The Alan Parsons Live Project took to the stage at the Grey Eagle Event Centre on April 15th, 2019, for 2 1/2 hours, leaving the crowd buzzing about the experience. Interestingly, everyone seemed to have a different favourite performer. Some commented on saxophonist Todd Cooper. Others on the amazing vocals of P.J. Olsson. And of course there were more than a few who brought up Alan Parsons himself. W

What I took from these snippets of conversation is that nobody had anything bad to say about the show. Everybody in the band was excellent, because Alan Parsons has put together an amazing live band.

This was Alan’s first time performing in Calgary… Yes, that’s hard to believe, but if you saw the excitement of the fans then you would know it was true. If you look at the first half of the set as the opener, then it could be classed as the best warm up act ever.

The concert fired up with “One Note Symphony”, a track from the new album, “The Secret” (out April 26, 2019 through Frontiers Records). From there the show weaved Alan Parsons Project hits together seamlessly with the remaining new tracks they performed. Highlights included the beautiful vocals of P.J. Olsson on “Time”, and what Todd Cooper brought to “Psychobabble”. Alan’s vocals on “As Lights Fall” were hauntingly beautiful, and the work his future son-in-law Jordan Huffman on “I Can’t Get There from Here” stood out. “The Secret” is a worthy addition to the Alan Parsons catalog.

After intermission the show kicked into overdrive. The instrumental “I Robot” was a classic, as was Alan telling the audience to “do something useful” with their cell phones to help out on “Limelight”. The band was having fun performing and interacting with the crowd. I got goosebumps listening to “Standing on Higher Ground”, especially the vocal part of guitarist Dan Tracey. It warranted one of the many standing ovations on the night. The main part of the set finished up with the crowd favorite “Sirius / Eye in the Sky”, causing everyone in the venue to stand and sing along.

Alan Parsons acts almost like the Godfather of the band. His place is on a riser at the back playing his instruments and occasionally singing lead. This allows for extra emphasis when he comes to the front of the stage, but his true talent is allowing his band to shine.

Of the seven other band members that aren’t named Alan Parsons, four sang songs, and everyone got their moment to shine.

From the blistering lead guitar of Jeff Kollman, to the funky rhythms of bassist Guy Erez, or the playful keys of Tom Brooks, it truly seems as if there is no ego in this Live Project. And you can count on the skin-bashing of Danny Thompson to hammer it all home.

The Grey Eagle Event Centre is a great place to see a show like this. Intimate enough to allow you to feel close to the performers, but large enough to give you the scope that a band like the Alan Parsons Live Project needs. By the time the encore was finished everyone was back on their feet celebrating. This may have been the first time that Alan Parsons has performed in Calgary, but hopefully it won’t be the last.

If you are a fan of good music, played by exceptional musicians, then this show is for you. Highly recommended.

Review and photos by Brett Monro

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