13.01.2008.
Alan Parsons Project - Eye in the Sky (1982) (@256)
(Review from seaoftranquility.org)
Once you hear the familar sounds of Alan Parsons' fairlight and layered synths from Eric Woolfson & Haydn Bendall on the opening "Sirius", a classic Alan Parsons Project instrumental piece that became a familiar theme to many sporting events, so begins the popular 1982 release Eye In the Sky.
The title track was a big hit on FM rock radio back when the album was originally released, a lush pop/prog song with Woolfson's emotional vocals and swirling Wurlitzer, complemented nicely by Ian Bairnson's tasty guitar work, who is a vastly underrated player. The engaging "Children of the Moon", which features plenty of proggy keyboards from Woolfson and a soulful vocal from bassist David Patton. Check out the soaring choir and orchestra on this one, as well as some jazzy piccolo trumpet from John Wallace. The layers of vocals on the quirky "Gemini" almost remind of Gentle Giant with a Pink Floyd edge, while the somber yet catchy "Silence and I" is a 7+ minute piece with lush keyboards and orchestra, plus another solid vocal from Woolfson. About mid-way through the song things pick up quite a bit, and it actually turns into a bombastic classical flavored rocker, with a tasty guitar solo from Bairnson to close things out.
"You're Gonna Get Your Fingers Burned" is a funky rocker, very typical of early 80's AOR material, littered with tight keyboard work from Parsons, crunchy guitar riffs, and plenty of catchy vocal melodies. The popular "Psychobabble" is a proggy yet funky track with plenty of hooks and classy instrumentation, while "Mammagamma" is a futuristic sounding instrumental not unlike some of the Tangerine Dream output of the same era. Expect loads of synths, delayed guitar riffs, and electronic drum programming on this one. 'Step By Step" is a fairly generic funk rocker, easily the weakest track on the album, and the closing "Old and Wise" sees the band return to dreamy, orchestral progressive rock, complete with emotional vocals, layers of keys, strings, brass, and reeds. The sax solo from former King Crimson member Mel Collins is especially noteworthy on this one.
Line-up :
* Alan Parsons - keyboards, fairlight programming
* Eric Woolfson - keyboards, vocals
* Andrew Powell - keyboards, orchestral arrangements
* Ian Bairnson - guitar
* Mel Collins - saxophone
* David Paton - bass, vocals
* Stuart Elliott - drums & percussion
* Chris Rainbow - vocals
* Lenny Zakatek - vocals
* Elmer Gantry - vocals
* Colin Blunstone - vocals
Track List :
01. Sirius (1:48)
02. Eye In The Sky (4:33)
03. Children Of The Moon (4:49)
04. Gemini (2:09)
05. Silence And I (7:17)
06. You're Gonna Get Your Fingers Burned (4:50)
07. Psychobabble (4:50)
08. Mammagamma (3:34)
09. Step By Step (3:52)
10. Old And Wise (4:52)
Link in comments.
Original Post Date : 22 Apr 2007 | 3:14 AM
