Wishbone Ash - Bare Bones
2002 / 50:03 Minutes / 11 Tracks / Studio/ DVD-Audio
Release Date: August 27, 2002 - Silverline DVD-Audio
Produced by: Andy Powell
5.1 Mastering: Charlie Watts
Website: www.wishboneash.com

Reviewed by Matt Rowe on October 19, 2002

Now how often does one get to revisit a title after a review? Not often enough, actually. With the recent burgeoning of titles that feature previously released discs, remixed and reformatted to become hi-res counterparts to their CD brothers, we felt that it was about time to start paying attention to the formats of the future. We'll first review the music and then move on to the audio/visual qualities, and finally, packaging. After all, if we're going to adopt hi-res music, it needs to closely mirror the original release in art.

And I'm glad that this could be our inaugural review for the hi-res formats. Wishbone Ash have been through various Mark lineups. On this release, they have chosen to re-do many classics from those various lineups, including the wonderful "Everybody Needs a Friend", in an unplugged style. The songs are from as early as the first Wishbone Ash album ("Errors of My Ways") up through to their more recent releases.

Andy Powell, the lone mainstay, of Wishbone Ash, having been the core remaining member, continues to carry the torch, keeping the beauty of WBA alive, delighting fans everywhere with continuation. On this album, Andy provides the vocals for all but one track and does a great and endearing job. He also maintains the integrity of the songs and keeps them sounding as close as the originals but with beautiful additions.

In "Errors of my Ways", an accordion and violin are introduced that lend a haunting quality to the track. The improvement is stunning. The same applies to "Everybody Needs A Friend" with its stripped down but extraordinarily gorgeous rendition that resonates long after the song has ended. For purists, the lead lines are note for note and incredible to hear reproduced long after its appearance on their "Wishbone Four". It only serves to highlight the guitar genius of Andy Powell. There is none like him.

Every other song on this collection are reproduced with heart and love. Bluesy "Hard Times", "Baby Don't Mind", and the funky "Love Abuse" are stylishly presented and delivered with respect to their origins. As is every song on this disc.

DISC: DVD-A

This is a special disc that is delivered by 5.1 Entertainment on its imprint label, Silverline. The format is the exciting DVD Audio sensation that, along with SACD, is catching fire with its superbly enhanced audio resolution.

This disc presents its songs in the same sequential order as its CD counterpart. If you watch this with a TV, you get still photos of the band that accompany every song. The disc begins with a menu, much like a DVD video that provides you with several options. With a background picture that represents the cover art of the disc, you get four options. The first is the playlist from which you can easily select the song that you wish to hear. The second option provides several screens of textual explanation and information of what DVD-Audio is. The third option helps you to set up your speaker arrangement so that you can have an optimal listening experience. The final option is the visual liner notes section with every song extensively credited including the remastering crew for this particular disc.

How does the disc sound? In a word...awesome. If you love music, you will not be disappointed. Each track is more full bodied and richer than its CD counterpart. I played the two discs, DVD-A and CD, side by side, switching back and forth to spot the difference. I needn't have done that. The difference was highly noticeable. From a stereo standpoint and for stereo purists, (I'm with ya), the reproduction is stunning to say the least. The instruments are heard in their splendor; drums are fuller, the bass deeper and more resonant, and the guitars sound as if they were played in front of me. The stereo mix is an achievement.

The 5.1 mix on this disc is pretty incredible as well. While I generally abhor a remixing of older titles that were created in stereo back when that's all there was, I don't mind hearing what was done for those that like it. I also don't mind 5.1, 6 channel, 7 channel, and so on for today's music because the technology is there for those who wish to use it. In fact, I embrace it. It's all about creativity and using the tools available. My beef is with remixing crews that have no idea what the original artists intended so we basically get an album that may, or may not, be what the original artists wanted.

For this disc, soundstaging is accurate and provides a 'you are there' experience.

PACKAGING

This disc is presented in a sturdy super jewel case that is larger than a conventional case used to store CDs. Opening the disc is not a difficult task but the disc is securely sealed when closed. The height of the disc casing takes a little getting used to but storage of the disc was well thought out by the manufacturers by allowing placement of the spine on both side and bottom. If stored at its full height, it will take more space than you're used to but if turned on it's side, it fits nicely in most racks and the spine still identifies the disc.

A 4 page booklet is included that provides all the info that the CD booklet offers. The difference is that the photos that are on the CD booklet are not included on the DVD-A booklet but are available as the visual part of every song. So, you're not cheated. All the same, I would have liked exact duplication of the booklets.

THE FINAL SAY

5.1 Entertainment and Silverline Records have positioned themselves to deliver high quality DVD-A product to the market place with not only current material but also the extensive catalogs that are out there to license. Giving many of those titles new life not only in 6 channel sound but also in stereo enhancements that provide for purity and listening enjoyment, DVD-A is a great option. This title is a must have addition to your library. I anxiously await the re release of all of Wishbone Ash's library.

Search Tour Database by: Artist City Venue