I've run across a re-record of Argus, an unheralded genuine Rock classic by Wishbone Ash that was released in 1972.  The project was completed by one of two Wishbone Ash units that are currently in position.  This version was done by what is known as Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash, (see my review of Argus: Through The Looking Glass by MTWBA).  We won't get into the reasons why there are two versions of the band as the reasons are personal matters between principle core members of the original.  We prefer to celebrate the music they produce.  With that, I'd like to look back in history at one of Rock's great albums, Argus.

Rock's Greatest Classic Albums
Argus - Wishbone Ash

Argus was the third album in what would be a long and varied career.  With members coming and going, those departures and arrivals provided Wishbone Ash with a different sound as they moved from album to album.  But one of their best is, sadly, one that too few know the existence of.

Argus was released in 1972 and immediately became a favorite amongst FM purveyors.  The songs were extended works with the trademark twin lead guitars in full bloom.  Some songs started of slow and folk-like, eventually turning into full-blown rockers that were unique in a multitude of ways.

Of the 8 tracks found on Argus, most (if not all) are considered the best works from this UK band that counts more than 10 albums in their catalogue. 

The Prog/Art musical style of "Throw Down The Sword," "Warrior," "Blowin' Free," and "The King Will Come" are songs that repeatedly show up on "best of" compilations and Live cuts.  In comparison to the other album tracks, "Blowin' Free" was a shortened song that was catchy and absolutely radio-ready.

On their next album (Wishbone Four), the band would attempt a more Album- oriented musical style in order to increase their growing fame.  The rest, as they say, is history, good or bad.

I mention Argus because it truly is a Rock Classic album.  To see it largely unheralded outside of the dedicated Wishbone Ash fanbase underscores a travesty.  The album received a Deluxe Edition treatment with a few bonus tracks a few years back and so it has been completely remastered (several times). 

I recommend a purchase of the album especially if you're a dedicated AOR (Album Oriented Rock) fan.  I fairly certain you'll be completely hooked.  Many bands that are more familiar to you (Thin Lizzy, Allman Bros, etc) have claimed not only the band, but the album as major influences on their work and playing style.

It's time you investigated.  Don't let one of Rock's greatest masterpieces pass you by!

I'd like to invite you to submit your own ideas of Rock Masterpieces including the obvious selections, for future spotlighting. If you feel that you'd like to write up a brief synopsis suitable for publishing explaining your selection, feel free to do so.

One of my favorite NYC bands, Dead Heart Bloom, is releasing a 'song by song' collection of their archival tracks in a digital Summer series called Alt Takes, Live Songs, Unreleased Tracks. The releases will continue until the release of their new album, Strange Waves, which is expected in August of this year.

The set is started with the release of "Must I," an outtake from their In Chains EP sessions. The songs will release every 1-2 weeks until their new album is delivered. Who knows, they might even extend it. It's a very cool idea from a very good band.

Get started here.

And while you're at it, they have their studio albums available for free download. You can also purchase their physical CDs at very reasonable rates. Enjoy Dead Heart Bloom.

I want to alert TAP readers to the fact that I have finally put together a FaceBook fan page that you can access and join by clicking on the badge below.  What this offers is the exact same thing as my Twitter feeds provide and that is first buzz on upcoming releases and free offered downloads, many announcements  that beat our main post, sometimes by days.  We also provide a Google BUZZ page that expands on most of the Twitter/FB feeds. On Buzz, you can even hear the music stream if a stream is offered.  There are still things that I'm working on in the FB page, like calender notes as well as links to great sites like The Second Disc.  I invite you to join us at our FB page and bookmark it.  Visit it daily and you'll be rewarded with much news and info.  Of course, you'll still want to come to the main MusicTAP page for our noisy commentaries.  Remember, with our Twitter feeds, you can elect to receive the news bursts as text on your mobile phone keeping you effortlessly up to date with stuff.  Lots of choices.  Find one, or two, that fits.

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Hip-O Records will issue a 4CD Box for Level 42 called Living It Up slating the set for release on August 3.

Warner Brothers has Nightmare by Avenged Sevenfold on the slate for July 27 in both PA and Edited CD versions.

Sanctuary Records will put A Gigster's Life For Me (1996) by Alan Price (The Animals/Solo) and The Electric Blues Company into the digital realm by releasing the DD version of the title on June 29.

VP Records will release a reggae title by Gappy Ranks called Heaven In Her Eyes on CD planning for August 24.

Island Records will release Prepare the Preparations by alternative band, Ludo, on August 17 in both CD and DD formats.

UMe Imports plans to release Move It (1974), and Saturday Morning Pictures (1972) by Stray on DD, scheduling for June 22. UMe has recently purchased the back catalog of Stray and so we should be seeing the other titles arriving soon.

Sanctuary Records will release the DD version of It's The New Thing! The Step Forward Years by The Fall on June 22.

RCA Records will release What Did You Think Was Going To Happen? by 2AM Club on July 27 (CD),

Wind-Up Records plan the release of Slice by Five For Fighting on July 6.

Daptone Records will release The Budos Band III, the third studio effort by The Budos Band on August 10.

Anti Records plan the release of the latest Mavis Staples (The Staples Singers) album on September 14. The album is called You Are Not Alone.

Butterfly House is expected by The Coral in the UK on July 12.

Alive Records will release the debut solo album of Tyson Vogel (Two Gallants) on CD, DD, and Limited Edition LP. Devotionals is planned for release on July 13. You can get a free download of the album's single, "Chest Like Expansive Wings" at the song link.

Watch for a 4LP Box for early Cocteau Twins albums (Head Over Heals / Sunburst and Snowblind (EP) / Garlands / Treasure). The set is called Box Set 1 and will feature remastering and be pressed on 180g weight audiophile grade vinyl. It's scheduled for June 29.

Nettwerk Records plan the release of Be My Thrill by The Weepies on August 31.

Rounder Records will release new Robert Plant music on September 14. The 12-track album is called Band of Joy.