Wishbone Ash : Living Proof : Vinyl Box Set Review : Now Spinning Magazine

Living Proof (Live Recordings 1976 - 1980) is a limited edition 10LP boxset featuring the second classic Wishbone Ash line up of Andy Powell, Martin Turner, Laurie Wisefield and Steve Upton.
Four of the concert recordings are available on vinyl for the first time, while the fifth - a newly sourced and previously unreleased recording from the band’s October 1976 run of shows in Nakano Sunplaza, Tokyo on the New England tour - is exclusive to this set.
A lavish booklet includes in-depth album notes and track-by-track ‘making of’ interviews by author and Wishbone expert Campbell Devine as well as rare live photographs, a replica ‘Wishbone News’ newspaper from the Front Page News tour and an individually numbered certificate.
Limited to 1,000 copies as a one-time pressing.
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Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine
‪@Madfishmusic‬

[@jeffkelty6636]

New England is also my favorite! I hope this box becomes available on cd. Thanks, Phil! Another brilliant program!

[@ianlewis8086]

Agreed. New England is grossly underrated

[@darcyska]

What a cool looking set - I like the design and the minimalist style. It's that booklet that sells it, makes it more than a simple collection of recordings.

[@frednijsten7582]

Great video Phil, thanks. I have a copy also. I would love to have the vintage years, but sadly not available anymore. Cheers.

[@alanosterman7130]

Can anyone please provide a breakdown as to what the dates are for these shows ? I did purchase the "Classic Years" big box set about 7 years ago. So very wonderful. Saw them in Chicago in summer of 73, at the beautiful Auditorium Theatre. I think this was the inspiration for the cover of "Live Dates Two". It does resemble this venue. Other times here in local taverns and November 23, 1973, at suburban Wheeling High School. Home from school for Thanksgiving break. Even in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin on August 7, 1981. Funny story here. Even saw Laurie and Trevor eating at the local diner next door, at the counter, before the show. Didn't recognize them. Thought they were local kids there for the show. Then saw them on stage, and I felt so dumb. I've been playing guitar since 1971 and they've provided years of inspiration. Bless em' all. Thank you Phil.

[@frankstecker5675]

Wow...Wonderfull box..for the great Rock Band....Rock on..🎸🎸

[@cybot6]

What a lovely, lovely heartfelt appreciation of this thing we call Music. This is my first visit here and I was entranced by your quiet enthusiasm and reminiscence of times long gone but still living in the shape of Wishbone Ash. I’ve always had a soft spot for them especially after hearing Jailbait on some forlorn 8 track cartridge that my brother brought in one Saturday. It was a rather eclectic compilation showing off this new fangled medium. Then came Pilgrimage and Argus and I was smitten. I stopped at New England and the two Live albums. Off I went down the rabbit hole of experimental and all that implies. Thankfully I’ve never abandoned the music of my youth simply because I’m no fool. Still have all the vinyl originals etc etc. Which leads me neatly to my reunification with Wishbone Ash through the various Madfish Live albums culminating with the minimalistic but absolutely gorgeous Living Proof box set. The photo of Ted nestling comfortably in the middle of the book made my day. He’s very sorely missed by me as he brought a beautiful array of colour and light to the band. I preordered mine and, because of Brexit, I had no choice but to order from JPC in Germany. I was waiting a while and I was tiny bit miffed that my numbered copy was listed as #1028. Strange. Unless it was a repress or a typo. As I said strange. Another final comment is this : to see the box in person is a gift in itself. The sheer thickness of the box itself has to seen and felt to be believed. A joy forever. Thanks Phil for making my day…..

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Thank you you very much - Phil :)

[@cybot6]

You are so welcome Phil! @@NowSpinningMagazine

[@WelshIron]

I love all these boxsets but I can't afford the damn things so thanks for reviewing them Phil

[@crimson777king]

Thanks for the informative video on this Wishbone Ash box set. I love them but never got to see them live, unfortunately. Thanks again, Phil.

[@seanwills4946]

When it comes to doing boxsets, Wishbone Ash really do pull out all tbe stops. The Vintage years boxset is my most treasured of all my boxsets, really well put together with some much great content. Another great video Phil.

[@jegarajramoo3873]

Awesome box sets. Is it any wonder that vinyl is back with a vengeance? A superb band releasing a box set worthy of classic art. 👍👍👍👍

[@pgreed100]

Hi Phil, I love the comment about your Dad liking some of the tracks on New England. This, for me, was a rare and beautiful occurence. The occasion I recall the most was my Dad saying he thought Queen were good (a high compliment) when he saw Bohemian Rhapsody on Top of the Pops). Truly a generation-bridger, still remembered sharply almost 50 years later. Best wishes, Paul

[@danielmcevoy976]

My favorites are #1: New England #2: There's The Rub #3: Just Testing. Live Dates 2 is my favorite live record of all time.

[@jerrygeorgopolis8015]

Wow box set ! Thanks Phil !!

[@jonathanpearman1052]

This is a very aesthetically pleasing box set and an excellent selection of live material. I got this for the Marquee gig, which I was at. Queued for hours outside, a massive line ran down Wardour Street, buzzing with high expectations. Once inside we were treated to a great gig where the band had a fantastic rapport going on with the audience. I think they played the Wembley Empire Pool the following evening, which I could not afford to go to. Unfortunately this box set came with tears in the covers where the inner sleeves with vinyl must have chafed their way through during transportation. Still looking for a copy of the Vintage Years cd box set but it's becoming more and more like hunting for the Holy Grail, haven't seen it anywhere. for ages, not even on eBay. Great review Phil and glad you did it!

[@flaviopitanga65]

Fantastic box set ❤

[@iansadler7755]

Great review Phil. As another reviewer has commented, the price point is now down to £150 on Amazon which will hopefully mean more punters will invest in it. I was at the Wembley show for the tour advertised in the 'newspaper', with the Motors supporting; I still have the original newspaper somewhere. I seem to recall quite a sweet smell in the venue....as a relative youngster and naive as anything, it could have been something slightly illegal but the show was bizarrely sponsored by Sure deodorants, so maybe they were giving out freebies on the night 🙂!! All focus (and saving up!!) now turns to the forthcoming BBC boxset from Madfish which promises to be quite special.

[@jamesknight3238]

I remember waiting with eager anticipation for Locked In to come out - and being crushingly disappointed by it. Luckily New England came out soon afterwards to completly restore my faith. I remember the Front Page News tour (The Motors supporting) - I saw them at Leicester.

[@TheAlanRosenbergShow]

The Wishbone Ash Vintage Years is also my most treasured boxset and New England is my favorite Wishbone Ash album as well.

[@akstandup7912]

Phew! Got a copy from Amazon £150 no. 718. If only it was 714.

[@PSN489]

Alright Mate , The Set looks great , The Price of it is extortion . My New Years Resolution is to cut down on purchasing because it is far too expensive to keep up with all this stuff coming out. Sad but in my case true. All the best.

[@Belfast-Biccy]

At time of writing I see 10 currently available on Amazon for £150. I see a live in Tokyo CD there too, but don't know if it's the same gig.

[@midiland09]

How could I buy the vintage boxset by Wishbone Ash? Being a fan since 1973, this would be also my most treasured boxset.

[@roymarshall649]

Is this box set available in CD format ? Regards Roy the boy

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Sorry no, this is a vinyl only release

[@anthonymcnamee6297]

Too band live

[@paularmstrong6713]

I checked on ebay for this. Phil paid £175 which is a bargain. On ebay it is going for between £275 and £550. Greedy people buying them to sell for an obscene price. It makes me angry. It is your everyday fan that suffers.😡

[@Mm1twiggy]

Totally out of my budget in South African Rands - unfortunately 😢