A R T I C L E S
a n d I N T E R V I E W S
Pilgrimage album review - Disc and Music Echo, 25 September 1971
Wishbone Ash’s “Pilgrimage” does much to substantiate the reputation they are building up. They are all good musicians and have a distinct style. Perhaps vocals are their weak point, but even these are more than adequate.
The first two tracks are both wordless, although there are vocals. “Vas Dis” is a jazzy 6/8 with scat singing and compact solos, ending with a short fade out drum solo. “Pilgrim” is in two sections, a peaceful sea-shore atmosphere section, then a livelier 7/4 riff with full vocal harmonies and, again, fine solos.
“Jail Bait”, a pounding R&B thing, has intense twin lead guitars swirling between the speakers. “Alone” is a short jazzy instrumental.
On Side 2 there’s a beautiful slightly Floyd-ish lullaby called “Lullaby”, then “Valediction” in a fake medieval mood, eventually turning into a reggae beat, and the final offering “Where Were You Tomorrow”, a driving rocker with frantic solos, recorded live.
It’s an album with a lot of ingenuity, good music and outstanding playing. Quality - high. Value - Good.