A blustery Wednesday night in Dudley was never going to prise many people away from their home comforts. But even allowing for the adverse conditions, it was still a disappointingly low turnout to see MTWA give a thoroughly professional display that included a complete run through of seminal 1972 album 'Argus'. Leading light Martin Turner has spent the past few years building this version of WA and the performance is peppered with delightful interplay between the four musicians.

The first half offered a wide range from the band’s first decade, highlights including ‘Time And Space’, ‘Everybody Needs A Friend’ and ‘You See Red’, the latter providing guitarist Keith Buck with a chance to display his vocal talents. They really hit their stride, however, with a stunning eight minute rendition of ’The Pilgrim’, a song which goes all the way back to 1971 but one which still gives you goose bumps.

Tuner may no longer be a dominant force vocally but assisted by the rest of the band the ‘Argus’ material is presented with attention to detail to the original but also offering some new interpretations, notably on ‘Leaf and Stream’ which sees drummer Rob Hewins assisting on guitar. ‘Throw Down The Sword’ is as powerful and majestic as it ever was and a slight change in the running order finds the bands anthem, ‘Blowin Free’, closing the set. If I has one wish it would have been to have heard some 70’s anecdotes from Martin throughout the show, especially given the intimacy of the occasion, but this is only a minor point as the delivery itself was flawless.

Buck is soon to depart MTWA and the encore provided an opportunity to introduce his soon to be replacement Danny Wilson. On this evidence, the legacy of Wishbone Ash is in very safe hands.