Tag: argent

Now, I’m not usually tempted by “best of’s” because I much prefer to buy the full album to see how the songs sit within the album per the vision of the artist. However, even though Argent were perceived as a Prog band, they released killer singles that were very commercial and had chart success.

The radio edit of Take Hold Your Head Up was devoid of the huge Rod Argent Hammond solo, making it a great radio tune and I vividly remember being shocked hearing this version some years later with the added solo. Every one is familiar with God Gave Rock N’ Roll To You as made famous by Kiss, but I have always loved this version and it made a huge impression on me as a kid. Thunder And Lightning is almost an R’n’B tune, especially with the main groove, and I love the melody on the main chorus. My favourite Argent tune is Its Only Money. Superb opening, it’s very dramatic and builds into a killer song. It also has a great groove with a driving bass that changes gears into a something that early Deep Purple would be proud of.

I highly recommend this collection and if you’re any way curious about the band as it’s a good place to start.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

One of the great forgotten British rock bands from the seventies, and they are the writers of some great tunes that have been covered by many. This live album was recorded back in ’74 in St. Albans and Swansea – the rock and roll capitals of the UK. The main protagonists in Argent are ex-Zombies keyboard whizz, Rod Argent, and songwriter to the world, Russ Ballard.

The first time I heard of them was the single Hold Your Head Up whilst I was at school, and there is a great extended version here. I’m sure everyone will have heard of God Gave Rock And Roll, which Argent did release as a follow up single, but more famously released by Kiss. Also on here are two Zombies hits, I Don’t Believe In Miracles, and Time of The Season. I mean you know whose band it is when the band opens with The Coming If Kohoutek, which is basically a keyboard solo.

My favourites are Its Only Money Parts One & Two – they rock with a great riff and melody and is greatly extended. There are lots of extended musical workouts here as that’s what the band were all about Live, namely the aforementioned It’s Only Money, Music From The Spheres and Dance Of Ages. So all in all, a great live album that often gets overlooked.

9/10 from The Grooveman.