|
From the Vault...
08/19/2001
#747 |
|
info
Argent
"In Deep"
© Collectables Records
Year of Release: 1973
Rating:
|
track listing
God Gave Rock And Roll To You
It's Only Money (Part 1)
It's Only Money (Part 2)
Losing Hold
Be Glad
Christmas For The Free
Candles On The River
Rosie
Hold Your Head Up (Bonus Track)
|
WSVNRadio Archives
Argent related sites:
|
|
Argent "In Deep"
Rod Argent may not be a household name to some, but for those who know
music, they will identify him as one of the members of the 1960s group, The
Zombies. Also, when he left to form his own group in the 1970s, he would be
famous for a huge hit in 1972, called "Hold Your Head Up". Being a fellow
keyboardist as Argent, a "best-of" compilation just isn't enough.
Collectables Records re-issued some of the
early original releases by Argent, and it's always interesting to hear other
songs Argent recorded. Many think that Argent was a one-hit wonder with
"Hold Your Head Up." Not true; they released 8 albums in their career.
1973's In Deep (their fourth release, and followup to All Together
Now, (which originally featured "Hold Your Head Up.")
In Deep features "Hold Your Head Up" as a bonus track on the
re-issued CD. So for those who weren't really familar with Argent's music as
a whole, they'll easily remember the last track on this re-issued release,
just as soon as they hear the ummistakable keyboard intro from Rod Argent.
"God Gave Rock And Roll To You" sounds spiritual, with its rock
sound, and the use of an instrument used in most sprititual songs, the organ.
Yet in the middle, it changes to a more slow tempo, most heard in Progressive
Rock acts, such as Emerson, Lake & Palmer, the early years (Peter Gabriel)
of Genesis, and Uriah Heep.
"It's Only Money (Part 1)" is definitely 1970s (hard) rock, compared
to the likes of Kansas and Boston. "It's Only Money (Part 2)" is also
rock, yet it has a somewhat funky beat.
Progressive Rock best defines "Losing Hold," as in Uriah Heep's
"Circle Of Hands" from Demons and
Dragons. "Be Glad" features some off-classical piano at the
beginning of the song, (and it also could be compared to the opening piano
intro to Joe Cocker's "The Letter"), then it kicks into a 1970s
Progressive Rock sound. However, the piano solo towards the end of this song
is more of a classical touch, as it reminds me of Yes' Rick Wakeman, from his
many classic solo releases. Likewise, the organ solo definitely has the
Emerson, Lake & Palmer effect. Yet, the piano solos stands out on this one.
This song surely showcases how much talent Rod Argent has with the keyboards.
"Christmas For The Free" is a soft piano-based ballad, with nice
vocals by Rod Argent. "Candles On The River" is another Progressive
Rocker (Kansas, Uriah Heep), and very impressive. "Rosie" is nostalgic,
having a ragtime piano and boogie-woogie rock style, compared to that of Savoy
Brown.
Progressive Rock fans familar with the likes of Kansas and Uriah Heep
will enjoy Argent's In Deep. The two impressive songs on this album
are "Be Glad" and "Candles On The River." After hearing this
album, some may want to hear more of Argent, and likewise the music of Rick
Wakeman, another impressive Progressive Rock/Classical keyboardist.
There's more to "Hold Your Head Up." Argent had much more music
than being a one-hit wonder. Argent may not be a regular act on most radio
playlists, but somewhere on many FM-Rock stations, I'm sure their music is
being heard by fellow Argent fans, and newly discovered Progressive Rock fans
as well.
© WSVNRadio.net. All rights reserved.
Review or any portion may not be reproduced
without written permission. Cover art is the
intellectual property of
Collectables Records
and is used for reference purposes only.
|
|