How often is it that one is in a position where he/she can review music that was heard and enjoyed when young; when one can say all the things that they have always wanted to say, or dreamed that they would say if they were a reviewer at the time. Not very often I dare say, but here I am, able to do just that very thing.
Wishbone Ash was a band that I revered growing up. I heard every track over and over and over again...you know the routine; you've done it yourself with whatever band is your favourite. So why the review when this album is 30 freaking years old? I'll tell you why. First, you have one of the greatest albums ever recorded with every track a gem. Second, the album was remixed and remastered to make it a sonic treasure, even more than it already was. Thirdly, they threw in the impossible to get Live From Memphis: Promotional EP that was "DJ Only" back in 1972. Sum of its parts? The best made better, therefore worthy of the review I want to write to celebrate its release.
The original material, 7 tracks, masterfully created by the band called Wishbone Ash, were classic pieces. Ballads in "Leaf and Stream" and "Time Was", songs that started out in ballad form and ended up a full blown guitar assault in "Sometime World" and "Throw Down The Sword". All of those songs were played by the masters who breathed life into them, like God into Man, and made them the timeless music that they are.
It required the exquisite and haunting guitar playing of Andy Powell, whose Flying V guitar helped create the twin lead sound so freely borrowed by many bands to follow and the accomplished guitar prowess of Ted Turner. Additionally, the bass guitar of Martin Turner who provided the band, largely, with his voice. Martin has incredible vocal range, evidenced by many of his songs, both in earlier and later albums. The band is rounded out magnificently by Steve Upton, whose drum work is nothing short of perfect.
The rockers in "Warrior" and "The King Will Come" are testament to their greatness. The twin lead guitar is absolutely stunning. That's the regular album. Now throw in the Promo EP with classic songs from their first two LPs, one of them the signature song, "Phoenix", a 17 minute aural treat that has to be heard to be believed.
The CD was remixed by Martin Turner, who was doing lots of remixing for the chronicle that became "Distillation", a history of the band over 4 CDs. The music is clean, each piece heard as it was meant to be, clearly a labour of love. If you were fans of music back in the 70s, you will either be thrilled to have a definitive version of Argus in your collection or you will be discovering one of the era's best secrets. A worthy purchase.
Martin, thanks for restoring Argus, an album I listened to every night for several years while drifting off to sleep, an LP shared with friends, a work that is still a touchstone for a friend or two of mine. And to Wishbone Ash for having made my life the richer for being there.
# Time Was
# Sometime World
# Blowin' Free
# The King Will Come
# Leaf and Stream
# Warrior
# Throw Down The Sword
-Bonus Tracks-
# Jail Bait
# The Pilgrim
# Phoenix
Steve Upton:
Drums
Martin Turner:
Bass/Vocals
Andy Powell:
Guitars/Vocals
Ted Turner:
Guitars
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