The Alan Parsons Project Album: “Ultimate”

I can't get enough of Parson and will do anything to support his music: Even buy another "Best Of." Very Good tracks on this album and a fair representation. Few obscure tunes, although some of his obscure are his best. For instance, 'Turn of a Friendly Card,' in my humble opinion, Parson's best and representative of the acme of his career, could've included both versions of the title track from that album. Raven and Lucifer are both very good tracks too, but were included on his live album. "Voyager" from "Pyramid" would have been a better selection for an instrumental at this stage. "Days are Numbers" was an excellent choice. So, is I Robot(instrumental) which is very representative of Parson's work and a particularly good choice for that album, although I agree with one of the other reviews who wanted another cut from that album. Yes, "Ammonia Avenue" is associated with 'elevator music' nowdays, but it's music is still much beloved and I'm happy some cuts were included from it. Sirus and Eye in the Sky, have to be included with any sample from "Eye in the Sky", but "Psycho-babble" a concert staple of Parson's wouldn't have been one of my choices. I would've liked "Standing on Higher Ground" from Gaudi. One of my favorite tunes. Other than some of the above comments, I find this a favorable addition to any Parson Project collection and a fine overall sample of his music for those unfamiliar with the Project's work. Being released now, considering some of the Projects work is almost 30 years old is quite an accomplishment for any band. It puts Parson's and his bandmate among some of the greats.

I recommend.

The best CD I have purchased. I never leave home on road trips without my copy of it. Dreamy music...enchanting...very listenable. As usual I didn't like all of the tracks on this CD but the track "TIME" is by far my favorite...sad lyrics.

All the major top 40 airplay hits are here. This is a good one to keep in the car or at work when you need a fix. This includes the Mercury recordings of A Dream Within A Dream,Doctor Tar&Professor Feather, and the Raven. These were not on any Arista album. As always, Arista does a super-fine job on Alan's cover art. This one depicts Eric and Alan as identical euro-techno twins waiting for a plane at Orly(fantastic photos of the airport layout). When you open the insert you then see AP and Eric as they are today, or rather 2005. Folks,Buds,Peebs...get all the albums. They are reasonalbly priced and the total collection is liken unto getting the Beatles 16 cd set for your birthday. Remember, Alan was the engineer at Abbey Road on that particular album and Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon, too. Favorite cuts: Lucifer,Games People Play...all are profound!

I'm a long time fan of The Alan Parson's Project. Their sound is a unique and captivating blend of classical instrumentation, techno-rock and straight-forward lyrics with a touch of tongue-in-cheek cynicism.

i basically bought this album to acquire one track that I especially liked (Sirius - an instrumental). But I found other tracks that I am familiar with that I also enjoyed. This is a very good album and heartily recommended.

The sales transaction was flawless and I was very pleased with the outcome