Album Information:

About The Alan Parsons Project:

The Alan Parsons Project was a British progressive rock band that was formed in 1975. The band was founded by musician and producer Alan Parsons and composer Eric Woolfson. The Alan Parsons Project was unique in that they were essentially a studio band, with Parsons and Woolfson being the only consistent members throughout the band's lifespan. The band's music was characterized by its use of elaborate studio production techniques, cinematic orchestrations, and complex, multi-layered arrangements.

The Alan Parsons Project's first album, Tales of Mystery and Imagination, was released in 1976. The album was a concept album based on the works of Edgar Allan Poe, and it featured guest appearances by a number of notable musicians, including John Miles, Terry Sylvester, and Arthur Brown. Tales of Mystery and Imagination was a critical and commercial success, and it established The Alan Parsons Project as a major force in the progressive rock genre.

Over the next several years, The Alan Parsons Project released a string of successful albums, including I Robot (1977), Pyramid (1978), and Eve (1979). These albums featured a number of popular singles, including 'I Robot,' 'Games People Play,' and 'The Turn of a Friendly Card.' The band's popularity continued to grow throughout the 1980s, and they released a number of commercially successful albums, including Eye in the Sky (1982), Ammonia Avenue (1984), and Stereotomy (1986).

Despite their success, The Alan Parsons Project disbanded in 1990, with Parsons and Woolfson pursuing solo careers. Parsons continued to work as a producer, working with a number of notable artists, including Pink Floyd, The Beatles, and Al Stewart. Woolfson passed away in 2009, but The Alan Parsons Project's legacy has continued through the years. Their music has been sampled by a number of hip-hop and electronic artists, and their influence can be heard in the work of a number of modern progressive rock bands.

Overall, The Alan Parsons Project was a unique and influential band that combined complex musical arrangements with cinematic production techniques. Their music has stood the test of time, and they continue to be celebrated and respected by fans of progressive and classic rock.

About the album Tales Of Mystery And Imagination:

Tales of Mystery and Imagination is a concept album released by The Alan Parsons Project in 1976. It is based on the works of famed gothic horror writer Edgar Allan Poe. The album is a mixture of progressive rock, classical music, and symphonic rock, with a heavy emphasis on narrative storytelling.

The album features eleven songs, each one inspired by a different Poe story or poem. The opener, 'A Dream Within a Dream,' features a spoken-word introduction by Orson Welles, setting a haunting and mysterious tone for the album. The following songs range from dark and brooding ('The Cask of Amontillado') to upbeat and playful ('The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether').

The instrumentation on the album is impressive, with various effects and sounds used to create an eerie atmosphere, such as the use of an electric harpsichord on 'The Fall of the House of Usher' or the eerie choir vocals on 'To One in Paradise.' Notably, the album also features the London Symphony Orchestra, adding a classical element to the music and giving it a grandiose and theatrical feel.

The album also features various guest vocalists, including John Miles on the popular hit single 'The Raven' and Arthur Brown on 'The Tell-Tale Heart.' Eric Woolfson provides the majority of the remaining vocals, and his airy and ethereal voice suits the music perfectly.

Overall, Tales of Mystery and Imagination is a captivating and atmospheric album that perfectly captures the essence of Edgar Allan Poe's stories and poems. From the haunting melodies to the chilling effects and soundscapes, it is a timeless classic and a must-listen for fans of both classic literature and progressive rock music.

Members:

The Alan Parsons Project was a British progressive rock band founded in 1975 by composer, musician, and engineer Alan Parsons and songwriter and lyricist Eric Woolfson. Here are the key members of the band, along with brief biographies of each:

1. Alan Parsons - Born December 20, 1948, in London, Parsons is a musician, composer, and sound engineer. Prior to forming The Alan Parsons Project, he worked as an assistant engineer at Abbey Road Studios and was responsible for engineering some of the Beatles' most celebrated albums, including 'Abbey Road' and 'Let It Be.' Parsons played a key role in the band's sound, producing and engineering all of their albums, as well as playing a wide range of instruments and contributing vocals on many tracks.

2. Eric Woolfson - Born March 18, 1945, in Glasgow, Scotland, Woolfson was a songwriter and lyricist who collaborated closely with Parsons on The Alan Parsons Project's music. He contributed vocals on many of the band's tracks and played piano and other instruments. Woolfson also helped to manage and produce the band's albums throughout its history.

3. Ian Bairnson - Born August 3, 1953, Bairnson was a guitarist who played on many of The Alan Parsons Project's tracks. He contributed lead and rhythm guitar parts, as well as bass guitar and keyboards on occasion. Bairnson also worked as a session musician for other notable acts, including Kate Bush and Roger Waters.

4. Andrew Powell - Born April 18, 1949, in Surrey, England, Powell was an arranger, composer, and producer who worked extensively with The Alan Parsons Project. He contributed string arrangements and orchestration on many of the band's tracks, and also helped to produce several of their albums.

5. David Paton - Born October 29, 1949, in Edinburgh, Scotland, Paton was a guitarist and bassist who played on many of The Alan Parsons Project's tracks. He contributed lead and rhythm guitar parts, as well as bass guitar and vocals on occasion. Paton also worked as a session musician for other notable acts, including Elton John and Kate Bush.

Track List for Tales Of Mystery And Imagination:

Sure, here are all the tracks from Tales of Mystery and Imagination by The Alan Parsons Project in order along with their play time and a brief description of each track:

1. 'A Dream Within a Dream' (4:13) - This is an instrumental opening track that sets the eerie tone for the album with its haunting melody and ominous rhythm.

2. 'The Raven' (3:57) - Based on the famous poem by Edgar Allan Poe, this song features lead vocals by actor Leonard Whiting and is punctuated by moody synthesizers and a haunting chorus.

3. 'The Tell-Tale Heart' (4:36) - Another Poe-inspired track, this song features a spoken-word narration by actor Orson Welles set to a suspenseful musical backdrop.

4. 'The Cask of Amontillado' (4:33) - This track is based on Poe's chilling tale of revenge and betrayal, and features moody strings and a driving beat.

5. '(The System of) Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether' (4:20) - A more upbeat track, this song tells the story of a madhouse uprising and features lively synth and guitar solos.

6. 'The Fall of the House of Usher' (15:04) - The longest track on the album, this epic song is based on another Poe story and features a brooding, atmospheric introduction before ramping up into a thunderous climax.

7. 'To One in Paradise' (4:46) - The album's closing track is a romantic ballad based on a Poe poem, featuring lush orchestration and Parsons' signature mix of rock and classical elements.

Overall, Tales of Mystery and Imagination is a concept album that explores Edgar Allan Poe's macabre tales through a combination of spoken-word narration, moody symphonic arrangements, and rock and roll instrumentation.

Discography for The Alan Parsons Project:

Here is the complete discography of The Alan Parsons Project in chronological order, including all albums, all singles, and all other releases with their respective release dates:

Albums:

1. Tales of Mystery and Imagination (1976)
2. I Robot (1977)
3. Pyramid (1978)
4. Eve (1979)
5. The Turn of a Friendly Card (1980)
6. Eye in the Sky (1982)
7. Ammonia Avenue (1984)
8. Vulture Culture (1985)
9. Stereotomy (1986)
10. Gaudi (1987)

Singles:

1. 'Jupiter' / 'Sirius' (1976)
2. ' (The System of) Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether' / 'The Raven' (1976)
3. 'I Wouldn't Want to Be Like You' / 'Some Other Time' (1977)
4. 'Don't Let It Show' / 'The Voice' (1977)
5. 'What Goes Up...' / 'In the Lap of the Gods' (1978)
6. 'Pyramid (Part One)' / 'Pyramania' (1978)
7. 'Games People Play' / 'The Ace of Swords' (1980)
8. 'Time' / 'Games People Play' (1981)
9. 'Eye in the Sky' / 'Old and Wise' (1982)
10. 'Psychobabble' / 'Children of the Moon' (1982)
11. 'You Don't Believe' / 'Stereotomy' (1986)
12. 'Days Are Numbers (The Traveller)' / 'No Answers Only Questions' (1986)

Other Releases:

1. 'The Gold Bug' (1976) - a single released exclusively in Spain
2. 'To One in Paradise' (1977) - a single released exclusively in Italy
3. 'The Best of The Alan Parsons Project' (1983) - a compilation album
4. 'The Instrumental Works' (1988) - a compilation album of instrumental tracks
5. 'Pop Classics' (1999) - a compilation album of their most popular songs, re-recorded with different artists
6. 'The Essential Alan Parsons Project' (2007) - a compilation album