Sorry, Andy, but this isn't the real thing

Review Score: (4/10)
I truly love Wishbone Ash - I have 17 or 18 Ash albums, none of which are anthologies/greatest hits types. I play every one of them regularly, except for ILLUMINATIONS. This is not a bad album by any means - I would score it 3 and one half stars if there was a different artist's name on it, for instance - but this just AIN'T Wishbone Ash. I don't say it because the only Mark I or Mark II member in the outfit is Andy Powell; rather I state this isn't really Wishbone Ash because it doesn't have the unmistaken Ash sound (which is evident even on HERE TO HEAR and NOVEAU {sp?} CALLS).

Andy Powell is a stunning guitarist, and the rest of this ensemble are all fine, talented musicians - although none are in a class with Martin Turner, Laurie Wisefield, Steve Upton or Ted Turner. Illuminations just doesn't have the magic or inspiration that characterized - like a bolt of lightning! - the LPs made by the Mark I and Mark II Ash lineups. You might like this record, but if you're searching for that fantastic Wishbone Ash sound, you won't find it in ILLUMINATIONS, I'm sad to say, because like any Ash-ophile, I would love to hear some TRULY new, AUTHENTIC Wishbone Ash.

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• Nice
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• Great sounds and fantastic guitar solo's.