Andy Powell, the guitarist and the vocalist of Wishbone Ash legendary
band, the only member of the group, who rememebers the times when the
masterpieces such as „Phoenix”, „Sometime World” and „Persephone” were
created. Andy answered our questions, being somewhere on the road. The
band is still touring, still charming their fans with unique guitar and
vocal harmonies…
– „Playing in this band is easy” – these are Your own words. But this
statement wasn’t always true, was it? The career of Wishbone Ash is
signed by personal conflicts, the band split up, there were reunions,
then another changes in the line up…
– Actually, as old bands go, Wishbone Ash stayed quite stable for 12
years or so with only Ted Turner leaving and Laurie joining. The band
never actually split up in truth – band members quit in a piecemeal
fashion, one by one if
you examine Wishbone Ash history. Many bands from the early 70s would
'struggle’ to create a signature sound, with an extreme amount of
touring and all sorts of pressures. This is not always a bad thing.
Drugs, drink, egos – not so good. We were all defining the 'business’
and making it what it is for today’s young bands. These days, I’m lucky,
things are much smoother, despite being hard work sometimes. I, at
least, feel I’ve earned the right to enjoy the journey a little more
now. Everyone out there, understands rock & roll so there are less
surprises.
Society is more rock & roll, if that makes sense. That’s a direct result of 70s music culture.
– How do You remember the first meeting and the first common session
with Martin, Ted and Steve? It was brave decision to play with two lead
guitars, only few bands did it those days…
– I remember Steve hardly said a word. Martin did all the talking. We
were sussing each other out. Miles Copeland, our new manager, kept in
the background. They were from the provinces. I thought their clothing
was kinda
funny – chiffon scarves and suchlike. I remember that. Once we started
playing though, it was a different matter. It was immediately apparent
that it was working musically. Ted and I gelled and Martin and Steve had
been playing together before on a 3 piece band. I’d had a lot of
experience in soul bands, working on harmonising horn lines. I’d also
already been in a kind of fledgling twin lead band caked the Dekois.
Martin had sung in church choirs and had that harmony tradition vocally
and that actually defined our
early vocal style. This vocal signature became much over-looked later.
We were businesslike right from the start, however. We developed a plan.
We’d all moved to London for this purpose, after all. We became friends
later,
actually.
– Where is the secret of the unique style, the unique blend of folk, blues and rock on early albums of WA?
– Our influences – that’s the secret: Being British music fans. I feel I
bought the folk rock element in. I was hugely into Fairport Convention,
Joni Mitchell and Tim Hardin. Martin bought in jazz elements like the
song Vas Dis. Steve Upton was quite a jazzy drummer. Ted was all about
the blues. Also, every band at that time had to work hard to develop
it’s own unique style. There was so much healthy competition around.
– Could You count – let’s say – five most important moments in the 41 years of WA career?
– Becoming Miles Copeland’s first real management signing in London.
Myself meeting and jamming with Ritchie Blackmore at a soundcheck on a
Deep Purple show in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, UK. This led to an
introduction to
producer Derek Lawrence who then introduced Miles Copeland to MCA Records’ Don Shane.
First tour of the UK opening for Mott the Hoople. This made us
nationwide and paved the way for many more national headlining tours on
our own right.
Being voted Best New Band and Brightest Hope in the British music papers
and our first major tour of the USA opening for the Who.
The Star Trucking tour in Europe, which broke us there. We headlined
over Lou Reed, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Ike and Tina Turner – acts like
that. We never got paid for that incidentally which resulted in the
firing of Miles Copeland.
– Which WA recording session (or sessions) do You remind as something
pleasant, the easy job? In the other hand, which ones were the most
difficult and why?
– Argus was a very peasant album to make. We’d discovered our sound and
we had a great relationship with our producer and engineer by this time.
Locked In, recorded in America with Tom Dowd producing, should never have been released. It was a miserable experience.
– If You had to prepare The Top 10 of WA songs for the special TV or radio programme about band, which ones would You choose?
Blowin’ Free
The King Will Come
Throw Down the Sword
Phoenix
Sometime World
Jailbait
Ballad of the Beacon
In Crisis
Loose Change
– How would You characterize the present musicians of WA? It’s quite international line up…
– Well – grounded, rootsy players who are totally pro and who have
played with the best. We all have the same influences despite being
international.
– Which song (by lyrics or even title) – from the other band or artist – would You consider as Your portrait?
– 'Love the one you’re with’. Steven Stills
– Martin Turner founded another Wishbone Ash and is touring across
Europe, playing the classic stuff? Any comment about this situation?
– Your statement is incorrect. There is, and always has been only
Wishbone Ash – the globally acknowledged band, which has continued
making records, CDs and DVDs for over 40 years without a break. How
could another Wishbone Ash
be founded? My understanding is that he is out paying tribute to the
music created during his 15 year tenure as a band member. Martin did
other things in life for 20 years, other than play, sing or make
records. I will say: I don’t understand how it is possible to found the
same thing twice, by the way?
– Would You shake hand with him if You met somewhere on the road?
– I should think Martin would be happy to shake my hand for making it so
easy to take up music again in the old way, after such a long absence
from music, and also an extra hand shake, for my keeping the band and
its back recording catalogue current and active all over the world and
yet another for keeping it’s history alive.
– Wishbone Ash is still very active band. What gives You this power
to play gigs, to record new albums after four decades in show business?
– I live in the present and enjoy each day. I love being a touring
musician. I live by the band’s original creed. 'Positive thought.
Positive energy’.
Interview: Robert Dłucik
Photo: Wikipedia
