In My Prime - Niamh Parsons

Advantages: Short, sweet sampler of a fine back catalogue
Disadvantages: You want all the original CDs

...Well, if you have to get a "best of" while you're saving up to re-buy all the Alan Parsons CDs that your ex-wife kept when you split, then so be it. I've never been a fan of compilations but you do get a great feel for what is a surprising variety of music given Alan Parsons reputation for "concept" work. How the chosen tracks were chosen, who knows. The good thing about Alan Parsons is that each "concept" album is really that - laugh if you like, but the range of topics covered in each individual album is great - my personal favouorite is the Gaudi one with all the flamenco musical backdrops. And there's always a good rocking track with great vocals and guitar solo. For sheer quality of recording and daft subject matter, he's hard to beat. The musicians are always almost famous people with huge talent. I envy them. And I want my... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Some nice songs
Disadvantages: Lots of weak material

...and routine had grabbed the Project. THE SONGS ----------------- The first track is still quite OK, although „Prime Time“ sounds like a new version of the already mentioned „Eye In The Sky“: same pace, same structure, similar instruments and melody, just a shift from major to minor key. It’s a nice mainstream track though, with a steady beat and a charming melody. „Let Me Go Home“ tries to be a rock song with groovy guitars and aggressive vocals – and fails. Too flat and clean, played by perfect but boring studio musicians, especially the chorus is not sweeping enough and the guitar solo is weak. Not missed by a mile but slightly off target. The following two songs are some of the weakest material Parsons has ever recordeed: „One Good Reason“ is a trivial popsong without any surprises and „Since The Last Goodbye“ may well be called a tear... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: A masterpiece!
Disadvantages: i don't know!

...In 1975 former Pink Floyd sound engineer Alan Parsons and Eric Woolfson gave birth to a supergroup called Alan Parsons Project. This is the first and maybe the most complete album by the Project and has 26 years ! In this album they tried to put in music tales and poetries by Edgar Allan Poe (absolutely not easy task!). To be mentioned the collaboration with Orson Welles like narrating voice in the instrumental "songs" (To dream within to dream that opens the album and the suite The fall of the house of the Usher) and as you can read in the CD booklet has never met Alan but only sent a tape). Now the songs! All masterpieces! The Raven (first rock song rock to use the vocoder) sung from ALAN PARSONS (the best with Alan leading vocals)! Alan Parsons plays this song even in the most recent concerts! Then The cask... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful