Argent-Encore: Live In Concert (1974)

Argent's sixth album, the double live album "Encore", was recorded on the tour following the album "Nexus" and officially released in late 1974 by Epic Records. The band, led by the ingenious Rod Argent (keyboards and vocals) and Russ Ballard (guitar and vocals), featured a repertoire drawn from various concerts across the UK during the first months of 1974. The band's lineup was completed by drummer Robert Henrit and bassist Jim Rodford. This double album showcases Rod Argent's symphonic and progressive tendencies, which contrast sharply with Ballard's more accessible and commercial style. This double album reveals Rod Argent's symphonic and progressive approach, a clear contrast to Ballard's more accessible and commercial side. Composed of lengthy instrumental passages like the opening “The Coming Of Kohoutek”, or the progressive “God Gave Rock and Roll to You” and “Music From The Spheres”, all featuring Rod Argent’s keyboards and organ as the main protagonists, the album also showcases Ballard’s more accessible side, as demonstrated in the hard rock tracks “It’s Only Money (Parts 1 and 2)” and “Thunder and Lightning”. The remaining tracks maintain an exceptionally high standard, as evidenced by the bluesy, progressive-tinged “I Am The Dance Of Ages”, the carefree rock and roll “Keep On Rollin’ ”, with its irresistible, fast-paced boogie-rock style, and its two great classics, the immeasurable “Hold Your Head Up” and the infectious “Time Of The Seasons”. All of this underscores the inexhaustible talent of two of the greatest geniuses British music has ever produced, both creatively and instrumentally.