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.
Way Down South
Wishbone Ash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I need to smile but I have to sigh
So just one kiss before I go
I'll find a place and I´ll let you know
I think I see a future way down south
I'll find some time for thinking
They say that Life is slower way down south
way down south
I´m leaving town and I won´t be back
Making moves and I'm making tracks
I don't know quite where I'll end up
Somewhere warm with any luck
I think I see a future way down south
I'll find some time for thinking
They say that Life is slower way down south
Where summer spends the winter
way down south
I think I see a future way down south
I'll find some time for thinking
They say that Life is slower way down south
Where summer spends the winter
way down south
way down south
The lyrics to Wishbone Ash's song "Way Down South" convey a sense of restlessness and yearning for a fresh start. The singer is experiencing financial difficulties and feeling a sense of disconnection from their current situation. However, they find solace in the possibility of a new beginning in the southern region of the United States.
The first verse portrays the singer's immediate struggles with money and emotion. They need to smile, but their debt and situation prevent them from doing so. The second verse discusses the singer's plans to leave town and start over somewhere new, somewhere warm. The prospect of a fresh start appears to provide comfort to the singer, with the chorus's repeated line suggesting that the South represents a slower pace of life and a more relaxed environment.
The lyrics are written in a narrative style that reflects the singer's internal monologue. The use of imagery such as "where summer spends the winter" and the repeated reference to "the South" provides a powerful sense of location and a specific vision of the future.
Line by Line Meaning
The funds are low and the debts are high
I am struggling financially and am burdened with debt that I cannot afford to pay off.
I need to smile but I have to sigh
Although I wish to feel happy, I am instead filled with disappointment and despair.
So just one kiss before I go
I want to share one last moment of affection before I depart.
I'll find a place and I´ll let you know
I will search for a new home and notify my loved ones once I have found it.
I think I see a future way down south
I envision my future residing in the southern regions of this country.
I'll find some time for thinking
I will take the time to contemplate my life and future plans.
They say that Life is slower way down south
People believe that the pace of life in the south is more leisurely and relaxed.
Where summer spends the winter
In the south, the warm weather of summer stretches into the colder months of winter.
I´m leaving town and I won´t be back
I am leaving this town indefinitely and will not return anytime soon.
Making moves and I'm making tracks
I am taking action to make changes in my life and move forward with my plans.
I don't know quite where I'll end up
Despite my plans, I am uncertain where my future will take me.
Somewhere warm with any luck
Hopefully, I will end up in a place with a warm climate that brings me comfort and happiness.
Contributed by Benjamin K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Roberto Burton
Beautiful song and great album.
Walking Englishman
Lovely, best Ash track I have heard in years.
Joe Skotnicki
What a great album. That's why I'm still such a huge Wishbone Ash fan.
Joe Skotnicki
I frickin' love Wishbone Ash.
Mark Lann
Saw the Ash last night in Mpls, this amazing track was in the set! A fantastic show!
George R
Ash back at their very best cant wait to see them live
George R
Best Album in a long time love the whole CD
colin mill
saw the ash last night they played this song finnished with phoenix brilliant loved every minute
Martyn H
Best after the vocals.... 4:20 onwards, just wonderful :)
Martyn H
+Adam Haynes Well, I just like Andy Powell's bluesy guitar style. Saw Wishbone Ash play many years ago (1977) and I find this 2014 album very nice to listen to. While they aren't the same band, they do still produce decent music.