I’ve been listening to the recently released Live Dates II featuring Wishbone Ash.  It’s been quite a while since this title has been available in its complete state.  In fact, the full set was available only in the UK and as a limited edition, after which, it became a truncated issue (don’t know why).  In the States, it was called Hot Ash and contained only eight tracks from the UK limited edition release, which contained twelve.

That album got me to pull out all of my Wishbone Ash albums, and listen to each one of them, most of which I love.  I have my favorites.  If you’re a Wishbone Ash fan, you have yours as well.

Wishbone Ash was one of those bands that had a large following, but never broke wide open.  They certainly were good enough for it.  They constantly reworked their sound from album to album in an effort to find the audience they coveted.  I’m pleased I was a fan from the beginning.

Since we’re here, let’s have us a poll for their “best” album.  I’m not too sure how may people will select one, but what the hell.  I’ve been surprised by greater things so an underattended Wishbone Ash poll won;t break my spirit.  HOWEVER…if you haven’t heard them or heard OF them, now is an awesome time to investigate.  Having released their first album, the self-titled Wishbone Ash debut in 1970, the band has gone through several personnel changes and have released many albums.

I miss the Mark I band the most.

My favorite Ash album?  Wishbone Four.  Why?  Because this album has everything in it.  Wishbone Ash never had such a varied album prior to it, nor after it.

Currently, there are two iterations of Wishbone Ash in existence, the Andy Powell led Wishbone Ash, and the Martin Turner formed Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash (MTWA).  Most importantly, the band left behind some excellent music.

Hoping for a BIG turn-out.

By MARowe

16 thoughts on “Poll: Which Wishbone Ash Album Is Best?”
  1. For me it’s ” LIVE DATES ” hands down there best. If you never heard this one, you need to!

  2. I have to go with 4 too. Although Argus is a very close second. WA 4 is in disparate need of remastering.

  3. I have to go with 4 too. Although Argus is a very close second. WA 4 is in desperate need of remastering.

  4. For me, you have to nominate an album from the classic Mk1 & 2 versions of the band. Therefore, Argus & New England: both contain the purest sounds of the bands & both interestingly enough ware the third release from each incarnation, as if it had taken 2 prior releases to liberate the group identity fully. Live Dates & Live Dates II reinforce the quality of these 2 great records played in concert.

  5. For me, you have to nominate an album from the classic Mk1 & 2 versions of the band. Therefore, Argus & New England: both contain the purest sounds of the bands & both interestingly enough were the third release from each incarnation, as if it had taken 2 prior releases to liberate the group identity fully. Live Dates & Live Dates II reinforce the quality of these 2 great records played in concert.

  6. Argus is King, real and original at the time, and has never dated. I was just listening to it yesterday!

  7. I say Wishbone 4 but this isn’t easy. New England and Argus and There´s the Rub could it be as well. But Wishbone 4 is my choice.

  8. This poll would be better off asking which is your second favourite Wishbone album; Argus wins for me, I suspect for many others too.

    Pilgrimage would probably have come second if it had been a whole album, i.e. without the live filler so Just Testing from the Mark Two band is my choice. I loved the over processed guitar effects and the run of fine songs. Great live sets from this time available on the Super Golden Radio Shows bootleg; probably the best live album they never released.

  9. Actually I really get me jiggers off on There’s the Rub, which makes me feel weird, because it’s hardly ever mentioned. The guitar playing is mesmerizing though. Argus is right up there too.

    1. I loved There’s The Rub even though I was hoping that they would continue in the way of Wishbone Four. I started choking on the Ash around Just Testing, although I loved No Smoke Without Fire. Number The Brave, Raw to the Bone, Twin Engines Burning, ehhhhh!

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