Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Eric Woolfson R.I.P.

This is topic Eric Woolfson R.I.P. in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 12-02-2009, 06:59 PM:

This isn't something that's going to make the top headlines because he wasn't a big celebrity, but almost everyone has heard Eric Woolfson's music. He was the principal songwriter behind the Alan Parsons Project, wrote or co-wrote all of their songs, and was the lead singer on some of their hits such as "Time," "Eye in the Sky."

He died this morning of cancer.

Posted by Clint Koch (Member # 1179) on 12-02-2009, 08:33 PM:

That is sad.
RIP

Posted by Ian Parfrey (Member # 5122) on 12-02-2009, 09:17 PM:

In regards to Eric Woolfson's passing...

Isn't it a shame that one's celebrity status isn't always proportional to one's talent?. I think this concept may apply to Mr Woolfson for he is/was an incredibly talented songwriter.

Either way, he is now another Eye in the Sky, along with many other revered talents.

Rest in Peace, Eric...but keep rattling those windows in heaven's discotheque when you have the odd chance.

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 12-02-2009, 09:58 PM:

This is sad news indeed. Alan Parsons Project put out a lot of interesting music in the 1980s. Quite a bit of it was good stuff. But the group made other music that just seemed odd. I didn't think their scoring work on the movie Ladyhawk worked very well at all. Nevertheless, it was "thinking man's music." Eric Woolfon explored deeper themes than just partying and screwing some chick -the subject matter of most popular music.

The Sirius instrumental was over-used as sports team entrance music or background for stories on severe storms. I mad a custom "best of" CD with Alan Parsons stuff where Sirius and Eye in the Sky exist as only one track. Gotta preserve that transition as one song fades to the other. Don't need my MP3 player or computer screwing up that important feature.

Posted by Robert E. Allen (Member # 1351) on 12-02-2009, 10:19 PM:

During my time as a broadcaster I played some of their stuff. He was indeed talented. Condolences to his family.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 12-02-2009, 11:05 PM:

Interesting fact: All of the Alan Parsons Project songs are credited to Woolfson/Parsons. Woolfson actually wrote the songs himself, but Parsons' talent in producing, arranging and engineering was so important to the overall "sound" of the music that they decided he should have songwriter credit too.

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 12-02-2009, 11:32 PM:

Did any other act besides Alan Parsons Project work sound tech stuff into their lyrics?

Tell you about dream that I have every night,
it's in Dolby Stereo but I never hear it right.

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 12-03-2009, 12:20 AM:

quote: Mike Blakesley
was the lead singer on some of their hits such as "Time," "Eye in the Sky."

Oh, no! This is terrible. His music accompanied the background of my life, certainly.

What great memories are attached to the Alan Parsons Project for me -- this was right when I got into broadcasting, and I played them on the air.

And I have had those two songs in my CD player continuously, since back when I was driving a truck. They are two of my favorite "sing-aloud-while-driving" songs, and I play them nearly every day.

Very sad news. He wasn't that old. [Frown]

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 12-03-2009, 12:42 AM:

quote: Ian Parfrey
Isn't it a shame that one's celebrity status isn't always proportional to one's talent?. I think this concept may apply to Mr Woolfson for he is/was an incredibly talented songwriter

Ian, you are right; the truth seems to be that celebrigy status is in reverse proportion to talent.

This is indeed sad news. His music certainly is interwoven with some pretty important events in my own life.

Will they ever find a cure to this curséd disease?