“Don’t Answer Me” told a great story too, where the guy gets the girl in the end – my favourite kind of story.
Today, my newsfeed had a story about bands who had more than one lead singer.
The Alan Parsons Project was one of those groups, and it took me back to when I truly discovered the band.
As seen on TV
My introduction to the Alan Parsons Project came after school in Grade 9. It was on a TV show on CBC Channel 9 on the peasant vision dial called “Video Hits”. That was 1984, and that’s where I saw the cartoon video for “Don’t Answer Me” for the first time. The song was part of the album “Ammonia Avenue”, and would go all the way to number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.
My introduction to the Alan Parsons Project came after school in Grade 9. It was on a TV show on CBC Channel 9 on the peasant vision dial called “Video Hits”. That was 1984, and that’s where I saw the cartoon video for “Don’t Answer Me” for the first time. The song was part of the album “Ammonia Avenue”, and would go all the way to number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.
Later on, “Don’t Answer Me” was part of a “Video Hits” tribute to videos that are cartoons, including “Take On Me” by A-ha and “Criminal Mind” by Gowan.
After that, I started hearing more songs by the Alan Parson Project and learning more about them.
Eye in the sky
About that same time I heard the single “Eye in the Sky” on a commercial for a compilation album of songs by different artists.
About that same time I heard the single “Eye in the Sky” on a commercial for a compilation album of songs by different artists.
Soon after, it was the summer of 1985 and I went to hang out at my friend David Perlich’s place. Craig Tanaka, another friend of ours, had that Alan Parsons Project album from his parents and made "Eye in the Sky" part of a mixed tape we listened to.
“Eye in the Sky” was actually released in 1982 and the first single of an album of the same name. It would be the highest charting single for the band, peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100.
Eventually, I bought the album “Eye in the Sky” at Comic City in the Park Meadows Mall and it still sits in my garage. The album cover has a unique texture, with some cool cover art of an eye that looks like it came off a pyramid in Egypt.
I got my sister to dub the record on to a tape for me, and the first time I listened to “Eye in the Sky”, I discovered something interesting. There was an instrumental that actually led into the song. I looked on the record jacket, and that instrumental actually had its own name – “Sirius”.
I heard it again a few years later, but wasn’t sure I was right. It was the 1991 NBA playoffs and the Chicago Bulls were about to take the floor on their home court. Suddenly, this instrumental started playing to build excitement. I was sure that was “Sirius”, but I never saw it referred to that – until Wikipedia just confirmed it for me.
Make believe
In junior high, I had this friend named Mike Kozbial who was just brilliant and amazingly creative. He would write stories and illustrate them with his own artwork. He used to write radio and TV plays, and even created a fictional TV network with his own line-up of shows. I recall him telling me about one of his radio plays and how he used a song by the Alan Parsons Project in it called “Ace of Swords”.
In junior high, I had this friend named Mike Kozbial who was just brilliant and amazingly creative. He would write stories and illustrate them with his own artwork. He used to write radio and TV plays, and even created a fictional TV network with his own line-up of shows. I recall him telling me about one of his radio plays and how he used a song by the Alan Parsons Project in it called “Ace of Swords”.
It was from an album called “The Turn of a Friendly Card”, released in 1980, and had a number of recognizable singles.
“Games People Play” peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100, while “Time” peaked at number 15. A third single, “Snake Eyes”, peaked at number 67.
Big brother
Another source of music and musical knowledge was my big brother, who is 10 years older than me. After I got interested in music, I would scour his record collection whenever we went to visit him in Calgary. That’s where I had “The Turn of a Friendly Card”, dubbed onto a tape for me; and first saw the album “I, Robot”.
Another source of music and musical knowledge was my big brother, who is 10 years older than me. After I got interested in music, I would scour his record collection whenever we went to visit him in Calgary. That’s where I had “The Turn of a Friendly Card”, dubbed onto a tape for me; and first saw the album “I, Robot”.
My brother also had the band’s debut album “Tales of Mystery and Imagination”. It was based on the work of author Edgar Allan Poe, and included the songs “The Raven”, which peaked at number 80 on the Billboard Hot 100; “The Tell-Tale Heart”; “The Fall of the House of Usher”; and “The Cask of Amontillado”, which we had read in English 20 around that time. It is the original story about one man seeking revenge on another by getting him drunk then walling him into a brick building and leaving him to die.
My brother may have had some other Alan Parson Project stuff, such as the albums “Pyramid” and Eve” as well.
Follow up
After “Ammonia Avenue”, I was much more aware of the Alan Parsons Project.
After “Ammonia Avenue”, I was much more aware of the Alan Parsons Project.
Their next album, “Vulture Culture”, came out in 1985, and I distinctly remembering liking the single “Days Are Numbers (The Traveller)”. It peaked at number 71 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The album “Stereotomy” followed in 1986, with the singles “Limelight” and the title track, which peaked at number 82 on the Billboard Hot 100. That would be the band’s last charting single.
“Gaudi”, an album referring to the Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi, was the band’s 10th album, coming out in 1987. I recall reading about “Gaudi” in the Columbia House catalogue, because it was a monthly selection.
They released “Freudiana”, which came out in 1990, and their next and final studio album was "The Sicilian Defence”, released in 2014, 24 years after the band split up.
Movie magic
In 1985, my sister and I went to see this medieval movie starring Michelle Pfeiffer, Matthew Broderick, and Rutger Hauer called “Ladyhawke”. Much to our surprise, after we settled into our seats and the movie started, there was a graphic stating the music was by Alan Parsons.
In 1985, my sister and I went to see this medieval movie starring Michelle Pfeiffer, Matthew Broderick, and Rutger Hauer called “Ladyhawke”. Much to our surprise, after we settled into our seats and the movie started, there was a graphic stating the music was by Alan Parsons.
I will never forget that driving score accompanying sweeping panoramas, and heightening suspense at crucial moments.
Parting thoughts
I always knew that the Alan Parsons Project consisted of Parsons and Eric Wolfson. I thought it cool that, on one record jacket, I read he called his company “Wolfsongs”.
I always knew that the Alan Parsons Project consisted of Parsons and Eric Wolfson. I thought it cool that, on one record jacket, I read he called his company “Wolfsongs”.
What I did not realize until recently was that it was a “Project”, because the musicians and vocalists accompanying Parsons and Wolfson kept changing. That would just add richness and depth to the music.
In any event, I really enjoyed their music and Wolfson’s soft and balladeering voice.
I recall the first time I heard “Eye in the Sky”, I could not get the harmonies out of my head. I just kept wanting to sing “I am the eye in the sky…”
That says something.
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