Search - The Alan Parsons Project :: Gaudi

Alan Parsons' "Project" Goes Out In Style

Alan Caylow | USA | 04/13/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"1987's "Gaudi" was the last collaboration between Alan Parsons and his musical partner Eric Woolfson under the "Alan Parsons Project" name. An album inspired by the life and works of architect Antonio Gaudi, "Gaudi" is a very rich, elegant, powerful album for the Project to go out with. "La Sagrada Familia" is a beautiful orchestral rock epic, with a great lead vocal by John Miles. Longtime Project vocalist Lenny Zakatek takes the mike on "Too Late," an awesome pop-rocker that could've been (and should've been) a huge hit for the group, though it wasn't released as a single. Eric Woolfson sings on "Closer To Heaven," a very beautiful, heavenly Project number. The lone single release from the album, "Standing On Higher Ground," is a very cool, catchy tune, sung by Geoff Barradale of the mid-80's group Vitamin Z (remember them?). John Miles returns for another lead vocal on "Money Talks," which is a great, down & dirty rocker. Woolfson then returns once more for the lovely "Inside Looking Out," and the album concludes on a very high note with a short instrumental reprise of "La Sagrada Familia," featuring excellent spanish guitar by Project veteran Ian Bairnson. As always on a Project album, the performances, production and sound quality are sharp & superior, and the outstanding orchestral touches by Andrew Powell is the icing on an already delicious musical cake.Alan Parsons did, in fact, work with Eric Woolfson one last time on Woolfson's 1990 concept album, "Freudiana," before the duo finally went their separate ways ("Freudiana" is only available on import, but it's an absolutely brilliant, MUST-buy CD for diehard Project fans). Parsons has since gone solo (though he's retained the services of several Project members for his latest albums), while Woolfson has since gone into the world of musical theater, writing & producing several musicals that have been performed throughout Europe. But these two men have created together some of the most fantastic music I've ever heard (and are STILL making fantastic music on their own these days), and "Gaudi" is a gorgeous, dazzling, memorable album to close out the Alan Parsons Project with. Thank you Alan, Eric, and the rest of the Project gang---long live the Project!"

The concept is as good as the music!

Michael Bond | Shawnee, OK United States | 05/12/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I let this Alan Parons Project album sit on a shelf for the longest time. I don't know why. After I focused my attention on it and the man Gaudi himself I was most impressed with the music.
The architech Antoni Gaudi was a genius of the highest order and his still-ongoing work in Barcelona is evidence of that. This album led me to to know and appreciate this man's work.
I like the songs, each of which reflect an aspect of Gaudi's work on the Sagrada Familia Cathedral. I wondered why Money Talks was on this collection until I read that Gaudi, in his later days, spent much time trying to raise funds for his masterpiece.
This is a most-excellent Parsons album. Do yourself a favor. Get this CD and then spend some time learning about Gaudi himself."

Gaudi...was the magic gone?

Alan Holyoak | In the shadow of the Tetons | 02/27/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I know a number of other Alan Parsons Project fans will take offense at this, but I just don't think that "Gaudi", the last Alan Parsons Project album (1987 release), was a 5-star effort. That doesn't mean that "Gaudi" lacks quality or value...far from it! This album sees the return of APP to a dedicated concept album.



This album's concept focuses on the life, challenges, and eventual demise of Antonio Gaudi, a man whose main goal in life was to honor God by building a magnificent cathedral. But, alas, like the song "Money Talks" says, he didn't have enough $ to complete the project. That story provides lots of material for Parsons and Woolfson, and the result is "Gaudi".



As for the individual songs, well, there are only 7 of them on the disc. Only 7 tracks!!

- La Sagrada Familia - This narrative piece w/ background music sets the stage and introduces the story of Antonio Gaudi. I give it 4/5 stars.

- Too Late - is a tune with a repetitive beat, but isn't all that engaging. 2/5 stars.

- Closer to Heaven - This is the highlight of the album for me. It is the best example on this disc of the definitive APP mellow sound. 5/5 stars!

- Money Talks - This piece points out the main challenge Gaudi faced as he tried to finance his project. The song has a clipped progressive rock sound similar to that of "Stereotomy"...I give it 3/5 stars.

- Inside Looking Out - This is one of those etherial APP pieces kind of like "Somebody Out There". I tend to like that APP style, so I give this track 4/5

- Paseo De Gracia - This instrumental piece was not that inspiring, and I give it 3/5 stars.



All in all, I give this album 3/5 stars. It does have a clear and consistent concept, something that's missing from some of their other albums, but I felt like this album was light...it just didn't offer as much as most of their other albums. Am I sad that I bought this album? Absolutely not! It's just not one of their best.



Finally, I was sad when I heard that "Gaudi" was the last APP album, and that Alan Parsons and Eric Woolfson were splitting up to head their own ways to pursue their own projects. Still, it was a great run! Thank you for the music!!!



A 30+ year APP listener and fan."