WISH GRANTED

First, I will do the usual smoke up the proverbial – I subscribe enthusiastically to your great magazine blah, blah… Your relatively recent features on custom builds were a particular highlight for me, having built three guitars with the genius tutor Mark Bailey of Bailey Guitars. However, now we must come to the crux of the matter! Finally, eventually, you have an article about Andy Powell of Wishbone Ash. I have been a devotee of the band since 1970 and was very surprised that your usually excellent reportage on upcoming gigs and recently released albums failed to mention the 50th anniversary tour during 2019. I couldn’t understand why such a wholly guitar-focused band with such a distinctive twin-lead sound never got a mention. You have finally rectified the wrong with your AP interview – hence the title of the letter [Hallelujah (Not the song)]!

Andy has been an incredibly hard-working musician, touring Wishbone Ash every year and getting new recordings out to the fans regularly. I had the fantastic opportunity to play on stage with the band at my retirement party and they could not have been more welcoming and generous to someone who was just a little awestruck by the situation.

It seems to me that given Gibson’s newly regenerated guitar focus, an Andy Powell signature model wouldn’t go amiss. I would trade my Kirk Hammett V for an AP one in a heartbeat. Anyway, thanks for the article – it renewed my fading faith (sic) in seeing one in these pages. Hallelujah indeed. John Pollock, via email

Thanks John, we were indeed remiss in not featuring Andy more in these pages in recent times – especially as he’s a relatively rare long-time exponent of the Flying V, in one form or another, which we’ve always had a great affection for, from Albert King on through Jimi. It may be subtle but they have a voice of their own and, though they’re a pain to play sitting, they look the business on stage. Maybe something for your next homebuild project, in homage to Wishbone Ash?