Wishbone Ash – Argus (Vinil 180g, LP dublu)

Wishbone Ash was at the top of rock music in the 1970s, thanks to their inspired musicality, positive vibe and imaginative songs. Their concerts were thrilling and their albums were awesome. “Argus” is still a highlight in the band’s impressive repertoire. The 1972 hard rock masterpiece had an enormous influence on subsequent rock bands. The British quartet’s characteristic harmony guitars became the benchmark for many. Thin Lizzy, Iron Maiden, Opeth and Lynyrd Skynyrd have all acknowledged the influence of Wishbone Ash, and songs such as “The Boys Are Back in Town” by Thin Lizzy, “The Trooper” by Iron Maiden and even “Reeling In The Years” by Steely Dan all have twin guitar moments reminiscent of “Argus”. But Wishbone Ash were never a pure hard rock band: their soaring vocal harmonies and musical grandeur placed them closer to progressive rock. But they weren’t a pure prog band either, as they eschewed keyboards and were never really influenced by classical music. Their roots were in the blues, and their trademark was two harmoniously coordinated lead guitars (played by Ted Turner and Andy Powell in the original line-up). Even their hardest tracks – such as “Blowin’ Free”, the most famous track from “Argus” – had an ethereal touch. They could rock the big stages, but they did so with subtlety and grace.

This is perfectly reflected in the classic album cover by prog-associated designers Hipgnosis: the front features a Greek guardian – the “Argus” from the title – staring into the distance. It’s a mythical image from another world, until you look closer at the back and realise that he is heralding the arrival (or perhaps departure) of a spaceship. Two worlds collide. That’s exactly what the band and the album were all about. “Argus” is not a concept album in the usual sense, but there is definitely an emotional thread running from the dark beginning to the heroic end of the album. At the time, the band insisted that the lyrics were secondary: Shortly after its release, Martin Turner told NME that he wrote them mainly to match the mood of the music: “The music that came out was very English, very medieval, and the lyrics had to reflect that”.

Now Analogue Productions has put all its craftsmanship and technical expertise into paying homage to this epic album! Thanks to Sean Magee’s superb remastering  at Abbey Road Studios, using the original master tapes, the double LP (180 grams, 45 RPM), manufactured by Quality Record Pressings and featuring a luxurious gatefold cover by Stoughton Printing, shines in a whole new light: the quieter, lyrical passages are reproduced with precision, while the majestic riffs and rousing anthems bring out the energy of the music to its fullest! “Argus” is not just another rock album – it is a journey through a soundscape full of depth, emotion, and technical brilliance. It is the album that established Wishbone Ash as masters of twin guitar harmony. Discerning audiophiles will consider Argus an essential addition to their record collection. It is a masterstroke of sound engineering that captures the complex interplay of the two guitars with flawless clarity and a warmth that only analog recordings can provide.

We recommend the use of „L’Art du Son” LP cleaner to wet wash your vinyl. Even new records of high quality production will benefit from this.

Lista pieselor

Side A 
1. Time Was

Side B 
2. Sometime World 
3. Blowin’ Free

Side C
4. The King Will Come 
5. Leaf And Stream

Side D 
6. Warrior
7. Throw Down The Sword