And how about something regarding Spirit? Especially the first few albums. Randy California was a highly underrated guitar player.

Very under-rated band Argent, they should have been a lot bigger and more successful than they actually were. Rod Argent as you rightly point out is a fantastic keyboard player, as well as being a lovely guy. As was the late Jim Romford. Hold Your Head Up was one of the first records I ever bought. The Zombies, Rod's previous band, are well worth checking out too. Odessey And Oracle is one of the best albums to come out of the 1960s

Great to have them recognised...my go to album when i was a teenage was "Encore"..the double live album..now a single cd , its never far from my cd player lol..great double sleeve btw..

Ditto Pete! it's great to revisit these old classics.. oftentimes you put my attention to cool albums that I overlooked!

I remember seeing Argent in 1974 at The Rainbow theatre , Finsbury Park , London , they were the first “ proper “ band that I saw as a then teenager ( That’s if you don’t count Caravan) My lasting memory of this was seeing then new Argent guitarist John Grimaldi walk past me and my friends after the show, arm in arm with a bunch “groupies” I remember thinking to myself what a lucky so n so he was ! Lol Unfortunately John Grimaldi has since passed away . Bless him

great show pete, how about ranking the albums of the brilliant brand x

Liar was covered by Three Dog Night. Zombies were more of a British Invasion band, Beatles/Beach Boys. Brilliant songwriting.

Thank you so much for ranking the studio albums of Argent!! I love this band!!🎤🎸🎵🥁

Thanks Pete for reviewing Argent, a band from my home city of St Albans in the UK. John Grimaldi introduced a really jazzy feel to the band and was technically accomished. He died very young of a serious illness. Circus and Counterpoint album covers were painted by him.

I really like the first album. Super underrated in my opinion.

Thanks, Pete. A great review of a band of which I had a couple of LPs back when released but never replaced into my CD library. That is now on the list.

My favorite Argent albums have always been "Circus", "Nexus" and "Counterpoints". Thanx for the video Pete

Muito bom, Pete. Meus álbuns favoritos do Argent são Nexus e Circus. Um abraço!!!

Thanks - got my Spotify open and listening.

See them live several times in the early 70s they were fantastic live, great musicians 👍great memories .

Never bought a studio album, but I do like their Live album. Encore: Live in Concert 1974

Argents live album Encore is one of the best ever

We saw a great triple bill at the ARIE CROWN THEATER/ Chicago . Blue Oyster Cult/ Argent/ Jeff Beck Group , 1972. Tickets were $ 6.50 or so.

Good job! It’s nice to see you ranking the Argent albums. I managed to find a CD version of Counterpoints on Discogs. My favorite is also In Deep, but I would say my second favorite is Ring Of Hands. I think Russ Ballard was a great singer. I would say my two favorite Argent songs are It’s Only Money, Part 1 and I Am The Dance Of Ages.

You are soo gonna enjoy Circus...i love this album to this day !!

I wish I could hit the like button 50 times for this video. Even if I would've ranked "All Together Now" as my #1. I am just happy to see Agent getting some love. . . "I Am The Dance of Ages" one of the most underrated songs of all time. ....it's crazy how many of Argent & Russ Ballard's songs have been remade by so many other artist. (everyone from Rainbow, Pat Benetar, KISS, Ace Frehley(solo) to even the actor Don Johnson)

My favourite Argent album is “Ring of Hands”, and favourite song, “Rejoice” (a song which always reminds me of the Finnish band, Wigwam).

Another great ranking the albums Pete, I always enjoy them. You've mentioned prog band IQ over the years, how about doing one on them?

The Encore live album is what got me to explore their music further. The live versions of "Its Only Money" and "Coming of Khoutek" were absolutely ferocious! Love how Rod got that B3 to growl!

Great picks pete 👍🇨🇦

One of the first gigs I ever went to, Argent at, Leeds Polytechnic, in the 70’s really good live.

Argent encore is my number one

Ahhh great Pete. Yes a few songs are in different styles but all the songs are good to brilliant. Should have been bigger in the States. Argent are one of my favourite bands of all time. Spot on with In Deep, one of my favourite albums of all time, love It's Only Money, Be Glad and Losing Hold - a forgotten prog classic 1. In Deep 2. Counterpoints (little known but excellent) 3. Ring of Hands 4. Circus 5. Nexus 6. All together Now 7. Argent

Now that you did Rod Argent, how about Brian Auger????

Circus pretty tasty grimaldi rips on it . Ballard solo stuff not bad also. Been awhile listening to them. Good info and format thanks sir

The,beast,band

I was so surprised by Argent - Argent that’s my number four and Ring of Hands is my number three. I guess I’m more of a fan of the softer stuff 😂 I have Counterpoints on vinyl and I love it. Counterpoints is definitely a forgotten favorite of mine. This is my list… 1. Circus 2. Counterpoints 3. Ring of Hands 4. Argent 5. Nexus 6. In Deep 7. All Together Now

An awesome band even better live, saw both line-ups during 70's and the reformed line up a few years ago.

you should do a video on your guitars love to see them

Saw them in 1974 touring the Nexus album which has always been my favorite. Great show! Kiss was the opening act too! 1. Nexus 2. In Deep 3. Argent 4. Circus 5. All Together Now 6. Counterpoints 7. Ring of Hands

In Deep still my fave Argent LP... I have Counterpoints & Circus on vinyl here too along with ther Dbl Live LP they did entitled Encore. Went to see them in Cardiff Uni as a 16 year old and bumped into Rod & chatted to him before the gig which was a highlight for me back in the day.

Great stuff. I agree, particularly regarding the first two albums where the band was not so definite about direction; they had all come from pop bands and were launching in an era when Cream, Hendrix, Zeppelin, Humble Pie - the heavier bands were happening. Worth noting that Ballard and Henrit had both been with Adam Faith & the Roulettes - massive in early 60s UK - then Unit 4 + 2 (remember the '65 hit 'Concrete & Clay'?). Worth noting that Rod Argent has penned three of pop-rocks all-time greats: 'She's Not There' (also covered by Santana), 'Time of the Season', and with Zombies bassist/Argent producer Chris White, 'Hold Your Head Up'. Ironically, he didn't sing any; Colin Blunstone did the first two, Russ Ballard the latter. The band's final album with Ballard, 'Nexus', saw increasing Mahavishnu Orchestra/fusion influences creeping in, particularly on the tremendous ' Music from the Spheres'. Apparently it was this shift from 'tunes' to more extended excursions that prompted Ballard's departure. He is a pop writer whose tunes include 'I'm Winning' (Santana), 'So You Win Again' (Hot Chocolate), 'Since You've Been Gone' (Rainbow), 'You Can Do Magic' (America), 'Chained' and 'Liar' (Three Dog Night), 'New York Groove' (Ace Frehley), and as you mentioned, 'God Gave Rock 'n' Roll to You' (KISS). Check out his own hit, 'Voices', which is cool. Argent reunited about a decade ago for some UK dates and recorded 'Live at the High Voltage Festival' (2010) And here is a list from Rod Argent, who says a new Zombies' album is due in 2022. www.spin.com/2021/08/rod-argent-the-zombies-5-albums-i-cant-live-without/

Nice to see Argent getting their turn in the spotlight! Often overlooked - along with Curved Air - two great British bands from the late 1960s/early 1970s. Posted a playlist months back. Perhaps now of greater interest to some. :D Following the demise of Argent, Bob Henrit (drums), Jim Rodford r.i.p.(bass) and John Verity (guitar) formed short lived band Phoenix who released two albums in the 1970s before Verity left to launch his own solo/band career. Henrit and Rodford later played together with The Kinks. John Verity has a discography of over 20 albums with his latest release in 2020. Argent: ‘Hold Your Head Up’ (‘All Together Now’ album 1972) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/oNyWq6xq3qqWlIE.html& ‘God Gave Rock And Roll To You’ (‘In Deep’ album 1973) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/guCGo7x2q8XbYXk.html ‘Gonna Meet My Maker’ (‘Nexus’ album 1974) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/pN95fsaSptTbmmw.html ‘The Feeling’s Inside’ (‘Argent’ album 1970) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/g7Wmf5qrmJ3Pip8.html ‘Man For All Reasons’ (‘Nexus’ album 1974) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/m8uEeK-gstPKp2g.html ‘Infinite Wanderer’ (‘Nexus’ album 1974) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/hq6PlqZz1c_Nj2g.html ‘I Am The Dance Of Ages’ (‘All Together Now’ album 1972) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/obNlqtGfsNLWoYk.html ‘It’s Only Money’ (Part 2) (‘In Deep album’ 1973) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ebOpedV_3dO-qpc.html ‘The Coming Of Kohoutek’ (‘Nexus’ album 1974) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/orGgZt2gyrayk3U.html ‘Schoolgirl’ (‘Argent’ album 1970) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/oNqposKhmODDdac.html ‘Celebration’ (‘Ring Of Hands’ album 1971) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/bN6HgLynmamtiqM.html ‘Thunder And Lightning’ (‘Nexus’ album 1974) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ZtWWo9di2MfDgqs.html ‘Time Of The Season’ (‘Encore - Live In Concert’ album 1974) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/Z7CGjLdm1rDRf6c.html ‘Lothlorien ‘ (‘Ring Of Hands’ album 1971) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fs58lc2Qp527o6c.html ‘Chained’ (‘Ring Of Hands’ album 1971) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/Zt6ZdNSbtty5qKM.html ‘Be My Lover, Be My Friend’ (‘All Together Now’ album 1972) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/rq16lbWCzLCzeWg.html ‘Cast Your Spell Uranus' (‘Ring Of Hands’ album 1971) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/m6hnlMuZybG4aZc.html ’It’s Only Money’ (Part 1) (‘In Deep album’ 1973) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/o5qVmMaHvprRn4k.html ‘Tragedy’ (‘All Together Now’ album 1972) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/nZxzdZqYzJrFqXU.html ‘Candles On The River’ (‘In Deep’ album 1973) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/l9OHgpyEttnGdZc.html ‘Circus’ (‘Circus’ Album 1975) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/l818a7Vkr727f30.html ‘Pleasure’ (‘Ring Of Hands’ album 1971) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/hdV2h7ak3rraZ2w.html ‘Dance In The Smoke’ (‘Argent’ album 1970) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/iNqhZZBkrMXZYKc.html ‘Rejoice’ (‘Ring Of Hands’ album 1971) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/d5N_nrN9q9bDeKc.html ‘Like Honey’ (‘Argent’ album 1970) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/n6d0i5aIkpemop8.html ‘Be Free’ (‘Argent’ album 1970) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/qLJ1oK6rx9upYHk.html ‘Liar’ (‘Argent’ album 1970) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/gNloi9OLleDYiWg.html ‘Lonely Hard Road’ (‘Argent’ album 1970) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/edSmmcioqrPKiXk.html ‘Pure Love’ (‘All Together Now’ album 1972) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/m5aUfLSZ05eYk4U.html ‘Losing Hold’ (‘In Deep’ album 1973) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/g8qlaLOXutmXqWQ.html ‘Highwire’ (‘Circus’ Album 1975) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/brd6l9qjpq2ahXk.html ‘On My Feet Again’ (‘Counterpoints’ 1975) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/a6qBhcuZvsnbm5s.html ‘Clown’ (‘Circus’ Album 1975) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/d7aih7OKy9m0nok.html ‘The Jester’ (‘Circus’ Album 1975) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/oJ-KnriHzNbDdYE.html ‘He’s A Dynamo’ (‘All Together Now’ album 1972) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/oaeBbKWeuN-9lGw.html Phoenix (taster from the excellent first album) ‘Drowning In Tears’ kzfaq.info/get/bejne/n56AeseYr9KpkZc.html ‘A Woman Like You’ kzfaq.info/get/bejne/jc6kmrF31teRnnU.html ‘Easy’ kzfaq.info/get/bejne/hraWariHsMjclGg.html www.spirit-of-metal.com/en/band/Phoenix_(UK)

Russ Ballard was a hit maker and that gave the band a strange taste of being a pop band vs a rock act. Same was already true for the Zombies. I liked them back in the 70s but I do not get back to them very often nowadays. Rod Argent (when he stepped out) was an excellent keyboard player. The few tunes he wrote were more ambitious than Ballard's sing alongs. 7. In Deep 6. Argent 5. Ring of Hands 4. Counterpoints 3. Circus 2. Nexus 1. Hold Your Head Up

I also love The Zombies - ranking please!!

Saw them early 70s when I was at Uni. I've only got a compilation album by them, some of the tracks remind me of early Queen (who would have been their contemporaries.They both have a song called Liar). In 2013 I saw The Zombies ,wasn't a fan (they were on with Wishbone Ash), but I thought they were great. As a bonus they did Hold Your Head Up & God Gave Rock&Roll to You. B)

Got "The Argent Anthology" (1976) on CD. Russ Ballard wrote "Winning" for Santana (1981) & "You Can Do Magic" for the duo America (1982). I think that I have the complete Russ Ballard solo stuff on CD!! Russ does have a brand new album that just came out but I do not have it. Argent was on the very first "Midnight Special" on NBC (with host, the late John Denver) on August 18, 1972 & performed "Hold Your Head Up" which I saw on KZfaq & the song "Tragedy" but that performance is not on KZfaq. That was also the last show that was a rerun in May of 1981 when "SCTV" took over on Friday night!!

Love Argent!

Yeah, In Deep is legendary. Instantly became one of my favourite albums!

Christmas For the Free was redone by the Zombies on 2011 album Breathe Out Breathe In

they have a singles collection which is great out on cd. if you like the longer prog songs by them, then the cd : encore live in concert is a must buy.

There is this Argent song out there that I can't seem to find as I use to hear it back around 1977 on some San Francisco FM radio stations??? I think that it was an Argent song? At the end of the song is a beautiful guitar playing until the end of the song with Rod Argent playing his organ along side the pretty guitar! What song could this be? I haven't heard it since 1977?

I have been into Argent since early on.One of my favorite 70's keyboard rock bands.They had a few really good albums. 1.Nexus 2.In Deep 3.All Together Now 4.Ring of Hands 5.Argent 6.Circus 7.Counterpoints Encore :Live In Concert is excellent. Recorded on the Nexus tour I believe. Pretty much their peak.

Good show again Pete. How's about ranking the albums of Y&T and Tesla? 👍

Thanks. for the top albums by Argent .Btw, I agree with your ratings and it might interest you to know that lengendary Bowie producer Tony Visconti produced Argent after Russ Ballard had left the band Argent were the first “ proper band” that I saw as a very young teenager in 1974 where I saw them play at The Rainbow , Finsbury Park , London . This was on their first tour after Russ Ballard left the band to be replaced by John Verity and John Grimaldi ( RIP) who at the time was considered a guitar protege. The band as I remember were excellent and I always remember seeing John Grimaldi walk past me after the gig outside Finsbury Park Tube station with a bevy of girls on each arm , and I remember the impression of what a lucky guy I thought he was . Lol

Rod Argent is also one of the nicest guys in Rocknroll

I’ll have to go check these guys out. How about album rankings for Warren Zevon, Tom Petty and Bad Company? Also Pete, have you ever listened to the band Ween?

Circus is My # 1 Favourite Album from Argent with the dual guitars from John Grimaldi and John Verity! I Love all the songs on this Album especially Highwire and Trapeze! I still have this Album on 8-Track Tape Cartridge and on CD so I do not wear the 8-Track out! Excellent Album from Beginning to End! 😍

I am a HUGE fan of the Zombies and have always enjoyed the Argent stuff (though nowhere near as much). I only own my top four, but have heard them all quite a bit. So, here we go: 7) Counterpoints 6) In Deep 5) Circus 4) Ring of Hands 3) Nexus (Those first three instrumental songs are some of my favorites) 2) Argent 1) All Together Now Thanks, Pete! Edit: After watching. I think my copy of Nexus has a different cover...

Nice one Pete. Russ Ballard knows how to write a hard rock tune. A band with a few great vocalists.

1 In Deep 2 All Together Now 3 Nexus

I get your ranking but I have Circus Counterpoints,Nexus , the first , All Together Now, Ring Of Hands and In Deep also as my #1, I am not familiar with the others but from what I have heard of them they are not bad I will have to check them out.

Great review Pete - sticking with the "A" category, hpw about Amon Duul?

As it happens they were a very good live band...Saw them many times, and they always delivered... Agree that they would have been massive had they stuck to one genre.. Russ ballard great song writer...Rainbow had the benefit of that. Good assessment Pete

The Counterpoints album has been released on CD by Vivid/Big Pink Sound Labs on 24 Bit....Hallelujah!

nice!

1) In Deep 2) All Together Now 3) Nexus 4) Circus 5) Counterpoints 6) Argent 7) Ring of Hands

No, the Zombies had 2 albums at the time, but have done 4 more since reforming in the 2000s - and a sorta/kinda one with just Bluntstone and Argent. So they've been pretty prolific this century!

Pete, have you done a solo Clapton ranking? Forgive me if you have. P.S. thank you for The Airplane Ranking!🛩

How about the groups Badfinger (including The Iveys "Maybe Tomorrow" 1969 - 1975 & 1979 - 1981) & The Raspberries in the near future Pete???

Major Argent freak here. For me the 1st 5 albums are the best. Dont know if I could rank em.

Could you do a testament ranking please

I've heard all the albums at least once, and owned 1 or 2

I have a copy of Counterpoints signed by the late great John Grimaldi, Left us way to early RIP.

Speaking of, Pete, will you eventually rate Three Dog Night's albums?!

The Zombies have 7 studio albums: Begin Here/The Zombies (1965) Odessey & Oracle (1968) New World (1991) R.I.P. (2000) As Far As I Can See... (2004) Breathe Out, Breathe In (2011) Still Got That Hunger (2015)

Given your evident love of Prog Rock I am surprised you didn't even mention the track "Lothlorien" off Ring Of Hands which is an absolute epic.It has in my humble opinion the single greatest hammond organ solo you are ever going to hear-and I have heard every album by ELP/Triumvirat etc. Crank your stereo up to 10 (11 if possible) and give it another spin.It's loud and dynamic and seems to go on forever- an absolute powerhouse of a track.On the basis of that track alone ROH is very high on my list edged out of top place by the brilliant Nexus album which is easily their most consistent album. My rating from best to worst 1.Nexus 2.Ring Of Hands 3.In Deep 4.All Together Now 5.Circus 6.Counterpoints 7.Argent

I've got them all!

I have never felt comfortable saying Argent and Kiss in the same sentence, though I am sure Russ Ballard did alright out of it. I remember Argent's Keyboard store in London.

I blow hot and cold on Argent, depending on how I feel about keyboards. My go to album tends to be Circus. Very underated in my opinion.

Odyssey and Oracle by The Zombies is a classic album in every sense of the term. I'm not too familiar with Argent. Two Argent members went on to join The Kinks of course. I will have to give them a proper listen now.

How come Russ used to drill holes in his Strat? I love it that two of the rockiest, American-sounding KISS tracks were written by a bloke from Hertfordshire.

Good morning pete hope all is well with you and your family

Funny...right off the bat, their debut is last! Love that debut!!! :-0

Could you please rank reo speedwagon albums

Everybodys known by the singles particularly if huge 'international' hits Pete Check out The Zombies 'Breathe In Breathe Out' album and forget KISS COVERS!

I always thought Circus and Counterpoints were so underrated and their best albums.

I've never owned a Zombies album either but I can recommend you check out their singer Colin Blunstone's solo stuff. Not really a 'rock' singer but an amazing voice with a tremendous upper range.

Pete remember a band called armageddon mid 70s Had members from Steamhammer yardbirds. I believe only one lp heavy guitar riffs . Same as captain beyond to me back in the day.

The Zombies last 2 or 3 albums in the last 6-8 years are VERY good.

Ranking the "studio" albums but like other people allready pointed out below : their double live lp "encore" is amazing....."Beat goes on " put that out on one cd...

In Deep is a great album.

hey Pete, Counterpoints was available on CD at one time, it was of course a UK import only. It was not on their long time label (Epic/Columbia) I had it at one time, I think (I'm not sure) it was on Charisma label possibly. I made a playlist from various sources on KZfaq of the album, and only one track appears to be from vinyl, the others are pristine and obviously from CD. also I thought Percy Jones also played on the album along with Phil Collins on some tracks, but I could be wrong.

Counterpoints is now available as an import cd. ebay is your friend here.

first is my favorite - Ballard and Argent were on the same page. Laters albums with Ballard were schizophrenic - Ballard harder and more boogie and Rod getting more proggy. Circus is second - with Verity in place of Ballard, they were more consistent.

When mentioning Argent, I always think of Atomic Rooster. Wonder why?

None of Argent's albums are more enjoyable than the first seven Russ Ballard solo albums for me. Their two most progressive albums were definitely their best though.

Will check. Russ Ballard was a Midas. I thought God gave rock n roll to u was from "Petra".

Btw for your info..bod henrit owned a drum store in soho , london called Henrits..late 70s/80s..just a bit of useless infor for ya lol..

My list first to worst In Deep All Together Now. Ring Of Hands Nexus. Self Titled Circus Counterpoint

Russ Ballard wrote winning that Santana coverd and back in the new york groove that ace frahley coverd kzfaq.info/get/bejne/n7eBp6-IsNDPink.html kzfaq.info/get/bejne/nsekfrqoqrWZcnk.html

Wait..they have enough albums to even rank?! Who knew...

"the Hensley's"....hmmm

Am I missing some great music here because hold your head up is a little to commercial for me

They sound a bit like the Who