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Tales Of Mystery And Imagination | 
| Artist: The Alan Parsons Project
Label: Commercial Marketing
Category: Music
List Price: £13.99
Buy New: £8.78
You Save: £5.21 (37%)
New (33) Used (7) Collectible (1) from £8.25
Rating:  4 reviews
Sales Rank: 12418
Format: Box Set
Media: Audio CD
Running Time: 119
Discs: 2
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 9848545
UPC: 602498485453
EAN: 0602498485453
ASIN: B000OFP8O4
Release Date: April 30, 2007
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
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| Tracks:
Disc 1
| • | 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: Prelude | | • | The Fall Of The House Of Usher: Arrival | | • | The Fall Of The House Of Usher: Intermezzo | | • | The Fall Of The House Of Usher: Pavane | | • | The Fall Of The House Of Usher: Fall | | • | To One In Paradise | | • | The Raven | | • | Edgar (Demo Of An Unreleased Track) | | • | Orson Welles Radio Spot | | • | Interview With Alan Parsons And Eric Woolfson (1976) |
Disc 2
| • | 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: Prelude | | • | The Fall Of The House Of Usher: Arrival | | • | The Fall Of The House Of Usher: Intermezzo | | • | The Fall Of The House Of Usher: Pavane | | • | The Fall Of The House Of Usher: Fall | | • | To One In Paradise | | • | Eric's Guide Vocal Medley | | • | Orson Welles Dialogue | | • | Sea Lions In The Departure Lounge | | • | GBH Mix (Unreleased Experiments) |
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| Customer Reviews:
A particularly welcome reissue May 30, 2008
'Tales of Mystery and Imagination', a concept album based on the works of Edgar Allen Poe, first appeared on LP in 1976, reappearing (in remastered form) on CD in 1987. This 2-disc remastered resissue contains both the 1976 and the 1987 versions, together with a great deal of interesting bonus material. Hitherto, the 1976 version had never appeared on CD.
Inclusion of the original 1976 version makes this a particularly welcome reissue because, in my opinion, the 1987 version was significantly weaker than the original, lacking much of the bite of the 1976 production. Originally intended not as the name of a band but, rather, as a one-off exercise, the Alan Parsons Project went on to become one of the most successful and original of prog rock acts, but this is where it all began. From the very first cadences to the end, this is a gripping and enjoyable album of remarkable originality and power. Superb stuff, and the sonic quality of this reissue is excellent. Enjoy!
No trick of the tale July 14, 2007
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
A great reissue this. Tales first saw the light of the day in 1976 on the Famous Charisma Label and was ignored. Two singles 'The System of Dr Tarr and Professor Fether' (really - could you ever believe that would be on Top of the Pops' - "Well now Guys and Gals, look what we have here, it's the Alan Parsons Project and their latest release 'The system of Dr Tarr and Professor Fether' and dancing to that tonight we have Pans People" - no, thought not) and the sublime 'To one in paradise' were released to zero exposure. However, a lot of people caught on to the Alan Parsons Project and although their later releases on Clive Davis's Arista label became increasingly radio friendly, 'Tales' for most fans remains the highlight.
It's difficult to say why; perhaps it's the diverse styles or perhaps it's the fact that side two contains a long orchestral piece which ends a la the Beatle mid-section of 'A day in the life' preceded by some wonderful melody. John Miles features on two of the songs and Arthur Brown screams his way through 'The tell tale heart' in the same way as his big hit 'Fire'.
This excellent reissue give both the original 1976 mix (not available on cd before) and the superior 1987 which has more ambient sounding drums as well as some extra guitar passages added by Ian Bairnson. Orson Welles also narrates in between the tracks.
The extensive sleeve notes explain amongst other things how the thunder crack on 'Fall of the House of Usher' was captured (it is real). There are many bonus tracks and outtakes plus a period interview with Alan Parsons and Eric Woolfson. Clearly lots of care and attention have been put into this release making it an extensive purchase. You won't be disappointed.
Mystery and Imagination of Alan Parson and Eric Woolfson July 2, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
A real gift for the lovers of Alan Parsons Project.
This edition includes both versions of this classic album - original version of 1976 and remix of 1987. Truely they sounds differ. What's the differencies?
Original version sounds more fresh and more rocky, especially "The Tell-Tale Heart" with Arthur Brown's voice. There were no readings from Edgar Poe by Orson Welles (it was recorded after the album was finished). In 1987 were added new parties of keyboards (organ solo performed by Alan Parsons in 1987 in "The System of Dr. Tarr and Professor Fether" much more impressive than on original record), guitars, narration by Orson Welles, sound was corrected.
Bonus tracks are - previously unpublished song "Edgar", fragments of studio sessions, examples of all songs with vocals by Eric Woolfson, sound effects from "Arrival" (rain, thunder, organ etc.), interview by Alan and Eric from 1976 with interesting information about their work, Orson Welles reading without music, commercial for the radio with his voice. No B-sides or finished and unpublished material.
Both albums are remastered by Alan Parsons himself (but you have to prepare yourself for a little bit different sound on familiar for majority of us 1987 version - so I will keep traditional, not remastered, edition of this album on CD).
So if you are true Alan Parsons lover - this edition is a must for you.
P.S. Good and informative booklet with lyrics and new information about musicians participated in both records.
It's out at last! June 4, 2007
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
To everyone who has been waiting for the original Tales Of Mystery album from 1976 to come out on CD... your wait is over!
You get the original and remixed albums, plus a host of extras. Never has the original sounded better: I'm sure everyone is fed up of playing their worn out vinyl copies by now.
To anyone who is new to Alan Parsons... get on this train now! The guy has engineered for Pink Floyd amongst others, and you can hear snatches of the Floyd sound throughout his career (I Robot is another excellent album).
There isn't room in this review to give this album justice... it has just about everything from rock to melodic pop to classical. It has it all!
Don't hesitate. Buy now. You wil NOT be disappointed.
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