| The theme of the album is history of aviation.
"On Air" marks the release of the first Alan Parsons CD-ROM. "On Air" consists of an audio CD and a CD-ROM in one package for the price of a CD. The CD-ROM works with both PC and Mac formats. This was one of the very first albums conceived to be a surround experience from the onset. A DTS version of the album exists. |
| A PDF format guide to the CD-ROM can be viewed or downloaded - see "Miscellaneous Links" for the URL. |
| If you have information, links or pictures which you believe could enhance this entry, please contribute. |
| The following notes have been recently added |
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| Between the magically simple delivery of the opening track, Blue Blue Sky, and the stunning reprise to complete the album, On Air offers a delightful addition to the TAPP/AP canon. Eric Stewart's beautiful opener is sung so simply that the sound of aircraft blasting through your speakers seems incongruous. But it this very effect which grabs you by the scruff of the neck and says "enjoy". And so the procession continues. Neil Lockwood shows his own diversity with the story of Icarus, "Too Close To The Sun', the emotional ballad "Brother Up In Heaven" (written for a family member by Ian Bairnson) and the fear of flying rocker "Can't Look Down". Blown By The Wind (Eric Stewart, again) and Fall Free (Steve Overland) are catchy, but hearing Christopher Cross deliver "So Far Away" is a delightful trip back to his halycon days. Graham Dye also delivers a tremendous ode to Leonardo Da Vinci with "One Day To Fly". This leaves my two favourite tracks. "Apollo" has been compared by some to "Lucifer", though this tribute to the space program has a feel and power of its own. But the final curtain falls with the reprise of "Blue Blue Sky". From the simplicity of the opening vocal to the overpowering crescendo of the orchestra (and that enormous synth note) this song actually makes me cry, such is it's power. I have read that this is possibly the best finale to any TAPP/AP album, and despite some incredibly good competition (think Shadow of a Lonely Man, Same Old Sun, Old and Wise), it is difficult to argue. Another wonderful recording. |
 Track Listing | ||
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| Time | Track Title | Vocalist |
| 1:39 | Blue Blue Sky 1 | Eric Stewart |
| 5:04 | Too Close To The Sun | Neil Lockwood |
| 5:26 | Blown By The Wind | Eric Stewart |
| 4:39 | Cloudbreak | (instrumental) |
| 4:37 | Can't Look Down | Neil Lockwood |
| 4:02 | Brother Up In Heaven | Neil Lockwood |
| 4:22 | Fall Free | Steve Overland |
| 6:05 | Apollo | (instrumental) |
| 4:07 | So Far Away | Christopher Cross |
| 6:19 | One Day To Fly | Graham Dye |
| 4:25 | Blue Blue Sky 2 | Eric Stewart |
| 50:45 | (total) | |
| Credits | Bass: | John Giblin
Ian Bairnson |
Drums, Drum Programming & Bongos: | Stuart Elliott | Guitars: | Ian Bairnson | Bass synth: | Ian Bairnson | Keyboards: | Gary Sanctuary
Richard "Trix" Cottle Alan Parsons Stuart Elliott |
Piano: | Gary Sanctuary | Saxophone: | Richard "Trix" Cottle | Backing Vocals: | Ian Bairnson
Alan Parsons Peter Beckett |
Orchestra: | The Philharmonia Orchestra | Arranger & Conductor: | Andrew Powell | Producer & Engineer: | Alan Parsons | Engineer for Christopher Cross: | Jeff Poe |
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 Miscellaneous Links |
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