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Limelight Records
Eric Woolfson 'Sings The Alan Parsons Project That Never Was'
£7.49
Limelight Records
Eric Woolfson 'Sings The Alan Parsons Project That Never Was'
£7.49
The question I have been asked more than any other over the past 30 years is: 'As you are the creator and writer of The Alan Parsons Project, and sometimes lead singer, why is it not called The Eric Woolfson Project'? Or perhaps the Parsons/Woolfson Project?" I describe the decision to call it The Alan Parsons Project'as both the best and the worst decision of my career.
The best, because I have enjoyed the benefits of the APP success without having to deal with public recognition and media attention. The worst because outside my family and friends, few people have any idea of who I am or what I do, which is a price, I have always felt, was worth paying. At the time Alan and I first met, he was known in the music business, having worked on Pink Floyd's classic Dark Side Of The Moon'and with the Beatles. I, on the other hand, was relatively unknown. As well as writing the songs and lyrics for the Project, I was also the manager and I felt it would be more beneficial to stay in the shadows with the main focus on Alan's role as Engineer/ Producer.
When Tim Fraser-Harding at Sony Music asked me in 2006 if there was any unreleased material or alternative mix versions of tracks in the Alan Parsons Project archives my first thought was - probably not much. However, on investigating, I discovered many gems, which I had forgotten about in the 20 years since Alan and I worked together in the studio. Alan and I didn't always agree on what would make a good Project recording.
It is no secret that Alan's reaction on first listening to Eye in the Sky'and Don't Answer Me'was less than enthusiastic and I had to argue hard for their inclusion. However, I didn't always get my way and some songs fell by the wayside. In going through the archives we found abandoned songs or backing tracks of incomplete songs with little or no vocal line and some of these tracks have been included on the recently released, expanded edition APP albums in the untouched form in which we discovered them.
All of this gave rise to an idea that I could perhaps complete some of the unfinished works, together with other material that would unquestionably have been candidates for inclusion had Alan and I continued working together on more Projects, It's often said that there can be a certain magic for the listener when a composer sings his own material. I certainly was gratified that when I did sing lead vocals on tracks such as Eye in the Sky', Time'and Don't Answer Me', the reaction was very positive and they became some of our greatest hits. For this reason and in response to many requests and kind comments sent through the websites, all of the songs on this album use my vocals.
Alan Parsons is now based in the US and is more focused on performing live with a band these days. We have travelled along very separate paths since our last collaboration on the album Freudiana in 1990. So for this album, I have turned to two other talented recording engineers - Haydn Bendall and Austin Ince. It has been great fun working on these songs, in various studios, in the comfort of my own home and, of course, in the legendary Abbey Road Studios. I have very much enjoyed the experience of revisiting and completing songs from many eras of my writing life. I hope you enjoy the results!' Eric Woolfson - November 2008
Tracklisting:
1. Golden Key
2. Nothing Can Change My Mind
3. Rumour Goin'Round
4. Any Other Day
5. I Can See Round Corners
6. Steal Your Heart Away
7. Along The Road Together
8. Somewhere In The Audience
9. Train To Wuxi; Immortal
The best, because I have enjoyed the benefits of the APP success without having to deal with public recognition and media attention. The worst because outside my family and friends, few people have any idea of who I am or what I do, which is a price, I have always felt, was worth paying. At the time Alan and I first met, he was known in the music business, having worked on Pink Floyd's classic Dark Side Of The Moon'and with the Beatles. I, on the other hand, was relatively unknown. As well as writing the songs and lyrics for the Project, I was also the manager and I felt it would be more beneficial to stay in the shadows with the main focus on Alan's role as Engineer/ Producer.
When Tim Fraser-Harding at Sony Music asked me in 2006 if there was any unreleased material or alternative mix versions of tracks in the Alan Parsons Project archives my first thought was - probably not much. However, on investigating, I discovered many gems, which I had forgotten about in the 20 years since Alan and I worked together in the studio. Alan and I didn't always agree on what would make a good Project recording.
It is no secret that Alan's reaction on first listening to Eye in the Sky'and Don't Answer Me'was less than enthusiastic and I had to argue hard for their inclusion. However, I didn't always get my way and some songs fell by the wayside. In going through the archives we found abandoned songs or backing tracks of incomplete songs with little or no vocal line and some of these tracks have been included on the recently released, expanded edition APP albums in the untouched form in which we discovered them.
All of this gave rise to an idea that I could perhaps complete some of the unfinished works, together with other material that would unquestionably have been candidates for inclusion had Alan and I continued working together on more Projects, It's often said that there can be a certain magic for the listener when a composer sings his own material. I certainly was gratified that when I did sing lead vocals on tracks such as Eye in the Sky', Time'and Don't Answer Me', the reaction was very positive and they became some of our greatest hits. For this reason and in response to many requests and kind comments sent through the websites, all of the songs on this album use my vocals.
Alan Parsons is now based in the US and is more focused on performing live with a band these days. We have travelled along very separate paths since our last collaboration on the album Freudiana in 1990. So for this album, I have turned to two other talented recording engineers - Haydn Bendall and Austin Ince. It has been great fun working on these songs, in various studios, in the comfort of my own home and, of course, in the legendary Abbey Road Studios. I have very much enjoyed the experience of revisiting and completing songs from many eras of my writing life. I hope you enjoy the results!' Eric Woolfson - November 2008
Tracklisting:
1. Golden Key
2. Nothing Can Change My Mind
3. Rumour Goin'Round
4. Any Other Day
5. I Can See Round Corners
6. Steal Your Heart Away
7. Along The Road Together
8. Somewhere In The Audience
9. Train To Wuxi; Immortal
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DVD All Regions.Visit product page →
A 2 hour film capturing the 2003 showcase of Woolfson's musical POE filmed in the legendary Abbey Road Studios with a specially constructed set. Featuring Steve Balsamo as Poe and a top West End cast. -
Visit product page →Release Date: 16/06/2023
1. Chorus Of Hope
Marking the 10th anniversary since it was first released, Somewhere in the Audience is a compilation of music from four of Eric Woolfson's musicals GAUDI, GAMBLER, POE and DANCING SHADOWS.
THE VOCALISTS are all leading West End and Broadway performers who have lent their talents to recording vocals for a selection of songs from Woolfson's musicals including: Steve Balsamo (Jesus Christ Superstar); Anna-Jane Casey (Cabaret, Chicago, Billy Elliot) ; three times Olivier award winner Sharon D Clarke MBE (Caroline or Change, Ghost the musical, We Will Rock You); Jacqui Dankworth MBE (Into the Woods, Sophisticated Ladies, film of Les Miserables); Louise Dearman (Wicked, Evita, Guys & Dolls); Pia Douwes (Chicago, Elizabeth, Rebecca); Ben Forster (Jesus Christ Superstar, Phantom of the Opera); James Fox (Let it Be, Chess); Gareth Gates (Les Miserables, Legally Blonde runner up in UK s first Pop Idol); Tim Howar (Rock of Ages, Les Mis, Chess, Phantom, Mike & The Mechanics); Jon Lee (Oliver, Les Miserables, Jersey Boys, S Club 7); Oliver Tompsett (& Juliet, Kinky Boots, Wicked).
The late Eric Woolfson was the creator, songwriter and lyricist of The Alan Parsons Project, which has sold over 55 million albums world-wide and continues to sell and be used in films and adverts internationally. After completing the final APP album in 1987 Eric turned his attention to musical theatre, a seemingly natural progression as he always wrote concept albums with a theme or story in mind.
As the APP never toured, seeing his material come to life on the musical stage brought Eric tremendous satisfaction and enjoyment. The musicals have all had great success on stages in Europe and Asia. It was Eric s ambition to have these shows presented on stages in the West End and Broadway and it is hoped this will become a reality.
A review by broadwayworld.com says:
" The recording is incredibly well produced and expertly engineered... The selection of performers delivering the numbers has clearly been thought out and not one number can be faulted. Woolfson's music is very emotive and well structured. His storytelling abilities are second to none...I can highly, highly recommend it. Woolfson is a genius and I sincerely hope some of his shows will be heard - and seen - by a larger audience."
Tracklisting:
2. Tiny Star
3. Golden Key
4. Parca Guell
5. Somewhere In The Audience
6. Forbidden Fruit
7. What Kind Of World
8. Too Late
9. The Bells
10. Far Away
11. If I Could Write The Book Of Life
12. Halfway
13. Closer To Heaven
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