Sunday Big Note – Listening Session #6

For this week’s Sunday Big Note, I’ve got a fantastic gem of a listening session in store – a soundboard of Wishone Ash from 1976. Although short (approximately one hour in length), the sound quality is excellent, and the performance, superb.

Considered to be one of the major innovators of the harmony twin lead guitar format – along with such groups as the Allman Brothers Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd (three-guitar mix) – Wishbone Ash was one of the most successful progressive hard rock bands of the 1970s. Along with the Allman Brothers Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Black Oak Arkansas, and last week’s Sunday Big Note, Led Zeppelin – Wishbone Ash also had major rotation time on my stereo turntable back when vinyl was king.

Listening to Wishbone Ash at San Francisco’s Winterland Ballroom on April 2nd, 1976, it’s easy to hear to the influence they had on their musical contemporaries, as well as their influence on present day bands and music:

Rest In Peace
[audio:SBN_20101219_01 Rest In Peace.mp3]

The King Will Come
[audio:SBN_20101219_02 The King Will Come.mp3]

Persephone
[audio:SBN_20101219_03 Persephone.mp3]

Half Past Lovin’
[audio:SBN_20101219_04 Half Past Lovin’.mp3]

Time Was
[audio:SBN_20101219_05 Time Was.mp3]

Blowin’ Free
[audio:SBN_20101219_06 Blowin’ Free.mp3]

It Started In Heaven
[audio:SBN_20101219_07 It Started In Heaven.mp3]

No Easy Road (Incomplete)
[audio:SBN_20101219_08 No Easy Road (Incomplete).mp3]

Wishone Ash:

Andy Powell – guitar, vocals

Martin Turner – bass, vocals

Steve Upton – drums

Laurie Wisefield – guitar, vocals

Graham Maitland – keyboards

Note: the above video, “Warrior” was performed by Wishbone Ash on Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert in 1973.

Author: urbangraffito

I am a writer, editor, publisher, philosopher, and foole (not necessarily in that order). Cultural activist and self-described anarchist. View all posts by urbangraffito