Wishbone Ash can trace its origins back to Torquay, Devon, England, a seaside resort in the southwest of the country. It was there that Martin Turner and Steve Upton first performed together; Turner on bass, Upton on drums, before moving to London in 1969 to seek fame and fortune. In the capital the decision was made to place an advertisement for a keyboard player and a lead guitarist. The resulting audition threw up two guitar leads, but nobody could decide who to choose and the trademark twin-lead sound of Wishbone Ash was born.
Ted (David) Turner and Andy Powell soon went through the poverty and growing pains of a new band, but were fortunate that Miles Copeland was championing their cause and a fairly rapid progression was achieved. The first Album, Wishbone Ash, was released in December 1970 and their second, Pilgrimage, surfaced just six months later to reach #6 in the NME charts. Great things were just 11 months away with the release of Argus (1972) -- possibly the band's best album; certainly their most commercially successful -- which reached #2 in the UK charts and went gold. Argus is considered to be one of the great rock classics of all time. The next album, Wishbone Four, only 12 months later, went silver.
After these early highs, Ted Turner decided that he had had enough, and left the band to be replaced by Laurie Wisefield. Although Laurie’s style was not to everyone’s taste, he was generally well liked by the fans and brought a slightly harder edge to the folk-tinged progressive rock that was the Wishbone Ash formula. Wisefield was a dynamic player and became an excellent partner to Andy -- they were to play together for a very successful 11 years and the MKII version of the band is very well thought of for most of its output. About this time the band became more influenced by America and would eventually move there.
The next album, There's The Rub (1974), was recorded in Florida and produced by Eagles producer Bill Szymczyk. Once again it was to do well, achieving silver disc status. There's the Rub included the instrumental piece F.U.B.B. Steve Upton was arrested in New Zealand for announcing at a concert it's full title. In New Zealand, swearing in public is a criminal offense, and when Upton announced the title at an outdoor concert, a woman sunbathing in her garden nearby complained to the mayor. Upton spent the night in jail, and the album reached #3 in New Zealand due to the publicity.
It was inevitable that a turkey was due and to fans Locked In (1976) fit this bill. This record was not released -- it escaped! Fortunately things were much better with the quality of the following albums and although the high chart positions were gone, the fans were enjoying some competent, well-crafted output.
After 11 years in the band, Martin Turner decided to leave. This move began a period of frequent changes of bass player with the likes of John Wetton and Trevor Bolder being two of the better known; however, Wishbone Ash always has attracted musicians of the highest order. A much more controversial move was the introduction of Clair Hamill to fill in some of the vocal talent Martin had taken away with him. Clair was not popular with the fans which was perhaps a little unfair. She had contributed backing vocals on Just Testing (Turner's last album (1980), which he had also produced) and had co-written the excellent Living Proof, which is still a crowd favourite today. Her stay was short-lived with Andy Powell taking on more vocal duties. Wisefield left in late 1985 and the band continued to tour with various replacements, but were very much in limbo until 1987 when a miracle occurred. Miles Copland persuaded the original lineup to reform for a project for a music charity that he was helping, and a Hammersmith Odeon concert which the BBC recorded resulted. The project produced an instrumental album Nouveau Calls (1987), which was very well received. Even better received was the fact that three years of the original lineup were to follow.
Just when things were going so well, Steve Upton decided to quit the business entirely in 1990, to be replaced by Ray Weston. Martin Turner carried on for another year before leaving to pursue a solo career, and Ted left two years later. The next five years saw lots of personnel changes, but eventually resulted in a good period of stability with Ray Weston returning and Bob Skeet joining on bass in 1998.
The new millennium has also seen stability in respect of Andy's guitar partner, with the last 6 years being filled by Ben Granfelt and subsequently Muddy Manninen, both of whom come from Finland. 2005 saw Wishbone Ash celebrate their 35th year. 2006 heralded the new album Clan Destiny (the first featuring Muddy as guitarist). 2007 saw the exit of long-term drummer Ray Weston, due to the increasingly hectic pace of band life. Joe Crabtree (formerly of The David Cross band) stepped up to fill his place. With regard to new releases, 2007 saw First Light, which features original recordings of the songs featured on their debut album, as well as some outtakes. Also released that year was the new album The Power of Eternity (partly featuring Joe Crabtree on drums), which coincided with the Autumn tour.
Wishbone Ash are still performing 150 gigs a year in the U.S. and Europe. They get very supportive crowds with good numbers turning out all over Europe -- the U.S. tends to attract smaller audiences, but very committed fans. If you want to hear classic Wishbone Ash, get ahold of Argus. Visit their web site www.wishboneash.com, where tour dates and albums, etc. can be obtained.
In Crisis
Wishbone Ash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dealing with the daily grind
I got plenty to handle
for a troubled mind
This bridge is a memorial
to the victims of a war
She and I and you survive
but I can't take it any more
Up in the sky, I see the sign
Are you in crisis? Call this line
We can ease your trouble mind
It takes a minute of your time
Wrecked and disconnected
I join the throng on 95
Idling in the slow lane
I'm thinking over all those lies
It's a hopeless situation,
a challenge to survive
It could be very easy,
stop the car and take a dive
But I don't,
and I check toI need some contemplation
But it's not my style at all
Ultimate negation
Yes, I'll surely make the call
Strange what is needed these days
To bring our thoughts around
But it pulls me to my senses
I am lost, could I be found?
Yeah, guess I'll turn this car around
The lyrics of "In Crisis" by Wishbone Ash seem to describe the internal struggle of the singer, driving through Delaware and dealing with the pressures of everyday life. The bridge he's driving over is a memorial to the victims of a war, which makes him feel overwhelmed and unable to cope. He contemplates walking out the door, but an advertisement in the sky catches his attention, offering help for people in crisis by calling a phone line. Despite feeling disconnected and lost, he decides against self-harm and chooses to call the line instead.
The singer's inner dialogue seems to be one of hopelessness and desperation, as he's overwhelmed by the lies and challenges he faces. The imagery of driving idly in the slow lane, contemplating suicide, and ultimately seeking help alludes to the feeling of being stuck and powerless. However, the reference to contemplation "not being his style at all" suggests that he's not used to dealing with his problems in a healthy way. Ultimately, the song seems to be about finding the courage to seek help when you're in crisis, and the importance of reaching out for support when you're struggling.
Line by Line Meaning
Driving into Delaware
I am physically driving into the state of Delaware
Dealing with the daily grind
I am facing the routine difficulties and challenges of everyday life
I got plenty to handle for a troubled mind
I have a lot of responsibilities and tasks to take care of, which is difficult for me because I am already struggling with personal issues
This bridge is a memorial to the victims of a war
I am passing by a bridge that has been constructed in memory of those who have lost their lives in a war
She and I and you survive but I can't take it any more
While we have all managed to make it through life until now, I am struggling so much that I feel like giving up
I feel like walking out the door
I am contemplating leaving my current situation behind, maybe even fleeing the responsibilities that I have
Up in the sky, I see the sign
I see a message high up in the air, perhaps a billboard or an airplane banner
Are you in crisis? Call this line
The sign urges anyone in crisis to reach out for help through a dedicated phone line
We can ease your trouble mind
The people at the other end of the phone line are equipped to help you with your concerns so that they no longer weigh on your mind
It takes a minute of your time
All it takes to get help is taking the time to reach out for it
Wrecked and disconnected
I am feeling damaged and like I am not connected to those around me
I join the throng on 95
I merge with the mass of cars on the highway numbered 95
Idling in the slow lane
I am traveling in the lane designated for slower moving traffic
I'm thinking over all those lies
I am reflecting on the falsehoods and deceptions that have brought me to this point
It's a hopeless situation, a challenge to survive
I feel like my circumstances are beyond hope, and I am struggling just to stay afloat
It could be very easy, stop the car and take a dive
I am aware that the solution to my troubles could be very drastic, even to the point of ending my life by driving off the road
But I don't, and I check out
Even though I am feeling overwhelmed, I resist giving up and allow myself a chance to escape my thoughts
I need some contemplation
I require some moments of introspection and reflection in order to sort through my feelings
But it's not my style at all
My personality and habits make it difficult for me to slow down and reflect
Ultimate negation
I am engaging in behavior that is the opposite of what I need to do in order to feel better
Yes, I'll surely make the call
Despite all of these challenges, I ultimately decide to reach out to the phone line that was advertised to me
Strange what is needed these days
It is sad that these types of resources are needed as frequently as they are nowadays
To bring our thoughts around
However, this phone line and other resources can be helpful in refocusing our minds and helping to put us back on track
But it pulls me to my senses
Reaching out for help has a way of centering me and resetting my way of thinking
I am lost, could I be found?
After all of the confusion and despair, I am hopeful that the help I have received can start to guide me to a better place
Yeah, guess I'll turn this car around
Having decided to accept help instead of succumbing to my difficulties, I decide to turn my car around and head back in the opposite direction
Contributed by Evelyn T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Vipin Ravindran
Love this song, I always play this for my long drives.
Brian Benson
Many thanks to W.A......
Such progressions all in one song.
GREAT long distance or full throttle driving!!!
Such superb songsmanshio
Thanks, W A .
Brian.
Jose Geraldo Gouvea
Didn't expect them to be making such good music after "Trance-Visionary"
The Loner
Wishbone Ash tem vários álbuns sensacionais depois daquele "experimento" de Trance Music......tem Elegant Stealth, Blue Horizon e, principalmente, o novo álbum, Coat of Arms. Estes 3 álbuns que citei, mais "Illuminations" e "Bona Fide", são álbuns no nível dos clássicos, talvez alguns menos, mas o novo álbum é o melhor desde No Smoke Without Fire, de 1978.
Johannes Ytterstrom
They have written quite a few good track since then!
Oscar Apocalypse
The best...
Vipin Ravindran
Wow someone gave a dislike?
Steve Ritcher
Bubble puppy comings