Although he may be best known today as the punch line to a Mike Myers joke, as heard in the Austin Powers movie franchise, few people on the production end of music have made the impact of Alan Parsons.
When the film’s unwitting Dr. Evil decided to name his latest scheme “The Alan Parsons Project,” the resultant laugh clearly showed the impact he has made on popular culture. It’s funny because, at least for music fans, Parsons’ name is practically a household word.
There have been many famous people in the control rooms of studios around the world ever since the rock ‘n’ roll era began. However, few have crossed over to the role of recording artist.
Parsons is that major exception. Behind the studio board, he has been responsible for hundreds of millions of records sold.
His stamp can be heard on The Beatles’ “Abbey Road” and Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon.” It’s there on hit singles like The Hollies’ “Air That I Breathe” and Al Stewart’s “Year of the Cat.” And that’s just scratching the surface. Despite such a major studio resume, it was when he began to score hits with partner Eric Woolfson, under the name The Alan Parsons Project in 1976, that the general public became aware of him.
A listen to any of the 29 albums released since reveal a lush, keyboard-driven sound.
Touches of prog-rock are often matched to a pop sensibility with an obvious attempt to stretch musical boundaries, as befits a noted producer. Woolfson left in 1985, with Parsons continuing to record and tour under the name.
His latest effort, an update re-issue of 2004’s “A Valid Path,” will bring The Alan Parsons Live Project to Humphrey’s on June 21.
The CD finds Parson exploring the world of electronica and includes collaborations with a number of the genre’s biggest names, including The Crystal Method, Uberzone and Tijuana’s Nortec Collective. Making a connection to his production past, Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour also contributes.
It’s all a long way from the original duo’s very first effort, “Tales of Mystery and Imagination.” A concept album based on the work of Edgar Allen Poe, it scored with two singles, “The System of Dr, Tarr and Professor Fether” and “The Raven.”
The follow up did even better.
“I Robot” was another themed album, this time with Isaac Asimov’s inspiration, with such classic rock perennials as “I Wouldm’t Want to be Like You,” and “Breakdown.” The hits continued through 1982. “Can’t Take It With You,” “Games People Play,” “Time” and “Eye In The Sky,” all hit the top 20, while “Sirius” became a perennial entrance song for sports teams nationwide.
By 1983, however, it was clear the Parsons had peaked.
However, he didn’t slow down his recording schedule. Remaining prolific as ever, Parson has continued to release his work to a small but fervent audience.
Today, he remains on the cutting edge of music with the current version of his band as well as with his production work. Still as interested as ever in crafting a unique sound for bands that he likes, over the past decade he has been taking independent bands under his wing and helping them take their sound to major label levels.
The show’s focus June 21 will be on material from his latest album, with the hits to balance out the evening.
While Parsons won’t be playing material at this show from artists he did production for, the chance for an audience with someone who has played such an important role in rock music history shouldn’t be missed.