The real agenda should be updating accounts, hotel bookings and taxes but it’s actually been a nice day for catching up with old friends like Leon Tsilis, Al Payson, who many of you will remember as the bassist in Blue Law and just now, Roger Filgate called. He sends his regards to one and all. He’s been promoting his solo album and we spent some time reminiscing about the early 90’s when he and I went through hell and high water keeping the good ship Wishbone afloat, just after recording the Live in Chicago CD with Ted, Andy Pyle and Ray Weston. At that time, Roger was helping out writing songs with the band and also, as my humble guitar tech (can you believe?). Writing sessions took place in ancient, drafty New England barns, in the depths of winter where we were trying to dodge pigeon excrement, while penning songs together like No Joke and On Your Own for the Illuminations CD.
It’s a long time ago now but many of you will remember how that album was actually financed by Wishbone Ash fans from all over the world. Maybe you were among those whose names were inscribed on the disc. Roger has a much clearer memory of the period when a little later, we flew to London ready to rock the house but had to abort a session with Martin Turner who was simply sub par at the time. Before that, we'd flown to Chicago to engender some enthusiasm from Ted Turner, who later sent me a resignation letter, his second time of leaving the band. Funny ol’ times but we battled through and that album stands as a testament to our determination. There was also an aborted recording session in Manhattan before we finally hooked up with renowned British engineer, John Etchels and put the finishing touches to the disc in Connecticut, bringing in Tony Kishman on vocals and stick master supremo, Mike Sturgis.
In fact it’s through all this work, sacrifice, intense focus and these musical connections, that Wishbone is still doing it today, taking it to the streets. More recently, Joe Crabtree came to me through a recommendation of Mike’s and judging by his current approval rating, it was a sound recommendation. Anyway, Roger and I will ‘do’ lunch and I’ll no doubt catch up with news of the local music scene here in CT. Believe it or not; Roger just featured on Chubby Checker’s recent hit, “Bringing Down the Walls”.
On another subject, has anyone seen or heard of this new German machine called Plek? If the claims of it’s makers are to be believed, it can take any guitar and produce a complete fret dress, top nut change and setup all by itself, with no human intervention. This is truly something, if it works. I’ve heard a few varying reports and I know that there are a few of them functioning over here in the USA. Notably Gibson is using one.
Talking of guitars, Muddy Manninen ordered a striking white SG styled Les Paul which arrived on my doorstep recently, courtesy of UPS. This thing looks outrageous. We’ll see how he rates it once it’s all setup. I just paid a fortune for a 32lb Flying V flight case which I want to thank friend and fan, Milt for helping me with, and I’m still liquidating a few other of my equipment and instrument pieces for a spring stock clean through. I’m hoping some time soon to try a couple of 15” cabinets underneath the Prosonics during the upcoming USA tour.
I’m loving the new Wishbone Ash MySpace site http://www.myspace.com/wishboneashband
and I recently edited a bio for that. Off to Boston this weekend to catch up with friends and family and recently bought some Willie Nelson tickets - well, ya gotta pay respects. After all anyone who can write a song like “You Were Always on My Mind” has got my vote (Don’t lynch me, Milt, and...despite the way Elvis murdered it IMHO).
~ A.P.
