‘Ring Of Hands’ is Argent’s second album. Released in late 1970 in the UK and Europe, it would eventually be released in North America in February 1971.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Argent
ALBUM: Ring Of Hands
LABEL: Epic
SERIAL: 64190, E 30128
YEAR: 1970
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: England
LINEUP: Rod Argent – vocals, organ, piano, production * Russ Ballard – vocals, guitars, piano * Jim Rodford – vocals, bass, guitars * Bob Henrit – drums, percussion
TRACK LISTING: 01 Celebration * 02 Sweet Mary * 03 Cast Your Spell Uranus * 04 Lothlorien * 05 Chained * 06 Rejoice * 07 Pleasure * 08 Sleep Won’t Help Me * 09 Where Are We Going Wrong
WEBLINKS: Wikipedia Page
Argent Background
‘Ring Of Hands’ is Argent’s second album. Released in late 1970 in the UK and Europe, it would eventually be released in North America in February 1971.
There was a shift also to Epic Records away from CBS. Not that this disrupted the band, ‘Rings Of Hands’ finished recording a year after the debut. No big deal then.
Like the debut, Rod Argent and producer Chris White co-write six of the nine tracks. Russ Ballard does three.
The Songs
‘Celebration’ is a warm and breezy lead off, and relatively short at a touch under 3 minutes. The vocal harmonies are superb.
‘Sweet Mary’ is the first time we hear Argent doing out and out blues. This is straight out of the Mississippi delta!
‘Cast Your Spell Uranus’ is one of three Russ Ballard written tunes. It’s an album highlight I reckon. Rod pulls out the stops on piano and organ. Is there a bit of double entrendre going on here? Lol.
The organ dominates ‘Lothlorien’ like a boss. It’s here that Argent really get their prog chops going. This is good too.
‘Chained’ is a mid-packed tune that is quite mild when compared to the first four tracks. Guitar lines are scratched out, electric piano is prevalent while the drum work is unpretentious. It’s the second Ballard written track.
Cathedral organs provide the entrance to ‘Rejoice’. The track itself dips into 60’s pop with maybe a hint of The Beatles compositional style.
‘Pleasure’ is the odd track out. If this was released in 1980 it could’ve found a home with a quirky pomp/AOR band. It features another monster organ solo. So 1980? Maybe not.
‘Sleep Won’t Help Me’ takes Argent into jazz rock territory. Though not as far as an ensemble like Colosseum for instance. It’s kinda weird sounding. They briefly explored this style on the debut (refer ‘Bring You Joy’).
‘Where Are We Going Wrong’ is less prog but more 70’s rock with a definite folk/country rock vibe going on. You might like this if bands like Jojo Gunne or early Firefall tickle your fancy. Strange but true.
In Summary
Reading articles elsewhere, it’s clear that there is a divide among the listeners. For those that do like it, their appreciation factor seems to be lukewarm. Admittedly that’s how I see it too.
Theres only a few tracks that tickle my bell. ‘Cast Your Spell Uranus’, ‘Lothlorien’ and the closer ‘Where Are We Going Wrong’.
The first two are obvious, the third purely due to the folk rock/country rock going on. This would be more apparent to GDM readers familiar with those two sub-genres. Less so diehard prog heads who would have no clue.
‘Ring Of Hands’ shows Argent as a band in transition. Their best prog moments are just down the road as history will show.
Argent on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
