Argus (album)

Argus is the third album by the British rock band Wishbone Ash. It is their most commercially and critically successful album.[1] It peaked at No. 3 in the UK Albums Chart.[2]

Argus
Studio album by
Wishbone Ash
Released28 April 1972
RecordedJanuary 1972
StudioDe Lane Lea Studios, London, England
GenreHard rock, folk rock, progressive rock
Length44:48
LabelDecca/MCA
ProducerDerek Lawrence
Wishbone Ash chronology
Pilgrimage
(1971)		 Argus
(1972)		 Live from Memphis
(1972)

Recording

The album is medieval-themed, featuring a blend of progressive rock, folk, and hard rock, and is considered a landmark album in the progression of twin-lead guitar harmonisation later adopted by bands such as Thin Lizzy and Iron Maiden. The sound engineer on Argus was Martin Birch, who also worked with Deep Purple, later with Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden and other hard rock bands.[3] The bulk of the lyrics were provided by bassist/lead vocalist Martin Turner, although all members are credited with the music and arrangements.

Release

Argus was released on vinyl record in 1972. It was later released on CD in 2002, featuring a remix (by Martin Turner) of the original album as well as the three live tracks from the EP Live from Memphis promotional EP, recorded in the studios of WMC-FM.

In 2007, a deluxe edition of Argus was released. This included the 1972 mix as well as additional BBC Session tracks. The deluxe edition is one of the fastest-selling ever in the Universal de-luxe release programme.

In 2008, Martin Turner released a new studio recording of Argus entitled Argus Through the Looking Glass. Wishbone Ash released a live version of the album entitled Argus "Then Again" Live.

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[4]
SputnikMusic [5]

Argus was named "Album of the Year" in the 1972 year-end issue of Sounds.

William Ruhlmann of AllMusic gave the album a rating of 4 out of 5 stars, praising the instrumentation and writing that "it set up the commercial breakthrough enjoyed by the band's next album, Wishbone Four, but over the years it came to be seen as the quintessential Wishbone Ash recording, the one that best realized the group's complex vision."[6]

Influence

In an interview with Guitar World in 2011, Steve Harris from Iron Maiden said “I think if anyone wants to understand Maiden’s early thing, in particular the harmony guitars, all they have to do is listen to [British rock band] Wishbone Ash’s Argus album.”[7]

Track listing

Music by Wishbone Ash, lyrics by Martin Turner, except "Time Was" by Ted Turner and Martin Turner, and "Leaf and Stream" by Steve Upton.

Side one
No.TitleLead vocalsLength
1."Time Was"T. Turner, M. Turner9:42
2."Sometime World"M. Turner, A. Powell6:55
3."Blowin' Free"M. Turner, A. Powell, T. Turner5:18
Side two
No.TitleLead vocalsLength
1."The King Will Come"M. Turner, A. Powell7:06
2."Leaf and Stream"M. Turner3:55
3."Warrior"M. Turner, A. Powell5:53
4."Throw Down the Sword"M. Turner, A. Powell5:55

First reissue bonus tracks

Music by Wishbone Ash;
Lyrics by Martin Turner.

  1. "No Easy Road" – 3:36

Live From Memphis EP bonus tracks

All songs composed by Wishbone Ash.

  1. "Jail Bait" – 4:57
  2. "The Pilgrim" – 10:10
  3. "Phoenix" – 17:05

2007 deluxe edition
Disc One
  1. "Time Was"
  2. "Sometime World"
  3. "Blowin' Free"
  4. "The King Will Come"
  5. "Leaf and Stream"
  6. "Warrior"
  7. "Throw Down the Sword"
  8. "No Easy Road"
  9. "The Pilgrim" (live in Memphis 1972)
  10. "Phoenix" (live in Memphis 1972)
Disc Two
  1. "Time Was" (BBC in concert session 1972)
  2. "Blowin' Free" (BBC in concert session 1972)
  3. "Warrior" (BBC in concert session 1972)
  4. "Throw Down the Sword" (BBC in concert session 1972)
  5. "King Will Come" (BBC in concert session 1972)
  6. "Phoenix" (BBC in concert session 1972)
  7. "Blowin' Free" (BBC session 1972)
  8. "Throw Down The Sword" (BBC session 1972)

Personnel

Charts
Chart (1972) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[8] 49
United Kingdom (Official Charts Company) 3
United States (Billboard 200) 169

References
  1. Ruhlmann, William (8 May 1972). "Argus – Wishbone Ash : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  2. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 607. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  3. "Wishbone Ash – Argus (Vinyl, LP, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 8 November 2012.
  4. Argus at AllMusic
  5. "Wishbone Ash - Argus (album review ) - Sputnikmusic". Sputnikmusic.com. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  6. Ruhlmann, William. "Argus - Wishbone Ash". AllMusic. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  7. Bienstock, Richard. "Iron Maiden: Maiden Voyage". Guitar World. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  8. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 342. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
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