Argus: Wishbone Ash Appreciation Thread

I think the debut is a little stronger than Argus, though the latter is a really good album. The debut has some nice entertaining rock songs which are not really prog but they're not boring as much blues-based rock music can be when you're into prog. But it also has Phoenix, which is a great emotional and almost epic (I'm rather careful about that term as it is used way too much in my opinion) rock song. Nothing on Argus can really compete with Phoenix though there's a track with different, but remarkable qualities on Argus, Leaf and Stream, which is perfect in its own way. After all, both are very good albums. Pilgrimage and There's the Rub are also something prog fans should check out. Too my embarrassment I'm not sure whether I know their fourth Album.

I've been listening to Front Page News a lot recently. An album bought years ago and quickly ended put on the shelf.

Edited by Andrea Cortese - July 07 2015 at 07:20

AlanB wrote: cstack3 wrote: I don't know if many folks like "Wishbone 4," I was a huge fan of that LP as well.  It wasn't perhaps as progressive as "Argus," but it rocked!  I saw WA on tour right when 4 was released, amazing show!     Wishbone 4 was a bit of a disappointment to a lot of fans at the time, but in retrospect it's actually a pretty good album with some great songs. It was let down by the production, unfortunately. I love songs like Sorrel, Ballad Of The Beacon and Everybody Needs A Friend, especially.

Well spotted Tom, the drummer in Martin's band was Dave Wagstaffe of Lamdmarq. He's not with them any more, though.

AlanB wrote: cstack3 wrote: Martin Turner's WA project intrigues me, he has toured with Laurie Wisefield.  I'd enjoy seeing them, I've only seen a snippet or two on Youtube and really liked what I heard.     I've seen MT's band many times - you could say I'm one of their biggest fans. I think they recreate the sound of 1970s Wishbone Ash very well.   I think they played in your neck of the woods on the tour that Tom Ozric alluded to, but that was the only time they've crossed the pond. I recommend the Garden Party recording as the next best think to seeing them. Ted Turner and Laurie Wisefield play on that too.

I was totally in-the-dark when Turner's version shared the bill with Nektar. There was a well enebriated older guy sitting at the table with me - (I recall, he knocked over his Bud and it encroached on my I-pod.....) - anyway, I knew they were 'Rock Legends' from the good ol' days, I stuck around - I don't even recall the particular members who participated ( I'm sure the drummer was from Landmarq though) - I was impressed with their set, to say the least. I picked up Argus and the live Concerts album immediately from some 'Golden Oldies Rare Records' shop near Bleeker St. So, when I arrived home to spin these albums, that was it. I've missed this band for years..........
I've gone up to (and including) the album There's The Rub.   Great albums they are, especially the debut. I do place the first album high on my list. Argus is still a wonderful listen, something I do wish I'd discovered many years ago..........

TODDLER wrote: cstack3 wrote: TODDLER wrote: It's their strongest effort. "The King Will Come" is my favorite song from the album. "Time Was" is a great Rock song ! I will always love that track. It reminds me of a song that Danny Kirwan would have written for Fleetwood Mac during the Future Games/Bare Trees period. I also hear a lot of Pete Townshend chord style changes/voicings in the song. "Leaf and Stream" is beautiful, but again...everything about it reminds me of Danny Kirwan's guitar playing and particularly vocals. I bought this album the week it was released and had a instantaneous reaction about it's originality. It is very original and to the character of Wishbone Ash. The emulation of others that I hear in their music does not hold a candle to their originality. Wishbone Ash are very unique. Sometimes they blend a "Traditional Folk" vocal sounding style with "Traditional Irish Folk" phrasings on guitar...such as "Jigs" ...for example the guitar harmony signature playing at the end of "Blowin" Free" and about a hundred other songs . Andy Powell is a very melodic player, technical enough to pull off surprising things, and a fine vocalist. The keyboardist from Renaissance, (forget name, shame on me), plays on "Throw Down The Sword" and then Andy Powell plays lead guitar on "Ashes Are Burning" A great time period to remember. John Tout, shame on you, Toddler!    I agree with your post. Has anyone seen either of the two touring Wishbone Ash iterations?  I've seen Andy Powell's WA twice, and he really does a fantastic job with this material, including singing the lead vocals!  Last time he had a Finnish guitarist who was a slide guitar whizz, it was fun!   Martin Turner's WA project intrigues me, he has toured with Laurie Wisefield.  I'd enjoy seeing them, I've only seen a snippet or two on Youtube and really liked what I heard.     I would love to see them!

Edited by cstack3 - February 18 2015 at 21:45

I guess I should mention that I'm on good terms with the album now, I just try not to play music out loud in the presence of other people anymore

bloodnarfer wrote: My dad sort of ruined the album for me a bit.  I was toward the end of Sometime World when he came in to my room and said "Isn't that really annoying and repetitive? Turn it off".  I guess he sort of had a point, and it soured the album for me for a few years.  I took his opinion too seriously, since it was music from his time period.

Your dad made a queer observation. ... Two things:

cstack3 wrote: I don't know if many folks like "Wishbone 4," I was a huge fan of that LP as well.  It wasn't perhaps as progressive as "Argus," but it rocked!  I saw WA on tour right when 4 was released, amazing show!

bloodnarfer wrote: My dad sort of ruined the album for me a bit.  I was toward the end of Sometime World when he came in to my room and said "Isn't that really annoying and repetitive? Turn it off".  I guess he sort of had a point, and it soured the album for me for a few years.  I took his opinion too seriously, since it was music from his time period.