Search - Alan Parsons Project :: Definitive Collection

Some Great Songs

Paulo Buchsbaum | Rio, Brazil | 04/04/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I confess that part of me is a kind of FM-guy. And this part is not so much connected to the Alan Parsons "concept albuns". So I think that some Alan Parson's songs for me is just boring, even I recognize that are creative and experimental, but I don't get it!



Besides, some songs are pop but not catchy, in my opinion.



But finally some songs I consider great tunes, with creative arrangements and inspired vocals. In that CD I highlight the following songs with the lead vocal between parentesis:



Eye in the Sky (Eric Woolfson), Old and Wise (Colin Blunstone from "Zombies"), Prime Time (Eric Woolfson), Let's Talk About Me (David Paton from "Pilot"), Days are Number (Chris Rainbow), The Turn of A Friendly Card (Chris Rainbow), Snake Eyes (Chris Rainbow), Games People Play (Lenny Zakatek), Time (Eric Woolfson), Cant't Take With You (Dean Ford from "Marmalade")



Other songs that I like and are out this compilation includes the

instrumental "The Gold Bug" and "Nothing Left To Lose" (Eric Woolfson)

from the best Alan Parsons's CD in my opinion ("The Turn of a Friendly Card")



"

(4.5 stars) A QUITE SUITABLE COLLECTION OF INTRIGUING MUSIC

09/09/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In the summer of 1974 at Abbey Road Studios, musician/recording engineer Alan Parsons (Abbey Road, Dark Side Of The Moon) met his "partner in crime", lyricist Eric Woolfson, and sometime after that they decided to collaborate on an album. Using hand-picked musicians and various guest vocalists, they intended to keep the main focus of the album on a single concept and the producer's vision instead of the personality and theme of the band. The Alan Parsons Project's first album, Tales of Mystery and Imagination (1976), was based on the writings of Edgar Allan Poe. In the next ten years, the APP would release nine more concept albums, the last being 1987's Gaudi (based on Antoni Gaudi, the architect).



The APP's sound consists of flawlessly produced and precisely structured progressive rock, pop music and beautiful ballads. It's a modern and elaborate sound that features creative details and effective emotional hooks. The various musicians and vocalists are always more than competent, and at times this music can deliver some real excitement.



The Definitive Collection (1997) is a 2-disc compilation that covers the APP's entire career, and includes 34 songs that are in chronological order. These recordings have been digitally remastered by Parsons himself, and the sound is well-defined and wonderful. The liner notes include an interesting essay on The Alan Parsons Project and information on each song including which album it was on. This is a thoughtful and well done collection, and the song selection, remastering and liner notes are all on the mark.



Games People Play, I Wouldn't Want To Be Like You, Eye In The Sky, Time and Damned If I Do are some of the APP's most easily recognizable songs and, of course, they're all here. Stereotomy, Old And Wise, The Eagle Will Rise Again and (The System Of) Doctor Tarr And Professor Fether are also highlights.



Some reviewers have commented that each APP song should only be listened to as a part of it's original album, but I disagree. While the APP's concept albums are excellent productions, these songs are quite enjoyable on their own, and because they're grouped in order here, you get a mini-preview of each album.



The Alan Parsons Project's interesting music is really a nice change from celebrity driven rock n' roll. It's an impressive exercise in production excellence, and for all of those arm-chair music producers out there, a chance to delight in expertly crafted progressive pop/rock music perfection."