 |
| Wishbone Ash – 1972 |
Let’s continue to blur the lines between driving and homecoming songs a bit more. Continuing on this August driving playlist of mine I want to include more songs that converge on that open road feeling. Its a feeling that at the end of the day must remain lighter, yet have a considerable amount of weight. I’m traveling north to Devon, England to reveal a very simpatico band, its Wishbone Ash. Their songs “Alone” and “Lullaby”, from 1971’s Pilgrimage, that I chose to review and deserve to be played one after the other, display a Yin and Yang quality, you can see aspects of each different track’s feel which can drive the other songs as well. There’s something about their musical sojourns, lead by twin (and sometimes three!) lead guitars, that sounds so bracing. Its a sound that was very influential on groups like Thin Lizzy and Iron Maiden later on.
“Alone” presents this startling new vision. Its a sound that’s more progressive and complex. They were going back to some sort of folk and classical roots in order to fashion an almost knightly sound. Its chivalrous yet imposing. Its the kind of music that seems more suited for being on a pilgrimage not for simple exploration but for probing manifestations. Listen to the song, now you can hear well-trained warriors. First, the rhythm section braces the gauntlet and forms this solid musical shield from where Andy and Ted can now freely unleash all sorts of tandem guitar melodies. Rather than just harmonize on one chord, they now use their single note interplay to create a dizzying melodic display of sounds that aren’t blues based but something else altogether. Its a brotherly kind of sound, as if they’re preparing the listener for any battle or journey. Its this sound that would set them apart from groups like Status Quo, Yardbirds, or early-Fleetwood Mac, which were still struggling to find a way out of their blues (sonic and otherwise). Can you blame them for naming their next album Argus after the all-seeing giant of Greek myth fame.Listen to the instrumental, album version of Alone at Grooveshark.