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Argus is the third album by the British rock band Wishbone Ash, released in 28 April 1972.[1][2][3] It is their most commercially and critically successful album.[4] It peaked at No. 3 in the UK Albums Chart.[5]

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Argus
Studio album by Wishbone Ash
Released	28 April 1972[1][2]
Recorded	January — March 1972
Studio	De Lane Lea, London, England
Genre	Progressive rock, folk rock, hard rock
Length	44:43: 76:55 (2002 reissue)
Label	Decca/MCA
Producer	Derek Lawrence
Wishbone Ash chronology
Pilgrimage (1971) Argus (1972) Live from Memphis (1972)

Recording

Although not intended as a concept album, the album is medieval-themed to a degree, particularly on the second side. The album features a blend of progressive rock, folk, and hard rock, and is considered a landmark album in the progression of twin-lead guitar harmonisation,[4] 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.[6] The bulk of the lyrics were provided by bassist/lead vocalist Martin Turner, although all members are credited with the music and arrangements. The album was produced by Derek Lawrence.[7]

Release

Argus was released on vinyl record in 28 April 1972. [3][8][9] 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 2-CD deluxe edition of Argus was released in Europe by Island Records. 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, Argus "Then Again" Live.

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[4]
SputnikMusic	[10]

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."[4]

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."[11]

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.[4]

All lead vocals were performed by Martin Turner with Andy Powell (&), unless otherwise noted.

Side one

No.	Title	Lead vocals	Length
1.	"Time Was"	T. Turner, M. Turner	9:42
2.	"Sometime World"		6:55
3.	"Blowin' Free"	&, T. Turner	5:17

Side two

No.	Title	Lead vocals	Length
1.	"The King Will Come"		7:06
2.	"Leaf and Stream"	M. Turner	3:55
3.	"Warrior"		5:53
4.	"Throw Down the Sword"		5:55

[4]

Note: track timings on the gatefold sleeve of early editions are incorrect. For example, "Time Was" is listed as 9:00 and not the correct 9:42.

First reissue bonus tracks

Music by Wishbone Ash;
Lyrics by Martin Turner.

1. "No Easy Road" – 3:36[4]

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
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)[12]	49
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[13]	21
UK Albums (OCC)[14]	3
US Billboard 200[15]	169

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[16]	Gold	100,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

На других языках

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- [en] Argus (album)

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[es] Argus (álbum)

Argus es el tercer álbum de estudio de la banda británica de rock: Wishbone Ash. Lanzado inicialmente en abril y algunas re-ediciones en mayo de 1972. Es su trabajo más conocido y también el más aclamado por las críticas y el público que es seguidor del seguimiento de culto.

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[ru] Argus (альбом)

Argus — третий студийный альбом британской рок-группы Wishbone Ash, вышедший в 1972 году.

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