On the 11th December, Cooking Vinyl are set to release various editions of The Alan Parsons Project’s cult debut album “Tales Of Mystery And Imagination Edgar Allan Poe,” in celebration of its 50th Anniversary. Formats and tracklisting below.
Originally released in 1976, the album was a worldwide hit selling almost a million copies and achieving platinum status in a number of territories including Germany and Canada. Conceived primarily by Eric Woolfson and engineered by Alan Parsons, the album translates Poe‘s Gothic literary themes into a mix of Symphonic Rock, Pop melodies, and Electronic soundscapes. Rather than a single continuous narrative, each track acts as a distinct musical adaptation of one of Poe‘s classic works.
Highlights include “(The System of) Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether,” a catchy, Pop-Prog single inspired by Poe‘s satirical asylum story and “The Raven,” featuring lead vocals from Parsons on vocoder and actor Leonard Whiting of Zeffirelli’s Romeo & Juliet fame. Musicians featured on the album include vocalists Arthur Brown of The Crazy World of Arthur Brown on “The Tell Tale Heart,” John Miles on “The Cask of Amontillado” and “(The System of) Dr. Tarr and Professor Fether,” and Terry Sylvester of The Hollies on “To One in Paradise.” The complete line-up of bands Ambrosia and Pilot play on the record, along with keyboardist Francis Monkman of Curved Air and Sky.
— 3xLP Bookpack —
Mastered by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios, the 3xLP 180gm heavyweight vinyl bookpack is limited to 1,976 copies, containing an individually numbered Certificate Of Authenticity, alongside the original 1976 album, the 1987 “Remix” album, a “Work in Progress” album featuring early rough mixes, demos and alternative takes, and deluxe book featuring full lyrics, bonus track commentary, and interviews with Alan Parsons, Sally Woolfson, musicians and contributors to the album.
— 3xCD Bookpack —
Mastered by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios, the 3xCD bookpack includes the original 1976 album, the 1987 “Remix” album, 34 bonus tracks (including 12 previously unreleased), alongside rough mixes, demos and alternative takes, in addition to a 60-page book featuring full lyrics, bonus track commentary, and interviews with Alan Parsons, Sally Woolfson, musicians and contributors to the album.
— Picture Disc LP —
Mastered by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios, the Picture Disc LP features the original 1976 album pressed as a strictly limited-edition picture disc LP, and includes a 12” x 12” insert containing the original artwork of the inner gatefold sleeve.
— Blu-Ray —
Features a new 2026 Dolby Atmos mix and the 2016 5.1 surround sound mix by Alan Parsons from the original multi-track master tapes. Also contains the original 1976 album HD Remaster plus the 1987 “Remix Album” remaster and the “Work In Progress” album all mastered by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios.’ The Blu-Ray edition also includes a fully-illustrated 16-page booklet featuring full lyrics plus quotes from Alan Parsons and thoughts on the new remixes
The Alan Parsons Project was a Progressive Rock music entity comprised of engineer/producer Alan Parsons and songwriter, musician, and manager Eric Woolfson. They released 10 concept albums which focused on subject matter such as science fiction, supernatural, literary and sociological themes between 1976–1987 and have sold 60 million albums world-wide. Their focus was on very high quality studio sound production, and they recorded most of their work at Abbey Road Studios in London. They used a variety of different lead vocalists and musicians on every album — choosing who they felt was the best for each song rather than being constrained to moulding the material for one specific artist. They have been name-checked in The Simpsons, and their music is used regularly in adverts, films, sporting events and has been sampled by US rap artists.
Pre-Order “Tales Of Mystery And Imagination Edgar Allan Poe” here: https://approject.lnk.to/talesofmystery
Tracklist:
3xLP Bookpack
LP1: Original 1976 Album
‘A Dream Within A Dream’
‘The Raven’
‘The Tell-Tale Heart’
‘The Cask Of Amontillado’
‘(The System Of) Doctor Tarr And Professor Fether’
‘The Fall of the House of Usher
(i) ‘Prelude’
(ii) ‘Arrival’
(iii) ‘Intermezzo’
(iv) ‘Pavane’
(v) ‘Fall’
‘To One In Paradise’
LP2: 1987 ‘Remix’ Album
‘A Dream Within A Dream’
‘The Raven’
‘The Tell-Tale Heart’
‘The Cask Of Amontillado’
‘(The System Of) Doctor Tarr And Professor Fether’
‘The Fall of the House of Usher’
(i) ‘Prelude’
(ii) ‘Arrival’
(iii) ‘Intermezzo’
(iv) ‘Pavane’
(v) ‘Fall’
‘To One In Paradise’
LP3: ‘Work In Progress’ Album
‘A Dream Within A Dream’ (Piano Takes)
‘The Raven’ (Original Demo)
‘The Tell-tale Heart’ (Eric Guide Vocal)
‘The Cask Of Amontillado’ (Eric And Alan Guide Vocals)
‘Doctor Tarr And Professor Fether’ (Eric’s Guide Vocal)
‘Fall Of The House Of Usher’
(i) ‘Prelude’ (Orchestral Take 19)
(ii) ‘Sea Lions In The Departure Lounge’
(iii) ‘Intermezzo’ (Orchestra Strings Take) – Previously unreleased
(iv) ‘Pavane’ (Experimenting & Take 1)
(v) ‘Fall’ (Orchestra Take 2) – Previously unreleased
‘To One In Paradise’ (Rough Mix)
3xCD Bookpack
CD1: Original 1976 Album
1. ‘A Dream Within A Dream’
2. ‘The Raven’
3. ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’
4. ‘The Cask Of Amontillado’
5. ‘(The System Of) Doctor Tarr And Professor Fether’
6. ‘The Fall of the House of Usher’
(i) ‘Prelude’
(ii) ‘Arrival’
(iii) ‘Intermezzo’
(iv) ‘Pavane’
(v) ‘Fall’
7. ‘To One In Paradise’
8. ‘The Raven’ (Original Demo) – Bonus Track
9. ‘Edgar’ (Demo Of An Unreleased Track) – Bonus Track
10. ‘Orson Welles Radio Spot’ – Bonus Track
11. Interview With Alan Parsons And Eric Woolfson (1976) – Bonus Track
CD2: 1987 ‘Remix’ Album
1. A Dream Within A Dream
2. The Raven
3. The Tell-Tale Heart
4. The Cask Of Amontillado
5. (The System Of) Doctor Tarr And Professor Fether
The Fall Of The House Of Usher
6. (i) ‘Prelude’
7. (ii) ‘Arrival’
8. (iii) ‘Intermezzo’
9. (iv) ‘Pavane’
10. (v) ‘Fall’
11. To One In Paradise
12. ‘Eric’s Guide Vocal Medley’ – Bonus Track
13. ‘Orson Welles Dialogue’ – Bonus Track
14. ‘Sea Lions In The Departure Lounge’ – Bonus Track
15. ‘GBH Mix’ (Unreleased Experiments) – Bonus Track
16. ‘Tales Of Mystery Highlights With Orson Welles Narration Outtake – Previously unreleased
CD3: Bonus Tracks
01. ‘Album Launch At Los Angeles Planetarium’ – Introduction By Warren Duffy
02. ‘A Dream Within A Dream’ (Piano Takes)
03. ‘A Dream Within A Dream’ (Recorder Takes)
04. ‘A Dream Within A Dream/The Raven’ (Early Mix With Eric On Vocoder)
05. ‘The Raven’ (Out-take And Extended Jam)
06. ‘The Tell-tale Heart’ (Eric Guide Vocal)
07. ‘The Cask Of Amontillado’ (Rough Mix – Piano And Backing Vocals)
08. ‘The Cask Of Amontillado’ (Eric And Alan Guide Vocals)
09. ‘Doctor Tarr And Professor Fether’ (Early Rough Mix)
10. ‘Doctor Tarr And Professor Fether’ (Vocal Take)
11. ‘Doctor Tarr And Professor Fether’ (Eric’s Guide Vocal)
12. ‘Prelude’ (Orchestral Take 19)
13. ‘Pavane’ (Experimenting & Take 1)
14. ‘To One In Paradise’ (Rough Mix)
15. ‘Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether’ (Eric Woolfson Songwriting Diary) – Previously unreleased
16. ‘To One in Paradise’ (Eric Woolfson Songwriting Diary) – Previously unreleased
17. ‘Cask of Amontillado’ (Billy Lyall Piano Take) – Previously unreleased
18. ‘Edgar’ (Eric Woolfson Poe Recording) – Previously unreleased
19. ‘Poe Material’ (Eric Woolfson Songwriting Diary) – Previously unreleased
20. ‘Poe Song’ (Eric Woolfson Songwriting Diary) – Previously unreleased
21. ‘Poe Recording’ (Harpsichord & Electric Guitars) – Previously unreleased
22. ‘Intermezzo’ (Orchestra Strings Take) – Previously unreleased
23. ‘Fall’ (Orchestra Take) – Previously unreleased
24. ‘Fall’ (Orchestra Take 2) – Previously unreleased
25. ‘Fall’ (Orchestra Take 3) – Previously unreleased
Picture Disc LP
Side 1
1. ‘A Dream Within A Dream’
2. ‘The Raven’
3. ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’
4. ‘The Cask Of Amontillado’
5. ‘(The System Of) Doctor Tarr And Professor Fether’
Side 2
1. ‘The Fall Of The House Of Usher’
(i) ‘Prelude’
(ii) ‘Arrival’
(iii) ‘Intermezzo’
(iv) ‘Pavane’
(v) ‘Fall’
2. ‘To One In Paradise’
Blu-Ray 2026 Dolby Atmos Mix
1. ‘A Dream Within A Dream’
2. ‘The Raven’
3. ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’
4. ‘The Cask Of Amontillado’
5. ‘(The System Of) Doctor Tarr And Professor Fether’
‘The Fall Of The House Of Usher’
6. (i) ‘Prelude’
7. (ii) ‘Arrival’
8. (iii) ‘Intermezzo’
9. (iv) ‘Pavane’
10. (v) ‘Fall’
11. ‘To One In Paradise’
2016 5.1 Surround Sound Mix
1. ‘A Dream Within A Dream’
2. ‘The Raven’
3. ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’
4. ‘The Cask Of Amontillado’
5. ‘(The System Of) Doctor Tarr And Professor Fether’
‘The Fall Of The House Of Usher’
6. (i) Prelude
7. (ii) Arrival
8. (iii) Intermezzo
9. (iv) Pavane
10. (v) Fall
11. ‘To One In Paradise’
Original album – HD Stereo Remaster (96/24)
1. ‘A Dream Within A Dream’
2. ‘The Raven’
3. ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’
4. ‘The Cask Of Amontillado’
5. ‘(The System Of) Doctor Tarr And Professor Fether’
6. ‘The Fall Of The House Of Usher’
(i) ‘Prelude’
(ii) ‘Arrival’
(iii) ‘Intermezzo’
(iv) ‘Pavane’
(v) ‘Fall’
7. ‘To One In Paradise’
1987 ‘Remix’ Album Stereo Remaster
1. ‘A Dream Within A Dream’
2. ‘The Raven’
3. ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’
4. ‘The Cask Of Amontillado’
5. ‘(The System Of) Doctor Tarr And Professor Fether’
‘The Fall Of The House Of Usher’
6. (i) ‘Prelude’
7. (ii) ‘Arrival’
8. (iii) ‘Intermezzo’
9. (iv) ‘Pavane’
10. (v) ‘Fall’
11. ‘To One In Paradise’
‘Work In Progress’ Album
1. ‘A Dream Within A Dream’ (Piano Takes)
2. ‘The Raven’ (Original Demo)
3. ‘The Tell-tale Heart’ (Eric Guide Vocal)
4. ‘The Cask Of Amontillado’ (Eric And Alan Guide Vocals)
5. ‘Doctor Tarr And Professor’ Fether (Eric’s Guide Vocal)
‘Fall Of The House Of Usher’
6. (i) ‘Prelude’ (Orchestral Take 19)
7. (ii) ‘Sea Lions In The Departure Lounge’
8. (iii) ‘Intermezzo’ (Orchestra Strings Take)
9. (iv) ‘Pavane’ (Experimenting Take 1)
10. (v) ‘Fall’ (Orchestra Take 2)
11. ‘To One In Paradise’ (Rough Mix)