Wishbone Ash Album: “Just Testing [Bonus Tracks]”

If you love Wishbone Ash you'll love "Just testing". Worth the price of admission just for their rendition of Master of Disguise. This would have rated 5 stars were it not for "Pay the Price". It just doesn't seem to fit.

At first it seems strange--the 80's sound being different, obviously, from earlier wishbone ash works; but after a few listens it dawned on me how great this album is. Especially Helpless and Living Proof--really good stuff. Also the acoustic ballad-esque Master of Disguise is a great track. I would also recommend the follow up album, 1981's Twin Barrels Burning. A different period for the band, but good nonetheless.

This is one of those bands that I loved from the first time I heard them. In my opinion, they never made a bad record. If you already like them, you will like this one as well. If you've never heard them, any of their releases is a good place to start. Very guitar oriented, non repetitive rock. A band for the intelligent listener!

Just Testing (1980) was the last album of the Mark 2 lineup. Production quality is superb, thanks to Martin Turner (bass, vocals, production). Contains the classic Wishbone Ash signature sound, with a bit of an electronic New Wave twist. Very "tight" musicianship. [After this album, Martin Turner left Ash to do his own production studio work.] Serious Ash fans should have this album, but let's face it, does it really deserve 4 stars compared to all albums ever made by all groups ?

(1980) #179 10th studio offering gives us their 3rd 5 star review. The twin-guitar sound is in top form here. "Just Testing", was my first album i ever bought from the band. We get the Wishbone Ash classic "Living Proof", with background vocals by Claire Hamill. Every song is strong on this set, "Lifeline", "Master Of Disguise", "Haunting Me". "Helpless", the smokin' "Pay The Price", "Insomnia" and "New Rising Star". A lot of critics hate this album, but the sound is very fresh for me. "Just Testing", some great rock for a band in their 14th year of existence, this would also be the last album with Martin Turner until 1987. 1981 gave us another classic in "Number The Brave".