TCCDM Pulls One Out..."Pyramid" - Alan Parsons Project (1978)

"Pyramid" - Alan Parsons Project (1978)

     In 1978, Tutankhamun and the pyramids were a huge buzz.  Definitely the flavor of the year. (Just ask Steve Martin.)  And the Alan Parsons Project also jumped into the sands, adding their two cents with a "Pyramid" of their own.  And another ear-candy square to enjoy.  This was APP's third album following their killer "Tales of Mystery and Imagination" and "I Robot" and though not as strong, it is still a hoss.  APP released eleven albums total and I have "Pyramid" slipping into my top favorite five.  

     The music is mostly chill with a mysterious vibe dusted all around.  A nice spin for the late evenings.  Catchy and clever, the album's concept of death and the great mystery hold together well, and Parsons' fine-tuned production is again outstanding. The instrumentals are cream and the vocals are butter with plenty of subtle and not-so-subtle effects to entertain the ears.  Begs a headphone listen at least once.  A grower spin, for sure.

"Pyramid" - Alan Parsons Project (back)

"Pyramid" - Alan Parsons Project (inside gatefold)

Favorites include:
"Voyager"
"What Goes Up"
"Can't Take It With You"
"One More River"
"In The Lap Of The Gods" 

This copy is a UK pressing held in a gatefold with gold lyrics on a blue background.  Ufos, pyramids, math calculations, dates, and razor blades are among a few of the images inside.  It also has an Arista custom-made album label.  Alan Parsons is the man on the bed.

Arista label

Cat #
SPART 1054
SIDE A  DEADWAX
SPARTY 1054  A//1 E  11  1  BLΔIR ⓾
SIDE B  DEADWAX
SPARTY 1054  B//1 E  11  3

"One More River" - Alan Parsons Project / "Pyramid" (1978)

TRACKS:
A1  "Voyager" 2:24
A2  "What Goes Up" 3:31
A3  "The Eagle Will Rise Again" 4:20
A4  "One More River" 4:15
A5  "Can't Take It With You" 5:06
B1  "In The Lap Of The Gods" 5:27
B2  "Pyramania" 2:45
B3  "Hyper-Gamma-Spaces" 4:19
B4  "Shadow Of A Lonely Man" 5:34

PERSONNEL:
Colin Blunstone - vocals
Dean Ford - vocals
Jack Harris - vocals
John Miles - vocals
Lenny Zakatek - vocals
David Paton - bass, acoustic guitar, vocals
Stuart Elliott - drums, percussion
Ian Bairnson - guitars
Eric Woolfson - Projectron, Fender Rhodes, clavichord-virginals, piano, organ, b-vocals
Duncan Mackay - synthesizers
Alan Parsons - Fender Rhodes, acoustic guitar, Wurlitzer, Projectron, b-vocals
John Leach - kantele, cimbalom
Andrew Powell- autoharp
Phil Kenzie – saxophone
The English Chorale - Choir
Bob Howes - Choirmaster
Alan Parsons - producer, engineer
(All songs written & composed by Alan Parsons and Eric Woolfson.)

Good stuff.

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