The Definitive Collection

Alan Parsons Project

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 15, 1997)
• Original Release Date: July 15, 1997
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Arista
• ASIN: B000002VSX
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #36,073 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Through the late '70s and most of the '80s, respected recording-engineer-turned-composer/instrumentalist Parsons teamed with lyricist Eric Woolfson and a loose aggregation of studio musicians and guest singers to record a series of seemingly uncommercial, but surprisingly successful concept albums. Each combined masterful studio craft with eclectic lyrical themes. The Definitive Collection is a useful 2 CD distillation of material from the Project's album catalogue, and features FM-friendly tunes like "I Wouldn't Want to Be Like You," "Eye in the Sky," "Time," and "Old and Wise," and lead vocals from the likes of John Miles, Hollies leader Allan Clarke, and Zombies frontman Colin Blunstone. --Scott Schinder

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

61 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 5 stars for great APP songs...BUT..., August 30, 2000

By	Alan R. Holyoak (Idaho) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This compilation album of the Alan Parsons Project does indeed contain many of the best songs they put out. For that I give this CD 5 stars. APP music is sometimes rock driven, at other times it is peaceful and contemplative, and it almost always has a message. There are also great vocals and superb instrumentals.

If, however, you really want to have the APP experience don't stop with this CD -- it is vital that you listen to the original APP CDs this mucis is pulled from. Listen to them in their entirety, from start to finish. The reason I say that is that the APP is, in my opinion, the undisputed master of the concept album.

A concept album is a work that contains songs that all connect to a central theme, and sometimes even work together to tell a story. For example...

APP album #1 "Tales of Mystery and Imagination: Edgar Allan Poe" takes its inspiration from the literary works of Edgar Allan Poe, an album that is a must for an APP fan.

APP #2, "I Robot" is based on the Isaac Asimov work of the same name -- artificial intelligence...

APP #3, "Pyramid" is based on pyramidism and mysticism related to that theme.

I could go on and on, but the message is this...if you buy this CD you WILL get many of the best songs APP put together. This CD is, in that regard, probably the best greatest hits album out there for APP.

At the same time, if this is the only APP CD you listen to, you will be missing the entire point of APP works.

If you are short on cash, go ahead and start a basic appreciation for APP music with this CD, but, if you have the means, I HIGHLY recommend that you start buying each of the APP CDs. Start with "Tales of Mystery and Imagination..." and go on from there.

The music of the Alan Parsons Project has been among my favorites for nearly the past 25 years. I hope you will enjoy it too.

5 stars for great music, but don't sell yourself (or the APP) short by stopping with this compilation CD.

Alan Holyoak

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully Recorded!!!, July 3, 1999

By A Customer

I'm a big fan of The Alan Parsons Project and would never even consider a compilation recording because the albums really should be listened to in their entirety and not as a collection of "hits". This set, however, is a MUST for all Alan Parsons fans because of the 20-bit digital remastering done by Alan Parsons himself. The results are amazing and immediately noticable on even moderate audio equipment (let alone an audiophile system). You haven't heard the early music until you have heard these versions. The crispness of the bass and transparency of the vocals and synths is astounding! I only wish they would come out with digitally remastered versions of the complete albums!

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why can't all artist collections be like this?, August 13, 2000

By	Michael Paulsen (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Alan Parsons Project - The Definitive Collection should be a model for how all artist collections & anthologies should be treated. Far too many prolific artists that have spanned more than a decade are poorly (if not insultingly) represented by just one CD. 2-CD collections allow even the casual fan to appreciate more than just the big hits. Besides, the Alan Parsons Project was very much an AOR staple during its heyday, and so the complete album versions deserve to be heard as they are on this collection (boy, do I hate single edit versions!). With only a few minor exceptions, all the great songs are here and in their uncut form. "Eye in the Sky" is coupled with its essential prelude "Sirius", and "Damned If I Do" retains its synth intro. This is one of few "Definitive" collections that I've seen that earns its name.

As an aside recommendation, the Jefferson Airplane / Jefferson Starship / Starship "Hits" collection is another example of a brilliantly-executed 2-CD anthology.