The best Wishbone Ash - a CD for the deserted island!

"Live Dates" is in my opinion the Wishbone ash-album not to be missed as a friend of neat seventies rock. While most studio albums (with the possible exception of "Argus") in parts somewhat lifeless, sterile, dull or slightly failed act, the music sounds of the English quartet live much more natural and vivid. Wishbone Ash is simply undoubtedly a live band.

Of the vast quantities live CDs, which are available from this band, this is the measure of all things. Here the original lineup with guitarist Andy Powell and Ted Turner and bassist / vocalist Martin Turner plays (not related with Ted) and drummer Steve Upton. Here's enthusiasm and perfection together. Here's Twin Guitar Attack tired. Here Thin Lizzy and Iron Maiden have here their inspiration. Here is a classic fits seamlessly to the other ... not many bands can afford to use up their three biggest hits already as an opener without running out the substance at the end.

Unfortunately, Ted Turner took his leave after this album, and his successor Laurie Wisefield conducted the band in a slightly more common, less brilliant and self-direction (as can be heard on "Live Dates 2", which probably represents the best work of Wisefield- troops ). Only with "Live in Chicago" was released in 1992 a consistently worthy successor for "Live Dates" - because Ted Turner was then back again.

Together with UFOs "Strangers in the Night", Thin Lizzy's "Live and Dangerous", Deep Purple's "Live in Japan" and Mountains "Twin Peaks" belongs Wishbone Ash's "Live Dates" in my personal Top 5 of the best live albums of the Seventies.

The single CD is sound-wise significantly better than the double CD. Considering this, the double CD contains just one song lean more (and this is just another version of an already present anyway Songs), then a choice of double and single CD is not difficult.