Argus (album)


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

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. 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 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.
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

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."

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 Wishbone Ash’s Argus album.”

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.

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"
  10. "Phoenix"
;Disc Two
  1. "Time Was"
  2. "Blowin' Free"
  3. "Warrior"
  4. "Throw Down the Sword"
  5. "King Will Come"
  6. "Phoenix"
  7. "Blowin' Free"
  8. "Throw Down The Sword"

    Personnel

;Wishbone Ash
;Additional personnel