The Project

Track Listings

1. Push the Feeling On [The Dub of Doom] - Nightcrawlers

2. Hold On (Tighter to Love) - Clubland, Zemya Hamilton

3. Such a Good Feeling [Inspirational Delight Mix] - Brothers in Rhythm

4. Touch Me [Sexual Version] - 49'ers

5. You Can't Hide - David Joseph

6. Set Me Free - Clubland, Zemya Hamilton

7. Talk to Me - Third World

8. Third Floor

9. Padlock - Gwen Guthrie

10. Feel Up - Grace Jones

The Project,Various Artists,Great Jones,Club/Dance,Dance Music,Disco,Electronic,Experimental,House,Soul/Reggae/Rhythm & Blues

The Project

Tracks:

Queremos Paz
Epoca
Chunga's Revenge
Triptico
Santa Maria (Del Buen Ayre)
Una Musica Brutal
El Capitalismo Foraneo
Last Tango In Paris
La Del Ruso
Vuelvo Al Sur

Tracks:

Triptico (Peter Kruder Mix)
Santa Maria (Tom Middleton's Cosmos Mix)
El Capitalismo Foraneo (Antipop Consortium Mix)
Santa Maria (Pepe Braddock Mix)

Amazon.com

Released in Europe in 2001, La Revancha Del Tango's sexy combination of chillout programming and authentic tango music became a lounge favorite and led to massive sales. Lightning struck twice when it was released two years later in the States--the domestic debut attracted the attention of electronic music hipsters, tango freaks, and world music geeks. And rightfully so. The Gotan trio of Philippe Cohen Solal, Christoph H. Müller, and Eduardo Makaroff write the album's strongest material themselves, but their imaginative incorporation of Frank Zappa's "Chunga's Revenge," Gato Barbieri's theme from the movie Last Tango In Paris and, not surprisingly, Astor Piazzolla's "Vuelvo Al Sur" into the Gotan world shows just how broad and inclusive their tastes really are. Naysayers may complain that this album can be heard in every hip restaurant and clothing boutique from Paris to Los Angeles, but sometimes the cream does rise to the top and gain mass acceptance, as it has here. Also includes a bonus disc of four remixes. --Tad Hendrickson

Album Description

The debut by this Paris based trio is a relaxed blend of tango dance rhythms and Argentinean instrumentation. The group was brought together by their passion to combine sound with image and to marry electronic and acoustic music. They built on their house, dub, and hip-hop influenced productions by adding two of Argentina's finest tango musicians, the musical result being supremely distinctive, incorporating bandonion (a form of accordion), violin, and vocals. This release includes 2000's most memorable jazz-house hit, "Triptico", which has already sold over 400,000 copies worldwide. The US version features the original ten tracks from the European release, along with a special bonus disc of the "Santa Maria" video plus four audio tracks.

Album Description

The debut by this Paris based trio is a relaxed blend of tango dance rhythms & Argentinean instrumentation. The group was brought together by their passion to combine sound with image & to marry electronic & acoustic music. They built on their house, dub, & hip-hop influenced productions by adding two of Argentina's finest tango musicians, the musical result being supremely distinctive, incorporating bandonion (a form of accordion), violin, & vocals. This release includes 2000's most memorable jazz-house hit, 'Triptico'. The U.S. special edition includes a second disc with five bonus tracks, 'Triptico' (Peter Kruder Mix), 'Santa Maria' (Tom Middleton's Cosmos Mix), 'El Capitalismo Foraneo' (Antipop Consortium Mix), & 'Santa Maria' (Pepe Braddock Mix & Video). Digipak. XL. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

Next-Generation tango.......2007-07-18

Let me tell you a little story: Once upon a time, there was a musical style known as Tango. It first appeared sometime around 1857. It was very popular in Europe and Argentina, then spread all over the world. In 2003, It was thought that nobody could do anything new in Tango music. Three guys decided to try it - they created a project called Gotan.
They succeeded.

Tango fantasico.......2007-06-27

I saw the movie "Shall we dance" and one of the songs from the film is on this cd. I liked the music and thought I would enjoy all of the songs if they had the same instrumental feel as the song. I really enjoy it and would recommend it for anyone who likes a mixture of latin, instrumental and tribal beats.

One Sexy CD.......2007-03-27

I'm loving the CD. They have a great sound....sensuous and chill. I first heard their music on a compilation CD. They play some of their tracks on Nip/Tuck too.

Tango Music at Its Best.......2007-03-09

This is definitely worth the purchase. A combination of Parisian electronica and Argentinian dance music. Perfect blend of two styles.

Tango-Trance? Trance-Tango?.......2007-02-18

A very nice French lady called Anne-Marie gave me this disc a few weeks ago and I've been listening to it ever since. I watch the American remake of the Japanese film, "Shall We Dance", last week and I noticed that the music of Gotan Project was used very effectively when Richard Geer dances with J-Lo.

I listened to "La Revancha del Tango" this Sunday afternoon. It was around 40 degrees outside - damned hot! - and I just sat and listened to this disc with my air conditioner on full blast. I rather think that I will play this CD the next time I have some friends over for a few drinks.

The music of Gotan Project is rather hypnotic and relentless on this CD. I like that. I guess that one could call this "Tango-Trance", or something like that?! The percussion/drums, bass line, piano and piano accordion dominates the sound here.

I've been playing "Lunatico" at work all week and I like it, too. Gotan Project is performing in Adelaide, South Australia soon and I am seriously considering making the effort to see them.

Very spunky, suave and sexy dance music.

Average customer rating:

BUENISIMO!!!!!!!!!!!!
Faltou uma vírgula pra ser perfeito...
More promiscuous than your average tango
Better than Revancha
Es bueno, pero me gusta mas el primero

Lunatico
Gotan Project
Manufacturer: Xl Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

House | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

Tango | Latin Music | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
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Versions
Balancê
Bajofondo Tango Club
Narco Tango
The Garden

ASIN: B000EHQ7KG
Release Date: 2006-04-11

Tracks:

Amor Porteno (featuring Calexico)
Notas (featuringJuan Carlos Cacares)
Diferente
Celos
Lunatico
Mi Confesion (featuring Koxmoz)
Tango Cancion
La Viguela
Criminal
Arrabal
Domingo (featuring Jimi Santos)
Paris, Texas

Amazon.com

The Gotan Project literally took the world by storm in 2003 with its million-selling La Revancha Del Tango. Skillfully mixing the heated passion of tango with the cool insistent beats of dance music, the group kept the best of both genres as it offered up an unheralded fusion. This time around, the production team delves further into the tradition, cutting down on the dub production filigree and overarching electronic programming--now sexy grooves often come on the back of organic beats and an unprocessed sound captured during live studio sessions in Buenos Aires. This new focus is furthered with conventional bandoneon soloing as well as acoustic piano and string section backing. Nonetheless, kids craving to cut a rug will dig "Diferente" and "Notas," while the robust "Amor Porteno" (featuring Calexico) is the group's most muscular tune to date. More skilled than the debut, Lunatico is no sophomore slump, though hardcore house music fans may want to wait for remixes. --Tad Hendrickson

Album Description

Not wanting to replicate what their debut, "La Revancha Del Tango", had achieved musically, the group has a decidedly stronger emphasis on the organic roots of tango on "Lunatico" and utilized a host of local musicians from Buenos Aires; a complete string section, two emcees, a trombonist, and Argentine piano legend and long time Gotan collaborator Gustavo Beytelmann. The result is their most accomplished work yet. "The beats are sparse and liquid, and the transition from Buenos Aires bordello to European dance floor is seamless" - Rolling Stone. "A jiggy melange of tango with a dab of dub" - Entertainment Weekly. "...an intriguing blend of traditional, passionate tango with cool, contemporary electronica" - LA Times.

Customer Reviews:

BUENISIMO!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2007-07-16

esta igual o mejor que la revancha del tango.............estoy encantada con este grupo............escuchenlo y disfrutenlo

Faltou uma vírgula pra ser perfeito..........2007-07-13

Não achei tão bom quanto "Revancha Del Tango" mas ainda assim é um ótimo CD.

More promiscuous than your average tango.......2007-05-24

Gotan's first collection "La Revancha del Tango" was an irresistibly gut-grabbing, loin-twitching, bass-loping, dub-tango hybrid winner from the first listen, invariably prompting responses of "What it THIS? I LOVE it".

"Lunático" is a much less in-your-face proposition. I could barely wait to get it out of its packaging, but then I struggled to get into the music itself. Mostly less meaty than "La Revancha" and more varied - tricksier, even. It took some chance random plays on the iPod to insinuate a couple of the songs into my ears again. Then I wanted more. Badly. And now I rate it just as more-ish as "La Revancha".

It juxtaposes the sweet, warm-deadpan voice of Cristina Vilallonga on some tracks (Amor Porteno, Diferente, Celos, Arrabal) with the roguish, rough-edged panache of Carlos Caceres describing the birth of the tango (Notas)and Jimi Santos (Domingo) and the tango-rap of Koxmoz (Mi Confesion). There's even a robot-like treated voice intoning the words to La Viguela, giving it a strangely religious quality.

Like "La Revancha", "Lunático" is steeped in a sense of place and culture but it's not Strictly Tango Argentino. The Gotans have tapped into a tango and a Buenos Aires of the imagination, adventurous and promiscuous and modern yet managing to be faithful to its deep roots.

A mysterious, sly, inventive and captivating work of outstanding creativity.

Better than Revancha.......2007-04-20

For a long time Revancha was my favorite CD and I just couldn't believe that a follow up album could be as good. Well, Gotan Project did it!

Es bueno, pero me gusta mas el primero.......2007-04-11

Lo escuche muchas veces, y tal vez sea tanta fusión con otros ritmos y generos lo que no me gusta tanto, es un disco bien hecho, con buen concepto, pero prefiero el primero que es mas tanguero y electrónico.

Average customer rating:

The Master at His Best!
Alan Parsons' concept album about rise of machines and fall of man still resonates 30 years on
Album With Sci-Fi Title Actually Has Cautionary Message
Great Remaster
Picture a memory of days in your life

I Robot
Alan Parsons Project
Manufacturer: Sony Legacy
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
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Eye in the Sky
Vulture Culture
Pyramid
Tales of Mystery and Imagination
The Turn of a Friendly Card

ASIN: B000JLQSW4
Release Date: 2007-03-20

Tracks:

I Robot
I Wouldn't Want To Be Like You
Some Other Time
Breakdown
Don't Let It Show
The Voice
Nucleus 05
Day After Day (The Show Must Go On)
Total Eclipse
Genesis Ch. 1. V. 32
I Robot (Boules Experiment)
Breakdown (Early Demo of Backing Riff)
I Wouldn't Want To Be Like You (Backing Track Rough Mix)
Day After Day (The Show Must Go On) (Early Stage Rough Mix)
The Naked Robot (Early Stage Instrumental Mixes)

Customer Reviews:

The Master at His Best!.......2007-08-05

The follow up to "Tales of Mystery and Imagination", was a huge success and this latest incarnation is a true collector's dream. Alan keeps getting me to part with my hard earned money as I have owned the Japanese virgin vinyl LP, Japanese version CD and now the latest expanded version. The latest digital remastering is most evident in the silent intros of "I Robot" and a heightened presence is noticeable throughout the CD. The real bonus here is almost filling the CD's limit with pure Alan Parsons' music. I like getting my money's worth. Additionally, the "Naked Robot" has captured the essence of the entire album sans all the vocals in a single track. The same treatment was applied to the re-release of "Eye In The Sky" with two tracks, "The Naked Eye" and "Eye Pieces". If all of the original works are re-released with a "Naked" reworking (not just a remix), I can foresee a future release of "Alan Parsons Project Naked" someday. So, far these additional gems are very clever and enjoyable. The other bonus tracks give us great insight into the evolution of the writing and arrangement processes behind several songs. I applaud "the master's" works and look forward to more to come.

Alan Parsons' concept album about rise of machines and fall of man still resonates 30 years on.......2007-07-28

The Alan Parsons Project's sophomore effort I Robot was released in June of 1977.
Alan Parsons Project was the namesake band of wunderkind British producer/engineer Alan Parsons whom had made a name for himself being a tape operator when The Beatles recorded Sgt Pepper and an engineer when they made Abbey Road and Let it Be and also engineered Pink Floyd's albums Atom Heart Mother (as an assistant engineer) and Dark Side of the Moon. In addition, produced records for The Hollies, Al Stewart and Pilot among others.
The album was the follow-up to the band's debut Tales and Mysteries From Edgar Allen Poe and was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in late 1976/early 1977. The album was a concept album about the rise of the computers and machines and the fall of man (a concept that has proved prophetic in this computer age). The musicians on the album, in addition to Parsons and collaborator/keyboard player Alan Woolfson, is almost all of Pilot (the same band who had a hit two years earlier with "Magic") which were bass player David Paton, guitarist Ian Bairston and drummer Stuart Tosh (whom would step down as Parsons' drummer). Plus orchestrator Andrew Powell and several singers (see below). At the time of this album's release, punk and new wave were becoming the rage in England whilst prog still ruled in the US. Would this album be a classic or lumped a poor man's prog, read on.
we start with the album's opening title cut. The Synthi-A loop segued into a collage of synthesizers and a female soprano singing above it before the band comes in and plays a funky pattern for the rest of the piece with a choir singing in unison with the piece. Next is the album's biggest hit, the disco-ish "I Wouldn't Want To Be Like You". This track (featuring Lenny Zatatek on lead vocal) is one Hell of a funky rock track (it predates the disco craze that would hit America like an atom bomb at year's end). Great number. "Some Other Time" is next and is a beautifully well arranged and recorded song. This song makes you feel like you are going into a different time and place! The track features peter Straker and Jaki Whitten on lead vocals (the former on verses and the latter on the choruses). Next is the funky sounding "Breakdown". This is another great song and featured ex-Hollies lead singer Allan Clarke on lead vocals. "Don't Let It Show" ends the first half on a great note. the track is sung passionately by Dave Townsend and is a beautiful song. Female rocker Pat Benatar obviously loved the tune so much that it was featured on her 1979 debut album In the Heat of the Night.
"The Voice" begins the album's second half and features Cockney Rebel frontman Steve Harley on vocals and what a great piece. Next is the second of FOUR instrumentals called "Nucleus" which had more innovative usage of synthesizers. We segue into "Day After Day (The Show Must Go On)" which is another outstanding song featuring Jack Harris on lead vocal and BJ Cole on pedal steel guitar. We segue into "Total Eclipse" which blended synthesizers with choirs for a unique track. "Genesis Chapter. 1 Verse: 32." ends the album. This instrumental which combines band, orchestra and choir to end the album on a majestic note.
I Robot peaked at #9 on the Billboard album charts and sold over a million copies Stateside therefore going Platinum in the process.
Thirty years later, the album is now re-issued with FIVE BONUS TRACKS. The first is a demo of the album's title cut called "Boules". then early demos and rough mixes of "Breakdown", "I Wouldn't Want to Be Like You" and "Day After Day". We end with "The Naked Robot" which was a medley of rough mixes that made up the album.
I Robot may be 30 now but the music still sounds fresh as it did in 1977.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Album With Sci-Fi Title Actually Has Cautionary Message.......2007-07-12

I ROBOT, the Alan Parsons Project's breakthrough album, has a title that was inspired by Isaac Asimov, and was originally supposed to be a concept album based on his writings. However, unbeknownst to Parsons and Eric Woolfson, Asimov had given exclusive permission to someone else to use his stories, and so the band were forced to keep the title (without the comma), and use a different concept, namely the tendency of people to act in a robotic fashion and to believe everything that advertisers and the business community says. This interpretation has inspired me to hang up pictures of pretty actresses as a deterrent to believing the commercial world that certain products are good for me when, in fact, they're not. This is a CD which every serious progressive rock fan should own.

Great Remaster.......2007-06-20

The sound on this new remaster blows away the original Arista cd release, but still can't touch the MFSL version (which is no longer available, and used copies go for $100+). Probably the second best APP album (after Tales Of Mystery and Imagination) this should appeal to fans of Pink Floyd and science fiction.

Picture a memory of days in your life.......2007-04-08

A musical meditation of the "Rise Of Machine and The Decline Of Man," the second Alan Parsons Project album hit all the notes that "Tales Of Mystery and Imagination" missed. For starters, this was a straight forward rock album, without the debut's classical pretensions. It was also where Parsons perfected his atmospheric instrumentals, opening the album with the (precursor to electronica) title track and then ending with the moody "Genesis Ch 1 V 32." You do get the jarring soundtrack climax of "Total Eclipse," which I always guessed was where man got terminated from the scene.

For an album that dealt with the fall of the human race, "I Robot" is a surprisingly human affair. The slow beat disco of "I Wouldn't Want To Be Like You" and the dance floor paranoia of "The Voice" are anything but mechanical. The ballads of loss, "Don't Let It Show" and "Day After Day (The Show Must Go On)" could be about any typical heartbreak. Even Pat Benatar could spot the drama inherent to "Don't Let It Show," including it on her debut.

It wasn't just the drama and the sci-fi that made "I Robot" so interesting. It was the musicianship. Not as pretentious as ELP and bringing the acrobatics of Yes down to bite size nuggets, Parsons had no difficulty in constructing pop that was progressive, meticulously produced and built up like the studio architect that he is. The Alan Parsons Project recording an album in the period of the seventies this pristine when disco's big boom was steamrollering everything in its path was a pretty bold statement then. Because of Parsons' attention to detail overriding any urge to make music of the moment, "I Robot" still holds up almost 30 years later.

Average customer rating:

Better than his first cd
If J Moss sang the ABC song , I would Listen and Buy
Love it!
An honest look at this CD
That's what I'm talking about!

V2... The J Moss Project
J. Moss
Manufacturer: Gospocentric
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music
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Live: One Last Time
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Jesus, Jesus, Jesus

ASIN: B000H7JD5O
Release Date: 2007-04-03

Tracks:

Jump, Jump (featuring 21:03)
Dance featuring (Kirk Franklin)
Know Him (featuring Karen Clark-Sheard)
I'm Not Perfect
Abundantly
We Love You (featuring Marvin Winans & Byron Cage)
Praise On The Inside
Holding On
Afraid
Let It Go (featuring a special guest artist)
Nobody
Operator
Steve Harvey Show Interlude
Bonus track: Florida/73 Degrees/Everybody Ain't Gotta Word (featuring

Album Description

J Moss has returned with the follow-up to his smash debut - "V2..." Produced by PAJAM, J's new studio release is a musical tour-de-force showcasing the signature sound of this powerhouse production team, Moss' silky smooth, expressive vocals and Gospel like you're never heard it before.

Customer Reviews:

Better than his first cd.......2007-08-06

I like this better than his first project. I enjoy just about every song, except for Operator and the Steve Harvey interlude. I can listen to it all the way through without having to skip songs, which is rare for me. Jump is a nice uptempo song with a strong beat. A couple of the slower songs that I love are Abundantly and Praise on the Inside. I also like the live We Love You remix. This is worth buying the whole album instead of downloading a couple songs on iTunes.

If J Moss sang the ABC song , I would Listen and Buy.......2007-06-30

I have read most of the reviews for the V2 album and the J Moss Project, and while everyone is entitled to their opinion, I must critique, just a little. J Moss has such an annointed and unique voice that he has no choice but to exploit it. If he uses autotunes, I dont even know what those are, then let it be. Do you really think that someone with this kind of talent should just keep his musical ideas and creations to himself and should not express them? No way. Let it be told and shared with everyone. If J Moss sang abc's and 123's, it would sound good and I would listen. I had the pleasure of attending two of his live performances and I was so surprised that he could sound better than he does on his album. All I could say was Lord have mercy. The man is phenominal. On 06/14/2007 @ the Florence Civic Center, I received a great blessing from God, I dedicated my life back to Christ. I am still on a spiritual high from that nite. Everyone was in full worship mode, young and old. See some people praise fast, slow, some not at all. J Moss does not have to make music to make sure it sounds a certain way or it will be not considered spiritual. If anyone is praising or uplifting the Kingdom of God, how could that be considered Worldly? With all the different technologies available that was not available years ago/Of course, there are different styles and methods that gospel music is created and sound. But with the commonality of worshiping Jesus Christ, we will do fine. THe lyrics like to "Abundantly" are so moving and heartfelt. My favorites are Praise on the Inside and Everybody Aint Got a Word. I am highly anticipating J Moss live performance DVD and his preaching ministry. They both will happen. I am glad for J Moss and thankful for someone so blessed and annointed. J Moss please dont stop making music.

Love it!.......2007-06-27

The is album is all that I expected and more. Number 6 is my favorite song and I listen to it almost everyday. Whenever I want to get my praise on in the car I pop in this CD. I would recommend it to anyone who likes contemporary gospel music.

An honest look at this CD.......2007-06-23

This album is very different from the first one. The first one had more "worship" songs and was less contemporary than this. And while worship music has it's place, this album has more songs talking about living a Christian life outside of the church walls. So I see it as a progression on J's part. And while I like the CD, I did not like it on first listen. Like a previous reviewer said, he used autotune a little too much. This dude can sing. I've met him and heard him live and he can vocally run marathons, so I see no need for the abused pitch correction. He even had KiKi sounding like a "See and Say" robot. But I guess he is adopting that as part of his style. My favorite tracks are "Know Him" "I'm not perfect" and one of the bonus tracks called "Everybody Ain't Got A Word". (He is speaking the truth in this song)

I know that some folks may consider this album too "Worldly" but I believe that all music belongs to God. Satan is the creator of nothing but the perverter of everything. So the music that people consider worldly, is nothing but Satan's perversion of something that God created. It's not the musical style of worldly music that is perverted, but rather the message it delivers and the image it portrays. As long as J. Moss is edifying Christ and not contradicting the Word, I see no problem with him having a more R&B style. I also understand that it is not for everyone. But I commend J. Moss and other Contemporary Gospel artists who are taking back what Satan stole. I don't like putting God in a box by proclaiming His name only through a certain style of music. That being said, I believe this album has something for everyone and I see J. Moss's evolution as a worshipper. I just wish he'd turn down the knob on that autotune plug-in.

That's what I'm talking about!.......2007-06-11

Love it! Love it! Love it! I have nearly worn a hole in this cd. Especially the bonus track. J Moss has done it again!! This cd, like his first release, is a must have

Average customer rating:

Another Trip To The Well, But Worth It!
The Alan Parsons Project's most famous album gets a royal treatment for its 25th anniversary
Entering the pop era
Eye in the Sky is brilliance... but the remaster... not so much
Cinematic Genius

Eye in the Sky
Alan Parsons Project
Manufacturer: Sony Legacy
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

I Robot
Vulture Culture
The Turn of a Friendly Card
Tales of Mystery and Imagination
Pyramid

ASIN: B000IOM1Y6
Release Date: 2007-03-20

Tracks:

Sirius
Eye In The Sky
Children Of The Moon A
Gemini
Silence And I
You're Gonna Get Your Fingers Burned
Psychobabble
Mammagamma (Instrumental)
Step By Step
Old And Wise
Sirius (Demo)
Old & Wise (Eric Woolfson guide vocal)
Any Other Day (Studio Demo)
Silence & I (Early version; Eric Woolfson guide vocal)
The Naked Eye
Eye Pieces (Classical Naked Eye)

Customer Reviews:

Another Trip To The Well, But Worth It!.......2007-08-05

The latest incarnation of "Eye In The Sky" is worth while by the additional tracks and the reworkings of some great songs into a "naked" version of the album. The musical offerings of enjoyment total an hour and 17 minutes. Again, Alan has been generous in giving his fans more than simply a digitally remastered version of this classic album. A great deal of effort and forethought is evident. His current project of digitally remastering and re-releasing his classic albums has included a few gems of some raw and evolutionary song efforts. The newest releases have also included a "naked" version of the title track which is more than a remixing some of the album's songs into one new one. It appears to be totally reworkings of several songs on the CD which captures the flavor, the essence of the entire album. His latest "projects" are working, as I keep parting with my hard-earned money in obtaining his latest versions. "Eye In The Sky" has two extraordinary tracks which in their own way have captured the feeling of the entire album, "The Naked Eye" and "Eye Pieces". Both of these, plus the rarely glimpsed early song efforts make it worth the price of admission.

The Alan Parsons Project's most famous album gets a royal treatment for its 25th anniversary.......2007-07-04

The Alan Parsons Project released its sixth album in as many years entitled Eye in the Sky in June of 1982.
The album was the first since late 1980's Turn of a Friendly Card. Whilst that album had its moments (Games People Play and Time), the album had not been as successful. In 1981, Alan Parsons (well known engineer and producer who had worked with The Beatles as a tape operator and engineered Pink Floyd's Atom Heart Mother and classic Dark Side of the Moon and produced albums for Pilot, The Hollies and Al Stewart) and collaborator Eric Woolfson began work on Eye in the Sky with musicians that were bass player David Paton and guitarist Ian Bainson formerly of the band Pilot (famed for its 1975 hit "Magic") and drummer Stuart Elliott (famed for his work on Al Stewart's Year of the Cat and Time Passages albums and on Paul McCartney's 1984 hit "No More Lonely Nights"). When the album was released, it was right in the middle of New Wave and schlock pop ala Air Supply time. Would this album be a classic or seen as a relic of the past, read on and find out as I did recently.
We open the album with the instrumental "Sirius". What a great opener. i first heard this piece when former WWE wrestler Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat used this music as his entrance theme during his 1986/1987 tenure with WWE (formerly World Wrestling Federation). Since then, "Sirius" has been used by sports teams such as The Chicago Bulls for its entrance music and sampled by Diddy (a/k/a Puff Daddy a/k/a P Diddy a/ka Sean Combs) on his The Saga Continues album. We then segue into the album's title cut and Parsons Project's biggest hit. The track, sung by Eric Woolfson, got its name from Woolfson hearing that phrase whilst in the US to describe air traffic, surveilance cameras and every other device. Next is "Children of the Moon" which is sung by ex-Pilot frontman and APP bass player David Paton and it's a great song about the death of culture (which still holds up today). We segue into the short but sweet "Gemini" sung by Chris Rainbow. The first half closes with the epic "Silence and I", which was sung by Woolfson. The piece harkens back to some of the classic prog sounds of I Robot. What a great piece.
Next is the rocker "You're Gonna Get Your Fingers Burned" which was sung by Lenny Zatatek (whose voice was dominant on songs like "I Wouldn't Want to Be Like You" and "Games People Play"). What a great rocker. Next is the album's other sing "Psychobabble" sung by Elmer Gentry. This piece is another winner. Next is the album's second and last intrumental called "Mammagamma". Whilst it sounds like something that could have been used on the soundtrack to Scarface, the piece had more b*lls and passion than anything that Giorgio moroder could have come up with. Next is another Zatatek sung piece called "Step by Step" whcih is another great piece. We close the album with possibly my favorite APP track ever, the ballad "Old and Wise". The track's orchestrations is so powerful that it can actually bring tears to your eyes hearing it. The track is sung by former Zombies frontman Colin Blunstone and this is his best lead vocal EVER done (surpassing anything he recorded pre-1982). The track ends with the most powerful alto saxophone solo ever recorded by famed saxophonist Mel Collins (who has worked with people from King Crimson to Eric Clapton to Roger Waters to Bad Company and The Rolling Stones) and his ending solo playing with the orchestra and band even had brought tears to my eyes as it is the most moving piece I had ever heard (and I hardly ever cry but something about this makes me shed tears of joy).
The album became the APP's biggest selling album here in the US and reached the US Top 10.
Now, the album was rereleased and superbly remastered by Parsons himself with Dave Collins and features SIX bonus tracks including demos for "Sirius" and "any Other Day". Plus the Eric Woolfson guide vocals for "Old and Wise" and "Silence and I". Then the rough mix medleys dubbed "Naked Eye" and "Classical Eye". These tracks are excellent different looks of each of the album's tracks.
Recommended!

Entering the pop era.......2007-06-20

After several progressively influenced concept albums, the APP returned strongly with "Eye In The Sky". It was a welcome return to form after the synth-heavy, boring "Eve", even though Eye is more pop than anything else they had recorded at this point. Eye really points to the future sound APP would go for on subsequent releases. The material is very good, and the final song "Old And Wise" should send chills down the spine of anyone with a pulse.

The remastered version adds quite a lot of brilliance and air to the recording when compared to the original Arista release.

Eye in the Sky is brilliance... but the remaster... not so much.......2007-06-02

It's Eye in the Sky after all... it was a great album. Had a lot of ups, a couple downs as the album gets a little to poppish with "Step by Step". Overall, this is the most successful Alan Parsons Project album and also one of the best albums as well for that band.

But this review is about the remaster. The improved sound quality... what improved sound quality? The music on the original CD sounds almost identical to the new release (granted... this isn't a "remix"). So if you are looking to really step it up a notch with this CD, unless you are going from tape to CD, you aren't getting a noticeable sound improvement here. Granted, I don't own a $2000 sound system, so maybe for them, it is improved, but for most people, I don't think they'll appreciate any new quality to the sound.

That said, the extra tracks are indeed interesting. The best being the two last tracks. The first of those two is a conglomeration of studio recordings in the process of developing the songs. The second is a conglomeration of the orchestral music developed for the songs. These two tracks are really cool to listen to. It seems apparent that the Alan Parsons Project didn't have B sides, because there are no extra songs really as part of the additional tracks. You'll just be hearing first / second draft recordings of some of the songs. The experience is really neat.

The other additional feature is added material in the CD booklet. Pics and stuff from the mind of Alan Parsons and Eric Wolfson. Perhaps the only thing that would have been nicer was contributions from the other members or guest members of the band, but all in all, the additional material given in the booklet definitely is nice.

To round it out, overall, you aren't getting too much from this. You'll read the booklet once or twice, you won't be able to listen to the raw tracks that often like you could the album itself and as I noted, at least from my experience from Eye in the Sky (and I Robot), these remasters aren't particularly ground shattering in their remastery (you can go pretend that's a word ;)).

Luckily, the price isn't expensive. Whoever was in charge of the releases had mercy and realized they weren't giving us much we hadn't already had. To me the most important thing is the sound! So buying up all these new remasters probably won't be my plan. However, if you really want to hear the additional tracks, especially the "naked" tracks and appreciate the material put into the CD booklets, you won't be wasting your money.

Cinematic Genius.......2007-05-12

The Alan Parsons Project hit their greatest commercial pinnacle with "Eye In The Sky," the only album other than "I Robot" to reach the top ten. It was also the moment that the revolving members of APP centralized the two main strengths of their albums: concept and songcraft. "Eye In The Sky" is so creamily melodic that it's almost easy to miss the underlying concept of intrusive surveillance. Probably more than any other APP CD, this is where the Adult Contemporary sound that eventually dominated Parson's following efforts took hold.

That is not to say the songs are lacking. As usual, they are tunefully hooky and usually memory grabbers, like the title track. The opening instrumental "Sirius" became the introductory theme for thousands of athletic events, and "Psychobabble" is the obligatory prog-rock song aimed directly at 80's AOR Radio. (Actually, the other song in the vein, "You're Gonna Get Your Fingers Burned," is the weakest song on the CD.) As on previous CD's, the highlights include ballads. On "Eye In The Sky," it's "Old and Wise" with ex-Zombie Colin Blunstone on the lead vocal. One of the discs' more interesting extras is Eric Woolfson's vocal demo on that particular number.

The bonus tracks are indicative of just how much work Parsons and Woolfsons put into their music. While "Eye In The Sky" plays almost like a soundtrack to a movie never produced, the demos show the tinkering that goes on before the final, lush and cinematic sound is crystallized. (Frankly, I like the album enough to have not needed to hear works in progress.) But now that "Eye In The Sky" and "I Robot" have been given their sonically upgraded due, it's a joy to hear the kind of mastery Parsons and company put into this soft-rock marvel.

I am now hoping for the eventual remastered versions of "Pyramid," "Eve" and "Turn Of A Friendly Card."

Average customer rating:

Project 86 turns Gothic
...and the rest will continue to follow....
Not your typical P86 CD
Weird and I like it...
New Taste, Same Great Project 86.

Rival Factions
Project 86
Manufacturer: Tooth & Nail Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Messengers
Songs to Burn Your Bridges By
Truthless Heroes
The Physics of Fire
Drawing Black Lines

ASIN: B000QFAFE0
Release Date: 2007-06-19

Tracks:

Evil (A Chorus Of Resistance)
Put Your Lips To the TV
The Forces Of Radio Have Dropped a Viper Into the Rhythm Section
Molotov
Slaves To Liberty
Pull Me Closer, Violent Dancer
Illuminate
The Sanctuary Hum
Caveman Jam
Normandy

Customer Reviews:

Project 86 turns Gothic.......2007-08-01

I rated this CD with 4 stars because musiclly, lyrically and in certain songs ("Put Your Lips To The TV" for one) they have the feel of a good P86 CD but a lot of the songs have the feel of some gothic bands of the 80's and 90's. The first song "Evil - A Chorus of Resistance" and "Ill" sound like it came off of the group "The Sisters of Mercy's" CD "Vision Thing". "Molotov" is classic "The Mission UK". "Normandy" gave me a feeling tht I was listening to "Fields of the Nephilim".

There is enough classic P86 styled songs to keep hard core fans happy and it would be a good add to your collection. I will keep my fingers crossed for their next CD and hope it is as good as "Drawing Black Lines", "Truthless Heroes" and "Songs to Burn Your Bridges By" otherwise P86 might start dropping in my standings.

...and the rest will continue to follow...........2007-07-03

Project 86. Long time listener, long time review writer. To put it bluntly this band has a butt that just won't quit. The band has taken me through a surge of rabid emotions through their long career. They have surprised me, bored me, and come back to win me over time and time again. I enjoyed "..and the rest will follow" but something was missing. It seemed to pale in comparison to the emotionally charged "Songs to burn your bridges by." Rival Factions took me completely by surprise with its electronically charged synth beats. Andrew's blatantly melodic vocal rhythms. Its almost as if this was the record "truthless heroes" aspired to be. A more accessible sound that didn't sacrifice so many of the bands excellent sounds.

The band is comforable with their new found ability to go almost anywhere at this point. You can always count on Andrews deeply meaningful lyrics which range from political, sarcastic, humerous, and allegorical. With every listen this record is villianously infectious. It's guilt free 80s inspired dark synth metal for the masses as only Project 86 can bring it. The perfect record for new fans. Even for a band on their 6th release.

Not your typical P86 CD.......2007-06-29

First spin around, and I was like "WHAT, WHO, WHERE, WHEN, WHAT (again)"
Second spin around, and I was like "WHAT, HMMMMMMMM"
Thrid spin around, and I was like "YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

All, that I can say is that I love this album. I would put it #2 or #3 in the list. I still love Drawing Black Lines first, and this one is fighting with Music To Burn your Bridges By for second.

All, I know is that I cannot wait to see them in concert again. The energy on the CD is the same as the stage and that is awesome.

Weird and I like it..........2007-06-27

I was surprised like everyone else (no one saw this coming believe me) when I heard some of the new tracks and the samples. After listening to the cd one time through I discovered how creative, catchy and intense the songs were. It was still Project 86, but totally evolved. Things that you hardly hear in other Project albums such as lots of synth, guitar solo's, alternate vocals (lots of singing but also high pitch screeching which I have never heard Andrew Schwab do, awesome).

Here is my appreciation of the songs individually:

Evil 10/10: The first time I heard this songs I thought I was listening to Queens of the Stone Age, and apart from the synth solo it it is reminiscent of their sound. The groovy rythm and atmosphere of this song are wat make it really good. If you listen to it too much, believe me it will not leave your head. What works really well is that in the chorus you hear two vocals: one singing the melody while the other voice shouts the lyrics.

Put your lips to the TV 8/10: After the deceptive and cheesy piano intro (did I forget to add that there is a lot of humor on this album and it's not only in the lyrics ;-)) the song kicks off with an old-school guitar riff, followed by a more typical Project 86 verse after which the incredibly catchy chorus grabs you by the throat with beautifully desperate sounding vocals from Schwab. To top it off we hear a solo from Randy that sounds pretty basic but works very well in the song as a bridge.

The Forces of Radio have thrown a viper into the rythem section 10/10: This song is awesome lyrically and musically. The things that stand out on this track are the drums, they build up really well to the different parts of the song and Andrews vocals are the best on the album, including aggressive gnarling and snarling in the verse and gut wrenching vocals in the verse.

Molotov 7/10: This song is good although it is not my favorite on the album. The coolest thing about the song is the 'Truthless Heroes-esque' lyrics that criticize modern culture for being all about the party and less about what counts in life. The keyboards play a big role in this song and are always haunting in the background and sometimes on the foreground. The song has a cool ending with Schwab adding extra vocal layers over the melody giving it a very full sound.

Slaves to Liberty 9/10: The lyrics are incredibly positive and kind of remind me crazily enough of 'Lean on Me' but the rock version haha. Again we have a very retro-rock intro riff. I especially like th driving bass on this one. The best way to listen to it is driving on the highway at full speed, you will not be able to stop. Lots of energy and groovy rythm are the signature of this song.

Pull me closer, Violent Dancer 8/10: Think "My Will Be a Dead Man" but then with synthesizers. The vocals are creepy in this song and the synth effect in the chorus sounds like they ripped it off of a classic horror movie. I love the way the synths and guitar blend into a melancholic and dreamy cocktail. The synths are the highlight of this song all around.

Illuminate 6/10: This song is not bad in fact it's really catchy, but it does not possess the intenseness of the other songs. I wouldn't call it a filler but it is the one song that I'm still not incredibly excited over although it does grow on you.

The Sanctuary Hum 9/10: The verse of this song sounds like something that fits well into the Truthless Heroes era, which I really liked. The opening riff actually reminds me of Projects first cd a little. The vocals first sound like what Schwabs voice evolved to on ...And the rest will follow. The verse has Randy and Schwab dueting to a very mellow and dark background. This song is about abuse, church and truth an explosive mixture but then again Project 86 is never afraid of venting thir opinions. Expecially the lyrics in the chorus are very provacative: "God save us, from your chosen ones" It srips in sarcasm and yearning for justice. Beautiful.

Caveman Jam 10/10: When I first heard the name of this song I thought it was a joke, but when i saw it on the actual tracklisting I freaked. Now a little while later it is my favorite song. The fuzzy guitars, the sarcastic lyrics, the high pitched synth building up just before the chorus and erupting into a sonically eery sound, the rythmically hammering vocals in the verse. I'm not a dancer but I can easily see a room go crazy on this vibe and at the same time I could see a rockers rocking out to it, it's that versatile.

Normandy 8/10: This song is again very different from the other songs. The lyrics are some of the best on the album. It is very melodic and not really in your face. It is a cool closer and very fitting for the album.

Verdict:
If you are a closeminded hardcore fan then don;t buy this, but if you like music and are open to innovation you will like this because it is a product of craftmansship. It is a little on the short side but the catchiness and groove of the songs compensate that. The album on the whole has some outstanding songs on it and despite some songs not being perfect the album is because they fit so well together.
This is retro-rock meets hardcore meets synths meets 80s.

New Taste, Same Great Project 86........2007-06-26

Six albums into their career, and Project 86 show no signs of slowing down. Consistently touring, and putting out new albums every one and a half to two years, you have to admire their work ethic. And yet, with each album, they still come through with sincerity and a sense of importance intact. "Rival Factions" is possibly the band's most experimental and unique album to date, which some might view as them changing their ways to find a home on radio. But to throw around such lofty accusations is a waste of time. You won't find any semblance of emo or noisy metalcore with Project 86's newest. Just a new take on the groove heavy, ultra melodic sound we've come to love from our favorite hardcore Christians.

If "Truthless Heroes" or "Songs To Burn Your Bridges By" weren't enough indication, Project 86 are truly the most politically charged Christian band on the scene today, and aren't afraid to stand out from the pack. The great thing about this album and each one before, is that even if you don't follow their faith (I don't) you can still appreciate their message and understand the fire that drives them. From the suggestive packaging to the blistering "Slaves To Liberty," Project 86 have yet to ease up on the themes established early on in their career. If anything, it's at least more exciting than 2005's "...And The Rest Will Follow," which felt like a Project 86 re-run.

Longtime fans may feel turned off at first by the slight change of style for this album. Fact of the matter, the songs are much catchier than before and capitalize on the grooves that used to give way to some of the band's heaviest moments. "Pull Me Closer, Violent Dancer" is a stunning example of how they make a new style work gloriously in their favor. For the moments that the band shifts gears into 80's gothic-dance inspired territory, they still don't let up their signature sound, cryptic lyrics and infectious hooks. Take a listen to the synths on "Illuminate," and yet tell me this isn't just as good as what they've been doing their whole career. It puts a new spin on a tried and true sound. The only thing that truly hurts this album is that it is but a mere thirty five minutes long. It makes for one breezy listen, which is good because it's going to take a few for you to appreciate it, but one can't help but feel that the album ends just as it's getting good. But then again, you know they'll be back in another year and a half with another album, so all is well.

Average customer rating:

Stop reading these reviews and buy this CD!
The modern Rumi - simply the best in world music
Very Good
Eclectic
sue's review

The Idan Raichel Project
Idan Raichel
Manufacturer: Cumbancha
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

Israel | Middle East | International | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000IHY9BG
Release Date: 2006-11-07

Tracks:

Bo'ee (Come With Me)
Mi'Ma'amakim (Out Of The Depths)
Ayal-Ayale (The Handsome Hero)
Hinach Yafah (Thou Art Beautiful)
Im Tachpetza (If Thou Wisheth)
Suvi El Beyti (Come Back To My Home
Im Telech (If You Go)
Be'Yom Shabbat (On Sabbath)
Brong Faya (Burn Fire)
Ulai Ha'Pa'am (Maybe This Time)
Azini (Comfort Me)
Siyaishaya Ingoma (Sing Out For Love)

Amazon.com

In Israel, where Jews from all over the globe arrive seeking refuge and new lives, a young keyboardist/composer/producer/arranger named Idan Raichel sought out seventy multinational musicians and began recording with them in his basement studio. As he set about mixing Ethiopian and other African Jewish traditions with home-grown Hebraic, Yemenite, and Arab styles, Old Testament Psalms, and even Caribbean vocals and rhythms, he initially had little hope of ever seeing the sessions released commercially. But he ended up with not one but two precedent-setting, huge-selling albums, from which the present CD was deftly cherry-picked. Opening with a majestic, multi-voiced Ethiopian chant, the 12 selections here make ample use of ethnic-based traditions and instruments. But although the songs share an edifying spiritual depth, they are nonetheless modern pop in the best sense, accessible and chock-full of catchy melodies. For example, on "Be'Yom Shabbat" (On Sabbath), the vocals--one wavering and prayerfully soulful and the other more straight-ahead--are couched in a cutting-edge reggae context, complete with sampled voices and electronic flourishes. Despite his commitment to eclectic sources and unusual juxtapositions, Raichel obviously has a happy way with a hook and no scruples whatsoever about having fun with it. --Christina Roden

Album Description

The Idan Raichel Project is the brainchild of Israeli keyboardist, composer, producer, and arranger Idan Raichel, who invited over 70 different musicians from a wide variety of backgrounds to participate in the recordings. In particular, Raichel has long been fascinated by the music of Israel's growing population of Ethiopian Jews, and many songs feature members of Israel's Ethiopian community. The recordings also include Arab musicians, traditional Yemenite vocalists, a toaster and percussionist from Suriname and a South African singer, among others.

The Project released its first album in Israel in 2002 and quickly became one of the biggest success stories in the history of Israeli popular music. The haunting Ethiopian chorus of the first single, "Bo'ee" (Come With Me), sounded completely unlike anything most Israeli's had heard before. The groundswell of interest propelled the album to heights rarely seen in the local music scene and firmly established Idan Raichel as a new type of Israeli pop star. Now a musical icon in the Israeli community worldwide, The Idan Raichel Project has performed to sell-out crowds in prestigious venues in Paris, Brussels, New York, Los Angeles, Singapore and beyond.

The international release of The Idan Raichel Project's recordings on the new record label Cumbancha promises to introduce a wide new audience to the electrifying work of this unique musical collective. The Project offers a new vision for how Israelis, their neighbors in this volatile region, and people all over the world, can cherish their individual cultural traditions, celebrate their differences and through respectful collaboration create new and inspiring expressions. "Our ability to live in peace with one other depends on our learning to appreciate and respect each other's differences," notes Idan. "The way forward is not by trying to change your neighbor, but by accepting him and recognizing that we are all looking for the same things in life: bread, water, spirit, respect and love."

Deluxe international version is enhanced with three music videos and other special features.

Customer Reviews:

Stop reading these reviews and buy this CD!.......2007-06-05

I'm not going to go into great detail, since others have already eloquently described these musicians. I just want to say that the music of the Idan Reichel (Raichel) Project is soul-moving. I have never heard music like this and from the moment I heard the first album (Haproyekt Shel Idan Rechel), I was completely hooked. I saw the band in concert a few years ago and it was easily the best concert I've ever been to. So buy this CD!

The modern Rumi - simply the best in world music.......2007-03-19

This is the first time i've been moved to write a review on Amazon.
Let me start by saying that I would buy anything that has Idan's name on it - simply because it has his name on it.
I don't remember when I was so moved by music as I am each time I listen to his music. If you can get the translation to the songs, by all means, go ahead. The lyrics are amazing. I was lucky enough to see them in concert in Los Angeles. It sounds silly but there was so much talent and love projected from the stage - really a different experience.

Very Good.......2007-02-06

I bought this c.d. after hearing it on NPR. I really enjoy the music, which is soulful and exotic. A very good c.d. to have some nice dreams to. A few music videos accompany the c.d. and there are lyrics inside for those of us who can't speak the languages. I would recommend this to anyone who likes world music or is looking to try out world music. Track 4 is definitely a highlight. Idan is supremely talented at mixing these different artists together and making a seamless, beautiful blend.

Eclectic.......2007-01-20

Idan Raichel is amazing. He is diverse, international and at the same time, brings cultures together. He uses Israeli, African and Old Testament text and makes them sound as if they had always belonged together. I recommend him to everyone of any age.

sue's review.......2007-01-11

gave it as a christmas gift and was told that it was GREAT

Average customer rating:

alan parsons project/the beatles
Excellent ALBUM!!!
A very solid album from the Alan Parsons Project
Well Crafted
It Doesn't Get Any Better Than This!

The Turn of a Friendly Card
Alan Parsons Project
Manufacturer: Arista
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Pyramid
Tales of Mystery and Imagination
Eve
Ammonia Avenue
I Robot

ASIN: B000002VCU
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

May Be A Price To Pay
Games People Play
Time
I Don't Wanna Go Home
The Gold Bug
I. The Turn Of A Friendly Card (Part One)
II. Snake Eyes
III. The Ace Of Swords
IV. Nothing Left To Lose
V. The Turn Of A Friendly Card (Part Two)

Customer Reviews:

alan parsons project/the beatles.......2007-08-06

The service I received was excellent,fast and after many purchases I have to say is totally reliable. I am completely satisfied.

Excellent ALBUM!!!.......2007-02-23

This was one of my favorite albums of the 80's.....I played the vinyl album so much that I wore it out.....when CD's arrived, The Turn of A Friendly Card was one of my first purchases on CD.......

If you like the Alan Parson's Project, this album is a winner!!!

A very solid album from the Alan Parsons Project.......2006-11-02

This 1980 album makes for a very pleasant listening experience and nicely balances dreamy synth heavy pop with the more symphonic approach demonstrated on albums like Tales of Mystery and Imagination (1976). Come to think of it, I don't feel that there are any weak moments - the album is well-paced and the pieces all work together. The tracks on The Turn of a Friendly Card range from the excellent, Pink Floydish sounding and moody song Time (with excellent vocals by Eric Woolfson) to the lengthy, multi-movement, The Turn of a Friendly Card suite. There is also an instrumental on this album (The Gold Bug) that is actually quite good. In general, all of the pieces are very well written and played and the different vocalists work well with the tracks they were selected for. There is also greater use of an orchestra on this album (especially on the title track) although perhaps not as heavy as the orchestra was used on Tales of Mystery and Imagination. All in all, this is a great album of symphonic pop that is recommended along with Tales of Mystery and Imagination; I, Robot (1977); and Pyramid (1978).

Well Crafted.......2006-09-03

The Turn of a Friendly Card proved to be a very successful album, going Platinum and spending over a year on the Charts. This is the 5th release for the band and it obviously shows that the group has matured, offering well crafted pop and rock songs.
Very well recommended album.
Other albums I recommend for the band:
Eye in the Sky
Vulture Culture

It Doesn't Get Any Better Than This!.......2006-08-05

The duo of Eric Woolfson and Alan Parsons, better known as The Alan Parsons Project, produced ten studio albums from 1976 through 1987. The pair always had a theme with each album, crafting each song to comform to the subject matter. "The Turn of a Friendly Card," produced in 1980, contains their most easily accessible theme - the addiction to gambling. The album spawned two hits: "Games People Play," a fast rocker and the ballad, "Time."

My dad exposed me to this album in the early 1980's and it is by far my favorite (I own all of their albums but two). It is replete with amazing orchestration, masterfully arranged by Andrew Powell, a long-time friend of Alan Parsons. The melodies are the the most addicting, the title track being my favorite tune. Lyrically, the album is extremely poetic, with similies and analogies strung throughout. Of course, no Alan Parsons album would be complete without an instrumental. This one contains two, my favorite being "The Gold Bug." It's a piece, like Pachebel's canon, that builds on a bassline (better known as a passacaglia) for each verse, culminating in an awesome sax solo. The other instrumental, entitled "Ace of Swords," is really an orchestral piece, utilizing mixed meter and a cool harpsichord part.

As a public-school music teacher, I have often used this album as a listening example for my band and choir classes. Roughly 70% of the kids like the album (even though it is 20+ years old) because it speaks to any age level, both musically and thematically. I believe any "Projectologist" will agree - this album is the best place to start! Enjoy!

Average customer rating:

Filled with the spirit
We Praise You
The best family project I've ever heard!!!
THE MCCLURKIN PROJECT
Ok off the chain.

We Praise You
The McClurkin Project
Manufacturer: Gospocentric
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music

Live Recordings | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music
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I Never Lost My Praise
Live: One Last Time
V2... The J Moss Project
Grace: Live in Kenya
Journey: Live in New York

ASIN: B000FVBLHK
Release Date: 2007-03-13

Tracks:

Every Beat Of My Heart
Holy Unto Your Name
Healing Grace
Cry For Help
Oh, Lord Have Mercy
Alright
Is There Any Way
If You're Looking For Love
Said I Would
We Need Love
Hallelujah Chorus

Amazon.com

The McClurkins take the adage "it runs in the family" to an extreme, don't they? With four sisters and one brother all over gospel music, one can only imagine where they would go after an outstanding debut of The McClurkin Project in 2000. Seven years and a mountain of work between them, sisters Andrea, Olivia, Cheri, Tanya, and close friend Carol Carter are back with brother Donnie in the wonderfully rewarding We Praise You. The McClurkins waste no time in laying down the hot groove with the Andrea-penned title track, a more traditional Gospel call-and-answer track livened up by a super backing band in front of a live crowd in Queens, New York. Sister Olivia capably takes up the reins with the R&B-infused, be-boppin' "You Are An Awesome God." The ultimate highlight has to be the Donnie-led "As Long As There's You," a warm and moving worship number. Donnie offers plenty of vocal pyrotechnics here while the McClurkin Sisters keep the harmonies and melodies flowing beautifully underneath. It's a show-stopper for sure. Other great moments include "His Mercy," a testimonial buoyed by the sisters' well-mixed vocal parts and the closing "Song of Gratitude," which has the sisters sounding like an angelic choir. Brother Donnie and Stanley Brown should be commended for tasteful production that keeps voices front and center in a silky smooth blend. All in all, We Praise You is a sweet-sounding bounty of Gospel praise that makes us all hope we don't have to wait seven more years for the McClurkins' next collective effort. --Michael Lyttle

Customer Reviews:

Filled with the spirit.......2007-07-20

Donnie McClurkin became one of my favorite artists, because the Spirit of God is in his messages. This project does not disappoint; it looks like his family has the right idea too. My favorites are: As Long as You're There, You'll be Fine, If You're Ever Feeling Lonely, In the News Today, and Song of Gratitude.

We praise, we love you and adore you.
Thank you God for blessing us with such talent.

We Praise You.......2007-05-13

This is another stellar performance. I enjoy every song on this CD.

The best family project I've ever heard!!!.......2007-05-07

This project is a one of a kind family project. You can feel the anointing permeate through the cd. This cd is a definite must-have!

THE MCCLURKIN PROJECT.......2007-04-12

ALWAYS LOVE THE MCCLURKINS, BUT THIS CD IS AWESOME, THERE VOCALS AND HARMONIES ARE SO TIGHT, AND THEY ARE ANOINTED. ANDREA MCCLURKIN IS MY FAV. SINGER, I LOVE HOW HERE VOICE IS PURE. SHE NEEDS A CD LOL

Ok off the chain. .......2007-04-09

Ok this cd is tight, but my favorite song is (4) As long as there's you. I have been parting off that song for days now that song just take me there. I am telling you pick this up.

Average customer rating:

Truly Definitive
This is truely the definitive collection!
Excellent
Alan Parsons Rocks!
A GREAT SET IN ITS TIME, BUT IT'S NOT THE ONE YOU SHOULD BE BUYING!

The Definitive Collection
Alan Parsons Project
Manufacturer: Arista
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
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Pyramid
I Robot

ASIN: B000002VSX
Release Date: 1997-07-15

Tracks:

(The System Of) Doctor Tarr And Professor Fether
The Raven
I Robot
I Wouldn't Want To Be Like You
Breakdown
Don't Let It Show
Voyager
What Goes Up
The Eagle Will Rise Again
Can't Take It With You
Pyromania
Damned If I Do
Lucifer
If I Could Change Your Mind
The Turn Of A Friendly Card (Part 1)
Snake Eyes
Games People Play
Time

Tracks:

Sirius
Eye In The Sky
Psychobabble
Mammagamma
Old And Wise
Prime Time
Don't Answer Me
You Don't Believe
Let's Talk About Me
Days Are Numbers (The Traveller)
Stereotomy
In The Real World
Standing On Higher Ground
Too Late
Turn It Up
Re-Jigue

Amazon.com

Through the late '70s and most of the '80s, respected recording-engineer-turned-composer/instrumentalist Parsons teamed with lyricist Eric Woolfson and a loose aggregation of studio musicians and guest singers to record a series of seemingly uncommercial, but surprisingly successful concept albums. Each combined masterful studio craft with eclectic lyrical themes. The Definitive Collection is a useful 2 CD distillation of material from the Project's album catalogue, and features FM-friendly tunes like "I Wouldn't Want to Be Like You," "Eye in the Sky," "Time," and "Old and Wise," and lead vocals from the likes of John Miles, Hollies leader Allan Clarke, and Zombies frontman Colin Blunstone. --Scott Schinder

Customer Reviews:

Truly Definitive.......2007-04-08

This compilation gets 5 stars from two generations at our house. I have been buying Alan Parsons since the seventies and my daughter just recently discovered this type of music. We both agree that this collection hits all of the highs while still having enough tracks from each major release to maintain that "concept album" feel.

This is truely the definitive collection!.......2007-01-11

I agree with some other reviewers that this has all the great songs from Alan Parsons Project. I heard a few new songs (new to me) that now I love as much as the ones I previously loved. I personally could not make a better collection then this one; even if I had all of thier music to choose from.

Excellent.......2007-01-07

Now here is a cd worth getting.All the hits plus the rest.
Got some great songs on this cd.
The first time I bought some Alan Parsons Project, I did so for the song "Eye In The Sky". Being young at that time I assumed they weren't much more than that one hit. However, i know better and I see and hear the genius. What an amazing group and collection. A casual fan might get by with the older "Best Of", but this is truly the "Definitive Collection". However one might classify this group, be it progressive, pop, soft-rock, or alternative, it's just awesome music. Anyone with an interest should be happy with this set, as it includes their more popular tracks. My fav songs are - I Wouldn't Want To Be Like You ,Sirius,Eye In The Sky ,Don't Answer Me ,and many more.

Alan Parsons Rocks!.......2007-01-04

Saw them in concert this year, this has all of the performed songs. Amazing quality as always!

A GREAT SET IN ITS TIME, BUT IT'S NOT THE ONE YOU SHOULD BE BUYING!.......2006-12-27

At the time of its release in 1997, "The Definitive Collection" was just that: The benchmark mix of the best audio mastering and the broadest track selection.

However, time & technology have marched on, and this compilation is now, sadly, out of date in both departments.

The new hands-down winner, which you should consider purchasing, is the 2006 import "The Alan Parsons Project: The Dutch Collection", a 3CD, 48-track set (with two previously unreleased songs).

The Dutch Collection package is one-third more expensive, but the audio quality transcends this older set, and at 3 discs/48 tracks (of a total 92 original APP studio album tracks), is by far the best representation of the magical Parsons/Woofson collaboration on CD.

Do yourself a favor, and read my extensive review of The Dutch Collection before you buy this one. While in 1997, there were ten other "best of" discs when "The Definitive Collection" was released, there are now over 25 different domestic and import APP compilation titles!

The Dutch Collection stands head-and-shoulders above them all.

Why not have the best?

Link to The Dutch Collection

Pop Music:

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