The Alan Parsons Project
Biography
As indicated by its name, the Alan Parsons Project was not a band so much as a concept overseen by the titular Parsons, a successful producer and engineer. Born in Britain on December 20, 1949, he began his musical career as a staff engineer at EMI Studios, and first garnered significant industry exposure via his work on the Beatles' 1969 masterpiece, Abbey Road. Parsons subsequently worked with Paul McCartney on several of Wings' earliest albums; he also oversaw recordings from Al Stewart, Cockney Rebel, and Pilot, but solidified his reputation by working on Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon.
Influenced by his work on Stewart's concept album Time Passages, Parsons decided to begin creating his own thematic records; along with songwriter Eric Woolfson, he soon founded the Alan Parsons Project. Although Parsons played keyboards and infrequently sang on his records, the Project was designed primarily as a forum for a revolving collection of vocalists and session players -- among them Arthur Brown, ex-Zombie Colin Blunstone, Cockney Rebel's Steve Harley, the Hollies' Allan Clarke, and guitarist Ian Bairnson -- to interpret and perform Parsons and Woolfson's conceptually linked, lushly synthesized music.
Selected Discography
The Alan Parsons Project - Master Hits
1999
Try Anything Once
1993
The Best Of The Alan Parsons Project Volume II
1988
Gaudi
1987
Stereotomy
1985
Vulture Culture
1985
Ammonia Avenue
1984
The Best Of The Alan Parsons Project
1983
Eye In The Sky
1982
The Turn Of A Friendly Card
1980
I have APP on vinyl, cassette and CD, I am that old and have been a fan that long. Quite the unique artist and I never tire of the music. I remember the year Hamilton took the gold in figure skating, and Jumpin' Joe took the bronze, he skated to "Lucifer" from the Eve album, what a great piece of music combined with an awesome performance. Thank you Katie, for turning me on to APP, I am sure you are still enjoying his music in heaven!
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I have Tales Of Mystery & Imagination on vinyl and love to pull it out every now and then and give it a listen. If you like Poe, you gotta love what Parsons did with the ideas from his stories. The Raven is especially haunting. I Robot is also a great album. Listened to and played that a lot when I was working at my college's radio station (WUEV) -- which back in the 70s played album-orient e d rock. I haven't heard it in a while. Guess I'm going to have to get a copy of it.
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Lesser known but a great listen is the soundtrack to Ladyhawke. Written entirely by the "Project". In fact, it was the director of the film that wanted Parson's to do the score.
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I love Alan Parsons Live album and On air. I especially like the vocals of Chris Thompson (formally of Manfred Manns Earth Band. Of course as a fan, I like all the albums. Not much not to like.
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It would be nice if they were able to get Valid Path songs on here, especially Return to Tunguska. I remember the day I got that CD/DVD and while listening to the song I thought to myself: that guitar REALLY sounds Floyd-ish. Then while reading the CD jacket I found out it was in fact Gilmour on guitars. I thought it was about time someone from Floyd came to work on a Parsons album. Only took them 30 years. Been a fan since I first head the Eye in the Sky song Silence and I at 12 ye
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I too am in my mid 40's and have been a longtime fan, probably since my teen years. With kids (mine are still fairly young), work, and life in general I too have gotten away from my music, but I was recently turned on to Pandora. Because of this I discovered I am missing some of their albums (never knew about Tales of Mystery and Imagination until a month ago - I now own it)! But until I read these comments I was still unaware that they have three new albums not even listed here. Thank you -
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I had the recent privilege to see the Alan Parsons's "Live" Project in San Diego and Alan the boys totally rocked! The band was tight and played a really entertaining show. ALL of the members of his "Project" actually sang selections of the AP hits themselves - great performances by all! They even played for a solid TWO HOURS - longer than many "younger" bands typically play! Hopefully they keep touring...
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I have been a fan of the Alan Parsons Project since I was a young teenager. I grew up listening to every song. As time went on in college and children I somehow got away from their music. But now once again I am in my mid 40's and am going back to my old music again and am glad to have them on my top 10 list of favorites every day. It's funny how you never out grow the good old music that was "real music" back then!!!
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Pandora is missing Alan's latest...A Valid Path (return to tunguska...a w e w s o m e ) . . . T i m e Machine...an d On Air. All great albums on their own...we took a group of teenagers to watch the Perseides Meteor Shower and played Apollo from On Air(homage to the Apollo Moon Program), its been 15 years and those kids still talk about that night and the music.
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When I hear APP I'm back in the 80s, my prime! They were ahead of their time, only now the concept music hits home!
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I fell in love with this concept band the first time I heard Turn Of A Friendly Card album. His music takes you back in time and takes you places you've never been. There is so much talent in this group that they have no limits!
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Alan Parson combines brilliant composition and engineering to create pieces of auditory depth that defy time. His genius is rare. Where is our 21st century Alan Parson?
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I find that I very rarely can find an album where I enjoy every song. I found that with Parson's Eye in the Sky. I was so taken with this album that I rushed out and bought all Parson's previous albums and he did not disappoint. I still enjoy all of Parson's CD's, cassettes, (8-tracks) and albums and find something new everytime I listen. I will say I am partial to all of the instrumental s , but love just about every song.
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I was blown away the first time I heard "I Robot" and I continue to hear something new everytime I play my Alan Parson albums.
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Few musical artist have the ability to play such a diverse style of music with various vocals and been able to keep maintain the auditory quality as the Alan Parson't Project. As some one who is sensative to pitch, timing and mix I wish there were more out there with this quality in musical presentation s
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Alan Parson was truly one of the greatest at this type of studio based music. The discography here is good but lacks "On Air" and the latest "A Valid Path" - both of these are good albums. A Valid Path is a complete departure from typical Alan Parsons - but a few listens and you will feel the complete depth of the music.
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It's a shame the radio doesn't play more of Alan Parsons Project,he's such a briliant artist.
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