By Martin Johannessen
The album was recorded at De Lane Lea Studios in London with Derek Lawrence as the producer. Martin Birch was the sound engineer. They spent just under a month on the recordings.
Derek Lawrence had also produced the band's first two albums. Previously, he had produced the first three albums with Deep Purple and the debut single of Jethro Tull.
The band started in 1969 under the name The Empty Vessels but eventually changed their name to Tanglewood before settling on Wishbone Ash. They played many concerts and went on tours, including touring with Deep Purple.
Early in 1970, the band was on tour with Deep Purple, who were one of the world's biggest bands at the time. During a soundcheck where Ritchie Blackmore was alone on stage, Andy Powell plugged in his own guitar and played along with him. This impressed Blackmore enough that he contacted Derek Lawrence, who helped them secure a record deal with Decca/MCA. Their debut album was released in December of the same year.
Twin Guitars
The first two albums were good. But there is no doubt that it was with "Argus" that Wishbone Ash truly set the standard for slick twin-guitar harmonies. Bands like Thin Lizzy and Iron Maiden owe a lot to Wishbone Ash.For Steve Harris, the album is definitely a major inspiration: "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."
But it's not just guitarists Ted Turner and Andy Powell's guitar playing that makes the album a classic. Vocalist and bassist Martin Turner lays down cool bass lines on every track, and it's easy to hear where Steve Harris has drawn inspiration.
"Argus" was the band's third album and the first one to do really well, reaching third place in England and achieving good sales figures. It's still the album that defines the band, over 50 years after its release. Wishbone Ash knew they had something special with this one.
Martin Turner says: "I knew it would be an important album because I’d spent a huge amount of energy and time on it. It was a bit like having a baby. I burst into tears the first time I listened to it."
Following up "Argus" wasn't an easy task.
Moreover, they were a fantastic live band. Even though they didn't sell as well in the USA, they had completed 18 tours in the country by 1974.
Moreover, they were a fantastic live band. Even though they didn't sell as well in the USA, they had completed 18 tours in the country by 1974.
"Argus" was voted the best rock album of the year by the readers of the music magazine Sounds in 1972.
The production, the songs, the harmonies, the guitars; everything is great about this album. But the band had a strange fate. They never managed to follow up on the success despite extensive touring. On "Wishbone Four," released in 1973, the twin guitars are almost gone. It's incomprehensible that they didn't just continue with what worked so well on the previous album. But that's sometimes how it goes in music history.
Regardless; "Argus" holds up very well in my ears. The first two albums aren't too bad either.
Read more: The making of the almighty Argus
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