I agree and especially something "British"about the sound, maybe from our collective memory? Courtly guitAar red coats on desolate.battlefields..er so much feeling in their work...❤
As a quintessential late Boomer myself, I can assure you all, Wishbone Ash was and still is, the greatest secret every classic rock connoisseur needs to discover in order for their musical palate to be complete - Wishbone Ash was their own musical genre! They were delicious!
You're not wrong. When I've talked to rock fans, less into metal it's Ash I recommend they give a listen to! One of the greatest bands most people haven't heard of.
No doubt about it - they were and are still a great hard rocking band . Interesting arrangements , smoking hot leads , they rocked like few other bands could .
If one was a rock connoisseur, they would already be aware of this great band! I knew people who had listened to status quo. But had not heard wishbone ash. I would say, you could compare them in terms of the two guitar front. I was lucky. As a kid, there was a local band who were obviously influenced by wishbone ash. And would play their stuff. Very well actually! Mid seventies was a good time to be a kid and discover great music!
A brilliant band that doesn't get talked about as often as they should have been. Argus was my favourite album by these great musicians. I loved Live Dates as well, to me one of the finest live albums put together. I loved when they played the great songs on Argus, live.
I bought Live Dates, not being that familiar with them, and was so impressed I added the masterpiece Argus almost immediately, followed by Pilgrimage... The cover on Argus is so perfect...killer photo book inside the Live Dates double record, too. Huge fan of the earlier stuff and F.U.B.B. is always a favorite... rock on!
Marty IS the secret behind Wishbone, and not Andy. Listen to his current band and you will know in one second. His band KILLS IT. Andy's bands are quite good too, but Marty has the whole kit kaboodle - he is the force.
Great doc... I fell off the plate after 'There's The Rub' tho Powell went went on to do great things. As a bass player myself, Martin Turner is up there with McCartney. He was a huge influence on everything to do with my playing, jazz to rock and all in between. Going back after the years, I remember playing 'Argus' until my copy was worn out - Lol! Having played with lots of drummers over the years I can honestly say Mr Upton has the amazing feel and accuracy to inspire, what a drummer, what a band! Thanks for posting! I am 66!
That's got me up to date with WA's history. The last album I listened to was the first one after Martin Turner initially left in 1980, Number the Brave. I must give all the albums post-'81 a listen. Great video. Thanks. Nick J
An amazing live band who never really got the recognition they really deserved . It was a great shame that their internal squabbles caused a split that never really got resolved. Nevertheless there is no other band who managed to create their sound/style and that is something that they can be very proud of. They are right up there with the best of their generation.
I loved New England and Front Page News too. Laurie Wisefield brought a new melodic sound. But, in ALL honesty, I love all their stuff right up to No Smoke. Great band 🇮🇪☘
Claro !!! solo valoran "Argus" , pero los albums son muy buenos , en especial "Just testing" (1980) , "No smoke without fire" (1978) , "There's the rub" (1974) , muy buenos albums !!!!
I discovered Wishbone Ash late in life, when they were touring in the Detroit area in 2015. I'd heard of the band, but I didn't know they still existed. I was blown away and managed to see them several times at Callahan's a legendary club in Aurora hills. Videos can be found here on UA-cam. ua-cam.com/video/56zByocEO64/v-deo.html This is a terrific documentary. It really highlights how strong the later mateiral like Bonafide is! Thank you!
Great Band ..Top Class tasty Guitar playing ..a lost art in todays world of nothing but Shred..I thrashed the heck outta the Live Dates albums back in the day, the Guitars sounded incredible on My Stereo.
My friends and I saw wishbone ash at the Agora in Columbus ,Ohio,, maybey 1970,,, we were the only ones there,, maybey 5 of us,,, we stood in front of stage and enjoyed the show,, I believe they were using all Orange amps!!?
I'm still kicking myself for missing them at the Old Filmore in San Francisco in 1969 . I was only 13 , but it was great when I did see them at Winterland in 73 . They just ripped !
I was lucky enough to go to the concert of WA in 1976. They played the Argus songs, of course, and so beautifully. But they played also the songs from New England. It is THE concert, the best I saw, by WA or any other musicians.
WA is my favorite rock band. I first saw them in 1975 in Ft. Worth TX and they had just picked up Laurie Wisefield and we didn't know if this person was a guy or girl because of the name. When he opened up his shirt at the concert we found out. It was only my second concert ever. Yes was my first. I miss Ben Granfelt. What a talent on the guitar. Andy Powell is the heart and soul of the band.
Great video really enjoyed it . Disappointed however there was no mention of the Live Dates 2 album which I really like. Disagree that Laurie was a Rhythm Guitarist when he joined Ash , far from the case , listen to the Home albums . Laurie for me was Ash's best guitarist .
Sort of agree, I think I caught there first concert tour with Laurie, ~ '75(?). and he was up front, bending strings and tearing up that strat...I preferred Ted though,
I saw Wishbone Ash when they played Birmingham town hall on the Argus era I can honestly say they were note perfect......must be the best band I had the pleasure to see / hear. SUPERB wish I could say the same about Led Zep they were terrible live in Birmingham Odeon concert I felt robbed
I loved Wishbone Ash from the first album, and Phoenix is the song I use for testing audio set ups - but Ballad of the Beacon is the song that ends up on almost every "mix tape" compilation I make for myself or others. Once I put Ballad of the Beacon in there, I almost have to add Sorrell. I mean, how exquisite is that song?
I love the Wishbone 4 album, it was my 1st taste of Ash as a teen, they have been such a big part of my life as a guitar player. I also love the New England album.
@@1990-t1j Both are excellent albums. FPN is quite a Gem that has mostly been overlooked in the Rock World. Unfortunately Punk was getting a lot of attention during that period. Laurie W. did alot of beautiful guitar work on FPN that probably mostly guitar players can appreciate more than the general public.
The first three wonderful albums were breathtaking. A unique intertwining twin melodic guitar sound and unforgettable songs. And then they ran out of tunes. You can have the best guitar players in the world, but if there are no memorable melodies to hook the listener and excite them, then it's not memorable. I still listen to the classics from the early days, now and again. And they still sound as uplifting as then, the guitars and tunes soaring into the skies. The King Will Come, yes!
I think many critics are a little harsh on the Wisefield era. Yes, 'Locked In' was a massive failure especially after 'There's the Rub' but I really enjoy all the other albums up to and including 'Just Testing'. Martin left and the wheels came off.
No mention of F.U.B.B. from There's the Rub. I remember seeing them in New Zealand and a person was planted in the crowd in order to make an official complaint about the meaning of Fucked Up Beyond Belief .I was near backstage when the cops arrested the Drummer who announced that meaning before playing.
I'll never forget the first album, when the needle hit the vinyl and "Blind Eye" came on, we were never the same. What's rarely mentioned is the infectious jazz/rock shuffle feel of Turner/Upton, on songs like "Blind Eye," "Blowin' Free" and "Jail Bait." To me they weren't the same after "Pilgrimage" when they were still young, hungry and full of inspiration.
I loved the reunion years 1987-1991 Nouveau Calls Hear to Hear Strange Free Ash live in Chicago.. I love Argus. I saw W.A. durung 1974's there's the Rub.. Laurie Westfield, Marrtin Turner, Ted Turner, Steve Upton, John Wetton ( Number the Brave) Also 2009: At ROSFEST SPRING 2009
You have got some catching up to do - pretend it's the summer of 1975 and play ' There's the Rub ' outdoors and hear it go out into the neighborhood . Real rock at it's very best .
Argus the best Wishbones best ever. Wishbone Four, I really great as well. Wonderfull harmonies. That bass sound and harmonies is to die for. Great guitar arrangements, solos and harmonies. I stopped listening to them after that. Listen to Wishbone Four from time to time. Still got the rec. Thank you 🙏
When he mentions Zz Top he's probably referencing a bunch from the first 4 or 5 albums before the commercilization of the Trio of synth. ZZs first 3 albums are raw blues rock.
I had no idea that Trevor Bolder was in WA or Uriah Heep. I alwas thought of him as one of the "Spiders from Mars". Would love to hear John Wetton in WA.
Here we hear Andy Powell singing On Your Own, but on the album Illuminations, he was not. They had a new lineup, which I think was great (finally). I saw them live in the Arthur club, and it was a great concert. Released as Live in Geneva.
@@henseleric Wow , never heard anything like that before . All my friends in the Army that I turned on to Wishbone Ash in the mid - 70's would get a laugh out of that . There aren't many nerds in a rifle company.
A great song penned by a former member ' Muddy ' Manstien , this song has a way of gripping you and holding on . Muddy also contributed a few other songs to the band and was an exceptional guitar player .
Bona Fide is my joint favourite WA album along with There's The Rub. Both exude freshness, hope, inspiration, power, great playing and sympathetic production. I also liked most of the Muddy Manninen period, as I think he injected something into the band and possibly gave AP a metaphorical kick up the backside.
I discovered WA about 1976 via a best of called Masters of Rock which looked nearly like the cover Wishbone Four with that band photo.Iwas hooked and bought all their albums and even bought a Flying V (copy) guitar.Yes there a few turkeys in their discograhy but I find there is still some good stuff on Locked In and Number the Brave.I chuckled at how quickly Locked In was glossed over.
Fantastic band who I have seen many times. This is mistitled to say the least, full documentary? I don't think so. What about the great Martin Turner? First class singer and bass player.
_Blind eye,_ IMHO, is the best opening track an any album, ever, as well as the best opening track for any band ever. (Honourable mention to Supertramp's _School,_ and hairs-breadth runner up place to _Dreamer_ by Home, although not Home's first LP) Consequently it''s my favourite track.
I've been a fan since 1978. I feel that Wishbone Ash's Achilles heel has always been their lead vocals. Martin Turner was easily their best IMO. Compared to their stellar musicianship, the vocals were a bit of a letdown especially evident after Martin Turner 'left' the band. Such a shame as these guys should be mentioned in the same company as Zep, Purple et al.
@@danvelgtr Yes it's quite a shame that Andy persists with the lead vocal duties. His guitar playing has always been stellar though. The vocals deserve an appropriate presence.
Laurie Weisfield who was the best guitarist to ever play in Wishbone Ash gets no credit because he wasn’t a founder with Turner, Turner, Powell and Upton. When they released New England, Front page news and There’s the rub, Weisfield; along with producers Ronnie & Howard Albert, recorded the best music that Wishbone Ash ever produced. IMO.
@@M1cko33 I can't disagree with you Mick , your evaluation is spot on , but I still go to see them when they come around here ( the SF Bay ) and they put on great shows except for what we talked about .
I am a big OG Wishbone Ash fan. I really like Wishbone Four, although Argus is great too. Have all the albums 70's and 80's with the original members. Saw them in the later 70's with other guitarist and then in about 1980 and 1995.
I'm a rarity amongst wishbone ash fans in that I love Front Page News. I luuurve that album. Unfortunately for me FPN is an atypical WA album and WA fans don't like it which leaves me out in the cold a bit.
@@redmed10 Another that gets a little overlooked is 'There's The Rub'. Some great tunes on that album.. Silver Shoes, F.U.B.B. Lady Jay, Persephone etc, etc.. They were some band were Wishbone Ash..
Andy explains in his autobiography that the band (then Steve Upton and Martin Turner) were only seeking one guitar player during the auditions. But he and Ted were so impressive that they were both invited to join the band!
Argus is one the best melodic guitar albums ever . The blending of folk and rock by Wishbone Ash in Argus is almost at par with Led Zeppelin 4 album . Time was may be the best track in Argus - their stairway to heaven moment . There is the rub is next to Argus in terms of quality WBA released many good and some great albums but could not match the peak of Argus . But that’s probably true of most bands - 1-2 superlative albums, a few great, a few good and some average albums comprise of lifetime their own put
Echo your sentiments completely. Saw them a few times early on and they were as good as any band I have ever seen. Argus is their Masterpiece, ''There's the Rub'' is a worthy runner up. 'Live Dates'' is also great but doesn't count really, being live. They did produce solid albums thereafter, but never really replicated the best early works. Finally, for me it's either ''Sometime World'' or ''Throw Down the Sword'' from Argus and ''F.U.B.B.'' from Rub. Keep the Ashes burning.
Oh hell! These guys beating up on Pilgrimage? Between Vas Dis and the title track, it takes down the first album. The song Pilgrimage is outstanding and tells a story. Put on some headphones and let it rock. Argus (along with 12 dreams of Dr. Sardonicus were the albums in my high school crowd. Saw Wishbone just after 4 came out in 1973 with Flash as the opener. pdg
Totally disagree with the three star rating for New England, a vastly underated album with wonderful songs and great atmospheric guitar playing. On a par for me with Theres the rub.
New England is my favorite studio album of WA. Every song is so beautiful, the sound of the band is marvelous. I don't mean that the songs are the best, but they sound so well in a studio album. This is what always puzzled me: since their songs are so much better in the live albums, why didn't they record their albums as they would record the songs live?
The era with ' Muddy ' should have been given some time . He was a cool guy and added a lot to the band . But any Wishbone Ash media is good media , trying to make up for the 70's when nobody knew who they were .
If Wishbone Ash was your thing then check out Wolf People for a contemporary prog folk rock take - great stuff that carries the old genre forward into the modern age.
that guy is nuts...live WA can't begin to compete with Allman Bros Live at the Fillmore or Johnny Winter And Live. And as to standing on the level of Deep Purple Made in Japan? lunacy. I will say I was shocked that this "documentary" did not contain massive drug use, fights among band members, trashed hotel rooms, no shows by members for concerts, etc. Quite remarkable if that's the real case.
Shame that I finally bothered to look into this band at the geezer age of 41. Too bad - if I knew them as a teenager would have been right up my alley, since I started off from British hard rock. What a band. Early Judas Priest makes a lot more sense now. I haven't even listened Argus yet, though it is coming in the mail. There's The Rub is fantastic album. Wishbone Four too. Number The Brave and Just Testing, Front Page News - all great. And so is their latest, Coat of Arms.
Listen Argus, first album, Pilgrimage and Live dates. Their best! Argus is for me the best album of all time (and pretty better than there's the rub, for example)
@@WishboneAshSavatage I find the debut and Pilgrimage a bit too bluesy for my taste. I think they hit the best stride when they play their signature folky-hard rock, or some later guitarwork eccentricities.
As I feel it, Ben Granfelt is the one who brought so much to WA, and is no compare to all the other musicians who came and went to WA all the previous years. He is a Musician.
Interesting, but I wouldn't call this a full documentary. For god sake you didn't even delve into Martin's departure...I'd call it an overview...for me, couldn't buy an album after Live Dates. Nothing after that comes close to that bar. I think I could listen to one song on each album twice after that. It seemed like they wanted to advance their identity...but never found it. Everything seemed like they where searching, striving for commercial success and always fell short...That's why if you listen to this day with Andy Powell's Wishbone ash tour dates/videos that least half of it is form the first three albums recorded. Basically, half is live dates revisited and the second half is a cherry pick of all the remaining albums....so one half cover their first 3 years of song writing and the second half, the remaining 30-40 yrs....that says it all.
I think they put out a lot of great sounds after Live Dates , just had to evolve their sound , but each album had a few great songs that should deserve a second listen .
I actually prefer Pilgrimage to the debut. Then they went on to produce Argus, which is one of the best albums ever recorded. I also think that No Smoke Without Fire is brilliant and Just Testing is very good. But I can't listen to Locked in or Twin Barrels Burning: not Trevor Bolder's fault - Laurie Wisefield took over the band and played almost all lead - which he was very good at - but it relegated Andy Powell to a rhythm player, and he's far too good for that. And Raw to the Bone is just awful. I saw them on the Nouveau Calls tour and it was brilliant, as was the follow up Here to Hear. If Why Don't We had been written by Sting and released by The Police, it would have been a no1 hit.
I always loved their early sound. So British, so clean and classic. Argus is truly a masterpiece.
Argus was The British Album Of The Year in 1972.:)
I agree and especially something "British"about the sound, maybe from our collective memory? Courtly guitAar red coats on desolate.battlefields..er so much feeling in their work...❤
As a quintessential late Boomer myself, I can assure you all, Wishbone Ash was and still is, the greatest secret every classic rock connoisseur needs to discover in order for their musical palate to be complete - Wishbone Ash was their own musical genre! They were delicious!
You're not wrong. When I've talked to rock fans, less into metal it's Ash I recommend they give a listen to!
One of the greatest bands most people haven't heard of.
No doubt about it - they were and are still a great hard rocking band . Interesting arrangements , smoking hot leads , they rocked like few other bands could .
If one was a rock connoisseur, they would already be aware of this great band! I knew people who had listened to status quo. But had not heard wishbone ash. I would say, you could compare them in terms of the two guitar front. I was lucky. As a kid, there was a local band who were obviously influenced by wishbone ash. And would play their stuff. Very well actually! Mid seventies was a good time to be a kid and discover great music!
Steve Harris of Iron Maiden said WA was what he originally modelled Maiden after.
Saw WA in 1972 in San Antonio TX with the original lineup. One of the best concerts I ever saw and I've seen most of the greats over the many years.
A brilliant band that doesn't get talked about as often as they should have been. Argus was my favourite album by these great musicians. I loved Live Dates as well, to me one of the finest live albums put together. I loved when they played the great songs on Argus, live.
Argus is unique in rock history. Definitely in my to ten albums. (It’s actually jammed in the CD player of my picup truck at the mo) Later stuff - meh
I bought Live Dates, not being that familiar with them, and was so impressed I added the masterpiece Argus almost immediately, followed by Pilgrimage... The cover on Argus is so perfect...killer photo book inside the Live Dates double record, too. Huge fan of the earlier stuff and F.U.B.B. is always a favorite... rock on!
It's a pity Martin turner , never got more of a mention.
He was in my opinion , a great arranger, and bass player.
And he and steve were the founder's
I always felt that Martin's melodic lines in many cases were the lead instrument and the two guitars were embellishments.
@@reacguru - indeed - huge talent and fabulous first album
Marty IS the secret behind Wishbone, and not Andy. Listen to his current band and you will know in one second.
His band KILLS IT. Andy's bands are quite good too, but Marty has the whole kit kaboodle - he is the force.
Absolutely true . An awesome bassist .
They are both great musicians .
Thanks Josue Arevalo.
Brought back some fine memories from the early 70s along with the updated appreciation of the newer material.
One of the best!
Great doc... I fell off the plate after 'There's The Rub' tho Powell went went on to do great things.
As a bass player myself, Martin Turner is up there with McCartney. He was a huge influence on everything to do with my playing, jazz to rock and all in between.
Going back after the years, I remember playing 'Argus' until my copy was worn out - Lol!
Having played with lots of drummers over the years I can honestly say Mr Upton has the amazing feel and accuracy to inspire, what a drummer, what a band!
Thanks for posting!
I am 66!
Turner is the most underrated bass player ever.
Same with me after The Rub...
What a great band. Saw them in 74 and by then I had seen most of the major bands touring at the time. These guys blew me away. I loved the show.
When I first heard WISHBONE ASH in 1970, I think it was in high school…I was hooked…their double lead guitar sound was kick ass….!
Still high up on my list of all time favourite Rock Band`s, I`ve seen them several times, and I`m still a massive fan. 😎🎸
My number one band….period. First 5 albums
Laurie Wisefield…was Wishbone Ash for me…so underrated…tx Laurie ❤️
Wishbone Ash on their feet and still
Delivering great tunes and twin guitars..
Love this band. Good documentary.
All these clips seem to have a consistent great bass guitar sound.
Not overdone but you can hear it's contribution to the tune.
Wishbone have extremely great bass. Fantastic lines, not just a background babe
Saw them in Southampton 1977 or so . Brilliant. Lifelong fan their influence can't be overstated . Argus is a masterpiece
That's got me up to date with WA's history. The last album I listened to was the first one after Martin Turner initially left in 1980, Number the Brave. I must give all the albums post-'81 a listen.
Great video. Thanks. Nick J
An amazing live band who never really got the recognition they really deserved . It was a great shame that their internal squabbles caused a split that never really got resolved.
Nevertheless there is no other band who managed to create their sound/style and that is something that they can be very proud of.
They are right up there with the best of their generation.
Warrior is WONDERFUL. The way Andy Powell plays on the beautiful chords is for me a top in modern music.
I loved New England and Front Page News too. Laurie Wisefield brought a new melodic sound. But, in ALL honesty, I love all their stuff right up to No Smoke. Great band 🇮🇪☘
Claro !!! solo valoran "Argus" , pero los albums son muy buenos , en especial "Just testing" (1980) , "No smoke without fire" (1978) , "There's the rub" (1974) , muy buenos albums !!!!
What about Just Testing? It's a great album. Nick J
@@1990-t1j claro !!! Very very good album ,
What was wrong with ' No Smoke Without Fire ' ? I think there some great songs here .
@@gordonlandreth9550 I agree.
A great almost famous band. Very talented and classy band. I wore out all of those albums and saw them when I could.
you failed to mention “handy”, my favorite, so many parts fitting together brilliantly.
Well said indeed..
I discovered Wishbone Ash late in life, when they were touring in the Detroit area in 2015. I'd heard of the band, but I didn't know they still existed. I was blown away and managed to see them several times at Callahan's a legendary club in Aurora hills. Videos can be found here on UA-cam. ua-cam.com/video/56zByocEO64/v-deo.html
This is a terrific documentary. It really highlights how strong the later mateiral like Bonafide is! Thank you!
Great Band ..Top Class tasty Guitar playing ..a lost art in todays world of nothing but Shred..I thrashed the heck outta the Live Dates albums back in the day, the Guitars sounded incredible on My Stereo.
Pilgrimage will always be my favorite Wishbone Ash album.
Very melodic and wistful. I never liked the "live blues" numbers at the end. They did not belong and plain filler.
It was my first album and listened to till it was worn out Im sure . I had to get the CD later on
@@ValThor-g2cDefinitely my fav album and Argus my second fav
I loved so much Nouveau Calls and Here to Hear. Different from the first albums, but back to that sheer beauty they had used us to.
Here to Hear is very underrated but i love it top to bottom.
Cosmic Jazz , Keeper of the Light are great songs - classic Wishbone Ash !
Great album. Loved it and I got to see them in San Francisco on this tour. I was too shy to talk to Ted. Wish I did.
My friends and I saw wishbone ash at the Agora in Columbus ,Ohio,, maybey 1970,,, we were the only ones there,, maybey 5 of us,,, we stood in front of stage and enjoyed the show,, I believe they were using all Orange amps!!?
I'm still kicking myself for missing them at the Old Filmore in San Francisco in 1969 . I was only 13 , but it was great when I did see them at Winterland in 73 . They just ripped !
I need to listen to this band again I bought all their 70's albums used on vinyl for about $3 each.
I was lucky enough to go to the concert of WA in 1976. They played the Argus songs, of course, and so beautifully. But they played also the songs from New England. It is THE concert, the best I saw, by WA or any other musicians.
One of the great unheralded bands!
WA is my favorite rock band. I first saw them in 1975 in Ft. Worth TX and they had just picked up Laurie Wisefield and we didn't know if this person was a guy or girl because of the name. When he opened up his shirt at the concert we found out. It was only my second concert ever. Yes was my first. I miss Ben Granfelt. What a talent on the guitar. Andy Powell is the heart and soul of the band.
Great video really enjoyed it . Disappointed however there was no mention of the Live Dates 2 album which I really like. Disagree that Laurie was a Rhythm Guitarist when he joined Ash , far from the case , listen to the Home albums . Laurie for me was Ash's best guitarist .
Yes, I agree. Laurie was an accomplished lead player prior to W.Ash. Andy seemed to defer to Laurie for a lot of the solos in that period.
Sort of agree, I think I caught there first concert tour with Laurie, ~ '75(?). and he was up front, bending strings and tearing up that strat...I preferred Ted though,
Live Dates 2 is a great listen. Laurie kills it on that one. Good line up of songs and well played. Rocking
Live Dates is mentioned after Argus.
@@1pixman that's not #2, of which the OP was referring to...
A superb band over the years... A "classic" track in almost every album... The "New England" album was my favourite.
I saw Wishbone Ash when they played Birmingham town hall on the Argus era I can honestly say they were note perfect......must be the best band I had the pleasure to see / hear. SUPERB wish I could say the same about Led Zep they were terrible live in Birmingham Odeon concert I felt robbed
Ash are foundational to everything I understand about bands and guitar playing. Masterclass.
The most underrated band in history! I used to be a founder of a fanclub in Russia in mid 2000s. And learned guitar thanks to Andy Powell solos...
I loved Wishbone Ash from the first album, and Phoenix is the song I use for testing audio set ups - but Ballad of the Beacon is the song that ends up on almost every "mix tape" compilation I make for myself or others. Once I put Ballad of the Beacon in there, I almost have to add Sorrell. I mean, how exquisite is that song?
I love the Wishbone 4 album, it was my 1st taste of Ash as a teen, they have been such a big part of my life as a guitar player. I also love the New England album.
New England. Hands down their best LP.
It's truly an avante guard album. Something that is intellectually satisfying and also touches the soul. They should have given it 5 stars.
I agree. My next two favourites are There's the Rub and Front Page News. Nick J
@@1990-t1j Both are excellent albums. FPN is quite a Gem that has mostly been overlooked in the Rock World. Unfortunately Punk was getting a lot of attention during that period. Laurie W. did alot of beautiful guitar work on FPN that probably mostly guitar players can appreciate more than the general public.
No way. Even the band won't say that. It was Andy's push who moved to West Haven. I lived near him while at Yale.
The first three wonderful albums were breathtaking. A unique intertwining twin melodic guitar sound and unforgettable songs.
And then they ran out of tunes. You can have the best guitar players in the world, but if there are no memorable melodies to hook the listener and excite them, then it's not memorable.
I still listen to the classics from the early days, now and again. And they still sound as uplifting as then, the guitars and tunes soaring into the skies.
The King Will Come, yes!
Amazing review!
You not heard There's The Rub then.?
A very weak album imo.@@mozartsmate6358
I think many critics are a little harsh on the Wisefield era. Yes, 'Locked In' was a massive failure especially after 'There's the Rub' but I really enjoy all the other albums up to and including 'Just Testing'. Martin left and the wheels came off.
Can't understand why people keep knocking ' Locked In ' . Sure it has a different sound but there are a few very good songs on that record .
No mention of F.U.B.B. from There's the Rub. I remember seeing them in New Zealand and a person was planted in the crowd in order to make an official complaint about the meaning of Fucked Up Beyond Belief .I was near backstage when the cops arrested the Drummer who announced that meaning before playing.
I'll never forget the first album, when the needle hit the vinyl and "Blind Eye" came on, we were never the same. What's rarely mentioned is the infectious jazz/rock shuffle feel of Turner/Upton, on songs like "Blind Eye," "Blowin' Free" and "Jail Bait." To me they weren't the same after "Pilgrimage" when they were still young, hungry and full of inspiration.
I loved the reunion years 1987-1991
Nouveau Calls
Hear to Hear
Strange Free
Ash live in Chicago..
I love Argus.
I saw W.A. durung 1974's there's the Rub..
Laurie Westfield, Marrtin Turner, Ted Turner, Steve Upton, John Wetton ( Number the Brave)
Also 2009: At ROSFEST SPRING 2009
They are one of my favorites bands love their music 😊
I just started listening to WA in the last few years all lineups of the band had great music and musicians 😊
You have got some catching up to do - pretend it's the summer of 1975 and play ' There's the Rub ' outdoors and hear it go out into the neighborhood . Real rock at it's very best .
Live dates is still my favourite live double album, alongside CSNY 4 way street.
Argus the best Wishbones best ever.
Wishbone Four, I really great as well. Wonderfull harmonies. That bass sound and harmonies is to die for. Great guitar arrangements, solos and harmonies. I stopped listening to them after that. Listen to Wishbone Four from time to time. Still got the rec.
Thank you 🙏
The next record was great as well .
When he mentions Zz Top he's probably referencing a bunch from the first 4 or 5 albums before the commercilization of the Trio of synth.
ZZs first 3 albums are raw blues rock.
I had no idea that Trevor Bolder was in WA or Uriah Heep. I alwas thought of him as one of the "Spiders from Mars". Would love to hear John Wetton in WA.
Here we hear Andy Powell singing On Your Own, but on the album Illuminations, he was not. They had a new lineup, which I think was great (finally). I saw them live in the Arthur club, and it was a great concert. Released as Live in Geneva.
amazing group.
These people were brilliant. Should have been bigger than the Stones.
Definitely bigger than they were , the record company let them down on promotion .
The Stones appealed to everybody, Ash is a male-oriented nerd-band. Sorry ;)
@@henseleric Wow , never heard anything like that before . All my friends in the Army that I turned on to Wishbone Ash in the mid - 70's would get a laugh out of that . There aren't many nerds in a rifle company.
andys band is still touring in the states seen them 6 mo ago
Who saw these at The Cooks Ferry Inn 1970/1/2 ? A great band
A great live band with so many classic songs. Dancing with the Shadows off 2007s Power of Eternity is probably my current favourite
A great song penned by a former member ' Muddy ' Manstien , this song has a way of gripping you and holding on . Muddy also contributed a few other songs to the band and was an exceptional guitar player .
I love the first almost every WA album, but First, Argus, Number of the Brave, Just a Testing and Live Hot Ashes are so special for me.
Testing is very good. Great playing on it too. Here to Hear is also a very good record with wonderful songs and playing.
Bona Fide is my joint favourite WA album along with There's The Rub. Both exude freshness, hope, inspiration, power, great playing and sympathetic production.
I also liked most of the Muddy Manninen period, as I think he injected something into the band and possibly gave AP a metaphorical kick up the backside.
There's the rub, great album!
I LOVE Rub! Hometown, Persephone, man that album has it all that Wishbone had. It was "my" WA album.
Muddy M. is a great player in my book.
I discovered WA about 1976 via a best of called Masters of Rock which looked nearly like the cover Wishbone Four with that band photo.Iwas hooked and bought all their albums and even bought a Flying V (copy) guitar.Yes there a few turkeys in their discograhy but I find there is still some good stuff on Locked In and Number the Brave.I chuckled at how quickly Locked In was glossed over.
Fantastic band who I have seen many times. This is mistitled to say the least, full documentary? I don't think so. What about the great Martin Turner? First class singer and bass player.
Great special remember 1974 I was 10 then had the concert posters from TheNetherlands❤
_Blind eye,_ IMHO, is the best opening track an any album, ever, as well as the best opening track for any band ever. (Honourable mention to Supertramp's _School,_ and hairs-breadth runner up place to _Dreamer_ by Home, although not Home's first LP) Consequently it''s my favourite track.
I've been a fan since 1978. I feel that Wishbone Ash's Achilles heel has always been their lead vocals. Martin Turner was easily their best IMO. Compared to their stellar musicianship, the vocals were a bit of a letdown especially evident after Martin Turner 'left' the band. Such a shame as these guys should be mentioned in the same company as Zep, Purple et al.
@@danvelgtr Yes it's quite a shame that Andy persists with the lead vocal duties. His guitar playing has always been stellar though. The vocals deserve an appropriate presence.
Laurie Weisfield who was the best guitarist to ever play in Wishbone Ash gets no credit because he wasn’t a founder with Turner, Turner, Powell and Upton. When they released New England, Front page news and There’s the rub, Weisfield; along with producers Ronnie & Howard Albert, recorded the best music that Wishbone Ash ever produced. IMO.
Martn was definitely the "voice" of Wishbone Ash.
@@M1cko33 He tries his best , but you can't train a voice , either you have it or you don't .
@@M1cko33 I can't disagree with you Mick , your evaluation is spot on , but I still go to see them when they come around here ( the SF Bay ) and they put on great shows except for what we talked about .
Cream plus one guitar equals Wishbone Ash
I am a big OG Wishbone Ash fan. I really like Wishbone Four, although Argus is great too. Have all the albums 70's and 80's with the original members. Saw them in the later 70's with other guitarist and then in about 1980 and 1995.
Great players,i have their early 70s albums,i was never a great fan but i really like them,even the later stuff which can be pretty challenging
A very underrated band . All great musicians .
Those critics... Always on the side of commercial success. They should focus more on music.
I am so surprised Just Testing got five silver stars, while New England got only 3. To me, the latter is much better.
Argus is one of my favorite albums.
I'm a rarity amongst wishbone ash fans in that I love Front Page News. I luuurve that album. Unfortunately for me FPN is an atypical WA album and WA fans don't like it which leaves me out in the cold a bit.
Excellent album.
@@mozartsmate6358
That makes two of us. Glad to see I'm not alone.
@@redmed10 Another that gets a little overlooked is 'There's The Rub'. Some great tunes on that album..
Silver Shoes, F.U.B.B. Lady Jay, Persephone etc, etc.. They were some band were Wishbone Ash..
Have to agree its a fabulous album
A great documentary. Myself, I discovered Ash a mere 5 years ago. Shame on me
Did andy powell suggest the twin guitar format? I don't think so. Martin Turner just might have a different opinion.
Andy explains in his autobiography that the band (then Steve Upton and Martin Turner) were only seeking one guitar player during the auditions. But he and Ted were so impressive that they were both invited to join the band!
amazing how jumps from Pilgramage to Argus!
lf l'm not mistaken Martin Turner's lyrics and bass lines drove Argus. He's the Sting who didn't get the adulation.
Absolutely, Star of the group.
Pilgrimage wipes the floor with the first album IMO
Argus is one the best melodic guitar albums ever . The blending of folk and rock by Wishbone Ash in Argus is almost at par with Led Zeppelin 4 album . Time was may be the best track in Argus - their stairway to heaven moment . There is the rub is next to Argus in terms of quality
WBA released many good and some great albums but could not match the peak of Argus . But that’s probably true of most bands - 1-2 superlative albums, a few great, a few good and some average albums comprise of lifetime their own put
Sometime World for me.
Echo your sentiments completely. Saw them a few times early on and they were as good as any band I have ever seen.
Argus is their Masterpiece, ''There's the Rub'' is a worthy runner up. 'Live Dates'' is also great but doesn't count really, being live. They did produce solid albums thereafter, but never really replicated the best early works.
Finally, for me it's either ''Sometime World'' or ''Throw Down the Sword'' from Argus and ''F.U.B.B.'' from Rub.
Keep the Ashes burning.
Oh hell! These guys beating up on Pilgrimage? Between Vas Dis and the title track, it takes down the first album. The song Pilgrimage is outstanding and tells a story. Put on some headphones and let it rock. Argus (along with 12 dreams of Dr. Sardonicus were the albums in my high school crowd. Saw Wishbone just after 4 came out in 1973 with Flash as the opener. pdg
1971saw wishbone ash satsop festival Monticello Washington still have Argus album cover definitely completed that great album still have ít
Totally disagree with the three star rating for New England, a vastly underated album with wonderful songs and great atmospheric guitar playing. On a par for me with Theres the rub.
Great band Great name...Argus number 1... Front page news number 2...which has my favorite song..Goodbye baby hello friend...
New England is my favorite studio album of WA. Every song is so beautiful, the sound of the band is marvelous. I don't mean that the songs are the best, but they sound so well in a studio album. This is what always puzzled me: since their songs are so much better in the live albums, why didn't they record their albums as they would record the songs live?
Best band EVER
The wheels fell off Wishbone Ash when Ted Turner left.
Phoenix 🎵🎵🎵🎵🎶🎵🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
The era with ' Muddy ' should have been given some time . He was a cool guy and added a lot to the band . But any Wishbone Ash media is good media , trying to make up for the 70's when nobody knew who they were .
If Wishbone Ash was your thing then check out Wolf People for a contemporary prog folk rock take - great stuff that carries the old genre forward into the modern age.
Going with PRS in ‘89
I never really got used to no Ted Turner !
Blind eye sounds much older than 1989
I thought pilgrimage wad their best album.😮
that guy is nuts...live WA can't begin to compete with Allman Bros Live at the Fillmore or Johnny Winter And Live. And as to standing on the level of Deep Purple Made in Japan? lunacy. I will say I was shocked that this "documentary" did not contain massive drug use, fights among band members, trashed hotel rooms, no shows by members for concerts, etc. Quite remarkable if that's the real case.
Love the original band but its a travesty for them to still be called Wishbone Ash with only one original mamber, just wrong...
Sorry my favorite Ash album is Just Testing! Master of Disguise and then The Power of Eternity is my second favorite!
Good choice - Power of Eternity is a great record .
Shame that I finally bothered to look into this band at the geezer age of 41. Too bad - if I knew them as a teenager would have been right up my alley, since I started off from British hard rock. What a band. Early Judas Priest makes a lot more sense now. I haven't even listened Argus yet, though it is coming in the mail. There's The Rub is fantastic album. Wishbone Four too. Number The Brave and Just Testing, Front Page News - all great. And so is their latest, Coat of Arms.
Listen Argus, first album, Pilgrimage and Live dates. Their best!
Argus is for me the best album of all time (and pretty better than there's the rub, for example)
@@WishboneAshSavatage I find the debut and Pilgrimage a bit too bluesy for my taste. I think they hit the best stride when they play their signature folky-hard rock, or some later guitarwork eccentricities.
TRES Cool
There would’ve been no Quo or Lizzy without them as pathfinders
What a bunch of knobs....Mk1 &2 were great lineups
...helpless in our surrender..." and boy we sure were in 1972 Martin Turner the choir boy stole it.
As I feel it, Ben Granfelt is the one who brought so much to WA, and is no compare to all the other musicians who came and went to WA all the previous years. He is a Musician.
Interesting, but I wouldn't call this a full documentary. For god sake you didn't even delve into Martin's departure...I'd call it an overview...for me, couldn't buy an album after Live Dates. Nothing after that comes close to that bar. I think I could listen to one song on each album twice after that. It seemed like they wanted to advance their identity...but never found it. Everything seemed like they where searching, striving for commercial success and always fell short...That's why if you listen to this day with Andy Powell's Wishbone ash tour dates/videos that least half of it is form the first three albums recorded. Basically, half is live dates revisited and the second half is a cherry pick of all the remaining albums....so one half cover their first 3 years of song writing and the second half, the remaining 30-40 yrs....that says it all.
I think they put out a lot of great sounds after Live Dates , just had to evolve their sound , but each album had a few great songs that should deserve a second listen .
Love "Jailbait"!
I actually prefer Pilgrimage to the debut. Then they went on to produce Argus, which is one of the best albums ever recorded. I also think that No Smoke Without Fire is brilliant and Just Testing is very good.
But I can't listen to Locked in or Twin Barrels Burning: not Trevor Bolder's fault - Laurie Wisefield took over the band and played almost all lead - which he was very good at - but it relegated Andy Powell to a rhythm player, and he's far too good for that. And Raw to the Bone is just awful.
I saw them on the Nouveau Calls tour and it was brilliant, as was the follow up Here to Hear. If Why Don't We had been written by Sting and released by The Police, it would have been a no1 hit.
Good knowledge mate..