MARTIN TURNER: The Beauty Of Chaos (ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

In 2015, Martin Turner, ex-bassist of the English band Wishbone Ash (an information impossible to forget since it appears on the covers of all his records since he has split from the band) released his first studio album in 19 years, the excellent "Written in the Stars". A record that Martin Turner decided to defend in concert with a tour in England, in Scotland and in Germany the following year. "The Beauty of Chaos" which is released this year is the outcome of the concert given in St Helens (England) on February 26, 2016.

The suggested menu is of the extremely rich: two CDs full of music and a DVD allowing you to be immersed into the atmosphere of the concert. CD1 features the integrality of "Written in the Stars" in the order of the studio album except for 'Falling Sands' / 'Pretty Little Girls' which are swapped. The live version shows few differences with the studio album played almost note for note. The last three tracks of CD1 and the whole of CD2 are taken from Wishbone Ash's repertoire, highlighting the older albums and in particular "Argus" of which five tracks are played ('The King Will Come', 'Warrior', 'Throw Down The Sword', 'Sometime World' and 'Blowin' Free').

The DVD takes back the contents of the 2 CDs in the same order except for 'Lady Jay' which is strangely moved ( is it a problem of place on the CD?). No eccentricity in the making of the album, 4 angles of shots (wide, right side, left side and rear three-quarter view) with close-ups allowing us to appreciate the playing of the three guitarists, the drummer being not much represented by the production and very little visible. The stage performance is just as sober, the three guitarists moving very little. Few talks too, Martin Turner limiting himself to the very short presentation of two or three titles, the acknowledgements and the presentation of the musicians being made at the very end of the concert on the last title, the only one also on which Martin Turner makes the public sing. Those who are annoyed by the audience singing will easily be able to escape it by listening to 'Jailbait'. To be more specific, the DVD also contains an interview of the 4 musicians of about 45 minutes and allows you to listen to the tracks individually.

The band plays an extremely appealing soft rock with many guitar solos. The sound recording is excellent making justice to the 4 musicians, allowing us to delight in Martin Turner's bass playing. Danny Willson almost steals the show with his guitar performance that brightens up the concert and the vocal harmonies that he creates by mixing his voice with Martin Turner's one.

If the album is released under the single name of Martin Turner, it nevertheless gives the impression of having been listening to a tight and friendly band, as the musicians' enthusiasm and desire to play are obvious. To the point that those who are too young to have seen Wishbone Ash in concert will be able to get an idea of it so much this formation looks like him. - Official website

MARTIN TURNER

THE BEAUTY OF CHAOS

CHERRY RED RECORDS

ROCK