Locked Out (Tarantura TCDWA-08-1, 2)
Kokura Shimin Kaikan Kita-Kyusho October 11, 1976
Disc1 (48:29) SE / Opening, Runaway, The King Will Come, Warrior, Loreiei, Persephone, Candle Light, You Rescue Me
Disc 2 (56:24) Outward Bound, Mother Of Pearl, Rest In Peace, It Started In Heaven, Time Was, Blowin’ Free, Bad Weather Blues, Announcement
1976 was a busy year for Wishbone Ash, they released two albums, Locked In and New England (the latter produced by non other than Tom Dowd) and tour the world extensively with the line up of Powell, Upton, Turner, and Wisefield perhaps the classic line up of the band. This new release from the Mr. Peach archives gives us an excellent show from his extensive archives, the recording is of excellent quality, all instruments are crisp and clear with the vocals just a tad low but definitely audible.
The crowd noise is minimal and only lends to the ambiance of the recording. After some brief cheering the band storm the stage with a smoking Runaway, the first of five tracks from the New England played at this show. The band waste no time getting into what they are known for, twin harmonizing guitar playing.
The guitar playing on The King Will Come almost tell the story alone, very expressionistic kinds like one part Allman Brothers and one part UFO, simply put some of the best playing of the concert is in this song. Other highlights of the disc are Warrior and a killer well received 10 minute version of Persephone from the Theres The Rub relase, by the way the first Ash record from this line up. The second disc starts with two tracks from the New England record, the first an instrumental Outward Bound that features some great dual lead playing and is followed by “something Japan is known for, Pearls, Mother of Pearl” that is very well received.
The band is playing very tight and make the harmonizing lead guitars and rhythm section sound easy. A killer version of Rest In Peace follows, perhaps the best track on the Locked In record complete with Andy Powell utilizing the same guitar / voice effect used by Peter Frampton on Do You Feel Like We Do song. Two songs from the classic Argus release finish the main set, Time Was and Blowin Free. The crowd wants more and the band returns and finishes them off with Bad Weather Blues.
All in all a great release from Tarantura packaged in the usual gatefold full gloss cover with Andy Powell on the front, a full band shot on the back, the interior has a shot of Martin Turner signing for fans and pictures of the cassette master tapes. interesting is the title, Locked Out is on the front and the cd’s themselves but on the cover spine it has the title Locked In. This release should appeal to fans of WA and fans of British rock.
