THE ALAN PARSONS PROJECT’s “Pyramid” Rises To Deluxe Heights

When THE ALAN PARSONS PROJECT announced the release of “Pyramid: Work In Progress” comp for Record Store Day, there was little doubt as to which of the ensemble’s albums would be next in line for a deluxe treatment. And now the expanded reissue of “Pyramid” is officially scheduled for outing on August 23rd – in a variety of configurations, including color vinyl, a single CD and, of course, a multi-disc box set that will become a bane for true fans because its price is quite high due to inclusion of mixed formats.

THE ALAN PARSONS PROJECT –
Pyramid

More so, apart from the four CDs that contain a fresh remaster of the 1978 classic as well as a treasure trove of bonus tracks, of which 54 have never been released – there are session recordings and Eric Woolfson songwriting diaries – and a Blu-ray with surround-sound mixes, the set comprises not one 33⅓ LP but two 45 rpm platters in a gatefold sleeve that might warrant a better sound yet feel like an attempt of extortion. Added to these are a hardback book with photos, interviews, lyrics and commentary, plus a replica of the original press folder with a poster, a postcard and other inserts. Alluring and prohibitive at the same time.

CD 1 – original album, 2024 remaster, expanded:
1. Voyager
2. What Goes Up…
3. The Eagle Will Rise Again
4. One More River
5. Can’t Take It With You
6. In The Lap Of The Gods
7. Pyramania
8. Hyper-Gamma-Spaces
9. Shadow Of A Lonely Man
bonus tracks:
10. Voyager / What Goes Up… / The Eagle Will Rise Again (instrumental version)
11. What Goes Up… / Little Voice (early version demo)
12. Can’t Take It With You (early version demo)
13. Hyper-Gamma-Spaces (demo)
14. The Eagle Will Rise Again (alternative version backing track)
15. In The Lap Of The Gods Part 1 (demo)
16. In The Lap Of The Gods Part 2 (backing track rough mix)

CD 2 – Eric Woolfson’s Songwriting Diaries:
1. Pyramid – structure talking
2. Little Voice / What Goes Up…
3. The Eagle Will Rise Again
4. One More River
5. In The Lap Of the Gods
6. Pyramania
7. Broken /Pyramania
8. Shadow Of A Lonely Man
9. Start of writing “Gemini” for “Eye In The Sky”
10. Start of writing “Nothing Left to Lose for “The Turn Of A Friendly Card”
11. Start of writing “Snake Eyes” for “The Turn Of A Friendly Card”
Previously unreleased songs:
12. Pyramid (instrumental)
13. Pyramid (clavichord)
14. Little Voice
15. Broken
16. On It Goes
17. Open Your Eyes
18. If I Could Do It All Again
19. We Can Do It
20. Taking It All Away
21. Elsie’s Theme
22. Hazel’s Theme
23. My Name Is Lorna

THE ALAN PARSONS PROJECT –
Pyramid:
Super Deluxe Edition

CD 3 – Bonus Studio Recordings – Vol. 1:
1. Voyager (backing track outtake)
2. Voyager (early stage)
3. Voyager (vocal experiment)
4. Voyager (light relief Jam)
5. Voyager (early mix)
6. Voyager (John Leach Kantele take)
7. What Goes Up… / Little Voice (demo)
8. What Goes Up… (Dean Ford vocal take)
9. What Goes Up… (Isolated choir take)
10. What Goes Up… (early rough mix)
11. What Goes Up… (choir)
12. The Eagle Will Rise Again (Colin Blunstone vocal take excerpts)
13. The Eagle Will Rise Again (rough mix feat. backing vocals)
14. The Eagle Will Rise Again (orchestral strings)
15. The Eagle Will Rise Again (rough mix backing track)

CD 4 – Bonus Studio Recordings – Vol. 2:
1. One More River (intro takes)
2. One More River (Lenny Zakatek lead vocal takes)
3. One More River (Lenny Zakatek vocal gymnastic takes)
4. One More River (experimental break)
5. Can’t Take It With You (rough mix)
6. In The Lap of the Gods (John Leach cimbalom takes)
7. In The Lap of the Gods (choir takes)
8. In the Lap of the Gods (backing track takes)
9. In The Lap of the Gods (orchestral strings)
10. In The Lap Of The Gods (“Hail To The King” choir)
11. Hyper-Gamma-Spaces (Projectron)
12. Shadow Of A Lonely Man (Eric Woolfson’s piano take)
13. Shadow Of A Lonely Man (Alan Parsons’ experimental demo Vocal)
14. Shadow Of A Lonely Man (Eric Woolfson’s demo Vocal)
15. Shadow Of A Lonely Man (orchestral woodwind)
16. Shadow Of A Lonely Man (Olive Simpson backing vocals)
Miscellaneous:
17. Pyramid – US Radio Advert 1
18. Pyramid – US Radio Advert 2
19. Pyramid – Bob Harris cinema playback introduction
20. Pyramid – audio guide Alan Parsons commentary
21. Pyramid – audio guide Eric Woolfson commentary 1
22. Pyramid – audio guide Eric Woolfson commentary 2

Blu-ray:
* Dolby Atmos / 5.1 Surround Sound Alan Parsons 2024 remixes
* original album – Miles Showell 2024 stereo remaster
1-9 – as on CD 1

June 12, 2024

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