With The Orchestra, Alan Parsons Project is brought to life in Clearwater

February 14, 2016 Chyrisse Tabone, Ph.D. Live Review, UK, USA

By Chyrisse Tabone, Rock At Night Tampa Correspondent

Venue: Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, Florida-February 12, 2016–Alan Parsons Project and Dave Mason

Rock At Night had the pleasure of seeing two rock legends at Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, Florida on Friday night—Alan Parsons Project and Dave Mason. The crowd consisted of Baby Boomers and it was good to see a lot of women in the audience. Typically, classic rock audiences are dominated by men.  I have to say I noticed a lot of boots, mini-skirts, and large hoop earrings. Everybody was there re-living their personal heyday.

Dave Mason may be looking older with his shaved head, mustache, and goatee but his voice was impeccable and his guitar playing was superb. One of my favorite songs was “We Just Disagree”. I time-traveled back to riding in the Buick Riviera with my mom and listening to the GM Delco radio. It was one of those rock songs with great harmonies and a memorable message.

I chatted with an audience member during the intermission named “J.J.” who admitted he was a lifelong fan and often catches Mason as often as possible. He said he was really glad to hear old Traffic songs, which were shuffled in the mix.

Then, came the notable Alan Parsons Project, which was backed by The Orchestra, whose members consist of many former ELO folks. There must have been about twenty cellos and violins at the rear of the stage with a band conductor. When I saw this monstrous set-up I knew the concert was going to be authentic to the albums. Alan Parsons came on stage dressed in a gingham blazer with sequined embellishments, dark pants, and scarves. He was looking very dapper and had not seemed to age at all in a career that has spanned almost 50 years. Parsons started his career at 19 as a sound engineer for the Beatles’ Abbey Road and later worked on Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon prior to his career as a musician and songwriter. And what songs and hits he had! “Eye in the Sky”, “Time”, and ‘Games People Play” were very memorable during the late-1970s and 1980s—and were played during the evening.

Alan Parson promised a dynamic and awesome show–and indeed, it was a wonderful entertainment experience!

Alan Parsons Project members: Alan Parsons (guitar/vocals); PJ Olsson (vocals); Alastair Greene (lead guitar/vocals), Danny Thompson (drums); Guy Erez (bass), Manny Focarazzo (keyboards); Tom Brooks (keyboards), Todd Cooper (sax/vocals); Dan Tracy (guitar/vocals)

Check out the photo highlights below:

PHOTO GALLERY

Alan Parsons
Alan Parsons
Alan Parsons
Alan Parsons
Alan Parsons
Alan Parsons
Alan Parsons
Alan Parsons
Dave Mason
Dave Mason
Dave Mason
Dave Mason

SET LISTS

Alan Parsons Project

  1. Luciferama
  2. Damned If I Do
  3. Don’t Answer Me
  4. Breakdown / The Raven
  5. Time
  6. I Wouldn’t Want to Be Like You
  7. The Turn of a Friendly Card (Part One)
  8. Snake Eyes
  9. The Ace of Swords
  10. Nothing Left to Lose
  11. The Turn of a Friendly Card (Part Two)
  12. (The System of) Dr. Tarr and Professor Fether
  13. Old and Wise
  14. What Goes Up…
  15. Days Are Numbers (The Traveller)
  16. Limelight
  17. Silence and I
  18. Prime Time
  19. Sirius
  20. Eye in the Sky
  21. Don’t Let It Show
  22. Games People Play

Partial Set List–Dave Mason

  1. Only You Know and I Know
  2. We Just Disagree
  3. The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys
  4. Feelin’ Alright
  5. All Along the Watchtower

 

The images may not be reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without the written permission to Rock At Night and the photographer. Use of any image is a violation of the United States and International Copyright laws.

Chyrisse Tabone, Ph.D.
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