As I'm sure you already know, the great legend that is Martin Turner is the founding member of Wishbone Ash, who in turn were a British rock band who achieved success in the early and mid-1970s. But did you also know that they are considered to be one of the major innovators of the harmony twin lead guitar format. Their contributions helped Andy Powell and Ted Turner to be voted "Two of the Ten Most Important Guitarists in Rock History."

Having recently released Garden Party: A Celebration of Wishbone Ash Music, a recording of a very private session from co-founder Turner and his various friends, now we can bask in the glory of his long-awaited studio collection of new compositions. Entitled Written In The Stars, it has been entirely written and recorded with Turner's touring musicians and other collaborators; especially Mark Emery.

Written In The Stars follows a critically acclaimed period of worldwide live activity, especially given that aforementioned Garden Party: A Celebration of Wishbone Ash Music album not above. Once known as Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash, after losing his fight in court to Andy Powell over the name rights, he had to drop the Wishbone Ash part of the band name. Now going simply by Martin Turner - Founding Original Member of Wishbone Ash (now that's a mouthful, if ever there was - albeit very astutely correct), Turner's current live band consists of Danny Wilson (guitar/vocals), Misha Nikolic (guitar/vocals) and Tim Brown (drums/vocals).

1. "The Big Bang (Overture)" - 1:06
2. "The Beauty of Chaos" - 3:35
3. "Written in the Stars" - 4:33
4. "Lovers" - 4:38
5. "Vapour Trail" - 5:53
6. "The Lonely Star" - 4:06
7. "For My Lady" - 4:23
8. "Pretty Little Girls" - 5:00
9. "Falling Sands" - 5:18
10. "Mystify Me" - 5:20
11. "Interstellar Rockstar" - 7:46

Turner himself describes this album as "a guitar-based set of songs which represents an extension of the Wishbone Ash legacy, with an emphasis on the melodic qualities that the classic line-ups of the band were known for," and I couldn't have put it any better myself. Turner's bass lines are unmistakable from his days fronting Wishbone Ash. It's a classic sound here on Written In The Stars, and I, for one, I'm so glad that Turner is still creating such incredible instrumentals and soundscapes.

CD Purchase Link

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