley Clark Band – Soldier

Someone gave me a compilation of fusion songs. There was one that stuck out – it had a really catchy chorus that Cold Play or Radiohead could have done. I Shazamed it and it turned out to be Stanley Clarke’s new album – The Stanley Clarke band.

Madeleine Peyroux – Between The Bars

I know this isn’t recent, but I only just discovered it…. I was in a Thai restaurant with a friend and I heard this song quietly playing in the background. It seemed that nobody else noticed it but I had to stop eating and find out what it was. It was Madeleine Peyroux and the track was Between the Bars. I bought the album and subsequently discovered that it’s a cover of an Elliott Smith song. I checked out the original and this version is so much more beautiful.

Paper Beat Scissors – Flicker

I’ve had my brother’s new album on repeat. He writes hauntingly beautiful songs and has really interesting orchestration including brass sections, strings, accordions, and sacks of rubbish! The drummer from Arcade Fire either produced or engineered it. He’s not releasing it until next March or something, but I have an advance copy and I’m really enjoying it. I’ve been waking up in the night with choruses in my head. He got the song writing skills and the balls to stand up and sing. I just sit at the back and hit things.

Wishbone Ash Playlist – 20 tracks of Modern Acts

1. Manic Street Preachers – You Stole The Sun From My Heart

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkDaCWXIXCE&ob=av2e

2. Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyP0DACgdgc

3. Plankton – Small Steps, Giant Leaps

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jva5e2F33Dw

4. Opeth – The Devil’s Orchard

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxvN_GxgpF8

5. Animals As Leaders – CAFO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmfzWpp0hMc

6. Arctic Moneys – Brianstorm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30w8DyEJ__0 7.