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Wishbone Ash — Blowin' Free
Album: Argus
Avg rating:
7.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1181









Released: 1972
Length: 5:18
Plays (last 30 days): 1
I thought I had a girl
I know, because I seen her.
Her hair was golden brown
Blowin' free like a cornfield.

She was far away
I found it hard to reach her.
She told me "You can try"
But it's impossible to find her.

In my dreams everything was alright.
In your schemes you can only try.

I thought I had a girl
I know, because I seen her.
Her hair was golden brown
Blowin' free like a cornfield.
Comments (154)add comment
Great to hear some Wishbone Ash - thanks Bill!
Is that Darth Vader's evil lo-tech cousin on the cover?
Beautiful. I wish I could score it more than a 10. Wishbone Ash is an amazing band since 1970ish and still going today!
From Torquay, England... I wonder if Faulty Towers knew them 
If you can...listen to this on a good stereo and have the speakers a few feet apart. 

You could get a case of the heebie jeebies, if you crank it too loud.  

Ya man.   
Ya man. Crank  this up. 
There's a 1973 live album called "Live Dates" - very good.
These guys were the pioneers of using more than one lead guitarist. 
Wow there’s a good flashback. Amazing band. As a junior in high school, saw them in concert on tour for this album in 1973 in Salem, Oregon. They opened for Electric Light Orchestra but we were there for Wishbone Ash. Like the T-shirt says “I might be old but I saw all the great bands.”
Ah the 70's, blue jeans and fancy shirts.  Loud guitars and long hair.  Thanks for playing this.
In my youth I listened to Wishbone ash a lot. 
Please, please play Phoenix -  I know it's a bit long but it's a classic!
This album was released before my time. One of many I've heard here that make me think I was born too late. Great tune.
Summer of '79. Girlfriend's housemate played this LP all summer long. Leaves an imprint on your mind. Thanks Bill! 
 idiot_wind wrote:

and the album cover is way too cool



Little Darth Riding Helmet 
For me their harmonies knocked CSNY's into a cocked stetson. Not overdone.
and the album cover is way too cool
this is the jammer

crank it
This is the definition of STONE GROOVE ... and yes am shoutin ... 
Excellent choice, Bill 
Little Trailer of the Woodstock Festival 
In 2019, Wishbone Ash flying to Germany and celebrate 50 Years stage on fire on the little "Woodstock-Forever Festival" in Waffenrod Thuringia Forest.

It was a great Show and many other artists like Arthur Brown visit this festival in the last years.  

 rbrise wrote:


why do these little guys never quite sync up with the music?

I know this is too much information LOL, but you'll have a better chance of syncing these guys to songs recorded after, say, 1995. That's when a lot of the magic in music was replaced by digital accuracy. Before that, many bands played without click tracks, that is, they kept time based on how it felt to the players. Magic.
They are still touring in 2021!
Got to respect them...not the original line up though. Come on Bill....Brinsley Schwartz next please...
I know one of these guitars is a strat but what about the other ?
 idiot_wind wrote:

wishbone ash. nektar. status quo. focus.  camel.

take your pick.   

I'll have to look up Nektar - I have not encountered them.

Whoa! I haven't heard this in a long time. This takes me back to RAF Bentwaters, UK, 1976-78.

This is why I donate, BillG plays stuff not heard elsewhere. 
 
 sunflowerbee wrote:
{#Bananajam}{#Bananajam}



+If you open out the album cover, you will see that the soldier is watching a flying saucer.
Ooooh baby.

Guitars playing RnR.  

Soon to be the lost art. 
wishbone ash. nektar. status quo. focus.  camel.

take your pick.   
Wow, total flashback to my big brother's bedroom.  I was 15 or 16.
 rbrise wrote:


why do these little guys never quite sync up with the music?
 
today they started out well in time
Good Lord, I thought this was CSNY my whole life... 
 sunflowerbee wrote:
{#Bananajam}{#Bananajam}
 

why do these little guys never quite sync up with the music?
Frist time very fucking great
Been a while since I heard this...awesome! Bravo, B and R!
 viewfinder509325 wrote:
You’re the only DJ I know who would play from this album, even know about this album. And that’s why I love you!
 
two stations in  the NOLA listening area would play this from time to time. (WCKW 92.3 and KLRZ 100.3 when they were Classic Rock)
Rock on 
Love blowin' free... Love this Album... Argus...Takes me back to some good times and great places...Thanks 
Wow had forgotten this track. Bought Argus just before I saw Wishbone perform at Paignton Festival theatre back in I think 1980 and what a great gig it was with those twin leading guitars. Local band to me so always have a soft spot for them. Managed by Miles Copeland for a while brother of Stuart Copeland  from The Police.  Still touring but not seen them for many years but always  a great live band that never did IMHO get the recognition they deserved.  Great band and not enough of them played on RP.
love it, love it. Instant nostalgia 
 cely wrote:
Never heard this song before.  What I love is how characteristic it is of its era.  Could it have been recorded in 71 or 73?  Probably.  In 70 or 74?  Probably not.
 
Whaaaaaat??

Where have you BEEN??
THANK YOU RP

Volume UP - Grin factor about 120%
Play something from New England for goodness sake!

Lorelei is one of the best rock tunes of the 70s.
You’re the only DJ I know who would play from this album, even know about this album. And that’s why I love you!
Great 1970's Album Cover art.
Mazed to read they're Brits. Good to hear again.
You play far too little Ash.
My first concert back in the early 70s Manhattan The Climax Blues Band played too My friends older brother took us We couldn’t have been older than 12 Everyone was high everyone was young including us
I love this track but it's only listening to it today that I've noticed how similar the harmonies are to Crosby , Stills, Nash and Young. And there's nowt wrong with that. Dunno about the comment of pathetic guitar playing, it sounds pretty good to me and surely it's the overall effect created by the band which counts. There are some pretty dire vocalists around who sound great within the context of the band they play in.
We were pretty sophisticated back then for 14 year olds!
Ohhhh, the guitars!  One of dozens of great bands form the 1970s!

These lyrics say it all... 

Her hair was golden brown
Blowin' free like a cornfield.
Wow! Talk about an underrated band! Played for a lot of long, strange trips.
Wishbone Ash always means ... lighting one up as a freshman in Robinson Hall.
First time listen for me. Awesome!
CSN... maybe Y , crossed with Lynard Skynard??
What memories! One of my fav’s from the early ‘70s. Great blend of prog-like atmospherics with dual guitar driven rock and roll.
 thewiseking wrote:
This is pretty pathetic guitar playing
 
I know this is an old post, but those in search of more "pathetic guitar playing" might care to have a look here :)
Play more of WA. I hardly ever hear them. Brings back my college days...
they came through portland in '74, played the paramount theatre with camel. i've been to hundreds of shows over the years, and this was one just left a mark. i can't forget it.
Would bet that more than a few bottles of beers and more than a few bombers were consumed to this music back in the day.  
I always loved this song!
Local band to me and formed in my home town so maybe a little biased but saw them many times live with different line ups and superb live. This album for me is one of their best.
this was there radio friendly song so to speak. check out "theres the rub" album with laurie wisefield. also "argus" album. 1st 6 albums all great! if you like great musicianship and twin leads check them out!! 
Blast from the past! Forgot{#Bananajam} about this band! Thanks RP, once again!
Never heard this song before.  What I love is how characteristic it is of its era.  Could it have been recorded in 71 or 73?  Probably.  In 70 or 74?  Probably not.
"Fine as frog's hair" indeed!  Good Rockin' this rainy Sunday 'tank yu  : )
Great to hear this. Good track off what is one of the finest albums by anyone, Argus. Play more and play it loud :-) 
 ElCamoteLoco wrote:
Say what you like about all those old prog rock bands, but they knew how to play their instruments.

 
True - most of them were talented musicians.  Still, say what you like about watching golf on television, but those players are really good at the game.
 thewiseking wrote:
This is pretty pathetic guitar playing

 
thewiseking not so wise. You must be one of them tappers. These are what actual guitar licks and riffs sound like.
 ScottishWillie wrote:

Hearing this at work on Radio Paradise may be the first time I’ve listened to this tune sober. Still likeing it though!



 
You have been drunk a long time...{#Drunk}
Digging the Bass line.

Love the song- but have to laugh too.  Not exactly John Lennon or Pink Floyd lyrics!  Great tune still.


{#Cowboy} great song! saw them live in 1972 at the satsop river rock festival in Washington , was an outstanding set!

Hearing this at work on Radio Paradise may be the first time I’ve listened to this tune sober. Still likeing it though!


{#Bananajam}{#Bananajam}
Love Wishbone Ash - the very first band I saw on The Old Grey Whistle Test (cult music program on the BBC from 1971 to the 80's).  I always wanted a Gibson Flying V guitar, nowadays all I want is a pint.
Oh, I didn't hear that a long time, its great. Please play more of that LP!
You always know Wishbone Ash - very distinctive.  
Thanks Bill! Much appreciated hearing the great stuff!
 ElCamoteLoco wrote:
Say what you like about all those old prog rock bands, but they knew how to play their instruments.

 

And you may remember, there many bands like them. It was a cornucopia of music!

Unlike today. 
this is played wayyyyyyyyyyy too much!   YUCK!
This is pretty pathetic guitar playing
Say what you like about all those old prog rock bands, but they knew how to play their instruments.
WOW! Wishbone Ash! I've not thought of them since the last millenniu. Always loved  artwork on that albu and the music in it
Nice harmonies!
Wow. One of the first riffs I ever learned on guitar. Thanks Koun Dog....where ever you are.
They recently played a pub in my town of Sebastopol, CA. Unfortunately I was out of town!
And her hair was blowing free, like the corn fields... 
What a vision! Especially if you live in the Midwest.  
Recognised it from the first couple of chords! Great memories from listening to this in 1972.
What a great freakin song! 

Wishbone Ash, Nektar, Focus, Status Quo...there were so many great guitar bands that never got the recognition.   
Brings back some old memories! Thanks!
Wow, thanks for playing this, Bill.  I felt so happy hearing it when it came on.

I'm surprised at the veritable love fest here in the comments thread. Maybe I shouldn't be.  Seems like everybody feels the same way — loved it then, love it now, big smiles all around.

I'm not a big fan of emojis but this seems to sum it up for me:
{#Daisy}
Splendid!
I used to have this. Thanks for reminding me about it. Now what happened to it?

Takes me back to the times I would spend days on end in smoke filled rooms, listening to music, talking crap to friends and avoiding going to lectures. Happy Days!


o god please make it STOP!
WOW....haven't heard this in decades!  Thanks Bill {#Bananajam}
Geez....not to sound like an old fart...but there was a time in the 1970s when there so many bands like this: great guitars, harmonics, melodics,hooks, hooks, hooks, and lyrics about women running in fields.

RnR...RIP.  
One of the bands on the IRS sub-label No Speak, along with William Orbit(!!) and Stewart Copeland (!!)
First live concert I ever went to...
"New England" still one of my favorite rock albums ever.
Tried to get Bill to put 'Handy' on the playlist but no joy, that's a good indulgent 11 minutes.  He was probably right!
One of my favs from back in the day. Please add more of their tracks to your playlist.
Trying to reconcile that it's just a good song - with my affection for it and the great memories associated.
one of my old favorites 
Like this. Never heard of this band. Surprising since they have been active since 1970.
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/wishbone-ash-mn0000674873/discography 
I'm going home and dusting this off. I still have the vinyl of course.
Ahhh Ha ha... my older brother used to listen to this band in the 70s. Though, I don't remember it being this mellow.
I've got two copies of the vinyl, really nice to see it's been digitalized nicely, Thanks BILL!
WOw, never heard of them before, but I like.
 tutakea wrote:
ahh - memories :-)
very good album, but "blowin´free" is not a very good choice. the weakest song on the whole LP, imho... 

 
I agree! Warrior is far better. The King Will Come. I burnt out on Blowin Free by '73.
Oh my gosh!

Driving back roads in Southern Illinois in a 1970 Nova with a 8 track playing this tape.

The guitar work on this song and album shows why the 1970s was such a great time for guitar RnR. And this band was only one of dozens. 

"and her hair was golden brown blowing free...like the corn fields" 
One of the best bands I have ever seen in de mid seventies!
Album Argus and There's the Rub, top!!
I remember thinking at the time this came out that the helmet on the cover looked very much like the helmet on (ahem) a John Thomas, and I'm afraid it still looks that way to me some decades later. The body ages, but the mind remains juvenile - that's me, 50 going on 15 :o)
https://wishboneash.com/albums/

 Wishbone Ash - There’s the Rub

28 albums, wow! hardly call that fallin' off the musical map! {#Eh}
 markthecarp wrote:
Fine as frog hair.  Haven't heard this in a coon's age.

 
The Highest Acclaim!!!  I completely agree with this Genius Poet, please play more DJ  (that looks like a "300" Spartan!)
 isparos9 wrote:
Oh yesssss, Wishbone Ash! love them, you should definitely play more Bill!
 
Agreed! A pleasant surprise. "Live Dates" got a lot of spins in my high school years.
Never heard this before.  Good stuff!  Thanks, Bill.{#Bounce}
Oh yesssss, Wishbone Ash! love them, you should definitely play more Bill!
I saw Wishbone Ash open for Steppenwolf, Austin Tx, approx. 1969  (?)  My buddy Rick and I brought comic books to the fair outside the coliseum, thinking we could trade the comic books for 'free' rides.   Ha.. not a chance.  We ended up taking the comic books into the coliseum and giving them to everyone that was around us.  BTW.. Wishbone Ash ROCKED.  Why do I remember all this..