reviewsarchiv 739

Actually english born Parsons has to say thankyou to Pink Floyd for his carriere. And actually he used to be the sound engineer for those at their milestones album 'Dark Side Of The Moon'. That's the album which had the longest run in Billboard Chart history ever. And then there was the friendship with Eric Woolfson which started in 1969 at London's Abbey Studios. They were the perfect songwriter team. And it was 1976 when the pair adapted the stories of Edgar Allen Po and transferred them into music for the album 'Tales Of Mystery And Imagination'. Here in Europe the Alan Parson's Project had a number one hit with 'Lucifer' from the album 'Eve' . The cooperation of both Parson's and Wollfson lasted between 1975 and 1990, and within this time 10 albums were released. After this chapter was finished because of different reasons, Parson's followed a solocarriere and has released another six albums, two of them - live.

Although it's been rather quiet around this artist, until.... yes until the Night of The Proms Tour a few years ago.Within this, he performed his biggest hits from all era's, and the resonance was so big, that the result had to be to start a new chapter, at least here in Europe. (here you can listen to the interview at the Night Of the Proms)
Meanwhile 64 years old Parsons is living with his family in sunny California and visited Europe only now and then in the Ninties. So it's been about time for a memory trip to remind us about his biggest hits. By the way, Parson's former partner Wollfson has passed away last year due to cancer and won't see the new start of his duo collegue.
The current tour includes some shows in Germany and the echo for those is huge, so huge, that in one city, they put on even 2 shows at one night. Here in Munich we got only one show, but that is completely sold out.

To be honest, I can't avoid a slight grin, when watching the audiance, because mainly it consists of a rather conservative clientel, just as bookkeeper meets Bank clerk who goes to a concert only once a year. But therefore this audiance is easy to get enthusiastic with all these well known melodies of classic tunes like ‚Don’t Answer Me’ or ‚Eye In The Sky’. Of course this show is completely seated
which means, we photographers have to take our pictures from behind the arena seats. Mind me withint this venue the distance ain't too far away. Though images from such a distance always seem rather static. But well, better so than nothing at all. Alan Parson's new Project's line up is exept himself: Singer John Paul Olsson, Alastair Green (Git/Voc), Danny Thompson (Drums) Tom Brooks (Keyb), Guy Erez (Bass) and Todd Cooper (Sax/Voc).

And it's pretty quickly clear, that these are firstclass musicians and most of all - allrounder, where everybody can play more
than one instrument, or sing in addtion of playing. The boss himself is situated on top of everybody, and you just can't miss him. The program is a best of.... whereby all these instrumental pieces are mixed with vocal underlined songs.

The average enthusiasm is rising constantly up and end into standing ovations. Meanwhile the first job of the security seems to be to stop people from taking pics and filming with their pocket cams, instead of helping those, who can't find their seats, or get people off the wrong seats. However everybody is enjoying this nostalgic evening in every way.

Just about 90 minutes this perfect musical performance is lasting. For some luck insiders and fans there is a Meet and Greet organized to make this evening complete.

Parsons musical haydays are past, but exspecially here in Germany - we love our Oldies, our beloved house wife's rockers and commercial all time stars. And with those sophisticated - conservative entertainers with this classical touch, the Alan Parson's Project is the right thing at the right time. I for my part think that it won't take too long until Mr.Parsons will be back again and then maybe even with a new output. So let's wait and see what's coming next.
http://www.alanparsonsmusic.com