The Alan Parsons Project – Tales Of Mystery And Imagination - Edgar Allan Poe

The first studio album of the group. A significant remix of the album was released in 1987.

This album sold steadily in the years following its release, and has been repackaged and reissued numerous times. An approximate timeline:

The album was originally issued in 1976 on Colin Elgie, which included an 8-page booklet. The pictures were taken at St. Pancras Station in London. Some subsequent issues, as well as ones in other territories, reduced the sleeve to a regular gatefold or less.

Releases which mention 20th Century Fox Records can be no earlier than 1978.

Releases which have entirely different artwork, using an illustration by RCA Records began US distribution of the label starting January 1979.

Releases on 20th Century Records.

In 1987, with album sales rapidly shifting to the CD format, the duo decided to remix the album to update it for the then-new format. The 1987 remix differs in that some elements have been re-recorded, as well as having certain production hallmarks of the mid-1980s which contrast considerably with the original 1976 recording. The remix uses a modified version of the original artwork, and was issued worldwide on the Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab.

In 2007, UMe issued a deluxe edition, containing both versions of the album as well as a few bonus tracks.

In 2016, a 40th anniversary edition was issued, as well as a 5.1 remix on Blu-Ray.

"A Dream Within A Dream" and "The Tell-Tale Heart" were recorded at Abbey Road, August 1975.
"The Raven" was recorded at Mama Jo's Studio, North Hollywood, 1975.
"The Casc Of Amontillado" and "(The System Of) Doctor Tarr And Professor Fether" were recorded at Abbey Road, September 1975.
"The Fall Of The House Of Usher":
'Prelude', 'Intermezzo' and 'Fall' were recorded at Kingsway Hall, London on October 10, 1975.
'Arrival' and 'Pavane' were recorded at Abbey Road in August and November 1975.
'Arrival': Thunder and Storm effects were recorded outside Abbey Road Studio Two during a freak storm, using a binaural "Dummy" recording head.
"To One In Paradise" was recorded at Abbey Road Studio Two, August 1975.

Original 1976 version
An Analogue Recording on 2-inch 24-track - mixed to a 15ips stereo analogue non-Dolby 1/4 inch master.
The original analogue stereo master tape was used for the CD mastering of this version.

1987 Remix
Partially re-recorded and remixed at The Grange Studio, Kent, England.
The original analogue 24-track multitracks were transferred to Sony Digital 3324 format for overdubs and mixing.
Mixed to Sony 1630 Digital Stereo U-Matic format.
The Sony 1630 Digital stereo master tape was used for the CD mastering of this version.