The Alan Parsons Project ‘Tales of Mystery and Imagination’ 40th
Due out 2nd December 2016
UMC are delighted to announce the 40th Anniversary release of The Alan Parsons Project, Tales of Mystery and Imagination. This beautiful box set has been produced with the full co-operation of Eric Woolfson’s family and Alan Parsons and is a landmark release for the album that launched the Project.
The debut album by The Alan Parsons Project, Tales of Mystery and Imagination was released in 1976 and comprises eleven tracks based on the works of the great American gothic writer, Edgar Allan Poe. It is an album remarkable in its ambition and execution as well as in its uniqueness, as Alan Parson, previously known as an engineer and producer, orchestrated a band with an ever-changing line-up with himself and Project full-timer, Eric Woolfson, as auteurs.
The 40th Anniversary deluxe edition of Tales of Mystery and Imagination comprises 3 CDs, 1 Blu-Ray and 2 vinyl LPs. The 3 CDs present the original 1976 mix, the 1987 remix plus a whole CD of over 70 minutes of previously unreleased bonus material. , Miles Showell half-speed mastered the original vinyl album on two 45rpm, 12” 180gm discs. The work, approved by Alan Parsons, took place at Abbey Road, the studio where it all began. It is also being presented for the first time ever in a 5.1 surround sound mix from the original multi-tracks by Alan Parsons at Capitol Studios, LA. The set is complete with a stunning 60-page coffee table book with photographs and new interviews about the making of the album, with Alan Parsons, Hazel and Sally Woolfson, David Paton and Stuart Tosh plus an original album poster, replica 1976 press kit and tape-man sticker.
Track Lists
DISC ONE: A Dream Within A Dream / The Raven / The Tell-Tale Heart / The Cask Of Amontillado / (The System Of) Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether / The Fall Of The House Of Usher (suite)
i: Prelude – ii: Arrival – iii: Intermezzo – iv: Pavane – v: Fall / To One In Paradise (Original 1976 edition) / The Raven (Original Demo) / Edgar (Demo Of An Unreleased Track) / Orson Welles Radio Spot / Interview with Alan Parsons and Eric Woolfson.
DISC TWO: A Dream Within A Dream / The Raven / The Tell-Tale Heart / The Cask Of Amontillado / (The System Of) Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether / The Fall Of The House Of Usher (suite) i: Prelude – ii: Arrival – iii: Intermezzo – iv: Pavane – v: Fall / To One In Paradise (1987 Remix) / Eric’s Guide Vocal Medley / Orson Welles Dialogue / Sea Lions In The Departure Lounge / GBH Mix (Unreleased Experiments)
DISC THREE: (ALL MATERIAL PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED) Album Launch at Los Angeles Planetarium – Introduction by Warren Duffy / Dream Within A Dream (Piano Takes) / Dream Within A Dream (Recorder Takes) / Dream Within A Dream/The Raven (Early Mix with Eric on Vocoder) / The Raven (Out-take and Extended Jam) / The Tell Tale Heart (Eric Guide Vocal) / Cask Of Amontillado (Rough mix – piano and backing vocals) / Cask Of Amontillado (Eric and Alan Guide Vocals) / Dr Tarr and Professor Fether (Early Rough Mix) / Dr Tarr and Professor Fether (Vocal Take) / Dr Tarr and Professor Fether – (Eric Guide Vocal) / Prelude (Orchestral Take 19) / Pavane (Experimenting & Take 1) / To One In Paradise (Rough Mix) / Interview with Alan and Eric – London, August 1987.
DISC FOUR BLURAY: A Dream Within A Dream / The Raven / The Tell-Tale Heart / The Cask Of Amontillado / (The System Of) Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether / The Fall Of The House Of Usher (suite) i: Prelude – ii: Arrival – iii: Intermezzo – iv: Pavane – v: Fall / To One In Paradise (Original 1976 / 5.1 Mix by Alan Parsons, Mixed at Capitol Studios, LA, June 2016)
A Dream Within A Dream / The Raven / The Tell-Tale Heart / The Cask Of Amontillado / (The System Of) Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether / The Fall Of The House Of Usher (suite) i: Prelude – ii: Arrival – iii: Intermezzo – iv: Pavane – v: Fall / To One In Paradise (Original 1976 / 96/24 HD Mix by Alan Parsons, Mixed at Capitol Studios, LA, June 2016).
2-LP SET: Original 1976 Recording / Half speed mastered by Miles Showell at Abbey Road, March 2016
LP 1 / SIDE 1
A Dream Within A Dream / The Raven / The Tell-Tale Heart
LP 1 / SIDE 2
The Cask Of Amontillado / (The System Of) Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether
LP 2 / SIDE 1
The Fall Of The House Of Usher: i: Prelude – ii: Arrival – iii: Intermezzo – iv: Pavane- v: Fall
LP 2 / SIDE 2
To One In Paradise / (The System Of) Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether (Single Version) / The Raven (Single Version) / To One In Paradise (Single Version)