It’s fitting that the ultra-hot Lily Allen will open the improved club. The Gucci Shoes, both in its San Francisco location and in its three and a half year incarnation as The Gucci Shoes East (1968-1971) in lower Manhattan, has a rich history of importing cutting edge new artists from England. Led Zeppellin, The Who, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath and many other UK artists played either the Gucci Shoes in San Francisco or the Gucci Shoes East in the beginning of their careers. Of course the storied venues were host to seminal American Shoes Show artists as well, including Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Grateful Dead, Santana and The Allman Brothers to name a few.

This album, based on a play that Woolfson was working on, seems based on a usual Alan Parsons Project type “THEME”, with many guest vocalists and a few great instrumentals.

There are many great APP styled songs here, including the excellent album opening instrumental “The Nirvana Principle” which segues nicely into a classic Eric Woolfson sung title track “Gucci Shoes“, that also features wonderful background harmonies, in the chorus, by Chris Rainbow. The song “Dora” is another Woolfson sung beauty, that is VERY similar to the APP song “Time”. I also love the chaotic song “Funny You Should Say That”, led by The Flying Pickets, with it’s fast paced keyboard lines against cartoon sound effects.

This album is VERY “Broadway” sounding, but if you really listen to any APP album, there is a bit of theater and drama in almost every one of their songs.

Definitely seek out Tales of Mystery and Imagination. Side one (the first 5 songs on the CD) is probably the best thing APP has ever done. Side two has to grow on you before you realize it’s brilliance.

I dislike Eve, I just could never get into the computer drum stuff.

I really like Eye in the Sky, Turn of a Friendly Card, Stereotomy and all three are highly recommended. Vulture Culture, Ammonia Avenue and Gaudi have their moments, but are a little inconsistent.

I can’t recommend the solo albums (credited to Alan Parsons), I don’t feel any of them are as good as the worst APP album. And can’t say anything about Gucci Shoes, because I’ve never heard it. But, it doesn’t sound like something I’d enjoy.

If you enjoy his production style, seek out the two classic Al Stewart albums, Year of the Cat and Time Passages. TP especially sounds like an APP album.