Customer Reviews

Argus (Dlx)

5 star:		(59)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

In the early to mid 70's guitar rock was blues based and if there were two good guitarists in a band chances are that band sounded like The Allman Brothers or some variation.

Wishbone Ash started in blues based songs but had a penchant for English folk and jazz. By this third album they had a loyal following that appreciated their ability to boogie but to be able to play pretty songs. To Wishbone Ash's credit much of this had to do with their stellar playing which was more based in minor key work than traditional blues. Django Reinhart was more of an influence than say Eric Clapton.

On Argus the boys made their progressive album. Several songs were in the six minute plus range and featured multi sectioned arrangements. In particular Time Was, Sometime World, Throw Down The Sword and Warrior brought a mixture of progressive rock and some complex and engaging harmonized guitar work. Besides this guitarists Andy Powell and Ted Turner had unique qualities that made them easy to identify but were capable of working together in a way that made it hard to figure out who was playing what.

That might seem a guitar geek's kind of compliment but really it had more to do with both guitarists desire to keep their work musicial and within the framework of the song which was not always typical of 70's guitar based music. Not to say there aren't some great solos, there are. They were so compelling that as a young guitar player I spent a great deal of time figuring out what they did because it was so unusual.

A lot of other players must have done the same as the harmonies, phrasing and solo styles in many hard rock bands seem to have adopted this sophisticated style of playing.

Beyond the skill of the guitarists bassist Martin Turner played what can be described as lead bass, often letting the guitar duo hold the rhythm together with drummer Steve Upton (who had a flair for understated jazz oriented playing). The singing is excellent with Martin Turner doing most of the lead vocals along with Powell and Ted Turner on harmonies.

To a minor degree there are moments where the songs may seem dated in spots. This is more to the overplay of many of the ideas heard on this record expoited by bands of lesser quality. Critics were often divided about Wishbone Ash probably because they varied styles on each album. From a historical standpoint this band was making music that influenced other bands but never got the kind of reception their followers had.

Worth checking out if you like classic rock, melodic guitar playing or for historical interest. Almost a five star effort, I wish we could give out half stars. This is album is a solid 4.5

I was eagerly anticipating the reissue of this album. Bassist/vocalist Martin Turner remixed the tracks on this disk a few years ago for their inclusion in two great Wishone Ash compilation sets "Distillation" and "Time Was". This is the first time the new mixes have been remastered and included in the original "Argus" album context. The sound is excellent. Three bonus tracks from the "Live In Memphis" promo ep which was released in 1972 are also included.

Their third album "Argus" from 1972 features the classic line up of Andy Powell on guitars (Gibson Flying V)and vocals, Ted Turner on guitars (Fender Strat)and vocals, Martin Turner on bass and vocals and Steve Upton on drums. This set at the time of release was voted as album of the year by a few British music magazines. The band hailed from Britain and their unique style is spotlighted at its best on this album. The band's influences ranged from progressive rock, folk, jazz, and blues/boogie. Tracks like "Time Was" and "Sometime World" progress from acoustic opening sections to more rocking numbers by their end. "Blowin' Free" is perhaps the band's anthem and the new clarity of the remix allows for further examinations of the bands harmonic guitar approach. Martin Turner's bass much to my approval also seems to be more "up front" in the new remixed version of "Argus". The new remastering enhances the harmony vocal approach which the band often utilized. "The King Will Come" a song about the second coming of God contains a great riff and one of my favorite guitar solos by Ted Turner. "Leaf And Stream" shows the band's more folk/rock approach. The tandem of "Warrior" and "Throw Down The Sword" end the album on a high note and fit in perfectly with one of Storm Thorgerson's classic Hipgnosis album covers. The music and melodies are haunting while the axe work both harmonic and solo is outstanding.

The success of this album landed them the opening slot on the Who's 1972 tour. The "Live In Memphis" ep was recorded during the time and adds three of their better tracks featuring the Powell, Turner, Turner, & Upton line up. "Jail Bait" is a great stomping boogie rocker, while "The Pilgrim" also from their second lp shows the more progressive/jazzy nature of the band and is mostly instrumental. "Phoenix" from their first lp was their closing show stopper and evolves from a more subdued number to an energetic guitar showcase near its end. The bonus tracks are a welcome addition. I highly recommend this reissue. If you enjoy this cd I would also recommend the 4 disk anthology "Distillation" which summarizes the band's career with live material and rarities to that point or "Live Dates". Now if only Universal/MCA would reissue the "Live Dates 2" album on cd.

This album has some of the finest guitar-based rock music ever recorded. The solo work on 'Sometime World' is breathtaking, it still sends a shiver down my back and I've been listening to this album since it was first released in 1972. Other notable highlights are 'The King Will Come' and 'Warrior' which both feature totally original, inventive and exciting playing. The only disappointment is the 'bonus' track ('No easy road') which, as is so often the case, does not fit in with the overall feel of the 7 tracks from the original vinyl.

I was fortunate to see Wishbone Ash in 1972 when they were touring UK universities (I had lunch with them, nice lads!) and the concert they played, featuring numbers from their first three albums, remains the most memorable I've ever been to. Even the 'warm-up' session they did after lunch, where they jammed in front of a couple of dozen curious onlookers, was fantastic.

I cannot recommend this album too highly. It is totally brilliant.

Argus was a Greek mythological character who had a hundred eyes, any one of which would have seen the problems in this namesake. I'm not a fan of art by committee, but the opinion of a collector or two might have corrected the compiler's vision.

I'm very curious why Mark Powell, who did such a fine job compiling and producing other reissues (Camel, Nektar, Man), would allow such a frustrating compilation to grace the Wishbone Ash market. This 2CD set sounds wonderful, thanks to Paschal Byrne, who performed similar duties for the first two of the just-mentioned reissues. It was remastered from the original mix and the original master tapes. Powell's liner notes continue to be excellent. But, unlike in the other reissues, the proofreading is bad--a first sign of something out of focus, something missed.

Proofreading? Who cares? Well, sometimes bad proofreading suggests other problems (cf. Budgie). In this case, random punctuation seems connected to questionable compiling judgments.

The "Argus Deluxe Edition" comprises "Argus," "Live in Memphis" (minus one track, 'Jailbait'), a stereo version of the previously released "BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert" (minus two tracks, 'Jailbait' and 'The Pilgrim'), the B-side of a single ('No Easy Road' from 9/72), and two mono tracks previously released on "Wishbone Ash Live at the BBC" ('Blowin' Free' from the BBC Radio 1 Bob Harris show 5/31/1972 and 'Throw Down the Sword' from the Pete Drummond show 5/10/1972).

The expanded edition of "Argus" was nearly perfect. Remixed by an original and highly important band member (Martin Turner), remastered by a pro (Erick Labson)--all of which supervised by an expert in the reissue business (Andy McKaie) and someone well-versed in Wishbone Ash (Leon Tsilis)--its only flaw was its somewhat hagiographic liner notes by Tsilis.

This deluxe edition, however, makes little sense. The B-side, 'No Easy Road,' for example, was recorded in between "Argus" and "Wishbone Four" and has a lot more in common with the latter. It actually appears on "Wishbone Four" but with a brass section; otherwise, the single and the album version are the same. Why include it on "Argus," especially when a remastered version of "Wishbone Four" is sorely needed? (In my experience, "Wishbone Four" shares the title of Worst Major Label CD Issue with Bruce Springsteen's "Darkness on the Edge of Town.")

And that's perhaps the best news. An incomplete "Live in Memphis"? "BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert" is in stereo, to be sure, but what about the missing tracks?

Powell could have made the "Live in Memphis" addition complete by adding 'Jailbait' to Disc One and either eliminating the unnecessary 'No Easy Road' or putting it on the second disc. Disc One would then have repeated the track listing of McKaie and Tsilis's edition, but so what--why mess with perfection?

Powell could have included the two missing tracks ('Jailbait,' 'The Pilgrim') from the original "BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert" CD on the second disc, ignored the other two BBC tracks, and added 'No Easy Road' at the end of the second disc to indicate the new direction Ash was taking.

Or, for the second disc, Powell could have avoided previously issued material altogether and focused solely on something unissued, such as a live concert.

Instead he decided to cut songs that were originally on "Pilgrimage" ('Jailbait,' 'The Pilgrim') because, I think, of CD time constraints and because he might be using them on a possibly forthcoming deluxe edition of "Pilgrimage." Yet, if so, the second rationale seems strange to me because it ignores context and concert-set-list thinking. I'd rather have a live performance presented "as is" instead of cut and parceled out according to the original studio album sources. I'd rather recognize history and the musicians' decision making than a shoehorned, Procrustean fit.

Collectors will have to ask themselves if an original mix remastering, the B-side 'No Easy Road,' and a stereo version of a truncated "BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert" are worth the price of this new edition. Non-collectors would do best, I think, to stick to the previously released CDs.

I just hope that problematic sales of "Argus Deluxe Edition" aren't in a position to compromise the remastering and reissuing of other Wishbone Ash albums, such as "There's the Rub" and "Pilgrimage" as well as "Wishbone Four"--not to mention "Live Dates Volume Two."

This is, simply put, one of the best albums of all time. My jaw dropped when I first heard Blowin Free on the radio, I was speechless when I first heard the double leads in Sometime World and Time Was after buying it an hour later, and I still get goose bumps when I hear the opening chords of Warrior and the syncopated axework at the beginning of Throw Down the Sword.

Every song on the album is incredible. The melodies and harmonies are infectious and the musicianship is impeccable. Even the vocals (never their strongest suit) sound good. But it's the double leads on Argus that make this the best twin guitar album ever (just my opinion Allman Bros fans). This is Wishbone's best album and it still sounds fresh after 30 (jeez - I can hardly believe it) years. Over those years I've turned a number of friends on to this album and almost all of them have become WA fans.

The remix is great -- probably a little crisper than the original. I'm personally not crazy about throwing in the three "Live From Memphis" songs as I feel it detracts from the feel of the Argus "concept," but if it exposes listeners to more of this band's music then I guess it's a good thing.

Too bad they couldn't have included a big fold-out of the original Argus album cover art in the cd case -- I don't know how many hours I've spent looking at that barely perceptable spaceship in the upper corner.

Enough nostalgia. For those of you that haven't heard this album, please take a listen. For those that have, I highly recommend checking out this remix -- it'll blow you away. Again.

I've got the Argus album on vinyl and the Japanese import on cd and I've got to say that this new remastered and remixed version is better than both. Ya it sounds better than the vinyl. MCA did such a lousey job of mastering the whole Wishbone Ash catalog on cd initially that they should send all of there consumers a rebate check. I've got a great sound system that cost me in the thousands and every time I would pop on a W.A disc it sounded like I put pillows in front of my speakers. So I went through the expensive process of collecting remastered imports. BGO Records did a great job on the first album and Live Dates and the rest I bought on Japanese import. Here's what really ticks me off. This is the 30th anniversary edition so you would think that everything would be true to the initial vinyl release. Instead the boneheads at MCA trimmed off a little of the slow intro to The King Will Come and then air brushed the flying saucer out of the cover art that the Argus warrior was observing from the hilltop. Why censor or tamper with the album? Wat's up wit dat? It's good that they didn't decide to remove the warriors helmet with a sombreo. The original music and cover art are on the Japanese import but because it is the old mix the sound quality isn't as good as the new American release. The old mix had some inherent distortion on the drummers high hat but with Martin Turner's new remix that problem does'nt exist on the anniversary edition.....

I was first turned on to this disk in '72 or '73.It was and is great for all of the reasons you can read on the other reviews on this site. I address the improvements of the remastered version. The album was poorly mastered from the beginning. The vocals, guitar leads sounded like they were coming out the end of a train tunnel, and the bass was nondescipt. and the length of the program material was such that those little grooves were just crammed together. No matter the care you could take in handling and cleaning,the record was good for a limited number of plays, then it was done. When I bought the original cd,it was much improved. Much better definition of Martin Turner's bass effort,but still that nagging hiss in the backround, epecially during the acoustic sections. I just received my copy of the remastered and extended version and was blown away by the improvement.It was like I'd had blankets wrapped around my very considerable speakers ripped away for the first time. Clear vocals; stinging twin guitar leads,a clear and more localized bassline on the sound stage. I was truely excited. But you hardcore Argus fans be aware, there is stuff missing, Like the long fade in on The King Will Come is gone! Its a shortened version, and I'm sick about it. There are more omissions (changes?)that the new Ash fan or a casual listener won't notice and I'm not suggesting that the "old " CD should be the preferred version.just letting long time Argus fans who are critical listeners know that its not exactly the same as the orginal.

Finally; and what a pleasant surprise. 30 years ago I was introduced to this great album while living in England. Heard it in pubs, on university student stereos - was never really aware of the sound quality issues.

A few years later, bought the LP here in the States. Still a great album, obviously, but the sound quality was mung. Muddy, rolled-off treble, boomy bass.....First time I was playing it on good equipment, and - well, it was disappointing.

The original CD release did not, of course, improve the situation at all.

BUT, now, finally, on this Remaster, the sound quality has really been vastly improved. And the 3 bonus tracks (live) at the end are excellent additions - not just filler.

If you've liked or loved or heard great things about this terrific album, invest a few bucks to get this new Remaster. It's MUCH better than any previous release, INCLUDING the vinyl.

Enjoy.

I must say the enthusiasm of the other reviewers is contagious. But that's easy to understand when I (like so many of us) have had years--DECADES--to fully engage and internalize the unique dynamics of this GREAT band. Not that you need decades to warm to the heat of this highly-polished gem of a hard rock.

It's totally unfair to single "Argus" out as the one Wishbone Ash recording to buy, but alas, if one MUST be selected, I fear this has to be it. To me, you absolutely can't go wrong with ANY of their first five records, but I'd also have to say that the full spectrum of WA's talent came to full fruition with "Argus," (the band's third release) AND this was as close as they ever came to a prog-rock concept album. To this propeller-head, that makes "Argus" uniquely distinctive AND especially worthy of comment and praise.

Another reviewer nailed it when he identified the lyrical themes of the album as "war & rememberance." Although their lyrics were never (for me anyway) the group's strongest attribute, I do admire their willingness to attempt such ponderous subjects and pull them off without sounding dumb. Naturally it helps to have the incredible Martin Turner singing for you, surely one of the greatest unheralded voices in British rock. And, let me be quick to add, his bass playing is equally underappreciated--Martin's nimble skill stands alongside or surpasses more widely celebrated (and stylistically similar) peers like Paul McCartney, Chris Squire, or John Entwistle.

To me, these guys were the complete package--they could write GREAT songs, EVERY member was an outrageously talented musician, and they fearlessly took their show "on the road" practically every year, playing the shabby halls of the USA Midwest in the '70's with great panache. In fact, they got busted here in my own home town back in 1973 for smoking pot in one of our bars after they finished their show. Hard to believe they didn't "catch a buzz" from the smoky arena they'd just played, where the very next week veterans with bolo ties would be swapping agates...

Guitarist Andy Powell keeps the band going today, and their recent releases are totally consistent with the harmonic twin-guitar sound they pioneered in the '70's. The new musicians (I hate to call them sidemen) are more than competent and so for me, as long as Andy's willing to keep pumping it out, I'll keep listening. But I know they'll never write another song to equal the spellbinding drama of "The Pilgrim" (from album #2, "Pilgrimage"). Listen to that neck-breaking, propulsive drumming of the never-got-his-due Steve Upton; a veritable rock & roll Buddy Rich, as far as I'm concerned. And we can hardly ignore those string-melting, brain-scorching flying V solos by Andy (and Stratocaster partner Ted Turner). Nor will we ever get riveting ballads like "Persephone" (from "There's the Rub," WA #5) or "Sorrel" (from Wishbone #4), impressive not only for their soaring Martin Turner vocals (and band harmonizing on "Sorrel") but equally meritorious for the precise and IN-TENSE bass/guitar/drum interplay between the entire quartet.

But back to "Argus." This is the work of a young band fully taking flight with a unified piece of great ambition. For those of us who were there, this was an EXCITING time to be a music fan; so many teenagers (like me) who grew up under the spell of the Beatles & Stones were now hearing the next generation of bands emerging with their own take on what the basic "rock" template was capable of. Wishbone Ash was just one of an explosion of great bands that jockeyed for some sunlight back then, and I'm glad to be able to try to carry a little forward on their behalf for the benefit of receptive ears today. Step up to some brawny, high octane British Rock with smarts and try "Argus."

Argus is Wishbone Ashes masterpiece. They never bettered it. The best example I know of for crystal clear twin-lead (Gibson ans Fender) guitars-way ahead of it's time. Their vocals also never sounded better. One of life's mysteries is why The Ash never continued in this direction? They followed up with 'Wishbone Four', which is great, but pales next to this gem. Every home should have a copy. Over the years I have had 3 LPs, 2 tapes, 2 eight-track tapes (wore them all out. I had the older master of the cd, now I have this remixed cd and it is absolutely stunnig in clarity----Bravo! Buy it, you need it--pioneering English rock from the early seventies.