Just Testing is the tenth studio album by the British rock band Wishbone Ash, released on 18 January 1980 by MCA Records. Recorded primarily at Surrey Sound Studios in England, it was the last to feature the original lead vocalist and bass guitarist Martin Turner until the release of Nouveau Calls (1987). The track "Helpless" is only the second cover version released by the band on a studio album, the previous one being "Vas Dis" on Pilgrimage.

Just Testing
Studio album by
Released18 January 1980
Recorded1979
StudioSurrey Sound Studios, Leatherhead, England; except "Helpless" at Kingsway Recorders, London
GenreHard rock
Length38:00
LabelMCA
Producer
Wishbone Ash chronology
Live in Tokyo
(1979)
Just Testing
(1980)
Live Dates 2
(1980)
Singles from Just Testing
  1. "Living Proof/Jail Bait"
    Released: 1980
  2. "Helpless/Living Proof"
    Released: 1980
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]

The album reached number 43 in the UK Albums Chart.

Track listing

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All tracks are written by Martin Turner, except where noted

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Living Proof"Laurie Wisefield, Claire Hamill5:44
2."Haunting Me" 4:34
3."Insomnia" 5:10
4."Helpless"Paul Kendrick4:03
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
5."Pay the Price" 3:35
6."New Rising Star" 3:58
7."Master of Disguise"Andy Powell4:26
8."Lifeline"Turner, Powell, Wisefield, Steve Upton6:29
Total length:38:00
1998 remastered edition bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
9."Come On"Chuck Berry3:23
10."Fast Johnny"Turner, Powell, Wisefield, Upton4:04
11."Blowin' Free" (live)Powell, Upton, Ted Turner, Turner6:34
12."Helpless" (live)Kendrick3:46
Total length:55:43

Personnel

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Wishbone Ash

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Additional musicians

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  • Claire Hamill – vocals (on "Living Proof", "Pay the Price" and "Master of Disguise")
  • Ian Kew – organ (on "Master of Disguise")

Technical personnel

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  • John Sherry – co-producer
  • Martin Moss – engineer
  • Bob Broglia – engineer
  • Colin Elgie – sleeve design
  • Hipgnosis – photography and art direction

Charts

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Chart (1980) Peak
position
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[2] 51
UK Albums (OCC)[3] 41
US Billboard 200[4] 179

References

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  1. ^ Allan, Mark. Wishbone Ash: "Just Testing" > Review at AllMusic. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  2. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Wishbone Ash – Just Testing" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  3. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  4. ^ "Wishbone Ash Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
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