Freudiana

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Biography

Freudiana () is a rock album and a rock opera , originally intended to be the 11th album by The Alan Parsons Project . Eric Woolfson hit upon the idea of researching the life and works of Sigmund Freud with a view to their musical potential after he finished the last and tenth contracted The Alan Parsons Project album ‘Gaudi’. He retraced Freud’s footsteps and explored his realms through his homes in London and Vienna (both now museums) as well as literary sources including Freud’s classic cases whose real identities he concealed by use of names such as Wolfman , Ratman, Dora, Little Hans and Schreber, the Judge. In addition, Freud’s writings on his discovery of the ‘unconscious’, his well known theories such as the ‘Oedipus Complex’, the ‘Ego’ and the ‘Id’ and perhaps his best known masterpiece, ‘The Interpretation of Dreams’ all served as springboards for musical ideas. While recording the album, Brian Brolly entered the picture and he helped steer the album in a new direction. About halfway through the recording process, Eric was approached to develop the concept still further into a musical. With Brolly's help, Eric Woolfson was able to turn Freudiana into a stage musical. The musical had a successful run, and it was hoped that the show would open in other cities. Further plans were put on hold when a lawsuit broke out between Brolly and Woolfson, each fighting for control of the project. In the end, Brolly won.

There are two kinds of this album. White album was released in 1990 through EMI records and has been available until recently. The album includes 18 tracks with lead vocal performances from Leo Sayer , Graham Dye , The Flying Pickets , Kiki Dee , Marti Webb , Eric Steward, Frankie Howard as well as Project regulars Chris Rainbow , John Miles and Eric Woolfson . It was produced by Alan Parsons and it should but treated as the 11th album by The Alan Parsons Project , even if there are no label on it (because rights to album belongs to Brolly's).
There is also a double-length cast disc (the "Black album”) and that is currently out of print. It contains material from the rock opera. Black album was the first album credited to Eric Woolfson as a solo artist. Freudiana gave Eric a taste of musical theatre and he chose to continue in that end of the business. Parsons on the other hand, felt that continuing with a rock band was the way for him.

Track listing

All songs written by Eric Woolfson, except where noted.
#"The Nirvana Principle" – 3:44
#"Freudiana" – 6:20
#"I Am a Mirror" – 4:06
#"Little Hans" – 3:15
#"Dora" – 3:51
#"Funny You Should Say That" – 4:36
#"You're On Your Own" – 3:54
#"Far Away From Home" – 3:11
#"Let Yourself Go" – 5:26
#"Beyond the Pleasure Principle" (Alan Parsons) – 3:13
#"The Ring" – 4:22
#"Sects Therapy" – 3:40
#"No One Can Love You Better Than Me" – 5:40
#"Don't Let the Moment Pass" – 3:40
#"Upper Me" – 5:16
#"Freudiana" – 3:43
#"Destiny" – 0:51
#"There But For the Grace of God" – 5:56

Personnel

Eric Woolfson – keyboard instrument|keyboards , singing|lead vocal on tracks 2, 5, 9, and 13, executive producer

Alan Parsons – producer, additional keyboards, engineer

Laurie Cottle – Bass guitar|bass

Stuart Elliott (drummer)|Stuart Elliott – Drum kit|drums , percussion

Ian Bairnson – guitar

Richard Cottle – synthesizer , saxophone

Leo Sayer – lead vocal on track 3

Graham Dye – lead vocal on track 4

The Flying Pickets – lead vocals on tracks 6, and 8

Kiki Dee – lead vocal on tracks 7, and 13

Eric Stewart – lead vocal on tracks 11, and 15

Frankie Howerd – lead vocal on track 12

Marti Webb – lead vocal on tracks 13, and 14

Gary Howard – lead vocal on track 13

Chris Rainbow – lead vocal on track 17

John Miles (musician)|John Miles – lead vocal on track 18

Andrew Powell – arrangements, conductor

Tony Richards – engineer

Stage Musical Version

Freudiana premiered at the Theater an der Wien in Vienna , Austria on December 19, 1990. It was produced by Vereinigte Bühnen Wien . Until April 18, 1992 it played for 380 performances before 320,000 people.

Stage director was Peter Weck. The German song texts were by Lida Winiewicz. Erik was played by Ulrich Tukur .

Copyright Citations

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1. Alan Parsons Project 2. Leo Sayer 3. Eric Woolfson 4. Flying Pickets 5. The Alan Parsons Project