Comments for Alan Parsons Project, The, Tales Of Mystery And Imagination Edgar Allan Poe

The re-mix also contains additional guitar and synth parts that I really don't like. I do like the Welles narration additions. I would suggest laying down the $25 for the Mobil Fidelity pressing of Tales rather than buying this version on disc.

I find this one of the most interesting and complex album of the project. The fall of the... is simply divine.

Unlike many other parsons fans, I actually prefer the 1987 remix. Sure, a couple songs got expanded a bit, and so forth, but Alan Parsons was also able to fix a few things he was never happy with. Besides, original or re-mix, what's important is it's a fantastic album. Actually one of the first three albums I ever owned, and I never tire of listening to it!

I always listened to the second side of the vinyl first - considering the "classical" part (The Fall...) as an overture to the album, which then changed the sytle from symphonic to pop music. With the CD, I have to program my CD-Player, but now what I considered to be the beginning and the end of the record are strangely stucked together by these synths and narration ;-). But that's my onli criticism. Both versions are great.

After listening to this album, Reading EAP is never the same, especially "The Tell-Tale Heart." But, I must say that the 2nd side is the only album I could play over and over and over. The "Fall" and then the movement into "To One in Paradise" epitomize the way this literature should be savored. I can't wait for the next Album when they put "The Bells" to music! ;-)

Everything about this album is excellent. The standard of production and musicianship, music, score, and songs. This is a landmark in the history of progressive music and is the definitive concept album. My favourite track is `The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Feather'.

An object lesson in how to make a fantastic concept album! The 1976 version has some extra "nevermores" and blood-curdling screams) while the 1987 retread has additional guitar, synth. and drum parts and Orson Welles'' previously unheard narration). Both versions have great merit (although I find the opening, without the emerging music, the mixing back of the strings on "Cask" and string bass on "Pavane," slightly annoying on the remix): something will depend on which you hear first. APP was never intended as progressive rock but, on this album, produced the finest symphonic rock ever (alongside its contemporary Rigoni & Schoenherz''s "Victor"). It moves between precise, wildly moody rock songs and sweeping real orchestration on the "Usher" suite. Parsons sings "The Raven" himself through the Vocoder, Arthur Brown turns in an amazing performance on "The Tell-tale Heart," John Miles performs two, quite different leads and Leonard Whiting (with help from AP) sings the gorgeous closer. The music comes primarily from members of Ambrosia and Pilot, but with many guests, and of course, master wordsmith/composer/keyboardist, Eric Woolfson, who first conceived the concept. From beginning to end, a total masterpiece! (Ian C. Thomas)

1987 remix on the 1976 album. Contains two fragments with the voice of Orson Welles (not onthe original album)

Does anyone know why the Welles narration wasn't included on the original album? Was Welles too difficult to work with, true to his reputation, or was the narration recorded specifically for the re-release?