The Turn Of A Friendly Card is the fifth album from The Alan Parsons Project, the “band” spearheaded by celebrated producer and engineer Alan Parsons, and composer, musician, and manager Eric Woolfson. Inspired by the period in which both men lived in Monte Carlo, this 1980 album’s sessions, which took place in Paris, feature contributions from guitarist Ian Bairnson, bassist David Paton, and drummer Stuart Elliott. Elmer Gantry, Chris Rainbow, and Lenny Zakatek, along with Eric Woolfson, handle the vocals. The 2023 limited edition boxset comprises three CDs and a Blu-ray Disc — the music originally featured on the album, plus an additional 42 tracks drawn from Eric Woolfson’s songwriting diaries and studio session outtakes.
Disc one features the remaster of the original album. There are the hits we are familiar with, such as “Games People Play,” “Time,” and the swinging mostly instrumental pop-prog classic “The Gold Bug.” Beyond these popular tracks, the album’s ending suite is a perfect counter. From the lilting piano ballad and Chris Rainbow’s soft, perfect vocal of “The Turn Of A Friendly Card, Pt. 1,” to the significant strikes of “The Ace Of Swords,” and what might be the best Woolfson’s vocal the part two reprise of the title track — this is all top-shelf. Vocal overdubs, “basic” tracks, early studio versions, and demos encompass the remaining offerings.
On the 13-song second disc entitled Eric Woolfson’s Songwriting Diaries, we get a unique airing of one of Alan Parsons Project’s primary songwriters working through the tunes. Featuring just the man singing along to his piano, with some tracks sans lyrics, save Woolfson vocalizing, it’s pretty neat hearing the simple beginnings of songs like “Games People Play” and “Time.”
Disc three, entitled Recording Sessions Bonus Tracks, has 14 songs in all. Made up of early demos, with some rather well produced, others just featuring a few instruments like “The Gold Bug” featuring clavinet with echo. This is another behind-the-scenes tickle into what would become The Turn Of A Friendly Card.” There are also single edits of “Games People Play,” “Snake Eyes,” and “The Turn Of A Friendly Card.”
Disc four, a Blu-ray Disc, comprises the 2019 5.1 Surround Sound mix, a high-resolution mix. and the original stereo mix o of the album by Alan Parsons. There’s also a promo add for the album and videos for “Games People Play,” “The Gold Bug,” and “The Turn Of A Friendly Card.” To round out the set, there’s an illustrated book with a new essay, photos, memorabilia and features recollections from Alan Parsons and Sally Woolfson. And, of course, you get a reproduction poster as well. Altogether, this limited edition box set of The Turn Of A Friendly Card has everything devotees of this band want. I dare say, you will have turned over every single card in the deck, listening through the goodies here.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
