When Alan Parsons walked onstage in Columbia with his eponymous ‘symphonic rock project’ in 2013, no one was ready for the insane performance he was about to unleash on the live audience. Rattling through twenty-one of his best songs, Parsons and his band had the crowd hooked from beginning to end, their unique brand of stately but unpredictable progressive rock ringing out across the venue. It’s hardly surprising that over 55 million people have already watched this live video from the show.
From the start, it was obvious that Parsons was going to absolutely crush this performance, and if you don’t believe us, check out this incredible video of the band performing ‘Sirius’ and ‘Eye in the Sky’ from the gig in Columbia. Parsons’ voice is absolutely crystal clear, his band is on point, and the 70-piece orchestra behind him adds an extra lusciousness to the sound. Drummer Danny Thompson surely deserves a special mention, with his rock-solid playing holding everything together.
Unsurprisingly, fans from all over the world have flocked to leave their comments about this incredible performance, recalling their memories about the tracks when they came out or simply singing the praises of the band and their rendition in Colombia. “Alan Parsons was the sound engineer on The Beatles’ Abbey Road and Let It Be and Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon,” reads one comment, “no wonder his own music is so timeless,” whilst the video’s top comment reads “still absolutely flawless.”
If you’re after more videos from this fantastic concert, meanwhile, we highly recommend you check out this clip of the band performing their opening song of the set, ‘I Robot’. Originally released as the title track from the Alan Parsons Project’s 1977 studio album, and later as the album’s third single the following year, the track is an art rock song featuring numerous different sections. The band really do it justice in this live performance, really tuning in to its cool, space-age feel.
We know how much Music Man readers love an iconic live performance, hence why we were so excited to show you these stunning videos that see the Alan Parsons Symphonic Project delivering what is surely one of the greatest live performances in the history of rock. If you get a chance, we highly recommend you get your hands on the entire concert, either on DVD or online, as it’s a must-watch for any fan of rock or progressive music.
If you would like to hear more from The Alan Parsons Project, visit their website for more incredible music. Follow them on Facebook for updates and exclusive content.
