Alan Parsons is a sophisticated, infinitely versatile pop music producer, expressing his thematic, meaningful and oftimes dark view of Humanity with brilliant instrumentation (real and synth played by virtuoso-caliber instrumentalists), sweet, sincere vocals, and arrangements that frame each of his concept pieces masterfully. He is unconfined to any singular subgenre of popular music -- his product is relentlessly, consistently musical. His music evokes powerful images of an ignoble past, or a fearsome future. The vocals are brought forth in a somber tone of contemplation, which often builds up to passionate, frustrated intensity.
He produced the Pink Floyd Album, "Dark Side Of The Moon." As brilliant a seminal work as that was, his work with The Project has been amazing. His albums are like symphonies, with each song a self-sufficient movement, but with an underlying message or tone that holds each of these savory pieces together. Each component is so well-crafted as make each collection of songs a classic. Parsons uses chord structures and musical ideas that run the gamut from medieval times to disco. He is a brilliant musical mind -- refined, yet unconfined.
My friend Jay Goldberg (musicologist extraordinare) introduced me to the works of Alan Parsons. I owe my friend Jay much.
Two songs follow for your enjoyment. Either click on the respective hyperlinks or on the embedded video screens to enjoy "The Turn Of a Friendly Card," and "Damned If I Do." Each of these songs expresses a different facet of the personal lamentation, frustration and versatility of Alan Parsons...a Human Being trying to transcend the proclivities and destructive propensities that are programmed into our species.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dFFO2z6gXg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3AQHoqpnC8
Enjoy these. Thank you, Alan -- and thank you, Jay.
Radio DAZZ: Produced by Douglas Castle
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