Ranking the Studio Albums: Wishbone Ash
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- Опубликовано: 17 окт 2024
- Join host Pete Pardo for a ranking of the studio catalog of the great British rock/blues act Wishbone Ash. #wishboneash
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Listen to the albums here: podcasts.progrock.com/2023/01/10/sea-of-tranquilitys-ranking-the-albums-wishbone-ash/?fbclid=IwAR3kHYXILUg6iE2f-hpH2YwJ3AIKZpOBZIbs5WgZwoaLkJpToAd3nHWwhK0
Fantastic..Wishbone Ash must be one of the most underrated bands of all time..Argus is a masterpiece, and the debut almost as good, also love New England and There's the Rub.
I agree with your ranking but not with "most underrated". They were quite a "household" name in the 70s and like many persistent bands kept a solid following even after their heyday.
Roxanne Walsh They’ve been slowly forgotten through time. They deserve more recognition NOW!
Persephone is one of the greatest songs ever recorded!
Vas Dis?
Yes it is! The guitar sounds and playing; the tempo; lyrics; arrangement; vocals! I can grab it in my head and "hear" it when I want, it has triggered that sense in my mind.
I agree!
One ofy favorites!
Sounds too much like theme from an imaginary Western
'New England' was my entry point to Wishbone Ash back in 1978 so that informs my impression of the sound of this band. My favourite period is Mk2 - the Laurie Wisefield years. They definitely went off the boil after Martin Turner left though. Yes, I have all the early Ted Turner albums and they are indeed classic. Andy Powell, Ted Turner and Laurie Wisefield are the forgotten heroes of guitar from that era. They were every bit as good as the usual roster of heroes from the seventies. 'Locked In' is the the only dud from the seventies discography. I was such a fanboi as a lad that I even bought a Strat and Flying V. I called them Laurie and Andy. (blush)
Thanks so much for the information and sharing your story. That’s the great thing about Pete’s show, especially in the weird times we’re living through now. I’m finding so much new music to enjoy. My music horizons have really expanded. In the sixties I gravitated mainly to folk rock...CSNY, America, Eagles, Firefall ect. I’m now finding Prog rock Music that I had previously just touched the surface of....great stuff with so much depth....I had King Crimson’s first album and played it to death but things happened and when I got back into music I kinda lost touch with that band. Anyway ...I’m rambling.....Thanks again for the response and I wish you good health.
Has anyone mentioned their unplugged album “Bare Bones”? It’s a studio album and it’s excellent. Folk-rock arrangements, mostly acoustic, of many of their favourite tunes. Completely different sound from their usual plugged-in approach, but very good in its own right.
OK Pete. So you sold me on checking out this band. I had heard of them but never heard them. So I went to the album Argus and put on the 1st song time Was and I was amazed at the epic sound of this anthem. The guitar work is of the highest level. It sounds like Alex Lifeson may have borrowed from that style on their first album especially with Working Man. Great heavy sound. I like em alot and I am grateful you do these videos because I am continuously turned on to cool shit I never heard. Heard of mostly all of it just never listened. Thats changed bro.
Pretty much the same experience with I had - opened up a whole new world of great music to me.
If Argus was your first experience of them. You chose well my friend! I bought the LP as a teenager and still cherish & play it 👍
@@deltadesign5697 For me it was Wishbone 4, because "Ballad of the Beacon" was a classic rock radio hit in my area during the time. But "Sorrel' did it for me with it's dreamscape like outtro that I would play over and over again. But "Wishbone Live" introduced me to the earlier stuff.
Yeh... I have just discovered Argus.... I picked up od the Rush similarly too.
Jeffery Black But Rush is a poor mans Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great review Pete. My top 3: 1 Argus, 2 New England, 3 There’s The Rub. Thanks for highlighting this superb band. Best wishes from Inverness, Scotland 🙂
Hey Callum, that's pretty much my top 3 too. Sometimes I prefer TTR to NE, other times I go with your choice.
But nothing tops Argus, a truly great album.
Great show Pete! Wishbone Ash have always been my no.1 band.The Bare Bones & First Light albums deserved to be in this list instead of Trance Visionary & Psychic Terrorism. Thank you!
1. Argus
2. Wishbone Ash
3. Theres The Rub
4. New England
5. Pilgrimage
6. Wishbone 4
7. No Smoke Without Fire
8. Just Testing
9. Front Page News
10. Illuminations
11. Number The Brave
12. Bonafide
13. Strange Affair
14. Nouveau Calls
15. Twin Barrels Burning
16. Coat Of Arms
17. Blue Horizon
18. Bare Bones
19. Locked In
20. Elegant Stealth
21. Clan Destiny
22. Raw To The Bone
23. Here To Hear
24. The Power To Eternity
25. Trance Visionary
26. Psychic Terrorism
For dedicated fans - may also be worth considering ‘First Light’, their promo album which pre-dates the first album for Decca/MCA. Most of the tracks on this release were re-recorded for the ‘Wishbone Ash’ album but there are also two not included on that album and a version of ‘Alone’ with vocals (instrumental later included on the 1971 ‘Pilgrimage’ album). :D
Roads Of Day To Day (from the ‘First Light’ promo album 1970) ruclips.net/video/srRy5bjnpGo/видео.html
Another of my favourite bands from the 70's, seeing them on tour several times was always special. Definitely Argus as their best album. Remember today when I first heard it. Played it over and over again. Not a single weak spot in the whole album, great dual guitars without it getting tired or overdone.
Wishbone Ash-was so into them back in the early '70s. Saw them twice in the '70s too about Front Page News time. Definitely one of my favorite all-time bands. Lost touch with them after Number the Brave but happily reconnected years later. Thanks for this excellent rundown, Pete
Thank you for ranking Wishbone Ash!! 🎤🎸🎵🥁
I've recently discovered this band (through getting to know Hällas, actually!) and I've understood how much I've been missing out. Great musicians, original, meaningful songs and arrangements. This band is truly a class act. Thanks a lot for your review, you also go in depth and make each one informative.
I’ve been waiting for this!! Adore WA!
I have absolutely zero interest in heavy metal or the vast majority of music Pete talks about but he is just such a great dude to listen to! A very honest man
Wishbone Ash for the most part of their catalogue would not fit the "heavy metal" badge. They could rock out at times but their roots were very melodic, with folk and prog influences and many mellow tunes. Martin Turner (singing most lead vocals early on) and Laurie Wisefield were singing more like John Wetton than Ian Gillan. The twin guitars were focused on melody rather than riffs.
I'm no Metal head, either. The Hard Rock/Acid Rock stuff from the '60s& '70s do hold a special p!ace in my heart, however. Pete knows his stuff & the stories are always entertaining.
@@roxannewalsh hi there read the comment correctly. I said I have zero interest in heavy metal or 'the vast majority of music Pete talks about'...
I'm a hard rocker fan, and older or original term blend "Heavy Metal" when it applied to the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Uriah Heep, KISS, Black Sabbath, and others ... I like listening to his top pick or favorite. He has kept my interest. I dislike or think his language can offend some religious people, but I don't mine it, as long as he it to a limit.
But he spread genres out to hard rock, heavy metal, prog rock, and time southern rock. He does bring up a group that I don't remember and this is one of those band, so I will give them a listen and who knows.
just testing and no smoke without fire most underrated stuff first five albums are amazing
Absolutely !!!!
Phoenix is a masterpiece. It is my fave song from Ash.
The debut has enough to let Phoenix push it to my top choice, just ahead of Argus.
I agree, by a bit.
If it wasn't for the wandering, purposeless Handy, if only they'd had two more songs of the same calibre as the first four instead, it could have been the greatest rock album of all time. But the album is still worth it for Phoenix alone, with side one's four songs a fantastic bonus.
Thanks for doing this one, Pete! Just Testing & Front Page News are two of my favorite albums (Living Proof is such a killer tune). \m/
I saw W-Ash in KC-Mo in 72 on the Argus tour. They were excellent. Also on the Bill were Vinegar Joe w/Robert Palmer and Elkie Brooks. Also, a real treat as local KC favorites Mike Finnegan and Jerry Wood played the great LP "Crazed Hipsters" straight thru. I recall that V-Joes band was quite good with excellent dual guitar interplay as well. Regards, Bob in Denver.
I discovered WA during lockdown few months ago and loved them instantly. Argus is masterpiece. The King will come, throw down the sword, time was ...phoenix, persephone pilgrim are also superb.
I found them before, but I got into Ash, Genesis, Sabbath, Kiss, Jethro Tull, Bowie, Mike Oldfield and The Streets in the last year.
I wasn’t around for any of these except for Mike Skinner’s rap epic. All of these albums are great.
You just cant bea tArgus!
Wishbone Ash! Argus was my 1st album I heard by them (because of Steve Harris talking about them in the 80s).... an absolute classic. :)
I discovered them via Steve Harris/Iron Maiden as well. Wishbone Ash are a great band, another group often overlooked but influential.
Love them!!
Currently digging a coat of arms👍
@@jimmycampbell78 Agreed. I also discovered Jethro Tull thanks to Maiden :)
Yes, Wishbone Ash were a huge influence on Iron maiden aAND Judas Priest as well for their twin guitar stuff.
Followed them since first hearing them on the radio In 1970. Got all their albums on vinyl. Argus a standout, but many other great albums including live. Still going strong and brilliant live.
WB 4 has a song with one of their greatest solos - Sorrel .
Have lot of these albums on vinyl , the Laurie Wisefield era are very underated. No Smoke without fire and New England are great Albums
Absolutely !!! and "Just testing" from 1980
I appreciate you covering Wishbone Ash. I am an old timer. I am 67. So I remember when they came on the scene in 1970. Fell in love with them immediately. They came out as this other cool band released their first album. They were called Black Sabbath. LOL. It was a great year. CSN&Y Deja Vu, Zeppelin III, Neil Young After the Gold Rush, Santana Abraxas, the Who Live at Leeds, The Doors Morrison Hotel, James Gang Rides Again. Just to Name a few. What a great, great year for Rock & Roll.
Wishbone Ash should really be divided based on the lineup. The original lineup was the best lineup. When Martin Turner left their sound changed. So to me the list would go like this.
#1 Argus (1972)
#2 Wishbone Ash (1970)
#3 Pilgrimage (1971)
#4 Four (1973)
#5 Nouveau Calls (1987)
While I liked some of the work with Laurie Wisefield replacing Ted Turner. The difference for me was this. With the original lineup, I liked every song on every album. Once they went a little more pop with Wisefield, I could only find 2 or 3 songs on each album that I liked. So eventually after "Just Testing" in 1980 I gave up on the band. The exception being when they released Nouveau Calls in 1987. Back to the original lineup. Loved every song. Now it is all instrumental, but the awesome interplay between Andy Powell and Ted Turner was back. Great stuff. IMHO.
this is one of those few bands, that have enormous catalogue and YET, I have almost all of their records...... not mentioning they were one of the biggest influences for Iron Maiden..... simply one of the most underrated bands in history...... I can't even rank the albums, I just love em all...... the early classics up there offcourse, but I wouldn't even know where to start with the rest...... so many great records from each era...... the last album was also a banger
Great band and was lucky enough to see them live in the 70s. The video of the guys performing 'Persephone' in Cologne 1976 remains one of my very favourite YT music clips.
Jimmy Page loved the front-cover artwork on the Argus album. It inspired Led Zeppelin to come up with the magnificent Houses Of The Holy album artwork. Page wanted something special. The sacrificing children to the Gods theme was quite controversial in some quarters, and some rare Australian copies were produced with different covers.
On the old album you could open it up. The centurions is overlooking a valley in the clouds you can see a flying saucer. Could you imagine in that day seeing something like that.
Got to see Wishbone Ash a few months ago in Southport. Fantastic gig and got to meet all the guys afterwards and some great chat including gear and set-up. Not many bands these days give you the opportunity to meet and shake hands and spend quality time talking to their fans. Mark Abrahams and Bob Skeat are fantastic players in the WA tradition.
Finally got around to watching this in its completeness.. once again awesome job bro..
I saw Wishbone Ash in early 1975 when they toured the "There's the Rub" album. The opening act was a band no one had heard of, KISS.
Wishbone and Yes are my top 2 bands of all time (then zep and moody blues). Wishbone are super influential Thin Lizzy, Priest, Maiden, Scorpions, Michael Schenker (he and Rudolf buy their flying V's from Andy Powell!). Wishbone all day long. Love Marty's Band too. THEY sound like Wishbone. Andy's band is great and Abraham's on guitar is KILLER. Marty's band has Misha and Danny who are insane plus they all sing with Marty. WOW. Keep the love alive.
Love No Smoke Without Fire containing You See Red and the climax The Way Of The World. Killer solos. New England is also a fave. Thanks for covering this band as many people fail to know them. A shame.
NSWF is the best!
"In Crisis". Awesome song. I see them every time they come around I see them. Thanks for doing this!
This is the episode I was anticipating the most. My top 5:
1. There’s the rub
2. Front page news
3. New England
4. Wishbone Four
5. No smoke without fire
Laurie Wisefield rules. And so does Andy Powell.
Argus helped me through a difficult time, huge. Love the first album and Pilgrimage. Superb musicianship from Turner, Powell, Turner and Upton.
I really like Strange Affair, the title track absolutely shreds. I love that so much
Pete, I'm a huge fan of your channel. Always inspiring!!! What about a ranking of the most important albums of the past 10 years? Regards from Germany!!
Fuck yeah, just loads of content. Thanks pete for covering the bands we love.
Pete..this is the coolest thing about your show..Wisbone Ash is a band that has immediate name recognition for me but for some reason I never got into the band..dont know why. Didn't realize they had such success. Now you have opened a whole new world of great music to explore and enjoy....THANKS
Thank you very much, Pete! I've been dying to hear your take on my beloved Wishbone Ash. By the way, I was the interviewer on the re-issues' Bonus-Discs, huge honour.
Here's my list, totally cheating by putting many albums on the same rank:
01. Argus
02. Pilgrimage
03. First Light / Wishbone Ash
03. Illuminations
03. Bona Fide
03. Blue Horizon
04. No Smoke Without Fire
04. Number The Brave
04. Coat Of Arms
05. There's The Rub
05. Elegant Stealth
06. New England
07. Strange Affair
08. The Power Of Eternity
09. Wishbone Four
10. Just Testing
11. Here To Hear
12. Clan Destiny
13. Raw To The Bone
14. Twin Barrels Burning
15. Frontpage News
16. Nouveau Calls
17. Locked In
The Trance albums are not even included here as the are no WA albums to me but a project. No, I don't like them - but I don't hate them either...
HA ! Hey Pete, I've got the same Argus tee shirt.
I was 15 back in 1972. I watched this band on the late night BBC show here in the UK called 'The Old Grey Whistle Test'. The show featured album bands, some on film and some playing live in the BBC studio. WA were on film, concert footage of them performing 'Blowin' Free'. I'd never heard of them before. I was blown away. A few days later, me and my twin brother went out and bought Argus.
It was the very first album I ever bought, and to this day it is still in my Top 10 albums !
A truly great album.
"Argus"..... A true masterpiece written and conceived by the bass player.. the little brother of one of the guitarists.. Also, there was a double LIVE album that was put out a little after this time... kicks ass... Thanks for sparking the old Wishbone flame!
Martin and Ted Turner are not related.
@@seaoftranquilityprog Correct. Martin & Steve Upton were the original band members who advertised for guitar players & auditioned Ted Turner & Andy Powell around 1969 to join them ... all was fine then until late 1980 / early 1981 ...
Had no idea those guys had so many albums, particularly in more recent times. Here’s to longevity. But I love their older material. The Argus album is excellent but New England is very special !
I have most of their music on vinyl and cds, and most people rate Vol. 4 a lot further down the list than I do, I absolutely love that album, takes me back to a really good time in my life. & I love Elegant Stealth.
Loved Wishbone Ash since being a teenager in mid-seventies 1. Wishbone Ash 2. Argus 3. Pilgrimage 4. There's the Rub 5. New England. Live Dates is a fantastic double live album from that era. listen to Phoenix, Vas Dis and F.U.B.B. and you will fall in love. Saw them with Laurie Wisefield headline a stage at Chicagofest in 1981. The encore was Phoenix. They pretty much invented the twin guitar genre in 1970. If you listen to Michael Schenker you will hear Andy Powell's influence and the V, listen to recent Opeth you'll hear it as well. Iconic, underrated band
I am going to check out "Coat of Arms". Thank you!
Great list Pete. Really enjoying being reminded about these old bands - will make me relisten. Apart from the first two classics I remember enjoying New England a lot. Don't think I ever heard There's The Rub. Will checkout now. Thanks.
this is a band that needed your special touch...great job...loved your version of 'vas dis'...it is a tough discography to rank...each album has it's great qualities...and ya' gotta love the inside joke of their intrumental album's title 'nouveau calls' (no vocals)...once again, an excellent job my friend...stay well...rocky
Professional! I dig prog because of your introduction. Thank you very much
So great to catch this, always a great live act and still going strong if the last album is anything to go by. But really although there are really strong albums like The first one, No smoke without fire and Just testing, it's really about Argus. My all time favourite album and one that time will never erode. Every track is a stand alone classic and those guitar passages just make me sigh even now.
My Top ten;
1.Argus
2.New England
3.Wishbone Ash 4
4.pilgrammage
5.Pilgramage
6.Theres the Rub
7.Double Barrel
8.Wishbone Ash
9.Front Page News
10. Coat of Arms
Such a underrated Band and a long time coming so thanks Pete.😎
This made my day. Thank you. Love the top 10 . And there's the rub in the top 3 is awesome! Good work Pete.
For me, There's the Rub is their best album, followed by New England(One of their most underrated tracks is: When you know love). I agree about Laurie Wisefield, far superior to Ted Turner, proven by my top 2 choices.
I agree on "When you know love"; especially the solo break in the middle, it's really beautiful and intricate!
Great review dude. Of a very underrated band. Got every album, and fan for life. Class band.
Thanks Pete ! When I think of Wishbone Ash I think of a college friend who loved this band and the show today inspired me to find Randy Bascik from Erie PA. I listened to Argus and Self titled so far and did order them for my car. Being a bass player I especially like Handy from the first one. And I am continuing on with New England and Front Page news... Number the Brave is next because of Wetton . Again ... you’re a daily inspiration ... thank you !
And Randy ...if you’re still out there... get a hold of me
So glad you did this. I met Tony Kishman a number of years ago (bass on Illuminations and Live in Geneva). He was touring with Beatles Tribute band "Classical Mystery Tour". He said that Wishbone Ash was the band that inspired him in his music and that he was honored to play with them for a short period of time.
This is the first time that I find myself at odds with some of your assessments. Three of my top ten picks were in your bottom four. Nouveau Calls is one of my favorite albums of all time, mostly because of Arabesque all by itself. I am a sucker for all of the No Speak series of releases. And yes, I have the entire WA catalogue.
For dedicated fans - may also be worth tracking down ‘First Light’, their promo album which pre-dates the first album for Decca/MCA. Most of the tracks on this release were re-recorded for the ‘Wishbone Ash’ album but there are also two not included on that album and a version of ‘Alone’ with vocals (instrumental later included on the 1971 ‘Pilgrimage’ album). :D
Roads Of Day To Day (from the ‘First Light’ promo album 1970) ruclips.net/video/srRy5bjnpGo/видео.html
As a fan of bad puns I have always loved the title title of Nouveau Calls
This video got me to check out the Wisefield albums. Amazing stuff, thanks Pete!!
I’ve been waiting for this one for a while 😃
1. Argus
2. Wishbone Ash
3. Pilgrimage
4. There's the Rub
5. Wishbone 4
I listened to the early 80s NWOBHM albums they did and didn't like them.
Thank you Pete!! I've been waiting for you to rate these guys!!
saw these guys 20-odd years ago at a county fair. i had never heard of them, but my father was insistent that we had to go see these guys, which surprised me, cos he has never really been into music in any discernible way. turns out this had been his favourite band back in the day.
You have covered my two favourite bands this week - Hawkwind and Wishbone Ash. Seen both bands loads of times.
Your order is about right. Agree that the recent albums are decent. But hard to get away from Argus. They still perform around half that album every gig.
Thanks!
My first 2 concerts in 1970 featured Wishbone Ash and Hawkwind. Neither was the headliner. Great times.
Just bought Argus and Spacial Ritual this week. Very pleased. Yes, Camel, Jethro Tull, AMAZING!!! I'll continu m'y journey in Prod Rock bands.
Thanks you mate. Good work.
New England is my absolute fave!! Been listening to it all week. I was born in 67'. The reason I know about them & so many amazing bands, is having one bro 58 & other bro 61. Both audiophiles! 👍
Very cool I heard Argus many moons ago in high school from my bud's older brother. Still love it today.
I have most early WA albums, been listening since 1972. One of my favorites I've never seen performed live is Lonely Island, from New England album. Beautiful!!
After watching this vid, I discovered their song "The Pilgram" and I haven't been able to stop listening to it for the past two days. Incredible! Thanks, Pete!
Try "Phoenix" ... probably even better
Yeah, a "pilgrimage" every time they played Portland in the seventies, had forgotten how glorious heavy they were in the heyday, wow.
Yep Wishbone Ash always a long time favorite here in the Midwest. Do you like the band Charlie at all?
Yes!
One of the greatest, and most consistent band in history of rock. Great from the start and still strong on latest releases. Psychic.. and Trance... are so bad that even Jethro Tull 'Under Wraps' looks like a masterpiece, but all others are really good. I do even like 'Nouveau calls' and 'Here to hear'. Great ranking as usual by Pete!
Pete nice ranking!! I always so love the band as you know and a new years eve show and birthday show🎂, caught Wishbone Ash in 74. Eric Burdon Band opening. Stellar show. It was the usual first few albums that got me into the band. I wasn't familiar with There's The Rub as didn't hear anything back then. Course we have internet today to hopefully hear things before one buys into stuff.
So whatever they played from it I'm sure it was good. Thus anyone that hasn't and that hasn't got into or heard of the band, you simply must. (No Matter What.) It's well worth the effort and I once you are you won't regret it. I was one that got into them back then and today need to so catch up in more ownership in what I have heard over the years of the output of albums. I don't know if I will own all 25. But need to go with which ones I have my ears get into owning. Not a completist at all costs unless I can afford it and have the space to.
So Pete I differ with change in top 3 for now.
1. Argus( Just love the album and I know you do too. No problem here. Love putting it in on with cd playing and have the album I bought Long long time ago. It does it as No. 1)
2.Wishbone Ash-Debut ( had songs on cd. Recently saw and got vinyl copy and just love the debut) What a nice play on turntable and surround system.)
3. Pilgrimage ( have a vinyl copy and plays great for as long as had it from way back)
*And when I want to just relax on and enjoy live Wishbone Ash I will put on Live Dates Vinyl or stream listen to what a concert show is to hear.
I got a cassette picked up when got debut of "Hot Ash". And the 3D cover with yea looks cool of having those glasses. And somewhere I have some of those. A nice little live set of stuff to listen to as well.
Take care and good health to you. Brighter days are bound to be ahead as they tell us.
🎶😎
hi pete, out of intrest, how do you listen to music , do you sit and study the music, or are you inclined to just have it on as background,
love Argus saw them live about then .also one of my all time favorite album covers, but you have to se the vinyl gatefold cover. Its my screen saver. LOVE IT
Great list! I concur.......your top 10 especially........
Pete!!!! Fav albumS of the year, I know I know with family n other type shows time is limited but for the 70’s each year has to have 10 if not more in your catalog??! Also love Monsters Den and thanks for your vids...like family for your in my living room everyday
I like Wishbone but I've never even tried to listen to anything in their discography outside of their 1970's work. I applaud you for making the effort Pete.
I real enjoy your videos man! you're definitely the best rock-n'-roll channel on RUclips that I've seen!
Also, have you thought of doing any videos over The Gun Club, The Melvins, or Pagan Altar?
Great ranking of a great band, been a fan for years. I absolutely love the Coat of Arms CD listen to it a couple times a week. My favorite is The 40 Anniversary Concert cd and DVD.
For dedicated fans - may also be worth tracking down ‘First Light’, their promo album which pre-dates the first album for Decca/MCA. Most of the tracks on this release were re-recorded for the ‘Wishbone Ash’ album but there are also two not included on that album and a version of ‘Alone’ with vocals (instrumental later included on the 1971 ‘Pilgrimage’ album). :D
Roads Of Day To Day (from the ‘First Light’ promo album 1970) ruclips.net/video/srRy5bjnpGo/видео.html
Such a fantastic band! My top 5: “Argus”(a touch of prog), “There’s the Rub”(killer hard rock with crankin’ guitars from Powell and Wisefield), “Front Page News”(a touch of West Coast smoothe), “New England”(not quite as immediate but rewards repeat listening), and “Locked In”(with the stellar “Say Goodbye” closing an album derided in its slightly muddy original production but given real wings in Pete Reynolds’ box set remaster which adds two great bonus tracks). To my ears “Illuminations” deserves higher recognition and, as Pete and many others have stated, an honourable(sic) mention for “Coat of Arms”. I saw Ash on the tour when the mighty “Live Dates” was recorded...Newcastle City Hall’s version of “Blowin’ Free” running to over twenty minutes as guitar techs attended to broken strings whilst the fans went wild at the glorious improvs. Happy days!
I'd drop WA 4 down a few places - around 10 or 11. I'd also put No Smoke wthout Fire at no 2 with the first album at 3 and Argus naturally at 1. NSWF was the first WA album I ever bought (with limited edition live single). As well as the studion albums I'd give very big shout out to their first two Live Dates albums and also add in Live in Tokyo as that has two of my all time favourite WA tunes on Yous See Red (not on Live Dates 2 for some reason) and Way of the World.
Great countdown....I cannot disagree with your choice...I appreciate your knowledge....(my personal choice...would obviously be Argus at no 1...followed by, no smoke without fire)....great to see you telling your viewers to go out and discover wishbone ash...like you said previously...they were up against, black Sabbath, deep purple, yes, led Zeppelin, early Genesis, Jethro Tull, and other British bands, emerging in the early seventies...I'm 63, born in Manchester (UK)....there will never be another time, like the seventies...I witnessed it personally, and saw most of these bands live, at the Manchester Apollo...great memories!!!
I really did not know anything about Wishbone. I have now added alot of their songs to my spotify list. Thanks for turning me onto the band.
I detected Talas-"Stop in the Name of Love" in the background there. Awesome!
Thank you for doing this ranking. Somewhere I agree with you, somewhere not...
My numers 1-4 are the first four ones, in this order: 1. Argus (of couse!) 2. Pilgrimage 3. Wishbone Four 4. Wishbone Ash
But then:
5. Bona Fide (excellent stuff with Ben Granfelt on 2nd guitar)
6. Nouveau Calls (for me this instrumental album of the reformed original line-up works very well)
After these follwing some of the Laurie Wisefied era (for me, the best of these is New England) and some of the most recent ones (including Coat of Arms).
YES! Love Wishbone Ash and i've been waiting for this, by the way Pete, what happened with the Magnum Ranking The Albums video you were going to make?
Coming hopefully next week
@@seaoftranquilityprog Oh well! Then i'm getting prepared for that, i'm hooked to their latest album, "The Serpent Of Rings", thank you for answering Pete, have a good evening, see you tomorrow with favoritw album of 1975(which is killing me 😂😂😂)
Really Great to see The Ash reviewed,and Pete your taste is very close to mine in many of these reviews.Faves include The Rub,New England ,Pilgrimage ,Argus and No Smoke w/ out fire.Interesting to Note that the Next LP Bill Szymcyk produced after the Rub was I believe Hotel California.
I was F. U. B. B. waiting for the end Pete! Argus will be on my top.
Good show as always Pete. I agree with what you say about the 'dance' albums by the band. Ugg!!. Mind you I feel the same about 99.99% of thrash, nu-metal, death metal, black metal etc etc.Guess I'm an old school blues-rock music fan. Good to hear a Motown classic playing in the background while you give us your run down. How about a Top 20 Motown albums then :) ?
There's a good chunk of these that, though I've heard them, I don't know well enough to rank. I'll just do a top 5. Make that 6 because I felt bad leaving off New England.
6) New England (released the same year as one of my least favorite of theirs, "Locked In". Though that's better than those damn techno records they did!)
5) Number The Brave
4) Pilgrimage
3) There's The Rub
2) Wishbone Ash
1) Argus
I've listened to some of the later stuff and like it, but not as much as the early records. Also, anyone into Wishbone Ash should check out the band Wytch Hazel. Great band. Even one of their albums covers looks like Argus.
Lastly, any chance of getting a Dire Straits ranking? Didn't see it in the playlists and was kinda surprised.
Thanks, Pete!
For anyone who prefer the early albums - may also be worth tracking down ‘First Light’, their promo album which pre-dates the first album for Decca/MCA. Most of the tracks on this release were re-recorded for the ‘Wishbone Ash’ album but there are also two not included on that album and a version of ‘Alone’ with vocals (instrumental later included on the 1971 ‘Pilgrimage’ album). :D
Roads Of Day To Day (from the ‘First Light’ promo album 1970) ruclips.net/video/srRy5bjnpGo/видео.html
Top tip regarding Wytch Hazel. I hear some VERY strong Wishbone references. Tx Brian.
One of my fav bands of all time. I bought the compilation The Vintage Years: 1970-1991 in 2018.
If I have to place the albums from Wishbone Ash to Illuminations (the period I know better) it would be:
1-Argus (1972)
2-Just Testing (1980)
3-Wishbone Ash (1970)
4-New England (1976)
5-Pilgrimage (1971)
6-There's The Rub (1974)
7-No Smoke Without Fire (1978)
8-Front Page News (1977)
9-Twin Barrels Burning (1982)
10-Wishbone Four (1973)
11-Here To Hear (1989)
12-Illuminations (1996)
13-Strange Affair (1991)
14-Number The Brave (1981)
15-Nouveau Calls (1987)
16-Locked In (1976)
17-Raw To The Bone (1985)
The list may be influenced by what I've listened recently (and the fact that Martin Turner was on fire in the 10th anniversary tour), so any album in the 70's could change positions (except Locked In, I don´t like the vibe, and Wishbone Four, bad production on that one).
If you are into Ashbonewish and definitely are, you may want to investigate a British band that comes under the prog banner
named "Home" . Their S/T. LP would be in faves top 10 releases for 1972. Maybe you have it? Anyway this band housed Laurie
Wise field on lead guitar and band really shines. Great vocals from Mick Stubbs and on drums Cliff Williams which predates his work later with AC/DC. These guys are melodic, crunchy riffs and hooks, soft and proggy. This album should have got a better reception in it's day but didn't. They put out 3 albums but this is the highlight. Check 'em out. -D
@@derwynpowell7689 I have already listened to Home, and they are pretty good. I'm planning to buy their second album someday, but maybe I'll have to wait because I'm quite new in collecting albums and others are higher in my list. I'll buy first Jethro Tull's Aqualung, then Lou Reed's Transformer and then Gerry Rafferty's City to city. When that's done, some Home, Atomic Rooster or Vanilla Fudge could come in to play, but I'm pretty broke right now, hahaha. With that being said, in Home were top notch musicians, undoubtedly.
Thinking about the list I made, I have to say that things may vary a little bit. I rushed to comentate even without listening the video, and, as time goes by, Pete is right in pointing the characteristics of every period and the list is great (some could flip a little), but I have some issues with some albums that could make them to sink to the bottom (because the list is very packed). The only thing that may hurt me the most is Here to hear being at the bottom. I know that it isn't their best work, but I like the idea and Martin and Ted being within the band once again.
Almost every Ash album is great, but somehow the managed to avoid being big with questionable decisions. The band started great and were growing with every album, them Argus came and they changed the formula to a folkier sound and produced the disc by themselves (don't get my wrong, Wishbone Four have great tunes as Sorrel, Everybody needs a friend, Ballad of the beacon and Rock n' roll widow). After Ted Turner left and There's the rub came (a great album, but a doubtful cover) to put Ash back on track, they released Locked in (not a bad one, just the worst from the 70's) and the sales were never the same. At the end of the 70's the tours were bigger and bigger (and maybe could make it big in the early 80's following the nwobhm), but Andy Powell, Steve Upton and Laurie Wisefield decided to fire Martin Turner because he had too much power within the band at the time (produced and composed a big portion of Just Testing).
Another mistake (in my opinion) is that Martin Turner and Laurie Wisefield didn't came to an agreement with Andy Powell in the late 90's to do a reunion (Andy Powell had a different policy from the 70's and 80's, which made Ted Turner to leave). Also, Andy Powell fired Marin Turner in 1991, didn't use his bass tracks in Illuminations (after offering him the job), recruted him to tour in mid-late 90's because Tony Kishman couldn't travel to England and registered the Wishbone Ash name behind the back of the original members (that came into play in the legal fight between Powell-Turner over the name). That things f* up a possible reunion, which is sad.
Finally someone putting Just Testing in top two. Love it!
I agree with this top seven except No Smoke Without Fire (1978) belongs in top five and......yep, throwing Wishbone Four (1973) out of top ten and down beneath Number The Brave (1981).
My dad had Pilgrimage. I loved the cover and loved the music as a kid. Later discovered Argus in mid 80s! Awesome. Still love those 2 albums. Finally saw WA live in 2019 when they played all my favs. Soooo happy :)
Can't disagree about the top 4, Argus is one of the great rock albums of all time. I first saw them back in the mid 70's and I've seen Andy Powell's version of the band a couple of times in the last few years, they are well worth catching. The band has a top sound guy as they produced the best live sound I've heard at a gig.
1 - Argus
2 - There's The Rub
3 - Wishbone Four
4 - Wishbone Ash
5 - Pilgrimage
Same as my list, Marcelo. Rub is a really unique album. Love it.
"No Smoke Without Fire" is definitely in the top 5. Front to back one of their strongest albums.
@@elrondhubbard9127 I will look for it. Stopped following WA after Martin Turner left..
Agree totally on the top 2. Not a single weak track on either of those two, I'd really struggle to rank all of the tracks on those two albums because they're all so great
Exactomundo!
Love this reaction to wishbone ash….I have all the back catalogue bar none and about another 25 live bootlegs still growing ……Argus is off the scale as no. 1 defo….love all their songs a fan since 1971 …..superb live band go see them…
Pete, are your cds organised alphabetically or by genre?
Man is/was another great twin guitar band. RIP Micky Jones and Deke Leonard.
Argus is my favourite Wishbone Ash album. "The King Will Come", "Throw Down The Sword", "Time Was".
I saw Wishbone Ash in 1969 at a free concert in one of our local parks in Hull, fantastic bought the first album as soon as it came out. Loved the first 4 albums
A very solid review of one of the most underappreciated (at least here in the US IMO) UK bands here. Solid, informative segment. I do agree that Wisefield was a better guitar player than Ted Turner. I have never seen Wisefield or Ted Turner live so the comparison is not flavored by having seen one in a live setting and not the other. Wishbone Ash has numerous live albums so a ranking of their live stuff would seem to be a solid follow-up to this piece.
Speaking of... It would be fun to see an episode on favorite Hipgnosis album covers...or maybe I missed it..
Hi mr. Pardo. I like very much your concepts and knowledge in the making of this rankings. A request, please: can you try some day do the ranking studio albums of mr. Steve Hackett solo’s career. Thank you, best wishes....
♫ No doubt this ranking was a massive undertaking, since you did all 25 albums, of which I discovered that I had, for the most part, the same ranking. I purchased most of their albums on the same month they were released. You are probably familiar with their Box Set that contained several of their live recordings as well. Will you ever do a ranking of the band "Jade Warrior"? Worth picking up if you do not own the original copies, is the trilogy "Elements: The Island Anthology". With all similar art work on the original LP's, it is in my opinion, very worthy of mention. At any rate, I would be curious to hear what your rating would be on the J Warrior albums. Thank you for all of your great reviews and may you keep on rockin'! ☮