Martin Turner (ex Wishbone Ash) Deal, Astor Theatre Friday 23rd September 2022

Turner is remarkably spry for a man of 74 and in a colourful outfit that threatens to overshadow his bass playing, provides the only visual spectacle in a show where the music speaks for itself. And what stunning music.  

The first half of the evening is devoted to Argus, in celebration of it’s 50th anniversary. The gentle acoustic introduction of Time Was is beautifully recreated but when the drums kick in and the guitars ramp up a notch, it’s clear this is going to be special. Turner’s bass playing on Sometime World is quite astounding, so much that you could overlook the wonderful twin guitar playing of Danny Willson and Misha Nikolic. Thankfully, there are many other opportunities to marvel at their excellence, The King Will Come a particular high point in an evening of many. Blowin’ Free is saved for the end of this act, perhaps the best known song of the Wishbone Ash catalogue and a masterclass in sparkling guitar work. 

Wishbone Four suffers a little, as it did historically, for having to follow Argus. There’s certainly a shift in style; gone are the sprawling, progressive epics and in their place are a number of plaintive, reflective songs. But Ballad of the Beacon, Sing Out the Song and Sorrel still deserve to be heard. Everybody Needs A Friend is given added poignancy by Turner’s explanation that he wrote it for a girlfriend whose mother had passed away. The vocal harmonies are impressive throughout, Danny Willson revealing himself to be a particularly gifted singer. Doctor, shifted to the end of the set here really shines; a great rock and roller with a soaring chorus.  

And it’s not quite over; to finish the evening, Turner and band masterfully execute instrumental workout F.U.B.B. before throwing back to the early days of Wishbone Ash with Blind Eye and Jail Bait. Turn a Blind Eye to Turner and band at your peril, this is Wishbone Ash music as it was meant to sound.