Argent - Encore - Live In Concert (1974)

 
 
 Heavy Progressive Rock:
 Eighteen months after keyboard virtuoso Rod ARGENT left the famous sixties band The ZOMBIES, their single "Time Of The Season" from their last album "Odyssey & Oracle" topped the US charts and sold one million copies! There was a hugh demand to re-group The ZOMBIES but Rod ARGENT preferred to form his own band to make more progressive music. He recruted bass player John Rodford, drummer Bob Henritt and guitarist Russ Ballard and called the quartet ARGENT.
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"Encore" is a live album recorded at the peak of the band's creative and commercial being. Originally a budget priced double LP, it is now available as a single CD.

The songs, which are taken from the band's albums up to "Nexus", are all enhanced by the live performance, many being considerably longer. "Hold your head up" gains a wonderful synthesiser solo, which incorporates the Welsh anthem, "We'll keep a welcome in the hills". "I am the dance of ages" is even more powerful than the studio version on the "All together now" album, and the Zombies "Time of the season" makes for a great encore.

Inevitably, the focus is on the band's upbeat songs, but Russ Ballard's wonderful ballad "I don't believe in miracles"(written for Colin Blunstone who had been in the Zombies with Rod Argent)is also present.

The audience, many of who would have attended as a result of the enormous hit single "God gave rock and roll to you" play their part in creating a fine atmosphere throughout the performance, and there is little sign of subsequent overdubbing.

This could well be Argent's best album. (Review by Easy Livin from progarchives.com

Live, released in 1974

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. The Coming Of Kohoutek
2. It's Only Money (Part 1)
3. It's Only Money (Part 2)
4. God Gave Rock And Roll To You
5. Thunder And Lightning
6. Music From The Spheres
7. I Don't Believe In Miracles
8. I Am The Dance Of Ages
9. Keep On Rollin'
10. Hold Your Head Up
11. Time Of The Season

Personnel:

    Rod Argent - keyboards, vocals
    Russ Ballard - guitar, vocals
    Jim Rodford - bass
    Robert Henrit - drums

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