Original Album Classics

Argent a must in anyone’s collection, the combination of rod argent of the zombies and russ Ballard great musicians

This is a wonderful Argent 5-LP collection primarily because Argent reissues (not counting an issue of All Together released apart from this package) don't include bonus tracks so I don't need the missing liner notes that (I presume) come with the single disc remastered reissues. No matter how well I cared for the original Argent albums those soft keyboard and sparse vocal passages were starting to sound a bit rough on my vinyl and I loved the opportunity of replacing them at a great price.For the completist one can get the version of All Together Now with 3 additional single versions (one of which is on the Argent singles collection) independently in conjunction with this set.Each disc is contained in a cardboard sleeve 'replica' of the original album cover. I say 'replica' in quotes because the catalog number is new and the beautiful gatefold sleeves of the albums are not included so some artwork and interior copy is lost. I presume these interiors are available on the single disc CD reissues . . . ? Then the sleeves are inside one larger heavy-duty cardboard box with the tracks of all 5 CDs listed on the back.If you aren't familiar with Argent, the first album especially sounds like The Zombies, and smokes in my opinion. A masterpiece of tasteful melancholy soft rock including Liar, which Three Dog Night would cover. The second gets a little more free formish and the band gradually moves more towards prog - though it can't decide whether to get more jazzy or heavy at times. Heavier choices would be their hit Hold Your Head Up and the song Kiss would make famous, God Gave Rock 'n' Roll To You. A highly recommended set.

This box contains 5 albums from the amazing band Argent. If you are looking to discover some decent music from the early seventies, this collection is for you. Decent sound on the cds, no brickwalling.

A little high priced but hard to find. Great band from the late sixties and early seventies!

Yes, I am one of those that has these albums on vinyl but it's rather hard to listen to them in a Ford Ranger. So I saw this set and love a bargain. And what a great set it is! It has been years since I've listened to the vinyls so I've forgotten how good this band was.A combination of Rod Argent's classical keyboards and rocking guitars from Russ Ballard with one of the most neglected bassists ( Jim Rodford) and a superb drummer ( Robert Henrit).And the vocal harmonies!! Wow!! Sounds very much like a lot of thought went behind these tunes rather than just bashing out whatever comes to mind. Sort of like they made music that did not insult my intelligence, but enhanced my appreciation of great musicianship ( OMG, where did line come from?!?) In other words, I love this 5 CD set ( at such a great price) and if you're sick of a lot of the junk that comes out today,then take a trip to over 40 years back and refresh your ears to REAL music. Stuff that won't qualify Argent to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame because it's too good and it makes sense.( Which also means we'll never see YES in there, either!!)

All of Argent's first 5 studio releases on Epic are here, with mini-LP sleeves. There's no new recording info, and this is not a enhanced remastering, but the sound is decent and it's all here for you to enjoy. They had the formula down on the first album - mid-tempo rock guitar, bluesy piano, with flourishes of classical-inspired organ, two great lead vocalists and excellent songwriting. As the albums progressed, Rod Argent's prog and jazz-fusion leanings grew further away from Russ Ballard's mainstream rock approach. Too bad - they were great together. Each album has its moments, and you are shorting yourself if you go the Greatest hits or Anthology route. Album tracks, such as "Lothlorien" and "Candles on the River" are the equal of any band of the era (they were a great live band, too). A new 24-bit remastering would be awesome, but until then, get this!

A great little box that gathers the band’s first five albums, this could only be improved if they threw in the live album and a collection of outtakes.Speaking of bands without a comprehensive box set, Argent would benefit from one. This set will have to do in the meantime.Strangely enough the cover features a photo of the five piece which doesn’t appear on any of these albums; John Verity and the late John Grimaldi appeared on the band’s last two studio albums Not included here. This photo is from around the time of their concept album “Circus”.The mastering is quite good here and the sources all appear to be low generations tapes nicely transfer but sadly without any bonus tracks.Altogether this is a nice set.