As fate would have it, through a chance encounter with guitarist Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple, Wishbone Ash were signed to MCA through Derek Lawrence. Subsequently, for over 35 years the demos sat in the Apple Records acetate vault gathering dust until recently discovered. In 2006, Christies Auctions put these recordings up for purchase through their online auction house, where they were bid on and won by Wishbone Ash collector extraordinaire Dr. John (not the New Orleans music icon). The good Doctor then contacted Andy Powell about the recordings and graciously offered them back to him, in hopes that they would eventually be released for all Wishbone Ash fans worldwide to enjoy!

This special artifact contains the first known recordings of "Lady Whiskey", "Blind Eye", "Queen Of Torture", "Handy" and "Error Of My Ways." The recording of "Handy " on this CD is worth the price of admission alone! What makes the release even more enticing is the inclusion of three unreleased tracks. "Roads Of Day To Day" and "Joshua" have never been re-recorded or heard anywhere before, while the track "Alone" is presented with vocals as it was originally intended.

"I was knocked sideways to hear this work after more than 35 years," Andy Powell excitedly exclaims. "I'd completely forgotten about the sessions and especially the two songs which for some reason never made it to the official first album release."

In other Wishbone Ash news� As if First Light isn't enough to whet any Ash fan's appetite, comes the release through the band's official website the third in a series of rare recordings entitled Tracks 3 . This 41-track, three-CD set features acoustic interpretations of classic cuts along with other rarities, including a version of "Warrior" from the classic release Argus with an orchestral backing. Founding member Andy Powell, whom Rolling Stone voted one of the 'top 20 best guitarists of all time', recently did an extensive interview for U.S. collector's magazine Goldmine. This summer Wishbone Ash will be appearing at various festivals in the U.K., Germany, Holland and Greece. For current tour date information check out the band's official website. On a sad note, after many years of fantastic drumming, Ray Weston will be stepping down from the Wishbone drum stool to teach at the Laguna Beach School of Music in southern California. In the meantime, taking over Ray's position on drums is Joe Crabtree, who has worked with the likes of Pendragon and David Cross (King Crimson) Band, and in May 2007 made his debut with Wishbone Ash when they performed in Moscow. Joe and the band have also have been recording a new album in Finland, which is expected to be released later this year.