Alan Parsons: A Valid Path [Dual Disc]

Alan Parsons Project | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 4, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Dual Disc
• Label: Immergent
• ASIN: B000EPFD4E
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #196,096 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

As indicated by its name, the Alan Parsons Project was not a band so much as a concept overseen by the titular Parsons, a successful producer and engineer. Born in Britain on December 20, 1949, he began his musical career as a staff engineer at EMI Studios, and first garnered significant industry exposure via his work on the Beatles' 1969 masterpiece Abbey Road. Parsons subsequently worked with Paul McCartney on several of Wings' earliest albums; he also oversaw recordings from Al Stewart, Cockney Rebel and Pilot, but solidified his reputation by working on Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon.

Influenced by his work on Stewart's concept album Time Passages, Parsons decided to begin creating his own thematic records; along with songwriter Eric Woolfson, he soon founded the Alan Parsons Project. Although Parsons played keyboards and infrequently sang on his records, the Project was designed primarily as a forum for a revolving collection of vocalists and session players — among them Arthur Brown, ex-Zombie Colin Blunstone, Cockney Rebel's Steve Harley, the Hollies' Allan Clarke and guitarist Ian Bairnson — to interpret and perform Parsons and Woolfson's conceptually-linked, lushly-synthesized music.

Product Description

Alan Parsons began his musical career as a staff engineer at EMI Studios, and first garnered significant industry exposure via his work on the Beatles' 1969 masterpiece Abbey Road. Parsons subsequently worked with Paul McCartney on several of Wings' earliest albums; but solidified his reputation by working on Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon.

A Valid Path was Alan Parsons' first record in five years and is finally available on DualDisc with a boatload of extras. This disc marks a leap into the world of computers and electronic music filled with polyrhythmic drumbeats and soaring guitar solos (provided in part by Pink Floyd's David Gilmour). A Valid Path features a number of fascinating new collaborations, including The Crystal Method, Shpongle, Jeremy Parsons, Uberzone, The Nortec Collective and PJ Olsson, who also now sings with the Alan Parsons Live Project.

CD SIDE: • Complete album in stereo

DVD SIDE: • Entire album recorded in 5.1 surround sound
• Track Commentary
• Interview with Alan in English with subtitles in French, Spanish, German, and Japanese
• Complete Alan Parsons discography
• Lyrics
• Website links
• DVDLauncher feature
• Easter Eggs- "Turn it Up" video, "More Lost Without You" video

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magical DualDisc, April 25, 2006

By 

Dynamo (The Hague, The Netherlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alan Parsons: A Valid Path (Audio CD)

I have just received the recently released dualdisc of A Valid Path. This is really magical stuff. One of the best surround sound albums that I have ever listened to and I have a lot of them in my collection. Best song is 'We Play the Game' with lead vocals of Alan Parsons himself and perfoming together with The Crystal Method. I also like 'You Can Run' with Deep E. Deep E actually stands for David Pack (D.P.), former member of another great band, Ambrosia. Furthermore the commentary of Alan Parsons on the songs (dvd-side) is very interesting.
Alan is back!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Keep up the good work, May 9, 2009

By 

William M. Shoemake "Willshoe" (lafayette, LA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Valid Path (MP3 Download)

I have been a fan of Alan Parsons since I was 12. Pyramid was the first Album I had heard and of course started buying previous material and new as they came out. Just when I thought there was no more this showed up while surfing online and purchased the MP3 version. I really Love this album especially the remixes of a few of the classics. (keep in mind some people hate remixes period while I am always open minded to remixes) granted I don't agree with people giving a CD a bad review because they couldn't rip the music (silly try a firmware update on your burner)Anyways Alan Parson has always brought something new to each album with the purpose of not trying to be the same which is why he is a very creative artist. I have played this for some co workers (much younger than me) who became fans instantly and wanted to hear more. seems obvious this album was also intended to catch some new ears. I will be ordering the CD/DVD today since I was unaware of the 5.1 tracks. I would definitely recommend this album.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Ugh...I agree with Tievoli, February 7, 2011

By 

Lake Shore Girl - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Valid Path (MP3 Download)

Alan Parsons is SO much better than this! What happened to the perfectionist I met in 2002? I have all of his albums and this is easily something that should have been offered as free add'l material with a "real" release. I miss the soulful vocals of Gary Brooker and others. It isn't acceptable until the third track and even then it falls painfully short for such a talented man. Thanks for signing my 'Dark Side' album though :)