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Alan Parsons Project - Tales of Mystery and Imagination Audio CD

A fair review of the Alan Parsons Project "Tales of Mystery and Imagination" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Alan Parsons Project reviews here, or go back to the Alan Parsons Project tabs.

Alan Parsons Project Band: Alan Parsons Project
Title: Tales of Mystery and Imagination
Rating:
Release Date: 1990-10-25
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Dream Within a Dream [Instrumental] 2: Raven 3: Tell-Tale Heart 4: Cask of Amontillado 5: (The System Of) Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether 6: Fall of the House of Usher: Prelude [Instrumental] 7: Fall of the House of Usher: Arrival [Instrumental] 8: Fall of the House of Usher: Intermezzo [Instrumental] 9: Fall of the House of Usher: Pavane [Instrumental] 10: Fall of the House of Usher: Fall [Instrumental] 11: To One in Paradise

Literary and Musical License
For centuries, composers have been "borrowing" from each other to create new music. The previous reviewer railed against the Alan Parsons Project for quoting from Claude Debussy without acknowledging the debt. Igor Stravinsky was notable in acknowledging he did "steal" some music from other composers but the art was knowing from whom and when to do the theft.

Copyrighted music does require acknowledgement (and payment) to a composer whose music is incorporated into a new composition. (Remember all the hoopla with rap and hip-hop sampling music of others?) I do not know if Debussy's music is in the public domain or not. Perhaps the Alan Parsons Project should have made an nod to Debussy apparent in the credits, but should we fault the artist for using this music in a new fashion? I think not.

When Keith Emerson borrowed from Bartok, there was not one whit of a mention until reissues of the self-titled album. It was certainly acknowledged for years in trade publications and Keith never said he did not use Bartok. Does it make the music worse? Do you find it disturbing that a musician may not be completely original in the composition, yet is original in the use of the themes from another composer? Do you think it was an intentional rip off?

I think that you enjoyed the album, anyway, is a testament to Alan Parsons ability to produce pleasing and, yes, original music.
Perhaps it was an oversight. But, in no instance should it detract from a great release as this.
.


Great, BUT.....
BUT one thing I cannot forgive. OK, it's a masterpiece of prog aural bliss. The Prelude on the suite "Fall of House of Usher" is literally from an unfinished piece by Claude Debussy, "La chute de maison Usher". The fact that this is not acknowledged in the album information (or is it on the Deluxe edition?) is something of a scandal, I believe. Do messrs Parsons/Woolfsons/Powell want us to suppose they could ever write such music on their own? Opinions on this please! .


Just as good as the first time round!!
It is just as wonderful as I remembered it to be in 1976. I owned the vinyl LP, the CD,and have now downloaded the MP3. .


Prog-pop-Poe

. 3 1/2

Interestingly fractured debut from the seminal recorder already had heads turned with Parson's distinct blend of layered compositional catchiness via some of Edgar Allen's more popular summations.


Alan Parsons' First Album and a Classic
Alan Parsons is the engineer behind Pink Floyd's mega-success "The Dark Side of the Moon," and he and project partner Eric Woolfson put together this incredible soundtrack to some of Edgar Allan Poe's writings. Artist: The Alan Parsons Project
Album: Tales of Mystery and Imagination
Rating: *****

This is the first album by The Alan Parsons Project. If you enjoy theme-oriented rock operas, this album should be in your collection.

Track 1 A Dream Within A Dream (Instrumental) ****
Fantastic start to this journey, and sets the mood for what's to come.
Track 2 The Raven *****
A staple of Alan Parsons Live Project performances. Great song.
Track 3 The Tell-Tale Heart *** ½
Not my favorite Poe story, but the song captures the feeling perfectly, especially the screaming vocals.
Track 4 The Cask of Amontillado *****
You can almost see the bricks being layed right before your eyes. Creepy, sad, and powerful song.
Track 5 (The System of) Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether *****
"Just what you need to make you feel better. . . " , and I cannot help but to feel better when rocking out to this song.
Tracks 6-10 The Fall of the House of Usher (Instrumental) **** ½
This suite of 5 tracks takes you on an instrumental tour through the Poe story. The thunderstorm is amazing, and the harpsichord in "Pavane" is terrific.
Track 11 To One in Paradise *****
Absolutely awesome song and lyrics, and a great way to end the album.
.


You can see a complete list of all Alan Parsons Project discography, or go back to the Alan Parsons Project tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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