Alan Parsons Project - The Turn of a Friendly Card Review

[Audioholics]

<A href="Alan Parsons Project - The Turn of a Friendly Card DVD-Audio Review"><IMG style="WIDTH: 100px; HEIGHT: 100px" alt=[turnofafriendlycard1] hspace=10 src="http://www.audioholics.com/news/thumbs/turnofafriendlycard1_th.jpg" align=left border=0></A>There is something to be said for the classics. While some have gone the route of transforming an original two channel mix into surround with sometimes disastrous effects (see my Queen: The Game and Moody Blues: Days of Future Passed reviews), The Alan Parsons Project has gone the opposite direction and tried to maximize the audio quality of their original recording. While part of me is interested in experiencing the classics in full surround sound, I’d rather have a great two channel experience than a mediocre surround sound one.

[Read the Review]

 

[Shadow_Ferret]

I hate to say it, but by the time "Turn of a Friendly Card" came out I had already lost interest in Alan Parsons and his apparent lure over to pop music.

 

[johndoe]

no wonder

I had never heard of the Alan Parsons Project prior to the release of this album back in 1980-81, it did get my interest for a while. Even though I haven't heard this re-release, I know the material well. All I have to say is that it's no wonder that the audio quality on an Alan Parsons Project album is so high, since Mr Parsons was himself an accomplished and sought-after sound engineer (Dark Side of the Moon, anyone?). I'd imagine he had something to do with this new release.

 

[maximoiglesias]

I had never heard of the Alan Parsons Project prior to the release of this album back in 1980-81, it did get my interest for a while. Even though I haven't heard this re-release, I know the material well. All I have to say is that it's no wonder that the audio quality on an Alan Parsons Project album is so high, since Mr Parsons was himself an accomplished and sought-after sound engineer (Dark Side of the Moon, anyone?). I'd imagine he had something to do with this new release.

Dark Side of the Moon and also.....Al Stewart's Year of the cat.
Quality musicians playing quality music through quality recordings engeniered by a master.

 

[Johnd]

Dark Side of the Moon and also.....Al Stewart's Year of the cat.
Quality musicians playing quality music through quality recordings engeniered by a master.

And some people wonder why that simple formula isn't applied to all music (cd's, dvd'a's or sacd's).

 

[Hawkeye]

Clint,
Nice review of a terrific sounding disc.

Clint said, "While part of me is interested in experiencing the classics in full surround sound, I’d rather have a great two channel experience than a mediocre surround sound one."

A couple months ago I was in the audience at XM Satellite Radio in D.C. during the taping of "Artist Confidential" featuring Alan Parsons. During the interview Parsons mentioned he is planning to re-mix and release (I assume in surround), the first four Alan Parsons Project albums. This was the first taping XM did in 5.1 surround and can be heard thoughout this month. http://www.xmradio.com/exclusivemusic/artist_confidential.jsp?refsrc=homepage_bb


(Where's the cowbell? Listen carefully!!) ;-)

 

[Johnd]

During the interview Parsons mentioned he is planning to re-mix and release (I assume in surround), the first four Alan Parsons Project albums.[/url]

If they are nearly as good as Clint's review of the new stereo re-release, I'll be one of the first in line. Alan Parsons is a true artist.

 

[Hawkeye]

If they are nearly as good as Clint's review of the new stereo re-release, I'll be one of the first in line. Alan Parsons is a true artist.

Actually the stereo HDAD isn't new, its been out a couple years now. In fact there are three HDAD discs available - Turn of a Friendly Card, I Robot, and Eye in the Sky.

 

[Johnd]

Hmmmm....I'm an avid sacd listener since my new 2900 purchase a couple of months ago. I know, I'm a dinosaur. But after listening to Miles Davis, DOTM, Brothers in Arms, etc., I'm sold. But I'll never rule out a good stereo compilation. Thanks for the "update" (for the dinosaur).

 

[Hawkeye]

Hmmmm....I'm an avid sacd listener since my new 2900 purchase a couple of months ago. I know, I'm a dinosaur. But after listening to Miles Davis, DOTM, Brothers in Arms, etc., I'm sold. But I'll never rule out a good stereo compilation. Thanks for the "update" (for the dinosaur).

From one dinosaur to another, you NEED to download Alan Parsons' DVD-A 4.1 mix of Floyd's DSOTM. While Guthrie's mix is good, its a little too safe (re: boring) for my liking. Back in the early 70's DSOTM was pushing the psychedelic stereo envelope, 30-some years later shouldn't the psychedelic surround envelope also be pushed? Any question about what Mr. Parsons can do in the surround realm? Just pick up his recently released 5.1 version of "A Valid Path" It's one amazing surround recording.