Wishbone Ash

I think you'll find plenty of Wishbone Ash fans around here.  I particularly like Argus, but have to admit to have lost a bit of interest after their fourth album.  They're on the site. http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=2437

One the best Live Bands i have ever seen there set at Reading festival in 1975 was bloody awesome

Live dates is a stunning live album  some which i was lucky enough to be at, which was recorded at the Reading University .
I think the first 4 albums are all top stuff, i happen to rather like Wishbone Four. New England to is well worth a listen. 

TODDLER wrote: Their debut is decent but weaker than Argus and Pilgimage.

Wishbone Four, New England and Front Page News also deserve a good punt

Dick Heath wrote: TODDLER wrote: Their debut is decent but weaker than Argus and Pilgimage.   Disagree. I'm far more likely to play the eponymous first album with end to end satisfaction, than any other of WA's output, especially with the endpiece and piece de resistance: Phoenix. IMHO one of those albums that fills the gap between the British blues boom of the 60's and prog flavoured rock of the early 70's  - reflecting steps in their progression for one band

I think what drove me nuts was sitting in front of the turntable learning Andy Powell leads. I was dissapointed in the production of the debut and enjoyed his guitar work on the live version of Phoenix a bit more. You are correct about the debut filling the gaps between British Blues Boom and flavoured rock of the early 70's. I didn't take that aspect into account. Regarding the debut, for me personally, I like the overall sound of their guitars on Argus or the sound of Andy Powell's guitar on "Ashes Are Burning" a bit more.

I'll never forget the first time. The stranger leans over the counter and points at my cd with the helmet guy with sword. My girlfriend, standing bubbly had recommended it, the guylooks at me and says "great album, dude" So I get home and "Blowin Free" is perking away and the first lick after "Iknow..because I seen her" right there my bubbly blonde short ass lady busts into an air-guitar. Open and expressive, that set the tone for this classic album see" Leaf and Stream" "Throw Down The Sword" and my fav, "The King Will Come"

Argus is one of the best albums ever, besides Animals and Hemispheres it was one of the albums that got me into prog rock  (maybe I should do a review on that album )

Dick Heath wrote: TODDLER wrote: Dick Heath wrote: TODDLER wrote: Their debut is decent but weaker than Argus and Pilgimage.   Disagree. I'm far more likely to play the eponymous first album with end to end satisfaction, than any other of WA's output, especially with the endpiece and piece de resistance: Phoenix. IMHO one of those albums that fills the gap between the British blues boom of the 60's and prog flavoured rock of the early 70's  - reflecting steps in their progression for one band I think what drove me nuts was sitting in front of the turntable learning Andy Powell leads. I was dissapointed in the production of the debut and enjoyed his guitar work on the live version of Phoenix a bit more. You are correct about the debut filling the gaps between British Blues Boom and flavoured rock of the early 70's. I didn't take that aspect into account. Regarding the debut, for me personally, I like the overall sound of their guitars on Argus or the sound of Andy Powell's guitar on "Ashes Are Burning" a bit more.   Have they remastered the first album yet? It certainly seemed to have low priority compared with the subsequent 6 or 7 alblums?

I'm not sure. The sound of the drums on there are like cardboard boxes and it's a shame. The album is just outstanding! The remasterd or probably re-mixed version of Argus has some flaws too. "The King Will Come" sounds incredible...don't get me wrong. During the sections of the song where you normally hear quiet dynamic melodic guitar and vocal harmonies and perhaps on the original cd release are not dominate enough to the listener, are turned up in volume for the new mix. This is a situation where it feels like a sound tech is in the room with me and I'm watching him move the levels on the mixing board. As opposed to having the entrie mix blend well with the rest of the recording. It comes across like...."Okay, we are turning it up now". This is common to happen when the original analog recordings are re-mixed. On The Beatles Yellow Submarine Songtrack, it doesn't sound like anything is increasing or decreasing in volume. Yet it is re-mixed. In that case it's more about being creative with digital equipment and not just knowing the rules of using it. 

I to saw the Ash a good few times in the 70s and have to say there where one the best Live acts around. 

I saw them during the "Locked In" tour and they really played some beautiful music.  Along with rockin" out,,,I mean. The sound was perfect and the band was tight from the road. In 1999 I visited Disney World. I hunted down Tower Records in another town. I dropped some loot there, proceeded to walk the strip and presto! On the corner was a dive. A rat hole. A hole in the wall. With huge letters it was posted: Wishbone Ash. The building was the size of a small local corner bar in your average American town. So I sat there on a bench staring at that name for a very long time. I thought for the love of Christ, this is how Andy Powell lives his life? I've seen this happen to artists for many years yet I was somehow shocked this time. It's pretty pathetic to react the way that I did. It's probably due to the fond memories I have of them.  

Edited by TODDLER - December 02 2010 at 22:18