Author Topic: Wishbone Ash (Read 181 times)

David Houck · « **on:** July 22, 2006, 03:55:37 PM »

Found a nice version of The King Will Come on YouTube.

Wishbone Ash was one of my favorite bands in the seventies. I still have the first four albums (on CD). The band featured twin lead guitars with lots of harmonized melodic lines, and a wonderful bass player and drummer. Their first album was really good rock and roll. Their second album, Pilgrimage, changed directions completely and was amazing, featuring lots of modal instrumental jazz-infused rock. Their third album, Argus, was also amazing, and completely different again as it was greatly infused by what I think of as a traditional English folk feel. Then the fourth album was back to rock and roll tunes. A great band in their day, and a big influence on me.

Sometimes when the mood strikes me (and it's a very depressing song, so it's that kind of mood), I'll hit an open A or E and play some of the opening melody of Throw Down The Sword from Argus. The visual, for me, from the lyrics is of a battlefield (think Braveheart), immediately after the fighting has ended. Very emotional song.

For those of you looking for something a little out of the ordinary to inspire you, I highly recommend Pilgrimage and Argus.

David Houck · « **Reply #1 on:** July 22, 2006, 04:04:38 PM »

And here is one from Pilgrimage! Cool little bass line.

David Houck · « **Reply #2 on:** July 22, 2006, 04:09:51 PM »

And some rock and roll!

David Houck · « **Reply #3 on:** July 22, 2006, 04:18:55 PM »

And another from Argus! I love this stuff!

lidon2001 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 22, 2006, 05:38:46 PM »

F.U.B.B. from There's the Rub is a great one.

T

olieoliver · « **Reply #5 on:** July 22, 2006, 09:43:33 PM »

Our guitar player in high school turned me on to Wishbone Ash. I can't remember the tune or the lp but there was this one song that had this real cool bass intro. Nothing fancy and kind of long but it was really cool.

georgie_boy · « **Reply #6 on:** July 23, 2006, 03:19:29 AM »

I was one of the support bands to them when they played the Albert hall in Stirling (home of Braveheart etc.)back in the 70's. They were superb!
Powell played his 63 Flying V but the bass player had a 63 sunburst Thunderbird 4-what a sound!!. All Orange gear. At that time, I was heavy into EB3's and thought the T'bird too trebly. I was young and stupid then-now I'm old and stupid.
Just a BTW, when I lived in london in the 80's, a shop called Chandler guitars had a 63 T'bird 4 that was customised by Alembic. It was a red colour with 3 T'bird gold plated p/ups and the Tree of life up the neck-Beautiful!
Anybody in the world know what happened to this bass??? as at the time, they wanted ?1000.00 for it and it was way out of my price range. Stillgot 3 albums by the boys, and listen to Argus often. The T'bird is just one of the best IMHO.
G

paulman · « **Reply #7 on:** July 26, 2006, 08:43:51 AM »

Wow I love these guys.

In the Rock and Roll vid posted from Dave, it looks like the Flying V isn't plugged in IE no instrument cord. Were they Milli Vanilli-ing?

No insult intended BTW

olieoliver · « **Reply #8 on:** July 26, 2006, 09:45:07 AM »

I believe I see a 90 jack with cord tucked underneath the under the guitar.

olieoliver · « **Reply #9 on:** July 26, 2006, 09:55:58 AM »

Handy I believe was the name of the tune I was thinking of in the earlier post. It was on their debut lp, which I think was titled Wishbone Ash. The song has a real nice melodic bass solo. I' ll try to find a clip some where.

bigredbass · « **Reply #10 on:** July 26, 2006, 06:37:54 PM »

Dave, was it ARGUS that had the tune 'Time Was'?

I love this stuff, too: Smarter than Slade or Sweet, not as arty as Yes or ELP. Damn I miss those days.

I loved Foghat, was a huge fan of Rod Price's slide work, and God Rest 'Lonesome Dave' Peverett. Always loved their cover of 'Take Me to the River'.

J o e y

(Message edited by bigredbass on July 26, 2006)

David Houck · « **Reply #11 on:** July 26, 2006, 08:47:16 PM »

Yes, Time Was is on Argus.

I really liked Foghat too! Fool For The City was on my setlist for a while way back when.

jet_powers · « **Reply #12 on:** July 27, 2006, 11:04:22 AM »

I caught Wishbone Ash live last fall when they came through Massachusetts. It was in an intimate setting in a large restaurant and though Andy Powell was the only original member there, they still rocked the joint. Definately catch them if they come through your area.

JP