Every now and then, a fine guitar band will release one or two albums that just become so unbeatable that other hopefuls try to emulate their sound or the success. One of the finest hard-rocking guitar based bands has always been Wishbone Ash. They, fortunately, have a trail of albums that continue to thrill audiences and record buyers all over the world. With that in mind, Andy Powell and the band drove in from a snowy cold winter drive from the Northeast, and plugged in to the XM studios and delivered a show fit for a king.

The audience was made up of Wishbone Ash fan club and contest winners, and the band performed a critic's choice of their most famous tracks. In this show, you hear The King Will Come, Blowin' Free and Ballad Of The Beacon. The artists decided to give the radio audience and the fans a rare glimpse into their vast catalog of music, and the show was never to be repeated again, except for a very rare fan club disc... that is until now!

Andy Powell would love the Wishbone Ash folks that didn't make the gig back in 2004, have the pleasure of hearing what a few got a chance to witness. This new CD Live On XM Satellite Radio truly captures the band in its hard rocking forum. Dual-guitars from Andy and Muddy Manninen (his fourth gig with the band!) carry the melodies and intricate workings of each song. The amazing bass of Bob Skeat and drummer extraordinaire Ray Weston continue the workout on nine selections that will thrill the listener from the first few seconds of the disc.

Like our other fine release Illuminations, Wishbone Ash continually make fine recordings, this new live album continues the tradition.

Wishbone Ash have been one of this world's finest guitar bands for over three decades. Starting in the early 70s with such award winning albums as Argus and Live Dates, this fine new Friday Music release Illuminations is arguably their strongest effort in quite some time. Recorded in the late 90s, it has only been sporadically available overseas, but now their North American audience will be able to discover what the rest of their fans have been raving about for the past few years.

Founding member Andy Powell continues the unique tradition of merging blues, rock and progressive melodies with strong vocals, double and triple lead guitars and a pounding rhythm section throughout the entire session. Album opener Mountainside is the perfect example of their original sound. Roger Filgate uses the Taurus bass pedal wisely throughout the tune which gives it a monster opening riff.

If there ever was a blues tune that needs to be explored, Tales Of The Wise will fill the void. This lengthy nine minute rocker is one of the more powerful tunes in this masterful collection. Andy Powell explains "This song starts out as a slow blues twist. It moves into a fast jazzy mid section then back to main blues theme, replete with twin leads and solo work traded off." Classic Ash indeed!

Acoustic guitars abound on The Ring. This has the old Wishbone Ash English folk rock appeal found on their earlier works. The Powell-Filgate team deliver another memorable moment to this wonderful album "The grey mist ushers in the day/A beggar walks along the king's highway."

Fan and band favorite Top Of The World is just one of those tunes that you just keep on playing. Repeated listening is easy when you have the chemistry of this classic rock act combined with solid lyrics and haunting melodies "How does it feel to be on top of the world? Looking around, you see the ground below."

Illuminations by Wishbone Ash is finally released in North America. As a special bonus to commemorate this fine album, Andy Powell and Roger Filgate have found a bonus track, a beautiful instrumental called The Crack Of Dawn. This CD is the first in the Wishbone Ash Remasters Series for Friday Music and we think you will agree that this album is an exciting first offering. Enjoy!