‘There’s the Rub’

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33791, 13 March 1975, Page 4

‘There’s the Rub’

Wishbone Ash — There's The Rub — MCA MAPS 7709. I often feel that cover art must affect sales of at least some records. Certainly an eye-catching cover will draw attention, or possibly, in this case, turn it away. The third, and so far the most successful Wishbone Ash album. "Argus”, had one of the most intriguing covers seen in rock, but "There’s the Rub” has an almost grotesquely inapt title and cover, a pity, for it’s an excellent album. Wishbone Ash's speciality is their twin lead guitar work, playing in unison, harmony. or rapidly switching from lead to rythmn and back The new member. Laurie Wisefield, fits in perfectly, and the twinkling, flashing darting solos are a delight to the ear. Solid bass and dtums lay the foundation, while Martin Turner's impassioned vocals are set off beautifully by the twin-gui-tar effect There's not a dud track, either. “Silver Shoes" describes a sexy but aging actress. "Don't Come Back” signals the end of an unsatisfactory affair. The wistful "Persephone” is the story of a singer, whose apparently wasted and useless life is suddenly seen to be the inspiration behind her talents. "Lady Jay" is a sad little ta’e based on a Dartmoor folk legend. “Hometown" is the only really cheerful track on the disc, while "F.U.8.8." gives the instrumentalists some space to show what they can do. beginning «-iowly and quietly and finishing in a sparkling crescendo. Don't , miss Wishbone Ash tonight and don’t miss “There’s the Rub." either, even if you don't play cricket. The Guess Who — Flavours—RCA CPL—I-0636. Some idea of the tremendous quantity of good rock musrC appearing on

the market may be gained from the fact that this is the Guess Who’s thirteenth album. It is their first without Randy Bachman, who left to .form the immensley successful but father unintelligent Bachman Turner Overdrive. * “Flavours” is evidently an attempt on the part of founder-member Burton Cummings and new guitarist Domenic Troiana to see just how many styles they can master together, as all nine songs are quite different. Astonishingly, they succeed in all cases in producing good, interesting, and, most important, appealing songs. ‘ Dancin’ Fool” is current Top 40 material, and needs no praise from me. “Nobody Knows His Name” is an interesting song about an Irish immigrant, while “Diggin’ Yourself” is almost religious in flavour. "Seems Like I Can’t Live With You, But I Can’t Live Without You" is. to me the highlight of the album. (Anne doesn’t agree). Done in slow waltz-time, this is a delightfully tongue-in-cheek country lament, and the dolorous words are complemented by sardonic phrases on lead guitar. It should bring blushes to many C and W singers. “Dirty” is a hard-driving shot at the rock scene — groupies, drugs, etc. — moralistic, but perhaps a little too much so. “Eye” ha:, a rather jazzy feel, especially in the guitar solos. “Long Gone” is a savagely vindictive attack on someone, but I confess to being unable to figure out who or what is the object of disgust.

The Guess Who are Canadian, but whether this colours their sound I can't really say, not being very conversant with their earlier work. Certainly “Flavours” is distinctly American, with a rather rural flavour, but I rather think that Canada-rock, per se.

doesn’t really exist. Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, The Band — perhaps their only common characteristic, apart from being Canadian, is excellence, in which case the Guess Who definitely belong to the list. It’s essentially Top 40 music, but really well done. Burton Cummings has a versatile and most attractive voice, and the new member, Troiano, fits prefectly. But perhaps the most surprising thing of all — they wrote all these songs in only four days! — Brian Timms