Alan PARSONS

On Air
(Accompanied by a CD-ROM)

(1996)

1. Blue Blue Sky 1'38

(Ian Bairnson)
Lead Vocals: Eric Stewart
2. Too Close To The Sun 5'04
(Alan Parsons / Ian Bairnson / Stuart Elliott)
Lead Vocals: Neil Lockwood
3. Blown By The Wind 5'26
(Ian Bairnson)
Lead Vocals: Eric Stewart
4. Cloudbreak 4'40
(Ian Bairnson / Stuart Elliott / Alan Parsons)
5. Can't Look Down 4'37
(Ian Bairnson)
Lead Vocals: Neil Lockwood
6. Brother Up In Heaven 4'02
(Ian Bairnson)
Lead Vocals: Neil Lockwood
7. Fall Free 4'23
(Ian Bairnson / Stuart Elliott / Alan Parsons)
Dedicated to skysurfer Rob Harris (1966 -1995)
Lead Vocals: Steve Overland
8. Apollo 6'05
(Ian Bairnson / Stuart Elliott / Alan Parsons)
9. So Far Away 4'07
(Ian Bairnson)
Lead Vocals: Christopher Cross
10. One Day To Fly 6'20
(Stuart Elliott / Scott English)
Lead Vocals: Graham Dye
11. Blue Blue Sky II 4'24
(Ian Bairnson)
Lead Vocals: Eric Stewart

Total Time: 50:46

  • Alan Parsons - Keyboards
  • Ian Bairnson - Guitars, Bass Guitar, Synthesizer
  • Gary Sanctuary - Keyboards
  • Richard Cottle - Saxophone
  • John Giblin - Bass Guitar
  • Stuart Elliott - Drums, Drum Programming, Bongos
  • Eric Stewart - Vocals (1, 3, 11)
  • Chris Thompson - Vocals
  • Neil Lockwood - Vocals (2, 5, 6)
  • Steve Overland - Vocals (7)
  • Christopher Cross - Vocals (9)
  • John F. Kennedy - Vocals
  • Graham Dye - Vocals (9)
  • Peter Beckett - Backing Vocals (6)
  • The PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA (Leader: Christopher Warren-Green)

    Produced and Engineered by Alan Parsons
    CD-ROM Produced by Ken "KR" Rose
    Everon - Associate Producer
    Brad S. Miller - Executive Producer
    Engineer for Christopher Cross: Jeff Рое
    Computer by Richard Manning and Jason Reddy
    Pete Smith - Management
    Assistant Engineer: Guy Massey
    Orchestral Arranger and Conductor: Andrew Powell
    Robert Margouleff - Mastering
    Adrian Van Velsen - Mastering
    Cover Design by Storm Thorgerson, Peter Curzon with Thanks to Finlay Cowan
    Paul Maxon - Photography
    Photography by Tony May, Alter Omer - Photography, Adrian Smith and Rupert Truman
    Balloon made by John Lewis

      Artists for Multimedia:
      Programming by Tom Sunders and Ken Rose
      Art Direction by Storm Thorgrson and Peter Curzon
      Research by Julien Mills
      Drawing by Finlay Cowan
      Photos by Paul Maxon, Alter Omer, Tony May, Sally Norris and Julien Mills
      CD-ROM Production: TEAM
      Vavin Bastos, Melanie Frankland, Jeremy Parsons, George Sounders
      Associate Producers: Ian Silvester and Ran Eve
      Executive Producers: Alan Parsons, Ian Bairnson, and Stuart Elliott for PARSONICS Ltd.

      Album Recorded at PARSONIA, London
      Between December 1995 and June 1996

      Orchestra Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London

      All Tracks Published by BMG MUSIC, Inc.
      Except "One Day To Fly" Published by       BMG MUSIC, Inc. / WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC Ltd

      Thanks To all at DIGITAL AUDIO TECHNOLOGY

      Special Thanks To: James Wyllie. Joanne Harrison, Elizabeth Ferns, Ian Silvester, Smokey Parsons, Karen Elliott, Jade, Charlotte and Emiley Roberts, Barry Hilton, Mark Redgrave, Vie Broughton. Graham Cook, ??? Benilde Alves, Rob Hading, Brad Miller at HDS TECHNOLOGIES, David Del Grosso and all at DTS. Everyone at RIVER NORTH and ARCADE MUSIC

      Thanks Also To: Paul Reed Smith for the guitar, Bob Wiczling at ZILDJIAN Cymbals, Gary Mann at REMO Drums, Andy Milner at MARCHALL Amps, MESA BOOGIE Amplification, Dominik Tarqua at STUDER UK, AUDIO TECHNICS Microphones

      Hello,
      As a record producer, I have become used to the idea of working with a team of creative people to conceive, write, perform, record and mix an album of music.
      I have always been aware of the huge contribution that people other than myself make towards the success of a record, including those who dedicate an enormous amount of effort long after the master tape has left the studio.

      Now in the computer age, we have new opportunities and new means of expression. More than ever before, I have relied on a fantastic pool of talent to bring this album (a part of which is the CD ROM you now have in your computer drive) to its conclusion. There are a number of very talented individuals who have had great belief in the product, who have worked long and hard over the last few months with great enthusiasm. These people know who they are, but as I have the opportunity to do so here, I would like to express my deepest and sincerest gratitude to everyone involved. To say 'I couldn't have done it without you' would be the understatement of the century.

      Just as the pioneers of aviation dedicated time and used trial and error to achieve success, so must you in order to take this flight. There is always a way to get where you want to go, but the paths are essentially non-linear and there are always more gems to find along the way. "On Air" (The CD-ROM) has been included with the audio CD to add to your enjoyment. Again, as the pioneers of aviation had no technical support neither do you. We have made every effort to ensure that the disc will run on a wide range of computers. The better the specification of your computer system, the better this disc will work. However, if you experience any problems, don't call us. Simply throw the disc out of the window and you will see the basics of flying. Either way, you will understand more about flight!

      There are no rules and no safety net. We hope you will enjoy playing both CDs. Remember - don't attempt to play the CD ROM on your audio system.

      Best wishes
      Alan Parsons
      1996



      1. Blue Blue Sky

        I only know what I can see
        So I imagine what could be
        Where the horizon cuts the air
        Look for me out there

        Someday I'll touch the blue blue sky
        Someday I'll touch the blue blue sky

      2. Too Close To The Sun

        There must be a thousand ways
        Holding us within this maze
        Every path we take leads us astray
        Comfort me my only son
        Till the day my work is done
        There's no earthly reason we should stay

        And when the wind gets under these wings
        You will feel what freedom brings
        Stay right by me, walk don't run
        I don't want you flying too close to the sun

        Turn your eyes towards the light
        Steal away in silent flight
        The skies are calling out to you and me
        Over sea and over land
        God protect us with your hand
        Bring us safely to our destiny

        And now the wind is under our wings
        We can taste what freedom brings
        Stay right by me, walk don't run
        I don't want you flying too close to the sun

        God forgive his fall from grace
        The sea conceals his resting place
        Can we learn to stay behind the line
        If we have the means to fly
        Some of us will surely die
        Being reckless was his only crime

        And now the wind is under our wings
        We can taste what freedom brings
        Stay right by me, walk don't run
        I don't want you flying too close to the sun

      3. Blown By The Wind

        All along the shoreline
        There are footprints by the sea
        They head into the distance...
        Then they lead right back to me
        I made the break to freedom
        Now I'm following the dream
        You're never going to get here
        If you hold the old routine

        Now everything we possess
        That fills our empty lives
        Is only good for leaving far behind

        We are blown by the wind
        Just like clouds in the sky
        We don't know where we're going,
        Don't know why
        We just ride with the wind
        And we'll drive through the rain
        We don't where we'll get to
        Or if we'll get back again

        Call along the valley
        And you just may find us there
        I couldn't say for certain
        Cause we may be anywhere
        Head into the sunset
        Or just wander out to sea
        Wherever your heart leads you
        Is the place you're meant to be

        And someone who could be impressed
        With ordinary lies
        Could really use a little peace of mind

        We are blown by the wind
        Just like clouds in the sky
        We don't know where we'll go,
        But we'll get by
        We just ride with the wind
        And we'll drive through the rain
        We don't where we'll get to
        Or if we'll get back again

        Now everything we possess
        That fills our empty lives
        Is only good for leaving far behind

        We are blown by the wind
        Just like clouds in the sky
        We don't know where we're going,
        Don't know why
        We just ride with the wind
        And we'll drive through the rain
        We don't where we'll get to
        Or if we'll get back again

      4. Cloudbreak

        ( instrumental )

      5. I Can't Look Down

        Another passenger
        "Your baggage thank you sir"
        I don't wanna go
        What am I doing here
        I feel so sick with fear
        God don't let it show

        I must control myself
        You must control me too

        Cover my eyes cause I'm so high
        I can't look down
        I'm scared to fly and I'm so high
        I can't look down

        They say they'll care for me
        But I would rather be
        Both feet on the ground
        What if the engine dies
        These are no Friendly Skies'
        My head's spining round

        It's all a twist of fate
        But it's myself I hate

        Cover my eyes cause I'm so high
        I can't look down
        Afraid to fly and I'm so high
        I can't look down

        I must control myself
        You must control me too

        Cover my eyes cause I'm so high
        I can't look down
        Afraid to fly and I'm so high
        I can't look down
        I can't look down .....

      6. Brother Up In Heaven
      ( Dedicated to Erik MOUNSEY 1965-1994 )

        A boy flies for freedom
        But dies for the peace
        In the clouds, he waits for an answer
        But there's no release

        It's strange here without you
        And it's so hard to see
        So brother up in heaven
        Please wait up for me

        Oh brother up in heaven
        Please wait up for me

        I still see his shadow
        His laugh lingers on
        When I dream, we're all back together
        When I wake, he's gone
        It's strange here without you
        This was not ment to be
        So brother up in heaven
        Please wait up for me

        And though we try to change the world
        A flower when it's cut will surely die
        So why do men with so much hate
        Destroy what they cannot create
        While we all stand by

        We will look back in anger
        But you helped us to see
        So brother up in heaven
        Please wait up for me

        Oh brother up in heaven
        Please wait up for me

      7. Fall Free
      ( Inspired by Rob HARRIS, World Champion Skysurfer )

        What's the use of worrying
        If we'll be here tomarrow
        All we need to be is here today
        Don't care if you're rich
        Or if you have to beg and borrow
        You can always find a way
        Dive and breakaway

        Fall free
        Freedom's in the air
        It's calling you
        Your heart is there
        Fall free
        Blaze accross the sky
        The perfect fall
        The perfect high

        Mother earth looks peaceful
        As we climb towards the ceiling
        We must be ten thousand feet or more
        Hear the windrush screaming
        While we fight to curb our feelings
        As we stand beside the door
        Let our spirits soar

        Fall free
        Freedom's in the air
        It's calling you
        Your heart is there
        Fall free
        Blaze accross the sky
        The perfect fall
        The perfect high

      8. Apollo

        ( instrumental )

      9. So Far Away

        We say welcome to the mission
        Show us all what you can do
        We need a man with vision
        So we put our trust in you
        And now we hope sincerely
        That you'll do the best that you can do

        Oh for sure it won't be easy
        And we will have to risk our lives
        Some will try to break us
        And cut us down to size
        But jsut remember
        There can be no consolation prize
        Not in our eyes

        It's a long way to go
        We can't wait one more day
        We need someone to light up the way
        We may run out of time
        Can you hear what we say?
        Because heaven is so far away

        Although time is getting short
        There's still some sand left in the glass
        And now we have a living breathing
        Rocket man at last
        It's time to take a step
        And nail our colours to the mast

        No more talk of great adventures
        When it's movement that we need

        It must be our intention
        That we never loose the lead
        So count us down to zero
        And let's get up to speed
        We're up and away

        It's a long way to go
        We can't wait one more day
        We need someone to light up the way
        We may run out of time
        So believe what we say?
        Because heaven is so far away

        And so now they cry for justice
        As if justice will be done
        But the eye up in the sky
        Was flying to close to the sun
        The Challenger has fallen
        And the race has now been run ....

      10. One Day To Fly

        Where does a dream belong
        Locked in the mind on the edge of time
        Like a ship lost in a storm
        How do we find the key
        Longing to see, through the artist's eye
        Maybe only birds can fly

        The man must be insane who knows
        A mind alive with images so strange
        So close but never rode the sky

        Watching the birds as they sail on the wind
        Trying to figure out the reason why
        Picturing wings held together with string
        One day to fly

        Someone said and I believe
        Try if you dare, you can walk on air
        A dream is all you need
        A circle that takes you high
        Lighter than air as the Earth goes by
        Through a spiral in the sky

        The man must be insane who knows
        A mind alive with images so strange
        So close but never rode the sky

        Watching the birds as they sail on the wind
        Trying to figure out the reason why
        Picturing wings held together with string

        Just a charcoal sketch on canvas
        Made them laugh but now they see
        That the artist had a vision
        That the wind could set us free
        It's a bridge until tomarrow
        Taking us beyond the sun
        As the artist paints his picture
        The story's just begun

        Analyzing, criticizing
        Fear of the unknown
        Theorizing, visualizing
        The road to take us home
        If it takes forever
        Someone's gonna fly
        We may never get to heaven
        But still we're gonna try

        Watching the birds
        As they sail on the wind
        One day to fly

      11. Blue Blue Sky II

        I only know what I can see
        So I imagine what could be
        Where the horizon cuts the air
        Look for me out there

        Someday I'll touch the blue blue sky
        Someday I'll touch the blue blue sky

        If I could kiss the Earth goodbye
        And cruse the never ending sky
        Where the horizon cuts the air
        Wait for me down there

        Someday I'll touch the blue blue sky
        Someday I'll touch the blue blue sky