"The writing and recording sessions are going incredibly well."
The Grammy-winning longtime leader of the Alan Parsons Project, also the producer and engineer of countless classic albums and artists, says: “I met Jason two years ago through a neighbour who grows coffee on his ranch. Jason wanted to grow coffee himself and our neighbour, Jay was kind enough to introduce us since we had mutual musical interests.
“For ‘Miracle,” continues Parsons, “Jason recorded his vocals in Dallas while I listened in Santa Barbara and we sent files back and forth, resulting in this song. Thus proving that you don’t necessarily have to be in the same studio with someone to create music. This was also the case with Lou Gramm on the track ‘Sometimes,’ which he sang in New York.”
Adds Mraz: “’Eye In The Sky [the Alan Parsons Project hit] ‘ is a song I have a very early memory of, strapped in the backseat of my mom’s green Fiat, 1982. Alan Parsons is on the radio and I’m singing along, harmonising. That sound of rich harmony over magical words would stick with me for my whole life and ultimately become what my own career is about, trying to solve universal quandaries through song craft.”
AC/DC, 'Back in Black'
Quickly recovering from the death of singer Bon Scott in early 1980, AC/DC were back at it less than half a year later with a new singer and an album that paid tribute to their late bandmate at the same time it kicked off a whole new golden era for the group.
Bryan Adams, 'Reckless'
Adams was about to hit the big time with his previous album, 'Cuts Like a Knife,' but 'Reckless' pushed him over in 1984. The album hit No. 1 and spawned six hit singles. 'Reckless' pretty much set up Adams for the rest of his career, with songs cut straight from the meat-and-potatoes rock 'n' roll playbook.
Blue Oyster Cult, 'Secret Treaties'
Blue Oyster Cult's third album is one of heavy rock's best mid-'70s offerings – smart, funny and a total rock 'n' roll record in all the right places. Their next studio album gave them an immortal hit in "(Don't Fear) The Reaper," but 'Secret Treaties' is the stronger LP.