''Wishbone Four'' is the fourth studio album by British rock band

Wishbone Ash Wishbone Ash are a British rock band who achieved success in the early and mid-1970s. Their popular albums included '' Wishbone Ash'' (1970), ''Pilgrimage'' (1971), '' Argus'' (1972), '' Wishbone Four'' (1973), ''There's the Rub'' (1974), and ...

, released in 1973. It was a departure from their previous album, '' Argus'', in that it lacked that recording's overall cohesion and atmosphere and the loose conceptual framework of a stately, pastoral and warring medieval England. Containing only hints of the extended twin-lead guitar harmonies, ''Wishbone Four's'' stylistic variety found its footing in acoustic

folk Folk or Folks may refer to: Sociology *Nation *People * Folklore ** Folk art ** Folk dance ** Folk hero ** Folk music *** Folk metal *** Folk punk *** Folk rock ** Folk religion * Folk taxonomy Arts, entertainment, and media * Folk Plus or Fo ...

elements in half of the eight-song set ("Ballad of the Beacon", "Everybody Needs a Friend", "Sorrel" and "Sing Out the Song"), two aggressive and melodic starters on each side of the vinyl release (Side 1: So Many Things to Say" and Side 2: "Doctor"), and the band's first use of horns on the semi-autobiographical "rave-up" touring song "No Easy Road". Although the sombre, sensitive and rather more fragile acoustic songs contained the wistful intro elements that featured on the previous album, the lead guitars lacked the slow climb of the band's trademark duelling crescendos and energetic fretwork expected from the band at the time, tending to a more subtle and subdued interplay on the longer tracks. ''Wishbone Four'' was popular among fans upon its release as it implied musical growth and a willingness to experiment in the band's divergence of a successful formula (similar at the time to the effect of

Led Zeppelin III ''Led Zeppelin III'' is the third studio album by the English rock band Led Zeppelin, released on 5 October 1970. It was recorded in three locations. Much of the work was done at Headley Grange, a country house, using the Rolling Stones Mobil ...

's contrast to that band's previous efforts). ''Wishbone Four'' was also the first release not produced by

Derek Lawrence Derek John Lawrence (16 November 1941 – 13 May 2020) was an English record producer, famous for his work for Joe Meek's Outlaws, Deep Purple, Flash, Machiavel and Wishbone Ash. Lawrence came in contact with Meek circa at the end of 1963, ...

but by the band themselves. ''

There's the Rub ''There's the Rub'' is the fifth studio album by rock band Wishbone Ash. It is the first album to feature guitarist-vocalist Laurie Wisefield, who would be a major part of the band's creative direction for the next 11 years. It also marked a ...

'', the band's next and fifth studio album' was the first album to feature guitarist-vocalist

Laurie Wisefield Laurence Mark Wisefield (born 27 August 1952) is an English guitarist, best known for his contributions to Wishbone Ash during the 1970s and 1980s. Early career Prior to his stint in Wishbone Ash, Wisefield performed with the progressive rock b ...

, who would be a major part of the band's creative direction for the next 11 years, as founding member

Ted Turner Robert Edward "Ted" Turner III (born November 19, 1938) is an American entrepreneur, television producer, media proprietor, and philanthropist. He founded the Cable News Network (CNN), the first 24-hour cable news channel. In addition, he fo ...

left the band after the subsequent Wishbone Four tour. The album peaked at No. 12 in the

UK Albums Chart The Official Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales and (from March 2015) audio streaming in the United Kingdom. It was published for the first time on 22 July 1956 and is compiled every week by the Official Charts ...

Track listing

Music by

;
Lyrics by

Martin Turner Martin Robert Turner (born 1 October 1947) is an English musician best known for his time as the bass guitarist, lead vocalist and a founding member of the rock band, Wishbone Ash. Career Turner was with Wishbone Ash, known for their twin le ...

, except "Rock 'n Roll Widow" by

Steve Upton ''yes'Steve is a masculine given name, usually a short form (hypocorism) of Steven or Stephen Notable people with the name include: steve jops * Steve Abbott (disambiguation), several people * Steve Adams (disambiguation), several people * Steve ...

. #"So Many Things to Say" – 5:00 #"Ballad of the Beacon" – 4.58 #"No Easy Road" – 3:40 #"Everybody Needs a Friend" – 8:53 #"Doctor" – 5.48 #"Sorrel" – 5:35 #"Sing Out the Song" – 4:21 #"Rock 'n Roll Widow" – 5:41

Personnel

;Wishbone Ash *

– lap-steel, 12 string, acoustic and electric guitars, vocals *

Andy Powell Andrew Powell (born 19 February 1950) is an English guitarist, singer and songwriter. He is a founding member of the British band Wishbone Ash, whose use of twin lead guitars was influential. Early life and career Powell was born in the East E ...

– acoustic and electric guitars, vocals *

– bass guitar, vocals *

– drums and percussion ;Additional personnel *George Nash – keyboards on "Everybody Needs a Friend" *Graham Maitland – piano on "No Easy Road" *Phil Kenzie, Dave Coxhill and Bud Parks – horn section on "No Easy Road"

Charts

References

{{Authority control 1973 albums Wishbone Ash albums Albums recorded at Apple Studios Albums recorded at Olympic Sound Studios Albums with cover art by Hipgnosis MCA Records albums