Wishbone Ash-Illuminations (1996)

After more than five years away from releasing new music, Wishbone Ash returned in 1996 with "Illuminations", their seventeenth studio album. By this point, the British band had undergone numerous lineup changes, with guitarist and singer Andy Powell being the only remaining member of the original and most iconic lineup. The rest of the band consisted of Roger Filgate (guitars, bass, and keyboards), Tony Kishman (vocals), and Mike Sturgis (drums), in addition to guest keyboardists Mark Templeton, Paul Avgerinos, and Mike Mindel. While the absence of some classic members like Ted and Martin Turner caused some doubts among fans about the future of this new work, the truth is that despite this, the revamped group presents a series of songs that could almost perfectly fit on some of their best recordings from the 70s. Tracks like "Mountainside" with its whirlwind rhythm of harmonic guitars, the vibrant "Top of the World", the vintage and incisive "No Joke", the sarcastic "Mystery Man" or the tour de force "Tales of the Wise", capture the substantial essence of the early and legendary Wishbone Ash.

Wishbone Ash-There´s The Rub (1974)

In 1974, the British band Wishbone Ash recorded their fifth studio album, "There's The Rub", a title taken from a literary quote by Shakesphere and referencing the Hipgnosis-designed cover of a cricket player about to throw a ball. This release marked the band's first lineup change, with guitarist Ted Turner leaving and being replaced by former Home guitarist Laurie Wisefield. Wisefield provided the necessary solidification after the previous, somewhat uninspired "Wishbone Four". Comprising six lengthy tracks, the album, featuring Andy Powell (guitars and vocals), Martin Turner (bass and vocals), Steve Upton (drums), and the aforementioned Laurie Wisefield, along with keyboardist Albhy Galuten, crafted a work brimming with the band's signature twin guitar interplay (undoubtedly their strongest feature), with a more conventional classic rock style and less conceptual depth compared to albums like "Argus". High-caliber tracks like the folk blues rock "Silver Shoes" demonstrate the potential of this album, while the epic mid-tempo "Persephone", the semi-folk ballad "Lady Jay", the consistent rock "Hometown" or the sparkling instrumental "F.U.B.B.", highlighted the quality of these veteran rockers and at the same time was the work that restored their great credibility after the predictable previous album.

Wishbone Ash-Front Page News (1977)

In 1977 Wishbone Ash's career was quite consolidated, although it is true that the group was in the category of cult bands and one step below the great bands of the time.
Almost at the end of that year the band publishes the album "Front Page News", without a doubt the definitive work that would close the best and most remembered stage of this mythical band.
A work full of beautiful themes such as the one that gives the album its title, continuing with the rhythmic "Midnight Dancer" or the superb "Goodbye Hello Friend", this theme, which is undoubtedly one of the most accomplished in the group's entire career.
Another superb song is "Right Or Wrong" where they go back to their origins and that could perfectly belong to any of their first four legendary albums.
After this album the band would embark on a successful tour of the United States again gaining great popularity and being among the great bands of the moment.

Wishbone Ash-Live Dates (1973)

This superb double live album was long cataloged, the best live in history by many rock critics and fans.
A live loaded with heroic guitars, subtle voices and rhythmic bases perfect for the unique style that only Wishbone Ash knew how to do, elegant and high quality rock.
Recorded from 17 to 24 June 1973 in various locations (Newcastle, Portsmouth and Memphis) here band delight us with immortal jewels such as "The King Will Come", "Warrior", "Phoenix", "Rock´n´Roll Widow" or "Throw Down The Sword", all of them wasted with feeling, and emotion to each note, with that great way of playing these wonderful compositions on double guitar.
It is not surprising that many other bands later use the same configuration; Judas Priest or Iron Maiden to give only two examples were influenced by the mythical Wishbone Ash.

Wishbone Ash-New England (1976)

With "New England", the Wishbone Ash returned to the sound they had left on their "Argus" album four years earlier, and although they did not fully achieve it, they did invoice an extraordinary work that curiously was not successful.
With a series of great compositions and a great way to combine the most classic style of the band with the most commercial facet, present in previous albums, "New England" is unfairly undervalued and goes unnoticed when it comes to naming the best albums of the Wishbone Ash.
Wonderful songs like "Runaway", the melodic "Lorelei", or the precious "Lonely Island", you can think that at that time there was an epidemic of deafness among the public and specialized criticism for not appreciating the greatness of this little masterpiece.

Wishbone Ash-Live Dates Volume Two (1980)

Seven years after the monumental and brilliant "Live Dates" of 1973, Wishbone Ash released "Live Dates II", another double live album with an almost identical cover, but with a different lineup and setlist. By then, Ted Turner had left the group and been replaced by guitarist Laurie Wisefield, who, along with Martin Turner, Steve Upton, and Andy Powell, made up the Wishbone Ash lineup of those years. Recorded in various locations in London, Bristol, and Wolverhampton between 1976 and 1980 during tours promoting the albums "New England" and "Just Testing", the repertoire consists of songs from their later albums. The first two sides consist of a series of melodic and energetic classic rock songs with compelling guitar solos and a solid rhythmic structure, such as "Doctor", "Runaway", "Living Proof", and "Helpless", while extended tracks with their characteristic guitar jams are interspersed between this first disc and the following two. These extended pieces include "F*U*B*B", "The Way Of The World", "Persephone", and "No Easy Road", undoubtedly the four longest and most progressive compositions on this double live album. While not reaching the heights and energy of the legendary original "Live Dates", this is generally a good live album.

Wishbone Ash-Pilgrimage (1971)

Wishbone Ash's second album and their first true masterpiece, "Pilgrimage" is an excellent hard rock work focused on twin guitars, with hints of the complex sounds that would be fully realized on their next album, "Argus", released a year later. With dazzling production by Martin Birch, the band showcased their clear jazz and progressive influences, as demonstrated in the opening track, "Vas Dis", a strange and unusual blend of jazzy scat singing and powerful hard rock. Meanwhile, the signature twin guitar work of Andy Powell and Ted Turner is featured in the sensational "Pilgrim" and the powerful boogie-rock track "Jail Beat", while hints of their future musical direction can be found in the subtle "Alone" and the folky pastoral "Lubally". To conclude with the melodic and complex "Valediction" and the raw blues rock "Where Were You Tomorrow", where the interplay of the twin guitars, superbly executed, is supported by one of the best rhythm sections of the 70s, composed of drummer Steve Upton and bassist Martin Turner.

Wishbone Ash-Here To Hear (1989)

In 1989, the original Wishbone Ash lineup reunited to release their fifteenth album, "Here to Hear", more than fifteen years after their last studio album together ("Wishbone Four" in 1973). It's clear that we won't find the sound that made them famous in the seventies here, with the progressive and hypnotic sounds of "Argus", or the exciting and melodic twin-guitar hard rock of albums like "Pilgrimage", "Wishbone Four", "There's the Rub", or "New England". In this reunion, the band, composed of Martin Turner (bass, keyboards, vocals, and production), Ted Turner (guitars and vocals), Andy Powell (guitar), and Steve Upton (drums), opted for a sophisticated rock style, with impeccable compositions, some of them incredibly catchy, and excellent production. The elegant guitar rhythms are present, as is usual in the band, in all the songs, highlighting the initial and pulsating "Cosmic Jazz", the rhythmic "Mental Radio", the attractive "Lost Cause in Paradise" and "Why Don't We", or in the instrumental "Hole In My Heart (Part Two)".

Wishbone Ash-Bona Fide (2002)

Wishbone Ash's career is marked by iconic works such as "Argus" (1972), a legendary album that cemented their place in rock history. However, for over four decades, this legendary band, formed in the late sixties, produced other significant works. Albums like "Wishbone Ash" (1970), "Pilgrimage" (1971), "There's The Rub" (1974), and their epic live album "Live Dates" (1973) are among the finest recordings in rock. By 2002, they had released twenty studio albums and just as many live albums, establishing themselves as one of the most respected bands in rock history. In 2002, with a revamped lineup (one of the many they've had throughout their history), they released a new album titled "Bona Fide", where they successfully captured the vintage sound of the 70s thanks to a series of brilliant tracks like "Faith, Hope and Love", "Almighty Blues", "Ancient Remedy", and "Come Rain, Come Shine". In all of them, the explosive riffs and duet solos featuring the signature twin guitars played by Andy Powell and Ben Granfelt evoke a glorious past. Other tracks, such as the instrumentals "Bona Fide" and "Peace", showcase the perfect synchronization between the two guitarists and the remarkable rhythm section comprised of Bob Skeat (bass) and Ray Weston (drums).

Wishbone Ash-No Smoke Without Fire (1978)

In 1978, the British band Wishbone Ash released their ninth album, "No Smoke Without Fire", once again working with Derek Lawrence, the producer of their early releases. This time, the quartet of guitarists Andy Powell and Laurie Wisefield, bassist and vocalist Martin Turner, and drummer Steve Upton delivered a more energetic and musically diverse sound, a stark contrast to the more relaxed "Front Page News". Here, their signature twin guitars once again took center stage, underpinned by the dynamic and powerful rhythm section of Turner and Upton. Genuinely rocking tracks like "You See Red", "Anger In Harmony", "Stand And Deliver", "Like A Child", and "Baby The Angels Are Here" showcased Wishbone Ash's talent and high level of musicianship. While not quite surpassing their early, iconic work, they maintained a high standard as one of the most important bands of the 1970s.

Wishbone Ash-Nouveau Calls (1987)

For the first time in many years, the original Wishbone Ash lineup returned in 1987 to create one of their most experimental albums, while subtly recapturing the signature sound that had brought them so much success in the 70s. Martin Turner, Steve Upton, Andy Powell, and Ted Turner crafted a completely instrumental album, even incorporating additional instruments they hadn't used before. Although criticized by some of their most devoted fans, the group aimed to showcase a musical evolution that, while misunderstood by many, remains a kind of avant-garde album, adding touches of Eastern, jazz, and Caribbean influences. Tracks like "Tangible Evidence", "Clousseau", "Real Guitars Have Wings", "Arabesque", "The Spirit Flies Free", and "Johnny Left Home Without It", however, still bear the unmistakable mark of the twin guitars and precise rhythm section of this popular British group, despite all the criticism.

Wishbone Ash-Wishbone Ash (1970)

In 1970, Wishbone Ash burst onto the world stage with their formidable debut album, "Wishbone Ash", released on the MCA label and produced by Derek Lawrence. This first release saw the band, who popularized twin guitars in rock, deliver a work featuring some of their most iconic tracks, such as "Blind Eye", "Lady Whiskey", and "Phoenix". Recorded by their most iconic and successful lineup Andy Powell (guitar and vocals), Ted Turner (guitar and vocals), Steve Upton (drums), and Martin Turner (bass and vocals), the album showcases an intriguing blend of blues, jazz, folk, progressive rock, and psychedelic improvisations, all underpinned by captivating and emotive vocal harmonies. From the classic rock of "Lady Whiskey" and "Queen Of Sorrow", to the refined "Errors Of My Way", passing through the blues-tinged epic "Phoenix" and the boogie blues "Blind Eye", they complete a fascinating classic rock album, while at the same time very accessible to the general public.

Wishbone Ash-Number The Brave (1981)

In 1981, Wishbone Ash released their eleventh studio album, "Number the Brave", whose main novelty was the addition of John Wetton on bass. And although his contribution is noticeable in the vocal melodies and his powerful bass playing, he left the band shortly after recording to join a new lineup, Asia, alongside Steve Howe, Carl Palmer, and Geoff Downes. The rest of the band consisted of Andy Powell (guitar and lead vocals), Laurie Wisefield (guitar), and Steve Upton (drums), with additional musicians Claire Hammill on vocals and Gasper Lawal on percussion. On “Number The Brave”, the band opted for a frenetic album with powerful guitar riffs, featuring standout tracks like their cover of Rare Earth's "Get Ready", the melodic title track "Number The Brave", the rhythmic "Where Is The Love", the fast-paced "That's That", and the commendable "Rainstorm", "Underground", and "Kicks On The Street". However, poor reviews and limited commercial success led to Wishbone Ash's contract with MCA Records being terminated. Even so, as a farewell gesture, the label released the live album "Hot Ash" that same year, featuring a setlist based on some of the band's classics like "Blowin' Free" and "Goodbye Baby Hello Friend". But it was "Way Of The World", "No Easy Road", and "Bad Weather Blues" that truly made this live album appealing, primarily because these songs were not typically included in their concert setlists.

Wishbone Ash-Argus (1972)

With this album, Wishbone Ash reached their peak thanks to a simply fantastic work combining their folk and rock roots with progressive elements.

Here they continue to showcase their impressive guitar duality, in addition to creating sublime, highly addictive, and complex compositions.

Songs like the progressive folk track "Sometimes Word", the harmonica-infused "Blowin' Free", the impressive "Time Was", the emblematic "The King Will Come", and the epic "Warrior" are undoubtedly some of the British group's best contributions to rock music.

With this album (the band's third chronologically), Wishbone Ash became one of the leading acts of British progressive hard rock, while simultaneously solidifying a lineup (Andy Powell, Ted Turner, Martin Turner, and Steve Upton), that would bring them many years of glory and tremendous success around the world.