"Front Page News" by WISHBONE ASH – Album from October 1977 on MCA Records - Featuring Laurie Wisefield, Martin Turner, Andy Powell and Steve Upton (May 2010 Japan-Only SHM-CD In 5" Mini LP Repro Artwork - Hitoshi Takiguchi Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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SOMETHING'S HAPPENING HERE Volume 5

1960s and 1970s MUSIC ON CD

Exceptional Reissues and Remasters 

All Details From The Discs Themselves 

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

"…It's Good To See You After All This Time…"

"Front Page News" was the 2nd album to feature Laurie Wisefield on triple Lead Guitar in the Wishbone Ash line up – stood issuing zippy licks alongside Martin Turner and Andy Powell (drummer Steve Upton also contributed to the writing of several tracks). Wisefield was ex CBS Records act ‘Home’ and not only infused the band with a fantastic player but brought on board a genuinely cool songwriter. "Front Page News" was originally released October 1977 on MCA Records MCG 3524 in the UK and on MCA 2311 in the USA (the first was "New England" in November 1976).

This 19 May 2010 Japanese-only CD reissue comes on the SHM-CD format (Super High Materials) that has the highest quality production values and is compatible on all CD players. Universal UICY-94493 (Barcode 4988005607867) is one of those 5" mini LP card sleeves which repros the original artwork; it comes in a gatefold sleeve like the original album, a 'numbered' card insert which reproduces both sides of the original UK MCA label (MCG 3524), a large foldout insert with lyrics (the "Wishbone Ash Part 2 - 1975-80" history is unfortunately entirely in Japanese), an Obi and a protective outer polythene wrap (with the SHM-CD sticker). The card insert on mine is numbered 1240 - it doesn't say how many of these were made - but I'm guessing the number is as low as 3000 for the world.

1. Front Page News

2. Midnight Dancer

3. Goodbye Baby Hello Friend

4. Surface To Air

5. 714

6. Come In From The Rain [Side 2]

7. Right Or Wrong

8. Heart Beat

9. The Day I Found Your Love

10. Diamond Jack

The 2010 DSD Remaster has been done by HITOSHI TAKIGUCHI in Universal's Mastering Studios in Japan (42:38 minutes) and is one of 13 albums released in this series (full list below). The sound quality is BEAUTIFUL throughout - especially the bass and drums. Until the May 2010 "Travelogue" 2CD set in the UK (reviewed separately), this album hasn't been available as a good remaster for decades and hearing "Come In From The Rain" with its blistering guitar battles is a thrill - as is the rocking riffage of "Right Or Wrong". "Midnight Dancer" and "Surface To Air" have loads of presence now too, but the peach for me is the last track on Side 1 of the original LP... You could never get a good sound out of it because of where it was placed - it's a sort of lingering Jeff Beck instrumental circa "Blow By Blow" called "714" (a Laurie Wisefield composition) - and it now sounds glorious.

I've always loved this album and Wisefield's touch with a great rock melody ("Goodbye Baby Hello Friend" is a perfect example - lyrics above), so this is a treat for me. It is pricey, but like all of these beautiful Japanese issues - it's superbly done.

Highly recommended.

PS: the full list of 13 titles in this 19 May 2010 Japan-only SHM-CD re-issue series are:

1. "Wishbone Ash" (December 1970), Universal UICY-94483

2. "Pilgrimage" (September 1971), Universal UICY-94484

3.  "Argus" (April 1972), Universal UICY-94485/6

(2CD set, 16-Page Booklet, 2007 Remastering, Repros The "Deluxe Edition")

4. "Wishbone Four" (December 1973), Universal UICY-94487

5. "Live Dates", (December 1973 2LP Live Set), Universal UICY-94488/9 (2CDs)

6. "There's The Rub" (November 1974), Universal UICY-94490

7. "Locked In" (March 1976), Universal UICY-94491

8. "New England"(November 1976), Universal UICY-94492

9. "Front Page News" (October 1977), Universal UICY-94493

10. "No Smoke Without Fire" (October 1978) Universal UICY-94494

(Doe NOT include the 2-track live 7" single that came with original issues of the UK LP - "Lorelei" and "Come In From The Rain" on MCA PSR 431)

11. "Just Testing" (January 1980), Universal UICY-94495

12. "Live Dates Volume 2" (October 1980 2LP Live Set), Universal UICY-94496/7 (2CDs)

13. "Number The Brave" (April 1981), Universal UICY-94498

PPS: I've also noticed that certain CD sites in Japan are already showing these titles as "sold out" or "unavailable" - a mere 3 weeks after release. I'd say purchase sooner rather than later if you want to get one...