The Avenue: Issue Twelve

The twelfth issue of The Avenue was released on November 1, 1998. Contents included:

Current News:

When this issue was released, there was little in the way of upcoming breaking news. The band had just completed a heavy schedule of tour dates, and Alan took a moment to reflect on the tour of the US/Canada where the band opened for Yes.

A change to the bands line-up was announced. John Giblin was replaced on bass by Dick Nolan. Alan suggested that this may be a permanent change. As for the fact that the band has only been using one vocalist lately, Alan said, "Right now we're still deliberating on whether to go out with two singers or one for the future. The jury is still out on that one."

Musicians out there would also hearing Alan talk about his new equipment, saying, "I took on a Korg Trinity, which I think is an amazing machine. Unfortunately I only got it a matter of days before the tour, so I didn't really get into all of its capabilities."

In this issue, we also looked at the upcoming release by Iconic Phare. Alan is producing the album and that is expected early in 1999.

Of Note:

In this issue, the "Of Note:" section looks at recent touring by Al Stewart and Christopher Cross, as well as recent session work by Ian Bairnson. Finally, there was a reminder of Alan's upcoming 50th birthday!

Colin Blunstone interview (Part 1):

Everyone knows Colin from his vocal performance on "Old and Wise". In this interview, readers got to hear about how he started his musical career at a young age with The Zombies. Some people reading this are probably saying, "well, everybody knows that too!"... well, did you know he also worked in an insurance office?

Neil Lockwood interview (Part 2 of 2):

While people are getting the chance to see Neil stand out during this summer's tour, we're taking this opportunity to look back at his career. In this final part, readers found out how he joined the Alan Parsons band, as well as got a look at him in a picture with his 1985 band The Shine.

Tales Of...:

Part twelve of this section brings us our continuing history story to 1978, where we begin a look back at "Pyramid" . Did you know that pyramid and Egypt was not the original theme? In this part, Alan explains how the theme changed directions.

"Let's Talk About...":

The question and answer section looks at equipment, images and more....

bullet In the booklet of the Gaudi Musical CD, it says that all songs were written by Eric Woolfson - Alan is not mentioned at all! How is that possible?

bullet Could you list the equipment Alan uses in his guitar setup.

bullet Who is in the inner sleeve photo of "Pyramid" LP and what is the meaning of this picture?

bullet When Alan wrote "Pipeline" what was he was trying to reflect?

I'm definite the title came after the composition. I knew that "Ammonia Avenue" was going to be the album title. The shape of the piece suggested the title. I always remember an early cinerama film where there's a helicopter flying over an enormous cross-desert pipeline. That was the image I had in my mind at the time. I think it was one of those things where the title was perfect for the piece rather than the other way around.

bullet Who is heard laughing in "The Three of Me"?

Contest prizes in this issue include: a CD autographed by Colin Blunstone, a Hard Rock Cafe T-Shirt autographed by Alan, and more items autographed by Alan Parsons!

In this issue, one of the discography pages was replaced by a page of sheet music, this time from "Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether". Readers also got the chance at a special offer to buy copies of Millenia's "Thinking Rock" CD.

This, and much more is happening in Issue Twelve of The Avenue!


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