Album review: THE ALAN PARSONS PROJECT – The Turn Of A Friendly Card

THE ALAN PARSONS PROJECT - The Turn Of A Friendly Card

Sony Music [Release date 06.11.15] Deluxe Anniversary Edition

Looking for the definite version of Alan Parson’s classic 1980 release? Well, it gets the Deluxe Anniversary treatment in this expanded, re-mastered 2-CD edition.

Back in the day, Alan Parsons and Eric Woolfson were ‘on fire’ and rattled off three unforgettable albums between 1972 and 1981. I Robot (1977) has already had the ‘deluxe’ treatment, and Eye In The Sky (1982) a 25th anniversary release.

Pyramid (1978) and Eve (1979) weren’t bad, but in comparison were patchy, but right now it’s The Turn Of A Friendly Card – arguably the Project’s finest moment – that gets a fresh lick of paint.

But hold on. Didn’t the whole Alan Parsons Project back catalogue get a sympathetic re-mastering in 2007 – 2008? Yes, indeed it did, with the ‘bolt on’ of a handful of mildly interesting, but frankly unessential ‘work in progress’ out-takes.

So what does this Deluxe Anniversary set with its seductive plum coloured sleeve have to offer? Frankly, very little. Because look below the packaging and the carefully worded ‘re-mastered’ badging and you find that the first disc is none other than the 2007 release. No tweaks, no additional material. Nothing.

So what you’re forking out for is the 2nd disc which, fair do’s runs out at 20 tracks (17 previously unreleased) over 70 minutes, and a new 20 page booklet.

But there is, in fact, no ‘new material’. The first eight tracks follow the album’s running order in the form of Eric Woolfson’s ‘Songwriting Diary’ versions. These amount to no more than Eric’s ‘singing in the bath’ and ‘notes to self’, half-finished tunes and lyrics. If it had been me, I would not have exposed them to the light of day. One suspects that if Woolfson was still alive, they might have remained under wraps.

The ‘extra’ bonus tracks fare a little better but are themselves made up of various ‘cutting room floor’ scrapings featuring guide vocals, unused guitar lines and the like, amongst early reference and half-finished versions. Frankly it’s a wonder anyone saw fit to keep them. Also included, for completeness, are and the single edits of Games People Play, The Turn Of A Friendly Card, and Snakes Eyes.

If you haven’t got The Turn Of A Friendly Card in your collection, shame on you. Go out and buy it. But don’t be fooled by the ‘definitive’, ‘anniversary’ and ‘deluxe’ badging. The 2007 re-master is the version to go for.

I struggle to ‘score’ this release. The original album is an unquestionable *****. The bonus tracks on the 2007 release brought nothing to the party, and the second disc here is no more compelling than an uninvited guest. So I’m going to have to deduct a * for what would appear to be no more than cynical racketeering. Buyers beware. ****

Review by Pete Whalley

Album review (Boxed set, 2014)

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out radio stream repeat on Tuesday 8th (16:00 GMT) and Thursday 10th April (21:00 GMT)
Next Session: Sunday 4 May

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 6 April 2025.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast on 8 April 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 21 April 2025

THE DEVIL WEARS NADA Late Night Talking (Eonian Records)
DROWNING POOL Madness (SBG Records)
PARKER BARROW Make It (indie)
REDIKIN Nailed It (Wormholedeath)
PENNY FOUNTAIN Euphoria (indie)
CRY FOR MERCY Saving Grace (indie)
VIGILANTES Life In The Fast Brain (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 21 April 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Singer Songwriter)

Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.