Alan Parsons Symphonic Project, The: Live In Colombia

Alan Parsons Symphonic Project Live In Colombia is a concert captured both as an audio recording (also available on CD and LP) and as a multi-camera HD video shoot that features The Alan Parsons Band accompanied by the Medellin Philharmonic Orchestra, with an 18-person choral ensemble conducted by Alejandro Posada. This concert event takes place 43 years after Alan’s contribution to one of the most successful records of all time and 40 years after the release of the Alan Parsons Project debut album in 1976. This is his greatest-hits concert performed before a large crowd gathered at Parque Ples Descalzos in Medellin, Columbia. The tunes include the iconic hits “Eye In The Sky,” “Don't Answer Me Lucifer,” “Games People Play,” and many more classics. The Live In Columbia concert is also available on earMusic as a DVD, two-disc CD Digipak, a three-disc LP, and download. (Gary Reber)

No special features.

The 1.78:1 1080p AVC picture is a beautifully produced concert video with spectacular lighting and staging effects that heighten the stellar Parsons Band performance. The staging and venue atmospherics are huge, and the multi-camera capture weaves in and out on the band and the orchestra and choral ensemble. Close-ups of the musicians in the band deliver an intimate visual perspective. Photographed in HD, the color fidelity is excellent throughout, with lighting effects that create an engaging stylized experience with smoke effects throughout. Contrast also is excellent, with deep blacks and revealing shadow delineation. Resolution is superb, especially during close-ups of the musicians’ facial features, hair, dress, and instruments. This is a fantastic concert presentation that is a must-own for Alan Parsons fans. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack features both the 5.1-channel version and a DTS-HD Master 2.0 stereo version. The orchestra and choral ensemble really project and are a wonderful accompaniment to Alan Parsons’ music. Every instrument is nicely captured with dynamics and nuances. The band and orchestral and choral ensemble are well balanced as a coherent musical experience, with a wide and deep soundstage. The sound is dynamic and powerful. Surround envelopment is strongly aggressive, providing a wonderful holosonic® dimensional experience. The outdoor venue audience is large, enthusiastic, and perfectly heard in the surround channels. Fidelity throughout is superb, with punctuating bass and massive-sounding orchestrations, a true audiophile delight. This is a fantastic concert event, wonderfully performed by incredibly accomplished musicians that can be played without ever tiring of the music. Bravo Alan and team! (Gary Reber)