14.01.2008.
Alan Parsons Project - Eve (1979) (@256)
(Review from progarchives.com)
"Eve" is a pretty good outing for the prolific Alan Parsons Project, with a good selection of guests, and some nice instrumental work. This is the only Project album to feature female lead vocalists.
The usual melodic pop prog is here, with strong melodies and fine performances. The Moody Blues, Barclay James Harvest, and later Renaissance all offer indications of the type of music to expect. The progressive influences, which were at their strongest on the first album ("Tales of Mystery and Imagination") have all but dried up with the tracks all being shorter, individual pieces.
"Lucifer" is a truly wonderful instrumental, dominated by orchestrations and John Leach's dulcimer and zither (they are actually a cimbalom and kantele, respectively). "Damned if I Do" was the minor hit on the album, a rocking number with orchestration with vocals from Lenny Zakatek. "I'd Rather Be a Man" and "You Lie Down with Dogs" are more rocking numbers, but there are some ballads too, like "You Won't Be There", and "If I Could Change Your Mind".
It tends to be when they do ballads that Alan Parsons Project really shine, and in this case, "If I could change your mind" is the standout track. Vastly underrated singer Lesley Duncan takes the lead vocals on this track. This makes for a beautiful contrast with the normally male dominated vocals.
Line-up :
- David Paton / bass
- Stuart Elliott / drums & percussion
- Ian Bairnson / acoustic & electric guitars
- Eric Woolfson, Duncan MacKay / keyboards
- Alan Parsons, Eric Woolfson / miscellaneous
- Lesley Duncan, David Paton, Chris Rainbow, Clare Torry, Dave Townsend, Lenny Zaketek / vocals
- Andrew Powell / orchestra & choir arrangements and conduction
- The Orchestra of the Munich Chamber Opera
Track List :
01. Lucifer (5:09)
02. You Lie Down With Dogs (3:42)
03. I'd Rather Be A Man (3:52)
04. You Won't Be There (3:37)
05. Winding Me Up (4:00)
06. Damned If I Do (4:50)
07. Don't Hold Back (3:36)
08. Secret Garden (4:40)
09. If I Could Change Your Mind (5:49)
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Original Post Date : 5 Sep 2007 | 2:01 PM
