I like Wishbone Ash of the 70's and I own most of their original albums on CD. Such great and innovative band deserves a double CD compilation but this single (75 min. long) CD comp also works quite good. The problem with their releases is that as far as I know none of their classic 70's albums ever exist in digitally remastered version. This CD represents an excellent digitally remastered sound unavailable elsewhere for most of the tracks. Compiled by Andy Powell himself one can get here two important tracks from their first eponymous album including a 12 minutes epic Phoenix, second album Pilgrimage might seem underrepresented, although an instrumental 8+ minutes self-titled composition is here. Their best Argus is treated how it should be - 4 out of 7 original tracks, one of which (Blowin' Free) was re-recorded in 1997 specifically for this release in an acoustic version and unavailable elsewhere. Wishbone 4 and "sunk as a stone" Locked In (1976) are skipped but beautiful Lorelei from 1976's New England is here recorded LIVE in England in 1976. There's The Rub is represented with Persephone and instrumental F.U.B.B. After reading well written and informative liner notes you will also get to know what F.U.B.B. actually means. The last track Living Proof is highly valuable - not only it was a monster hit in Britain, but this is one of the best songs from Just Testing album which is ...a very hard-to-find item. Anyway it is worth buying not only by neophytes but also by more devoted Wishbone fans.

I cannot catagorize this as being the "best" without seeing the likes of "Silver Shoes" and "Hometown" (There's the Rub). "Silver Shoes" has got to be my all-time fave song by these guys, besides "Blowin' Free". "Hometown" is just a good rocker with great hooks. Sorry, but not "best of" in my book.

This is their "best" '70 thru '75 (There's The Rub), although they inexplicably throw in 1 good song ("Living Proof") from a good 1980 album (Just Testing). This album is also good because of the excellent liner notes which chronicle the band's history, up thru 1991. An important slice of 70's Rock history. A good way for new fans to test the waters before buying their early albums (Argus, There's the Rub, Pilgrimage). Nothing from W.Ash IV here, probably due to lack of room. [I wish this were a double album.]

In recreating my high school-college music collection, I frequently have to decide whether to get one or two of my favorite albums or economize with a "best of" collection. In hindsite, I wish I had gone with the full albums I loved, "Wishbone Ash," "Argus," and/or "Pilgrimage." The stuff I'm familiar with on "Best of" is awsome and left me hungering for more. But the songs I assume are from later in their career ("Persephone," "F.U.B.B.", Living Proof" left me cold. And as always, beware the acoustic version of a great hard-rocking song, "Blowin' Free." As my carpenter friend always warns me, save money now, pay more later. The songs I love here, "Phoenix," "Throw Down the Sword," and what I believe is their best song, "The Pilgrim," have created an itch that must be scratched, perhaps with "Live Dates." This collection did remind me how much I loved this band, with its pioneering guitar arrangements and gorgeous vocal harmonies. It just didn't scratch the itch to my satisfaction.

The absolute BEST Classic Rock band that rarely gets played by
local radio. Fortunately satellite radio let me hear them again
after years without, so I bought this CD and love it.
This is just the tip of the iceberg for W A, but a good place to start.
I was fortunate to see Andy Powell and the current line-up live
recently...WOW!
I can't believe they are not more well known,
the musicianship from all four players was outstanding. They
continue to release new material and tour. Seeing them in a
small theater is just a wonderful night of quality rock music.
I enjoyed them more than the Stones, U2 and others. Get some
Wishbone Ash, you will not regret it.