Thanksgiving

Thanskgiving with my family is always a loving time. My Mom's side of the family gathers, usually 30 or more strong, at one of the family member's homes. Since they are scattered all around the country, it becomes a major logistics issue. But everyone flies in, we coordinate hotels and rate-shop, and then gather for food, gift exchange games and catching up.

This year was my Aunt Jane in Detroit's turn. As you can see by the PHOTO GALLERY, there were lots of smiles and laughter, as well as big meals. We took in a movie, "The Men Who Stare At Goats," (pretty average) and some went Black Friday shopping. But it is always a wonderful weekend, no matter where we are. I am a lucky man to have such a beautiful and thoughtful family.

My Amazon Reviews: Alan Parsons Project "The Turn of a Friendly Card"

Addiction and Risk set to Music,

4 Out of 5 Stars

(I read today that Eric Woolfon, the half of the Alan Parsons Project that wasn't Alan Parsons, succumbed to cancer Dec 2, 2009. More can be found here.)

The fifth album for The Alan Parsons Project was a change for the changing times. By 1980, disco had reshaped the industry, though it was in its last throes when "Turn Of A Friendly Card" arrived. Record companies were beginning to feel an economic pinch for the first time in years. The result was artists tightening up their music and presentation, and APP was no exception. From the lack of a gatefold sleeve to the more pop-oriented single "Games People Play," this was a shift towards radio friendliness that would peak when Eye in the Sky was released two years later.

There were marked differences in other departments. First and most, Eric Woolfson sang lead vocals for the first time. Two songs features his voice in front, "Time" and "Nothing Left to Lose." The dreamy "Time" became a top 20 single and also moved APP into adult contemporary territory. That settled the suits at Arista, certainly. It was certainly inspiring to Woolfson, who incorporated a few of "Turn's" songs into his musical, "Gambler."

However, the original album's side two was a suite as only the prog-minded Parsons could have pieced together. Bookended by the two-parted title track, it was where the album's themes of addiction, risk and greed are weighed in. "Snake Eyes" is the key track, as singer Chris Rainbow urgently pleas for 'just one minute more' in anticipation that the next card will bring him the riches that he just knows await. Woolfson's sad "Nothing Left to Lose" shows the gambler realizing that rock bottom is nearer than he ever thought, with beautiful backing vocals. It's some of APP's best work, and makes "Turn of a Friendly Card" one of The Project's most cohesive albums.

Like the rest of the re-masters in this series, the sound is fantastic. Every time I've listened to this series (been on an APP jag lately), I get more and more frustrated by 'the loudness wars' that seem to be utterly destroying popular music of late. When you listen to the epic instrumental prelude to "May Be A Price to Pay," you may (like me) start wondering where the next generation of classic producer/engineers are going to come from.

RIP Eric Woolfson.