Eric Woolfson was/is the best, greatest and my favorite of the Alan Parsons' Project singers!!! Followed by Lenny Zakatek, John Miles (RiP) and Chris Rainbow (RiP)!! And the rest of them...
It's a real shame that Eric chose not to perform with the Alan Parsons Live Project. It would have been great to see him on stage either singing or playing piano/keyboard to all of the songs that he co-wrote with Alan.
A lot of people in the comments don't seem to like this.It's not the same as the original recording, and it's not meant to be. This version really brings a new side to a beautiful classic. Not everyone's cup of tea, but I think this rendition is absolutely beautiful. Not meant to replace the original, but perhaps more of a tribute.
As far as I know, this is the only footage of Woolfson performing the song live in any way, so it's definitely a plus to me. Not going to judge it for what it isn't.
This is absolutely beautiful. A wonderful collaboration. Steve has the most amazing voice and accompanied superbly by Eric. He will be sadly missed. xxxx
It's so good to see Eric Woolfson playing the songs he wrote, when I was young. All the project people did a great job, Eric, the rest of the musicians, and Alan. They together created the kind of magic that music is.
In my mind there is a small list of the most profoundly, beautifully perfect things in life and this guy's voice comes in at 3 after the full moon and the stars in the night sky when there is no moon.
@ReligiaodeMerda Sorry I don't agree and neither did Eric. In his own words: "I find myself very fortunate to have discovered him, allbeit rather later in my career than people usually find their voice. In the voice of Steve Balsamo my work has been lifted to a level it has never reached before". That included eye in the sky. Eric's was amazing but I prefer this version and check this out then say he whispers ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-SMH1gUidtVE.html
I have compared. Steve certainly sang better. That certain style. The feelings he portrayed. Very difficult to imitate. They make such a wonderful creative team. Eric is too young to die. I wish I had discovered him earlier so that I could offer my medical services..... When I think of the world losing Eric as well as the eric-Steve team I feel like crying.
With all due respect to Mr Balsamo who has his own glossy talents, this great composition could only be sung appropriately by Mr Woolfson in his prime. The Alan Parsons Project almost always used other singers for their compositions but there were a few where Mr Woolfson's voice was perfect for the song and "Eye in the Sky" was definitely one of them and always will be... Unfortunately, Mr Woolfson passed away in 2009 but he should unquestionably be regarded as one of the most extraordinarily gifted music composers of the 20th century.
Tony K. Have to disagree with you big time: the song always was beautiful but it truly came to life for me when I heard this version! And that's got everything to do with Steve's singing & sensitive approach to the song. Eric Woolfson himself was one of his biggest admirers. This to me is a cooperation made in heaven (where hopefully mr.Woolfson now rests in peace)!
While I do like the original, I think I have to go with jorg on this. As I understand, even Eric didn't prefer his voice on most songs. I think it sounds great, but he didn't particularly think his vocals were the best for a final mix. There's many demo tracks floating around with Eric's voice instead of the final artist- and they do sound great. But Eric I think did well as the silent genius and really preferred to stay out of the spot light.
@@jefferyt5125 The original was great enough to get us to this point, and as Eric said in this video.. "more the way I KNOW I did it" than the original. massive talent and great vocals
Steve Balsamo is a much better singer than Eric - I think Steve is amazing. That said, I do prefer the Eric version, but I'm happy we also have this version. A song that continues to be sung never dies.
@vigil12348 You obviously do not understand the music business. To say Steve should have learned the lyrics years before?? A true artist will have the written words before them to ensure acuracy. You just need to look at Eric's face to realise his utter pleasure of Steve's performance. Maybe you need to read more about these two amazing artists to understand their connection and then think twice about your comment. IMHO.
Love this. Love the man Woolfson, what a fantastic song writer he was. And Steve Balsamo has a godlike voice, which is why Woolfson was infatuated with his singing. What a shame he died too soon, and what a greater shame that his enormous talents were tragically under-recognised in the land of his birth. For my money, one of the best songwriters ever. Sleep and dream in peace, Eric.
Eric wanted it this way more than 30 years later. Eric's original version was great then, the later version sung by Steve (approved by Eric himself) is great now. Both are azaming. Steve's voice makes this song more powerful.
The Singer and the Song Writer. Wonderful combination. Steve's delivery a really good effort. (Eric's songsheet? I think it probably does not have the words to the song. He's playing from memory)
Perhaps I will write the same what Tony K. wrote but (of course you may agree with me or not) - of course with all due respect for Steve Balsamo, in my opinion voice in this song is only one and belongs to Eric Woolfson and anybody won't be able to be as good as Eric (to have equal perfect timbre as he) let alone beat him.
@1Youngcat When Eric sad that Steve Balsamo was the greatest singer he had worked with, he really exagerated! Let's not forget that John Miles, Colin Blunstone, Lenny Zakatek, Chris Rainbow and many others sung for the Alan Parsons Project. Steve Balsamo is a great artist, but the four I have mentioned above are not inferior to him.
Yes, he DID exagerate! His own original version and original singing was/is WAY BETTER!! I'd also rather listen to the four TAPP singers any day of this guy. His version is too slow and boring.
Wolfson's voice IS Eye In The Sky, this "soulful" wannabe falls short for me. Wolfson's minimal use of vibrato and trills, and all of that other show-offy type stuff, makes his inflection with tone alone so rich and enjoyable.
Yes PLEASE do! think a couple of other songs were performed on this show. would be good to see these too. This is SOOO beautiful. Eric Woolfson and Steve Balsamo. What a combination.
@1Youngcat I guess vigil12348 just does not like to be contradicted, nor realise that the reason we comment is because - A - we can and B - we care. 'It' simply resorts to insults as obviously a nerve has been struck. Then again, I do not realise that people such as you or I are entitled to opinions so I guess I should not have said any of that lest I get another lecture from the obviously all knowing.
dear miss colandro. good points but the tickets to the proms had been purchased the bands booked so alan proably had no choice but to play such a perstegious event to other writers the petty bickering detracts from the points you are attempting to express, as eric woolfson's lyrics to immortal say--- bitter words wont find me there just enjoy his music urbania 70and c savage SR ive seen your web sites so i know you do
Cosa c 'entra Alan Parsons con Alan Parson o The Alan Parsons...Anroce1 scrive sbagliando: THE ALAN PASONS PROJECT ! Errori di trascrizioni ci possono essere e non servono maestri elementari soprattutto quelli che CORREGGONO SBAGLIANDO! Se conosci solo questo brano della discografia di ALAN PARSONS non è colpa mia, altrimenti avresti citato altre canzoni di gran lunga superiore. Woolfson elogia un brano commerciale, lo dimostra il fatto che è uno, se non l 'unico conosciuto in Italia.Voto 4
Commercializzare il progetto di Alan Parson credo sia la cosa più orribile che si possa fare nel campo musicale... Lasciate inviolato almeno questo mito e non sporcatelo per farne un business ! Comunque Eye in the sky non è affatto uno dei migliori brani "Alan Parson Project" ma uno dei più commerciali, ergo diretto alla massa, sono ben i loro brani da ricordare.
@1Youngcat I respect your opinion, but I still don't agree. Period. Colin Blunstone, Lenny Zakatek, Gary Brooker, John Miles, Chris Rainbow, David Paton and Eric Woolfson did sing for The APP. They are all fantastic.
Oh, this is so beautiful. I've got tears in my eyes.. And by the way, it is a radio show. And Steve was singing Woolfsons song from Poe, and this is not from Poe and I guess he does not know all Woolfsons lyrics by heart...
My thanks to urbania70 for sharing this with me. It was such a beautiful performance by both artists. So sad when you lose someone dear;) A very touching moment thanks for posting, Regards Billy ;)
Actually, the Alan Parsons Project was Woolfson's Idea. He was Parson's manager at the time. -Eric Woolfson (creator, songwriter, lyricist and lead singer of the Alan Parsons Project) died of kidney cancer in the early hours of the 2nd December 2009, aged 64.-quote
@kayaminnie I think I have it on a recording of a radio show broadcast recorded from the internet. Might be a good idea to check the media section of Steve's official site for radio shows Steve did around 2003-04. If it isn't on there now, I am pretty sure I have it somewhere myself - please drop me a note if you don't find it there. I remember playing it not long afer Eric passed and weeping like a baby. :(
i have a memory related to this song i would like to share with you today- it was aug 1982, and i had developed a ear infection swimming in the coal cuts up home that summer two days in the heat dizzy until i could not stand up the only relieve i got was from drinking water taking the pressure off, laying there i turned on the radio and on came eye in the sky with eric woolfsons voice, the infection broke draining that memory has stayed with me to this day
If it wasn't for the extremely sad passing of Eric Woolfson. I would have only one comment for this video. Eric, could you do a tutorial video of this song? ; )
@1Youngcat Oh yeh... How do you know those are the lyrics of Eye in the Sky? The lyrics in front of Eric are too long to be those of Eye in the sky - compare to the ones in Balsamo's hand. Maybe it's an insirational poem, the lyrics of Immortal or everything else. Have some respect for Eric's memory and stop asking stupid questions.
@ReligiaodeMerda The truth is it isn't played because he never recorded it. This was from one of a series of live radio sessions Steve and Eric did. Was just a one off. You and I both love Eric's version i just simply like this better. We weren't discussing whose best anyway. We were discussing whisper. My comment was this was not whispering but a soft, gentle beautiful performance that Eric himself loved. Eric was a great and talented man. His music will be remembered whoever sings it.
@brawlass I do not need to read about musicians, i need to hear their music and judge by myself if it's powerful or not. I do not apreciate Balsamo's voice or vocal delivery, You obviously do not understand, that everybody is entitled to their own opinion, so think twice before making such remarks.
Caro Giorgio, Ho appena rioletto un tuo commento riguardante la versione di Eye in the Sky cantata da Steve accompagnato da Eric al piano e sono perfettamente daccordo con te. Un abbraccio Fer
Is there by any chance a karaoke version of this song available? Not the original Project version but more like this one. :) Great song btw... RIP Eric Woolfson, and Steve's voice.. *sigh* amazing!
a wonderful, yet sad suprrise so rare to see eric playing piano this is the first time he did that on eye in the sky accompianed by steve too. quiet and respectful performance, the word dignity comes to mind
Oh mi God, haw far I was…, the magic of RU-vid connect me with the music again, With My Music… the Music of my teens, the Music I growth with, like The Alan Parsons Project… I remember when I bought my First vinyl LP. And now the magic introduce me with this simple great Man, Eric Woolfson !!!! Mi mas sentido homenaje a tu Musica Eric !!! Se que estas en el cielo tocando el piano, I know that you are in the Sky playing your Piano, thanks for your Music Eric !!!! what a GIFT !!!
Para mi más que la voz (de hecho cantó casi lo mismo que Miles, Zakatek o Blounstone en APP) será por siempre el corazón, y Alan el esqueleto de la sociedad musical. Eric fue siempre el sentimiento, mientras que Alan el "hacedor" del milagro, incluso hoy, sin Eric, Alan sigue sonando a "Project", mientras que Woolfson liberó su énfasis teatral con poco menos brillo. Tienes razón, jamas podremos verlo cantar esta canción... una lástima. Gracias Eric por enseñarme lo que es la música.
The softer, slower arrangement and the tempo (and the absence of the "looking at you" backing vocal in the chorus) sound like Noa's cover rendition of the song.
