ARGUS

The year is 1972, and Ted Turner, Andy Powell, Martin Turner and Steve Upton do a lot more than just talk about freedom in a piece of music, even though a stellar one at that. With their third studio release "Argus", the Turner brothers, Powell and Upton set the music world - and the fans therein - free, on a tour de force through time and tone. As the listener is cast back to some implied medieval world, we hear of kings, battles, soldiers, and even what sounds like a peasant uprising, all blasting through the double attack guitar lines of Ted Turner and Andy Powell's Flying-V, which could just as easily be the axe or the "audio-metaphorical" (so maybe I made that term up a little) spear tips of some middle age warrior(s).

On "Wishbone Ash" and "Pilgrimage" (released in 1970 and 1971 respectively) we are delivered a band on shaky footing, looking for an absolute direction. Their combination of blues/jazz-rock had earned them a distinctive sound, but the group still lacked an absolutely focused tunnel to travel, and concentrate their energy. "Blind Eye" and "Jailbait" ("Wishbone Ash", "Pilgrimage") are perfect illustrations of the double attack guitar sound of Ash, Lady Whiskey ("Wishbone Ash") shows their roots in blues rock, and the show-stopper Phoenix and the drawn- out Pilgrim ("Wishbone Ash", "Pilgrimage") are tributes to just how progressive the group were in pushing the envelope of rock music. But besides a few well hit marks, Wishbone Ash were still giving off a sometimes scrappy and even slightly empty feeling.

Enter "Argus" in 1972, and the musical world is given possibly the most unappreciated gem ever. This album should be up there with the likes of "Thriller", "Led Zeppelin IV", "OK Computer" and "Dark Side of the Moon" as one of THE top albums of all time, or at least one of the greatest classic rock records ever produced. The line-up in 1972 strikes every nail square on the head with this masterpiece: - Ted Turner: guitar - Andy Powell: guitar - Martin Turner: bass - Steve Upton: drums

Open with "Time Was" and "Sometime World", both perfectly melodic, calm and downbeat starts, dealing with all those sorts of things that bother us: life it's clutter and the risk of letting it pass by, time (or lack thereof), love (and missing those we do), and getting over all this. Cue the tempo change in and we shoot through "Time Was", a song of what seems to be about recovery, getting better, and getting over whatever. "Sometime World" offers us another shift to the upbeat drive, and the bass line of Martin Turner - like climbing up and down a set of stairs far too quickly - will have you too moving in your seat or on your feet. At over nine- and-a-half and six -and-a-half minutes respectively, both are works of epic proportions, but neither are over until the guitars tear through some of the most blistering solos one can hear. Rollercoaster rides, all the way to the fade-out.

There was a time when "Blowing Free" would have received a skip from me, I failed to appreciate it for a long time, and I think the want to get on to "The King Will Come" might have had something to do with it as well. But "Blowing Free" is really a track to get into, a bouncing, joyous and lively display of Wishbone Ash at what could possibly be described as their most comical. But every time I hear "The King Will Come", that riff of perfect rhythm shooting through the edgy opening, I remember why this record is so amazing, containing one of the most memorable guitar licks from any band, ever. This is to me the classic Wishbone Ash track, and introduces us to the album's concept of a medieval world.

While "Leaf and Stream" probably is the weakest track on the record, it gives one of the sweetest melodies found in any of the tracks. So mellow and dreamy, I hesitate to say how many times I have fallen asleep while listening to it. But what follows certainly does not disappoint.

A song for Communist revolutionaries? A black American slave tune from the fields? Whichever or whatever, "Warrior" is an absolute anthem to freedom, fighting against oppression, and rising above challenge. To me this carries the theme of the medieval world, an uprising of peasants. Almost deeply philosophical at times it speaks of knowledge and wisdom, the lyrics flowing out like smooth honey from the racing guitar opening, all the way to the epic finish. Peasants fighting, defiant to the last stand, you can really hear it. At this stage of the review I am now tired, so flag the metaphorical stuff now, about meaning and symbolism. For "Throw Down the Sword" you hardly need it from me, the lyrics are so obvious. Evolving out of a technical exercise Ted Turner had for guitar fingering, the start presents one of the most haunting openings in all of rock music. The rumbling of the snare drum reminiscent of a prisoner heading through the gallows for execution, and how brilliantly this track is executed, with the development and progression of such a simple theme into a truly enjoying section. Follow my instructions carefully now: Listen to this song, with headphones on, in the dark, or with your eyes closed, preferably lying down and relaxing. Concentrate, and enjoy the AWESOME stereo sound of this closing guitar solo from Powell and Turner. A double tracked guitar solo both mixed at the same level, "Throw Down the Sword" finishes with the two lead guitars fighting for control of the melody, in a hectic yet totally beautiful and elegant way.

I'm aware that this is getting a little lengthy now, but there is just so much to say about this album, it really is one of the most enjoyable productions in my entire collection. With five of six tracks featuring at over five minutes, it makes "Argus" a worthwhile record to sit down and listen to, without taking epically huge lengths of time like some Yes or Emerson, Lake & Palmer albums (plenty to mention there).

I am a sucker for anything which has a concept, a theme, or a story; you just have to browse my records to see it. "Argus" ranks among one of the best concept records, on record. You can get lost in it, I'm discovering new bits all the time, little things I haven't noticed before. It's wonderful!! It stuns me that Wishbone Ash, this record in particular fall under Prog-Related. This is as progressive as it gets! Wishbone Ash have transcended any one genre, carving out their very own style of sound from blues-rock origins, at the very least deserving of Art Rock classification.

Possibly one of the most unappreciated prog albums, or just one of the most unappreciated records EVER produced of any genre. This is truly a gem. Hopefully, one day, Wishbone Ash will get the world-wide recognition they deserve for this stellar album. Maybe come the musical revolution.

"...In the fire, the king will come..." The King Will Come - Wishbone Ash (Argus)

Regards,

Chris Holdaway October 2006

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