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24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Early One In Their Great Journey, April 22, 2005
Firstly, I'd like to correct an earlier reviewer who said this album follows "Argus" as their third album. "Pilgrimage" is actually their second album. "Argus" being their third.
Also, unlike what the same reviewer said about "Argus" and the first album being their best, Wishbone Ash continued to progress all the way up 'til 1980 with spectacular songs and guitarwork by Powell/Turner/Turner, and then later Powell/Turner/Wisefield. The reason I say only up until 1980 is because Martin Turner on bass and vocals left after that year, which IMHO, was a deadly blow to the band.
When "Pilgrimage" was recorded, Andy Powell and Ted Turner were about 20 or 21 years old. That is just unbelievable. The song "The Pilgrim" is worth the price of admission alone and is one of the most adventurous compositions to ever be recorded. The remainder of the album is great as well.
If you think rock has progressed in our day and age (2005) from what it was back in 1971, think again. This album comes from a time when musicians actually played rather than relying on some studio technology and amp-modeling technology over-sanitizing and sterilizing all the music that seems to be the norm today.
And wow, you can actually hear the bass with definition on this album, unlike today's wall-of-mush bass that is so common.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A flawless album from an overlooked band, March 16, 2004
By A Customer
I can't believe that this album was rated four stars out of five. Ash were one of the greatest 70s rock bands, with guitarwork that far surpassed Page or Blackmore in its' freshness and inovation. Steve Upton's drumming should also be considered as one of rock's high points, and Martin Turner's "open bass" style of playing was unique and could easily help conjure up the specific prog and folk tinged hard rock atmosphere of Ash's first three albums.
Pilgrimage is the predecessor of the flawless masterpiece that is Argus and stands up to the title accordingly.
The general mood leans towards the progressive and jazz rock stratospheres, while still keeping a bluesy feel to the whole affair.
Guitarist Ted Turner and Andy Powell go into uncharted terrain with The Pilgrim, a surprisingly modern-sounding prog track with a hint of India evindent, and a cleverly chanted vocal part.
The other three instrumentals, Alone, Lullaby and Vas Dis also hold their own, each creating a mistic atmospehere as it rolls by(especially Vas Dis, with its' scat-sung vocals and excellent drum passages).
Jail Bait is a straightforward blues rocker in the vein of the Allman Brothers' BB, with distinct guitar interplay and Martin's searing voice saving the track from becoming yet another boring blues song in the vein of Led Zeppelin.
Valediction is a masterfully crafted guitar ballad in which Mart Turner and Andy Powell's vocals finally come into focus, perhaps for the first time in Ash's career, thus signalling the greatness of Argus. The song concludes with a distinctly reggae riff, which was quite prog back in '71, before the rise of Bob Marley to international stardom.
So there you have it. I believe that my rant will go unnoticed, but if you DO come across this page, heed my desperate plea and buy the album(along with Argus, which is a must-have for Ash and
early 70s rock fans alike).
You won't regret it.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
an original, May 2, 2001
By A Customer
in 1972 I happen to see Wishbone Ash live. At the time I had no idea who they were. The Pilgrim is worth the search to aquire this album. They were able to perform this equally as well Live! Not many groups could boast that.Their style was unique. Great melodies. Wonderful work of guitar virtuoso.
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is Wishbone Ash's 
