Wishbone Ash Albums Ranked
Wishbone Ash is a British rock band who achieved success in the early and mid-1970s. Their popular albums included Wishbone Ash (1970), Pilgrimage (1971), Argus (1972), Wishbone Four (1973), There’s the Rub (1974), and New England (1976). Wishbone Ash is noted for their extensive use of harmony twin lead guitars, which had been attracting electric blues bands since Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page had played together in the Yardbirds in 1966. Their contributions helped Andy Powell and Ted Turner to be voted “Two of the Ten Most Important Guitarists in Rock History” (Traffic magazine 1989), and to appear in the “Top 20 Guitarists of All Time” (Rolling Stone). Melody Maker (1972) described Powell and Turner as “the most interesting two guitar team since the days when Beck and Page graced The Yardbirds”. Several notable bands have cited Wishbone Ash as an influence, including Iron Maiden, Van Halen, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Thin Lizzy, Metallica, Dream Theater, Overkill, and Opeth. Here are all of Wishbone Ash albums ranked.
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8. There’s The Rub (1974)
“There’s The Rub’ is really one of wishbone ash peak of creation. you can find in it, all the guys, with the new ax-man, Laurie Wisefield, can do better; great vocals, great melodies, and the trademark twin-lead guitar solos, a piece like F.U.B.B. show you it all! with no doubt, But it’s my opinion, their best instrumental song!”
7. Blue Horizon (2014)
“”Blue Horizon” is another ambitious, multi-sectioned tune in a progressive vein. It is impressive how Powell and Muddy Manninen weave their guitar parts around each other to create a cohesive tapestry of sound. Stunningly good from the first note to last.”
6. New England (1976)
“This almost famous little rock band produced some well-crafted rock in the seventies. New England is among their best and most consistent work. The mood is breezy and mellow with some hot guitar-duels thrown in for good measure. New England – like the band – is not for everyone, but once you learn to like them, they are hard to forget.”
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5. Pilgrimage (1971)
“The guitar solos are once again nothing short of spectacular. Not only do they sound different from most rock bands of the early 70’s, but the actual *notes* flow beautifully and consistently from beginning to end. This is what I consider *truly* emotional guitar playing- when every single notes stands out and flows with such amazing ease, and you can listen to it again and again.”
4. No Smoke Without Fire (1978)
“I’ve heard No Smoke Without Fire and I can tell you this is one fine album. Both the song-writing and performances are outstanding. Indeed, there is not a bad track on the album. Not a one. Laurie Wisefield monumental Stand and Deliver does just that and is simply magnificent (to name only one of them). It’s classic extended guitar-riffing ASH at its finest and should be part of the band’s regular touring repertoire (hint-hint!). And the bonus studio tracks, recorded at the same time as the album, are as good as the others.”
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3. Live Dates (1973)
“his live album reflects the best tracks from their first set of albums with their original lineup complete with Andy Powell on his trademark Gibson Flying V, and Ted Turner with his Stratocaster or Les Paul. People struggle to pigeonhole this band – usually falling back on the “The English Allman Brothers” or similar. Unlike most guitar rock bands in the 70s Wishbone Ash are actually closer to progressive rock than either the blues based Led Zeppelin approach, or the heavy metal Deep Purple or UFO style or the blues-jazz of the Allmans. “
2. Wishbone Ash (1970)
“Absolutely amazing debut album from Wishbone Ash. One of the real all-time-classic pieces Wishbone Ash is famous for is the last ten-minute track “Phoenix”, which really shows off the “twin attack” lead guitar effects to the fullest. While “Handy” is a great showcase for Turner’s elastic bass playing, Upton does us proud with his jazzy drum solo. This is their best.”
1. Argus (1972)
“This is an excellent album. And with the harmonized lead vocals as well as the dual lead guitars, they have a sound all their own. “Time Was” and “Sometimes World” are my favorite tracks, both of which start out as hippie acoustic folk before blooming into wicked guitar workouts. Having been a fan of Thin Lizzy’s twin guitar sound for many years, it’s a joy to hear Andy Powell and Ted Turner play together as well as exchange solos. Martin Turner’s bass lines on “Sometime World” are awesome as well. “Blowin’ Free” is the most radio friendly tune and is pretty catchy while “Leaf and Stream” is mellow and whimsical.”