The Alan Parsons Project Album: “Very Best Live”

For the longest time, studio wizard Alan Parsons said that he would never tour because he didn't think the technology was there to bring his studio-perfected, progressive pop/rock to the live concert stage. Of course, this was back in the 70's & 80's, when Alan fronted his studio group, the Alan Parsons Project. But come 1993, with the release of Alan's first solo album, "Try Anything Once" (his first album without the "Project" name), and Alan finally felt that he had the necessary equipment to take his music out on the road. "The Very Best Live" documents Alan's very first live concert tour, recorded in Europe in 1994. In his live band are longtime Project veterans Ian Bairnson on guitar, Stuart Elliott on drums and Andrew Powell on keyboards, as well as singers Gary Howard and Chris Thompson of Manfred Mann. Parsons & company deliver brilliant live renditions of such Project favorites as "Eye In The Sky," "Psychobabble," "Time," "Prime Time" and "Don't Answer Me." The band also go back to the very first Project album, "Tales Of Mystery And Imagination," for a burnburning double-header of "A Dream Within A Dream" and "The Raven." There's even a marvelous melding of the Project instrumentals, "Lucifer" and "Mammagamma," called "Luciferama." Alan & the band sound SO good live in concert: crisp, lean, and sharp, with the fantastic musicianship that Parsons' albums are known for, and singers Howard & Thompson both do an excellent job at the microphone. Only gripe: no live version of "Games People Play"! Oh well, I guess there just wasn't room for it.And as an added bonus, "The Very Best Live" concludes with three exclusive studio tracks, and they're all winners: "When" and "You're The Voice," both sung by Thompson, and "Take The Money And Run," featuring drummer Stuart Elliott's debut lead vocal on a Parsons album, and he does a great job. Quite simply, "The Very Best Live" is a terrific document of Alan Parsons and his superb live band, plus you get a wonderful trio of studio songs, t'boot. As a longtime fan, I'm thrilled that Alan is performing his outstanding music live for his fans at long last. May he play gigs for many years to come!

A nice collection of live songs, with two distinct vocalistis. Chris Thompson has a grittier rock voice, while my preference is Garu Howard, who sings the melodic, soft ballads. What must be noted is the three bonus tracks. 'When' is a cathy soft verse, rockier riff laden chorus, sung by Chris. 'Your'e the voice' is a great track to do live. 'Take the money and run' is written by Stuart Eliott and unusual, as it has him on lead vocal. He has a good voice and the song is laden with a memorable verse and an anthemic climax building to a rousing chorus. It is clear he is a great songwriter, and this is complex progressive rock at its best. Why this song is not on a studio album and is merely a bonus track on a live album is beyond me. Fantastic song.

Who would guess that Alan Parson, a studio band that never toured, would record one of the best live records of all time years after their prime. A big accomplishment considering Alan Parson would have to find singers that would compliment the original performances. His gamble payed off on this record and the results are incredible. Both singers turn in an excellent performance. Songs such as "Psychobabble" and "Eye in the Sky" completely blow the originals out of the water. The musicianship is also spectacular. The saxophone solo on "Old and Wise" is so poweful it brings tears to your eyes. One thing I really enjoy about this record is you can hear that the band is really having fun on stage and it shows. As a bonus there are three additional studio tracks. The first song "When" is mediocre but the next two songs "Take the Money and Run" and "Your'e the Voice" are powerful. I definitely recommend this to any Alan Parson fan. I have worn out my cassette to the point that it is so faded I have to turn it all the way up to hear it.

The significance of this live album is that after refusing to take his "Project" on the road for almost 20 years, Parsons put together a band and proved his music was accessible, resulting in an excellent representation of his acclaimed music.

Although the Project days had mutated into just Alan Parsons, the live concert focuses on the Project's earlier material and they are all exceptionally delivered. The addition of Chris Thompson as the main lead vocalist along with Gary Howard brings a whole new strength to the album. The inclusion of THE RAVEN from the Project's debut album also serves as a reminder of how brilliant Parsons was and how the whole thing started for Parsons. The three studio tracks are impressive especially the anthemic YOU'RE THE VOICE which would eventually be a signature song for the legendary John Farnham. Thompson whose career would include his solo hit IF YOU REMEMBER ME and a stint with Manfred Mann is in fine form on this album, especially on VOICE and the bittersweet LIMELIGHT.

In summary, a great album from the remarkable Mr. Parsons.

A very nice collection of the best work of Alan Parsons Project. Even, it is a concert recording, the songs performance is excelent, with very nice sound effects and a very good sound quality. This CD is highly recommended for someone who has discovered Alan Parsons recently.