I remember recording Jail Bait, late at night on the family radio-cassette, aged about 11? This was before I even realised what rock music was... But I KNEW this "song" was head and shoulders above all the other stuff that was being played!
The contribution from Martin Turner on bass and lead vocals is so often overlooked and under appreciated. Take him out of the sound and you have a completely different band - a good one no doubt, but so much of that unique wishbone sound gone. I’d argue that if Martin had left WA in place of Ted Turner, the band would have folded. Thanks also to everyone in the comments for recognising the immense talent of Steve Upton, an epic drummer. I heard that he moved to France. Is he still living there?
Can’t agree with Whispering Bob’s Deep Purple analysis. With Lord and Blackmore trading lead / solo work, they were more innovative than anyone else at the time 😎
They were a much more interesting band when they had the jazz and folk influences of their early albums. Laurie Wisefield was a good replacement for Ted Turner. His guitar work in his previous band, Home, was excellent. I don't know why the critics label him as previously a rhythm player. As their sound became more americanised, they're sound was less distinctive, they sounded like other bands. They were never as good without Martin Turner's bass guitar and vocals. I can't get interested in the Andy Powell-led Wisbone Ash.
MADE IN JAPAN, LED ZEPPELIN ROYAL ALBERT HALL 1970 AND THE WHO IN THE ISLE OF WIGHT. MY ADVICE TO NOWADAYS' KIDS TO HAVE THE WHOLE KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT WAS DONE ON STAGE IN PRE-TRICK TIMES
The experts here fail to see, except for the bearded man, that despite it's age, no Deep Purple album or single has been surpassed by any band in 2024. Every musician in Deep Purple Mark 2 is the best, the best and 5 musicians of gold medal calibur will always be unsurpassed. Ian Gillan smoked, whiskied and still hit notes of a choirboy an opera giant and a young Robert Goulet. He sacrificed all to make Deep Purple the best band ever. All the band RIP Jon Lord should be studied in music 101 or music 104.
WA is my favorite rock band. I first saw them in 1975 in Ft. Worth TX and they had just picked up Laurie Wisefield and we didn't know if this person was a guy or girl because of the name. When he opened up his shirt at the concert we found out. It was only my second concert ever. Yes was my first. I miss Ben Granfelt. What a talent on the guitar. Andy Powell is the heart and soul of the band.
I'll never forget the first album, when the needle hit the vinyl and "Blind Eye" came on, we were never the same. What's rarely mentioned is the infectious jazz/rock shuffle feel of Turner/Upton, on songs like "Blind Eye," "Blowin' Free" and "Jail Bait." To me they weren't the same after "Pilgrimage" when they were still young, hungry and full of inspiration.
First saw Wishbone ' live' in 71 Did alot of first album and Pilgrimage and a few new songs from an Lp no one had heard of yet ....Argus ...the rest is history .I also joined the fanclub in 71
