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I do not attend many live shows anymore and find spending money on awesome music like this is so rewarding. Like blending time periods - the then and the now. Like a music archaeologist.
This is the perfect review of a groundbreaking, incredible album. Phil, I think the master, Eric Woolfson, would have appreciated your understanding and heartfelt comprehension of his work. He was a lovely person, and is sadly missed by his fans and bandmates. I especially appreciated your comparison of the various formats. Even though I'm not one of the "Golden Ear" type fans, there has never been an album more deserving of such rich, expansive sonic treatment. No-one does it better than Alan Parsons. Even back then, there was such a difference between the APP albums and most others. The APP fans have been asking for a box set for "Pyramid" for quite some time, and it can't have been easy to put together something so thorough. Eric apparently kept boxes for each album, including the cover photo art for this one, and all those cassettes. So many people had that "Pyramid Power" book on Alan's cover bedside table at the time :). I seem to remember that the single was "Pyramania," of all things, and it had a video that seems to have disappeared into obscurity. Interesting story about "In the Lap of the Gods," and a long way from "What Have They Done to Hazel"? There's so much here to take in. The anonymity factor you mention about the flute player happened again with the alto saxophone and accordion players on "The Turn of a Friendly Card." Absolutely not intentional I'm sure, but a riddle for the fans. RIP, Eric Woolfson, Ian Bairnson, John Miles, and Dean Ford. Legends, all of you. I hadn't thought that I'd need this box set but after your review, I think I do. Time to save up.
Dear Phil, Please keep making these emotional and thoughtful videos, they mean so much more. The hidden layers involved in the creativity process behind and within songs. You brought APP to my attention with a previous review. I particularly love the lyrics on 'Time' from 'The Turn Of A Friendly Card' whiich probe your innermost feelings on the brevity of our lives together on earth. Best wishes, Paul
One of my favourite videos of yours Phil, great to hear and see the love you have for this set. I was lucky enough to meet Alan and the band at the end of tour party for the On Air album at Shepherds Bush Empire back in the day. I've ordered this from Townsend to get the signed print as well, and have the others too. I hope Turn of a Friendly Card gets redone to match these other more expansive sets - perhaps the Atmos mix could be a selling point for a rerelease of that particular underwhelming-in-comparison-with-the-other-sets-though-I-get-why-they-did-it-that-way-with-the-album-having-been-only-relatively-recently-released-as-a-three-disc-set. Can't wait for this to arrive, hope it's not the last, I, Robot is the obvious next contender. Sally's voice is also right there in the other sets, too; like you, it gives you a familial immediacy to what we get that gives the bones of a product a human spirit. They're impressive sets without her. With her, they become more valuable and possess more heart for us to share. Hope I'm not sounding too abstract here. 🙂
Ok. So I’m really hoping a stand alone blu-ray will be available, but I’ll gladly have the whole since there is no vinyl bundled in the set. I loved the way they did “a turn of a friendly card.” That boxset was so beautifully epic, but I think pyramid might surpass it on reading content. ❤
I was working at Sound Advice from 1998-2004 in St. Pete, Florida. In early 2000 or 001. Some guy walked into the store and was handing out free copies of Alan Parsons "On Air" CD 💿 in DTS surround sound. I was talking to this guy. He was telling me Yes and Alan Parsons were doing a "DTS surround" tour. The guy was telli me, how great this "On Air" CD sounded. He told me to focus on few of the songs, and hear the beauty of Surround music. He told me the song "Apollo" would blow my mind, when JFK's voice starts coming out of the center channel. He shook my hand, and said he was heading to the Clearwater Sound Advice. When he left, one of my colleague's asked me, "Do you know who you were talking too" I told him, I think he's a rep. for DTS surround. He's Alan Parsons. I had no idea.
I've always adored this band. I've got Pyramid boxed set on order but I've been playing the single cd version in anticipation and it's great! Perhaps not as good as I Robot and certainly not a patch on Eye in the Sky, but a very album. Once again a great and enthusiastic review. Thanks Phil!
My second favorite APP album after I Robot. 'Can't Take It With You' got a fair amount of play on my local AOR FM station which turned me on to this album back in the late '70s. I'm hoping to pick up this super deluxe set after waiting for a price drop. I have a minty original and the big album box set like you, but I really want that 2 x 45 RPM pressing! Bought the similar set of Ammonia Avenue which has a 2 x 45 RPM pressing a while back and really loved it. Would love to see I Robot and Eye in the Sky get the same treatment eventually.
I loved your review of one of my favourite bands. I bought the earlier APP boxsets and was surprised that this box set was significantly more expensive. Having watched your vlog I have ordered it and look forward to getting it in my hands when it is released. One of my favourite APP albums is less regarded by others but I really love it - Gaudi. Thank you.
Turning the book pages near the spine ..there's a tear gonna happen.! Treat it like you do your vinyl man! Great review nonetheless. Tales of Mystery and imagination was my introduction to TAPP and it remains in my to 5 favourite albums of all time.
Congratulations! What a beautiful review. It’s funny that you’ve liked this album even more after hearing all the content included because I have to tell you, Pyramid is one of APP albums that are so special to me. Although is not the best album for most APP followers it is one with the most thoughtful and greater singles for me. The eagle will rise again and Shadow of a lonely man are just breathtaking tracks that bring back my childhood and I still remember the first time I’ve heard those songs for the very first time. I seriously can’t wait to own this box set and experience that magic once again, and now with all those extras and even with that 5.1 mix. Thanks so much for the loving work you’ve put in this wonderful review. I loved it! Cheers and let’s all enjoy this beautiful and timeless work from Eric, Alan and all members and people involved in The Alan Parsons Project’s Pyramid.
I got my box set on order. Pyramid is my personal all-time favorite APP album. Thank you for sharing. Also, the Analog Productions Atlantic 75th releases are amazing. Yes, 90125 is simply the best recording I have ever heard. Genesis Selling England by the Pound another top Notch Analog Production release. They are expensive but the remixes 45rpms are the best.
Great, great album indeed. There's something I really love to know about. What does it means on CD2, Eric Woolfson’s Songwriting Diary? Is it Eric talking about the music? Is it some beats of melody? Is it a conversation? What is it all about? Does anyone let me know what it is, please!? 👋👋👋
I explain a lot of this in the video. The diaries are Eric’s music ideas and journey towards the finished tracks. Many recorded at home on cassette as he was working on songs for this album and others. They are fascinating to listen to - Phil
My favorite APP...it's the way they mixed exotic sounds and instruments with a futuristic vision...pure genius....and the sequencing...and the power of the writing...a flawless album to my ears ,10/10 in my book.
"Pyramid" was the first album I ever heard/bought by APP. It was one of the very first CD's I ever purchased (in 1986). It's a first pressing Arista CD, still in its original "smooth edge" jewel case (CD collectors of a certain age will know what I am talking about). Anyway, the deluxe box set looks extremely interesting and I just might check into purchasing it. Not sure, though. "Pyramid" has always been my favorite album of theirs, even above "I Robot". I agree with you that "Shadow of A Lonely Man" is a very emotional song. And I have always gravitated towards "Voyager", "One More River" and "Hyper-Gamma Spaces". Thanks for the informative, heartfelt review. 💿 😊
Wonderful heart felt review Phil - I do love The Alan Parsons project and have a quite a lot of their stuff. Magnificent as the box is I'll probably give it a miss. Just preordered Jethro Tulls reissues so have to watch the pennies. I must say though I LOVE my box sets lol such wonderful music, and at great value. Cya on the next one. Cheers
Hi Phil wondered if you had any indication in this new box of who played the wonderful piccolo trumpet on "what goes up". I have the 2009 remaster cd, which indicates the players but no mention of the trumpet.
Great review as usual Phil. Looks like an awesome set with all the extra goodies, but this album was not a high charter, so it seems like an odd choice for the deluxe treatment, especially in the middle of their catalog coming out of the blue. Is Eve next? What about Gaudi? See what I mean? Seems so random or are they doing what Tull is doing but out of order? Cheers.
You once asked me why I support the channel and this video is a prime example of why I do. I sincerely mean this Phil and I am not trying to blow smoke up your bum but you should be on a national tv or radio show like the Old Grey Whistle Test or something similar to John Peel. You are the new Bob Harris. As for APP I am one of those casual fans who can take or leave them but I will listen with new ears when I next play their music. I have all the original studio albums apart from Sicilian Defence on cd and nothing on vinyl. Maybe I should invest in the vinyl box set if it’s still available. Vinyl is my favourite medium but like you I consider myself multi format but I didn’t opt for the 45 rpm option when I bought my Linn Sondek just to save a bit of money. I can however play 45’s on my older Linn deck but that’s not as good so I know that this box set isn’t for me.
Hello, I have ordered the Ultimate Super Deluxe which included the Limited Edition Gold Nugget vinyl and Silver Vinyl, do you know if they are contained in a slightly larger box than the one you featured in your video, or should I expect them to be included separately on their own when I recieve my package?
Hi Angelo, the main box set is as per the set Phil showed in the video. If you opted for a Gold Nugget vinyl, then this is an additional bundle item, so will be a separate album format (not part of the box set), this version will be very collectable since there are only a few hundred produced that are exclusive to the APP online store.
Tales Of Mystery & Imagination, Eye In The Sky, Ammonia Avenue, The Turn Of A Friendly Card (this is a different type of deluxe set, smaller without vinyl), Pyramid.
