Wishbone Ash Songs Ranked

Wishbone Ash is a British rock band that 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 songs ranked.

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19. Everybody Needs a Friend (Wishbone Four, 1973)

“The epic eight and a half minute long ballad “Everybody Needs a Friend” has a very unique story: In the ‘International Hit Parade’ on NDR 2 (with the legendary presenter Wolf-Dieter Stubel) ten copies of a current long-playing record were raffled off every week, from which a title was played as a teaser at the end of the program.”

18. Alone (Pilgrimage, 1971)

“‘Alone’ is simply a nice unassuming acoustic track with a few interesting electric guitar lines thrown in but overall keeping everything very simple.”

17. Cell of Fame (Raw to the Bone 1985)

“Nice song from a forgotten era along with people in motion. A personal favorite would include lead cut, Cell of Fame which touches on the pitfalls of success.”

16. Stand and Deliver (No Smoke Without Fire, 1978)

“One point docked for the very misogynistic Stand and Deliver (I don’t know if its just me but somehow I don’t find a song that seems to mythologize rape into to some romantic anti hero “like a highwayman of old” attractive at all). Everything else great!”

See more: Wishbone Ash Albums Ranked

15. Handy (Wishbone Ash, 1970)

“Perhaps the most diverse is in “Handy” that not only provides a lengthy guitar jamming session but also displays a major drumming session that doesn’t sound too show-offy for one’s sensibilities”

14. Rock N Roll Widow (Wishbone Four, 1973)

“The up tempo “Rock ‘n’ Roll Widow” is the signature track that I am sure most would agree with.  It is the last song and is set up by varying ballads like “Sorrel” and edgier tunes with “Doctor” getting some praises.”

13. Blowing Free (Argus, 1972)

“Blowin ‘Free” is a chugging boogie number with a beautiful, guilelessly child-like lyric: “I thought I had a girl, I know because I seen her / her hair was golden brown, blowin’ free like the cornfield”. At the very end the guitars really go quite ape.”

12. Lifeline (Just Testing, 1980)

“The more Progressive “Lifeline” occasionally harken back to the band’s early days, featuring inspired fretwork, with plenty of Blues influences and the band’s signature twin-guitar riffs on glorious display.”

11. Sorrel (Wishbone Four, 1973)

“Counterpoint lead guitars with the bass line dancing behind them. Absolutely the best. This is the stand out track on Wishbone four.”

10. No Easy Road (Argus, 1972)

“No Easy Road is good old rock N Roll, quite honestly it sounds like Deep Purple or a Southern rock. This is just a fun track it brings about a smile on my face which I kind of need right now. This has a little blues in it too but I like the music a lot, the guitars or good, the piano’s or good, the singing is awesome too. I would consider this a classic song from the 70’s. Listen to it folks you will enjoy a lot.”

9. Errors of My Way (Wishbone Ash, 1970)

“Heavy-folk of “Errors of My Way” might have worked if the band had put more work into it. I mean the riffs in the beginning sound like classic Thin Lizzy material and the main theme doesn’t sound too bad either, but the singer(s) of WA are nowhere near the charisma of Lynott nor does the band seem to know how to properly progress after the opening bars.”

8. Leaf and Stream (Argus, 1972)

“”Leaf and Stream” is another blissful bluesy prog work, simply marvelous.  Admittedly my favorite track “Leaf and Stream” is so utterly wispy and beautiful, that it almost hurts. But it hurts so good! And it is still in my personal Top 20 of all songs I ever had the pleasure (or pain) to listen to”

7. Time Was (The Wishbone Ash Collection, 1993)

“The music works its way right through you.  The production is full and richly textured with more chords then they should possibly put on their plate … but a supper sized helping of Wishbone Ash will never make you fat … it will only set you to dancing, though more likely to extreme air guitar playing.”

6. Persephone (There’s the Rub, 1974)

“”Persephone” came out like a beautiful dream: sensitive, lyrical, romantic and yet always subliminally rocking. Andy Powell, who also played the mandolin here, and Laurie Wisefield outbid each other with their unearthly beautiful twin guitar skills.”

See more: Uriah Heap Albums Ranked

5. Sometime World (Argus, 1972)

“Sometime World” will literally transport you to another dimension, and almost brought a tear to my eye, such as the power of the vocals and lamentations lyricism. “Sometime World” ends up following a lot of things that the opener accomplishes, but executes it so much better despite being about 3 minutes shorter.”

4. Warrior (Argus, 1972)

“Warrior” is a classy hard with great melodies, alternating tempo and a remarkable chorus.  “Warrior” is the hardest of the lot, powerful and charging, with blasts of strong vocals and crunching riffs. the prog rock airiness of the guitars is so beautifully undercut by this warm and potent and LOUD bass sound which no one talks about! And maybe it’s bold to say: but as a vocalist, he kills it”

3. Phoenix (Wishbone Ash, 1970)

” It seems that most people seem to prefer “Phoenix” which probably RAWKS the hardest here. It’s a little linear and too 70’s arena-rawk laden for my taste, but besides its long duration it works pretty well.”

2. The King Will Come (Argus, 1972)

“One of my favorites, “The King Will Come”, continues the play. The guitars on this track are a separate show, alternating between inspired riffs and furious solos, not to mention the vocals, now divided between Martin and Andy, almost spiritual at certain times. In short: a brilliant composition!”

1. Throw Down the Sword (Argus, 1972)

” Throw Down The Sword brings things to a close perfectly, still having the sense of grandiosity, but with a sense of quiet triumph to it all. If Warrior was a song about an army going into battle, Throw Down the Sword would be the result after victory was achieved, and it closes everything off perfectly.”