She comes out of the sun her silk dress running like a watercolor in the rain-some of the best lyrics ever written. Beautiful music and production. A masterpiece!
The recording was engineered by Alan Parsons at Abbey Road Studios in London. Parsons, with songwriting partner Eric Woolfson and a crew of studio musicians, made a series of albums under the name The Alan Parsons Project which are incredible. He also engineered Pink Floyd’s Dark Side Of The Moon and was an assistant engineer on The Beatles Abbey Road and Let It Be albums. I would recommend you listen to the Alan Parsons Project. Many great songs including The Cask Of Amontillado, based on Edgar Allan Poe’s story, I Wouldn’t Want To Be Like You, Time, Old And Wise, Games People Play and Eye In The Sky to name a few.
@@anthonybalistreri5226 Don't lose heart, keep suggesting to them. I never thought they would listen to me about Joni Mitchell or Dan Fogelberg and then all of a sudden they did! 🦋
This song stays with you. It will pop up unexpectedly in your memory and play itself out. In a good way, of course! It’s pure art and gives you that same feeling the 100th time you hear it.
"Time passages" should be next and a song (Helen and Cassandra) from his little known 1988 album "Last days of the Century" and pretty much any songs from his later albums "Famous Last Words" 1993 "Between the wars" 1996 "Beach full of shells" 2005 "Sparks of ancient light" 2008.
I keep editing this! Shawn you belonged in our generation!! We can see that on your face. She comes in incense and patchouli. So poetic. Know every word by heart. One of my hubby’s favorite. Al Stewart is a great storyteller. Time Passages another total winner. I wonder if you know who Peter Laurie or Bogart were?
To me among the best pieces of the Rock era. Undoubtedly a masterpiece. I avoid the word perfect. I prefer flawless when nothing needs to be changed. Fantastic bridge, as you heard.
She comes out of the sun in a silk dress running Like a watercolor in the rain What a great couple of verses. You can almost picture that in animation.
A genius song with many great instruments involved. It is said that Al heard his keyboardist play the start of this song as a warm up and asked him if he could use it and expand it. Hence,the song.
Thanks for sharing this. Master Musician: Al Stewart combined with Alan Parsons. The Engineer behind "Dark Side Of The Moon" by Pink Floyd. anf you have combined genius. Al is one of the greatest lyricists that I have ever known and I bought my first records in London in 1960 so 64 years ago. Al is known as a musical historian. "Roads To Moscow"/ "On The Border" "Time Passages" etc ENJOY😀
Coming from someone that loves Fleetwood Mac, Zeppelin, Floyd, Rush, Boston, Steely Dan and more, this song...this is the one I'd choose if I had only one song to hear the rest of my life. I knew it was special way back then. Now, it transcends me to a perfect time and place.
So glad you dipped into Al Stewart (cousin of Rod) and enjoyed it. What you might not know is that he literally created a genre of music that I would call HistoriFolk… Majestic pieces of music that retold history through music. IMO his masterpiece is “Roads to Moscow”.
Al Stewart is a Scottish/English/American singer-songwriter who has been going since the late 60s, where he was part of the original folk scene in London. He is still going strong, touring with a band called "The Empty Pockets" which took two albums to the top of the U.S. Blues chart. I saw them in October. AL writes a lot of songs with a historical or cinematic theme. Aside from a handful of hits in the 70s he never retained fame, but his albums reward a deep dive. One of his greatest, and least radio-friendly, songs is "Roads to Moscow" which chronicles the WW2 eastern front from the eyes of a Soviet foot soldier.
Stewart has some of the sweetest music arrangements ever played. He was never afraid of doing something different with the instrumentals. His voice is clear, melodious; and the lyrics are haunting, drawing the listener into the story.
Masterclass in musicianship right there 🔥❤️🫶🏻 Alan Parsons “Eye In The Sky” He’s also an Audio Engineer for such albums The Beatles “Abbey Road”(1969) Let It Be (1970) & Pink Floyd “Dark Side Of The Moon” (1973) ❤️🎸🔥
Thank you for your personal recognition of all the band members, sir. I've never heard anybody do that. Thank you very much for that. That song is a masterpiece and be loved around the world. And I personally appreciate your attention to the personnel. That, that song was a special treasure to be a part of many of us are on sun heroes. And wish to say that way including many writers thank you sir
There's a reason this is one of the world's most beloved songs for more than 50 years. Do you hear me 50 years? So I'm so glad you just found it. This is a treasure for the world for 50 years. Okay. So word we're not is you're not breaking anything new to us. Ogay, and by the way, it's not an Allen Parsons song, it's an Al Stewart song. I sang on thit's not an Al parson song. It's an outsteward song figured out you got me. Thank you. Love you. Maybe you're here and for the first time which is amazing. This is a worldwide standard for 50 years plus look up the history of the most played songs in all time up there with The Beatles songs. Which quite frankly mostly suck compared to this song.But whatever I'm a little biased.I only sing background vocals and wrote
I have never heard a piece of music describe an orgasm so clearly. That progression from the piano to the acoustic guitar to the electric guitar, climbing higher and higher, hitting that piercing climax... and then the saxophone takes over, and we're melting in the afterglow. And the next words you hear about waking up the next morning, ah, just magic. A great song, maybe the best one I'ver heard about a fleeting encounter. Wonderful story, incredible music. ("On the Border", from the same album is also really beautiful, with a flamenco feel.)
😮😮😮😮 I am SUPRISED....YOU got emotional on this song. Beautiful song. But didn't see that coming...tears 😭 flowing from your eyes....😢 totally cool 😎...Love it....I now that Stevie Nick's. Jon Anderson. Linda Rostadt. AL Stewart. Pool Harum. Makes you cry. I'll be cautious in my request. 😊😊😊😊
Takes me back to a simpler time & place in my life. As a 7yr old kid in 76' I was a fan of the folk & Soft Rock of the era. This song was on the radio rotation for years.
"She walks out of the sun in a silk dress running like a watercolour in the rain..." What an incredible line. With this amazing song, Al paints pictures in your head while the brilliantly arranged music takes you away and plays with your mind. This really is a work of art by Al and of course, Alan Parsons who's technical input is unrivalled in the arrangement. I've listened to this beautiful track many many times and it still gets to me. 🙋♂
Al Stewart’s Year Of The Cat has a life long lasting effect on me. My life changed drastically in 1976/77 where I got married and had my first son in 1977. This song played all through my pregnancy and for many years after his birth. I am forever tied to this song and it always brings back those old memories and I can still remember how I felt and what I was doing and of course the birth of my son. I never get tired of this beautiful song. Thanks for sharing.
@@petedz9772 he surprised me at his wedding as he had chosen it as our Mother/Son dance song. He loves the so g as it reminds him of me. I never get tired of it & nor does he.
Yep, this one really casts a hypnotic spell. You're so right, Shawn--what a complete song, in EVERY way. As others have suggested, I think you'll love the Spanish guitar instrumentation on Stewart's "On the Border". His vocals are so inviting on everything he does--as on "Time Passages"--and he's a history buff and great storyteller in his writing. A unique and class act. Thanks for the wonderful reaction, Shawn. You really do "get it".
Al had some tremendous hits a the 1970’s and early 1980’s!Check some of his other great tunes like Roads To Moscow about a Soviet soldier towards the end of WW2.Great lyrics on that one!
Al Stewart said that he decided to leave the music business when he was at a party and was speaking of Russian history to a world famous rock star, who interrupted him to ask who had the cocaine. I have always respected Al's work, which is beautiful and elegant. The references in "Year of the Cat" are to the movie "Casablanca." This song was the first 45 single I ever bought. "Midnight Rocks" and "Time Passages" are two other amazing Al Stewart songs.
Much of the younger generations might not get the first lines, "On a morning from a Bogart Movie, in a country where they turn back time, He goes strolling through the crowd like Peter Lorre contemplating a crime"... Excellent story telling in this one
Another song with beautiful, almost ethereal, piano in it is "Morning Has Broken" by Cat Stevens. I also believe you would love "Scarborough Fair/Canticle" by Simon & Garfunkel.
I haven't listened to this song in a while. Listening to it hear reminded me of just how perfect the musical moments are in this song. Truly a master piece of music. This song seems impossible in the sense of I can't imagine human imagination creating such perfection. I feel the same way about Al Stewart's other hit, Time Passages.
Al Stewart considered himself a folk singer but he evolved into so much more. If you’re interested in history, dive into his discography because he’s renown for his songs about historical events that are lyrical masterpieces. Great reaction.😊
He was here in Chicago a couple of years back. He plays small to medium-sized venues. My brother went to see him. Loved it . This is a special magical song that never gets old. "Time Passages" was another minor hit of his. Of course you remember that Alan Parsons engineered a little album called "Dark Side of the Moon" by Pink Floyd. And had a successful progressive rock band in its own right -The Alan Parsons Project, that has produced many great classic rock tunes. Check out "Sirius/Eye in the Sky" by Alan Parsons. I think you'll be blown away. Might even recognize it. 😉
One of the most beautiful songs ever composed, it's like a symphony. Another song from Al that you'll definitely love is 'On The Border'. The best version is the 'live 1981' version, which is uploaded on Al's official youtube channel. It has a gorgeous acoustic guitar intro which is missing on the studio version.
Certainly a Top Tier 1970s hit. Super Producer Alan Parsons worked on this song and suggested adding the saxophone to the cut which Al Stewart was initially reluctant to do. Interestingly Kinsey the sax soloist ending up touring with Al Stewart snd plays sax on Stewart's other big commercial hit "Time Passages".
Now watch Casablanca, considered by many to be the best movie of the 20th century, then listen to the song again. Stewart wanted to write a song that evoked a modern feel of the movie. Both Bogart and the ill-fated Bulgarty, played by the great, ever quotable, Peter Lorre, were taken from it, and sets up the mood. There are also a million other references from the movie you've heard all your life. Casablanca is a foundational movie for anyone who calls themselves a film buff.📽️🎭🧓😎
What's SO unique about this song is that it has No CHORUS.....the closest it comes to a chorus is repeating "The Year of the Cat" at the end of every of Verse. Probably one of the most visual lyrics ever written is in this song: She comes out of the sun in a silk dress running Like a watercolor in the rain
Great song and reaction. Al has been another of the great songwriters for many decades. I'm particularly partial to three of his earlier albums, this one and the one before it and the one after it, but everything I've ever heard from him is luscious and warm and lovely, whether highly produced as this one is, or stripped down and acoustic like the song Roads To Moscow. Now, as long as saxophone was brought up again, I'll again bring up the band called Morphine. You likely not get many suggestions for them, as their lead songwriter and vocalist died just as they were getting big, but I think you'd love them for their uniqueness. They are a drummer, a saxophonist, and a vocalist who also plays an electric bass guitar with only two strings. The saxophonist plays either a baritone or an alto sax, mostly, and on a few songs actually plays both at the same time. For a studio recording I'd recommend the song Cure For Pain, for a live cut there's a live video on TH-cam with the song Radar, and the song The Only One, that I'd suggest.
I'm not friends with list, but this song will be in my best songs ever for sure. Alan Parsons produced and engineered (to mention a few) some Beatles, The Hollies, Paul McCartney and Pink Floyd records. He also have his solo career The Alan Parsons Project, with some huge hits the like of: 'Eye In The Sky', 'Don't Answer Me', 'Sirius', 'Lucifer' or 'Old And Wise'.
In the mid 70s there was a kind of nostalgia craze. Revivals of classic movies like Casa Blanca were very popular.This song captures the mood perfectly.Popular music was trending toward story/ballad lyrics and lush orchestral jazz/classical yet still soft rock instrumentals.
One of the best arranged songs ever!! Great review, thanks Shawn!!
Yeah this is Simon & Garfunkel level arrangement. Just keeps blowing you away as it evolves.
It is the best structured song ever written. No doubt in my mind.
Time passeges
@@MoMoMyPup10 Alan Parsons. The Engineer behind "Dark Side Of The Moon" by Pink Floyd.
Produced by the great Alan Parsons, how could it not be over the top good?
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Did not know that, thanks for sharing.✌️
Everything he touched as an engineer or producer is gold!
She comes out of the sun her silk dress running like a watercolor in the rain-some of the best lyrics ever written. Beautiful music and production. A masterpiece!
I think you also might love Stewart's "On the Border". Fantastic Spanish guitar on it.
This and his Time Passages are two of the best songs of the 70s...as you say - complete works of art!
Even better are songs such as Roads To Moscow and On The Border!
Agreed...forgot those...thanks!@@joelliebler5690
Al Stewart’s entire catalog is excellent, but Year Of The Cat and its 1978 follow-up Time Passages are both next level, and ideal starting points. ❤
"Year of the Cat" ia a musical treat.Al's vocals are so soothing.
One of those songs you compare everything else to. This is perfection.
Perfect mysterious story, perfect arrangement and production: perfect song IMO.
The recording was engineered by Alan Parsons at Abbey Road Studios in London. Parsons, with songwriting partner Eric Woolfson and a crew of studio musicians, made a series of albums under the name The Alan Parsons Project which are incredible. He also engineered Pink Floyd’s Dark Side Of The Moon and was an assistant engineer on The Beatles Abbey Road and Let It Be albums. I would recommend you listen to the Alan Parsons Project. Many great songs including The Cask Of Amontillado, based on Edgar Allan Poe’s story, I Wouldn’t Want To Be Like You, Time, Old And Wise, Games People Play and Eye In The Sky to name a few.
Great suggestions! Alan Parsons Project just kind of faded away, sad! 🦋
@@sylvialee1079 Wrong - Alan never went away, and is still at it as we speak - here's a sample: th-cam.com/video/V5IssBeTijo/w-d-xo.html
Seems like nobody reacts to Tales of Mystery and Imagination. My favorite APP album.
@@anthonybalistreri5226 Don't lose heart, keep suggesting to them. I never thought they would listen to me about Joni Mitchell or Dan Fogelberg and then all of a sudden they did! 🦋
Genuine MASTERPIECE.
Time Passages is very good also,with even more Sax 🎷
This song stays with you. It will pop up unexpectedly in your memory and play itself out. In a good way, of course! It’s pure art and gives you that same feeling the 100th time you hear it.
"Time passages" should be next and a song (Helen and Cassandra) from his little known 1988 album "Last days of the Century" and pretty much any songs from his later albums "Famous Last Words" 1993 "Between the wars" 1996 "Beach full of shells" 2005 "Sparks of ancient light" 2008.
Love it! What a beautiful song. Straight from my teenage years. Great job Shawn! Can I suggest Boz Skaggs, Ledo Shuffle.
This song is a piece of art. The more you listen, the better it gets.
One of the best songs EVER.
Al Stewart’s entire catalog is excellent, but Year Of The Cat and its 1978 follow-up Time Passages are both next level, and ideal starting points. ❤
I keep editing this! Shawn you belonged in our generation!! We can see that on your face. She comes in incense and patchouli. So poetic. Know every word by heart. One of my hubby’s favorite. Al Stewart is a great storyteller. Time Passages another total winner. I wonder if you know who Peter Laurie or Bogart were?
This is really a perfect song
There are musical compositions, and then there are Masterpieces!
Basically this song is the movie "Casablanca" set to music. Some people consider this the "Perfect" song.
"She comes out of the sun in a silk dress
Running like a watercolor in the rain.."
Pure poetry!!
I do! 😀
Time Passages and On the Border.
On the Border and Time Passages 😊
"Time Passages" is another great one 👍
To me among the best pieces of the Rock era. Undoubtedly a masterpiece. I avoid the word perfect. I prefer flawless when nothing needs to be changed. Fantastic bridge, as you heard.
the line" she comes out of the sun in a silk dress running like a watercolor in the rain" is one of my favorite lines in music
You're okay using 'perfect' in this case. And it's also flawless.
A sadly underrated artist of enormous talent. The album Year of the Cat is one of my favourites, every song is great and you'd love them.
in my opinion, one of the most beautiful songs ever recorded. thank you for understanding how awesome this really is. 👍👍
The hand of Alan Parsons is here
Al Stewart’s voice paints a picture and the sax and piano create such atmosphere. An amazing song.
She comes out of the sun in a silk dress running
Like a watercolor in the rain
What a great couple of verses. You can almost picture that in animation.
A genius song with many great instruments involved. It is said that Al heard his keyboardist play the start of this song as a warm up and asked him if he could use it and expand it. Hence,the song.
Thanks for sharing this.
Master Musician: Al Stewart combined with Alan Parsons. The Engineer behind "Dark Side Of The Moon" by Pink Floyd. anf you have combined genius.
Al is one of the greatest lyricists that I have ever known and I bought my first records in London in 1960 so 64 years ago.
Al is known as a musical historian. "Roads To Moscow"/ "On The Border" "Time Passages" etc ENJOY😀
Always takes me straight back to Judi Been and the magic of Santa Cruz in the year of the cat.
I have the same reaction every time I hear this song. It’s like, bliss.
Coming from someone that loves Fleetwood Mac, Zeppelin, Floyd, Rush, Boston, Steely Dan and more, this song...this is the one I'd choose if I had only one song to hear the rest of my life. I knew it was special way back then. Now, it transcends me to a perfect time and place.
So glad you dipped into Al Stewart (cousin of Rod) and enjoyed it. What you might not know is that he literally created a genre of music that I would call HistoriFolk… Majestic pieces of music that retold history through music. IMO his masterpiece is “Roads to Moscow”.
So so beautiful!
A whole orchestra in one song!😊❤
Anybody ever notice that Al Stewart's voice sounds almost exactly like Neil Tennant's voice? The leader of the Pet Shop Boys. Crazy!
Loved watching you groove to the incomparable arrangement! You need to listen to Al Stewart "Time Passages"
Alan Parsons,of course:)
Al Stewart is a Scottish/English/American singer-songwriter who has been going since the late 60s, where he was part of the original folk scene in London. He is still going strong, touring with a band called "The Empty Pockets" which took two albums to the top of the U.S. Blues chart. I saw them in October. AL writes a lot of songs with a historical or cinematic theme. Aside from a handful of hits in the 70s he never retained fame, but his albums reward a deep dive. One of his greatest, and least radio-friendly, songs is "Roads to Moscow" which chronicles the WW2 eastern front from the eyes of a Soviet foot soldier.
Stewart has some of the sweetest music arrangements ever played. He was never afraid of doing something different with the instrumentals. His voice is clear, melodious; and the lyrics are haunting, drawing the listener into the story.
One of the most beautiful songs ever written & sang! ♥️♥️🌹
Fantastic reaction Shawn. This is a tune I'll never forget from Al Stewart...ever. Love the instrument solos in it and, of course, them vocals...🎤🎶👍
Masterclass in musicianship right there 🔥❤️🫶🏻
Alan Parsons “Eye In The Sky” He’s also an Audio Engineer for such albums The Beatles “Abbey Road”(1969) Let It Be (1970) & Pink Floyd “Dark Side Of The Moon” (1973) ❤️🎸🔥
Thank you for your personal recognition of all the band members, sir. I've never heard anybody do that. Thank you very much for that. That song is a masterpiece and be loved around the world. And I personally appreciate your attention to the personnel. That, that song was a special treasure to be a part of many of us are on sun heroes. And wish to say that way including many writers thank you sir
Great reaction. Another great song from Al Stewart is ON THE BORDER.
There's a reason this is one of the world's most beloved songs for more than 50 years. Do you hear me 50 years? So I'm so glad you just found it. This is a treasure for the world for 50 years. Okay. So word we're not is you're not breaking anything new to us. Ogay, and by the way, it's not an Allen Parsons song, it's an Al Stewart song. I sang on thit's not an Al parson song. It's an outsteward song figured out you got me. Thank you. Love you. Maybe you're here and for the first time which is amazing. This is a worldwide standard for 50 years plus look up the history of the most played songs in all time up there with The Beatles songs. Which quite frankly mostly suck compared to this song.But whatever I'm a little biased.I only sing background vocals and wrote
A musical masterpiece.
I have never heard a piece of music describe an orgasm so clearly. That progression from the piano to the acoustic guitar to the electric guitar, climbing higher and higher, hitting that piercing climax... and then the saxophone takes over, and we're melting in the afterglow. And the next words you hear about waking up the next morning, ah, just magic. A great song, maybe the best one I'ver heard about a fleeting encounter. Wonderful story, incredible music. ("On the Border", from the same album is also really beautiful, with a flamenco feel.)
😮😮😮😮 I am SUPRISED....YOU got emotional on this song. Beautiful song. But didn't see that coming...tears 😭 flowing from your eyes....😢 totally cool 😎...Love it....I now that Stevie Nick's. Jon Anderson. Linda Rostadt. AL Stewart. Pool Harum. Makes you cry. I'll be cautious in my request. 😊😊😊😊
You are getting very good advice on tunes to hit.
Takes me back to a simpler time & place in my life. As a 7yr old kid in 76' I was a fan of the folk & Soft Rock of the era. This song was on the radio rotation for years.
Its a journey through life, love and regret all in a mix of beautiful music!
Yep!! Sit back, listen and it will take you to a smile!
Time Passages is, like this song, lyrically and musically rich!
Masterpiece
The back to back to back solos gets them every time.
Can’t think of many pop songs constructed like that.
Alan Parsons has got to be one of the greatest producers/engineers ever. You have to check out The Alan Parsons Project. You won't be disappointed.
"She walks out of the sun in a silk dress running like a watercolour in the rain..." What an incredible line. With this amazing song, Al paints pictures in your head while the brilliantly arranged music takes you away and plays with your mind. This really is a work of art by Al and of course, Alan Parsons who's technical input is unrivalled in the arrangement. I've listened to this beautiful track many many times and it still gets to me. 🙋♂
Beautiful song . . . I have always liked it.
I sang that song probably 50 or 70 times live.It's a crowd favorite alwand with the backing band it's amazing
Al Stewart’s Year Of The Cat has a life long lasting effect on me. My life changed drastically in 1976/77 where I got married and had my first son in 1977. This song played all through my pregnancy and for many years after his birth. I am forever tied to this song and it always brings back those old memories and I can still remember how I felt and what I was doing and of course the birth of my son. I never get tired of this beautiful song. Thanks for sharing.
What a moving reaction to this song. How does your son react to it all these years later?
@@petedz9772 he surprised me at his wedding as he had chosen it as our Mother/Son dance song. He loves the so g as it reminds him of me. I never get tired of it & nor does he.
Yep, this one really casts a hypnotic spell. You're so right, Shawn--what a complete song, in EVERY way. As others have suggested, I think you'll love the Spanish guitar instrumentation on Stewart's "On the Border". His vocals are so inviting on everything he does--as on "Time Passages"--and he's a history buff and great storyteller in his writing. A unique and class act. Thanks for the wonderful reaction, Shawn. You really do "get it".
Al Stewart is a huge rabbit hole of great stuff! Specializes in a historic rock genre. "On The Border" is one of my favorites!
Al had some tremendous hits a the 1970’s and early 1980’s!Check some of his other great tunes like Roads To Moscow about a Soviet soldier towards the end of WW2.Great lyrics on that one!
Roads to Moscow is a great favorite of mine
Undoubtedly the sexiest song I've ever heard, and I love the eight little meows at the end.
One of the few songs I consider part of the soundtracks of my childhood. Riding in the backseat of parents' car heading somewhere in the 1970s.
Al Stewart and Rod Stewart are cousins. A lot of musical talent there
Time Passages is another good one from Al.
Another perfect song, arrangement, and vocal.
I've seen Al Stewart perform Year of Cat Live in concert 3 times and it was stellar!
Al Stewart said that he decided to leave the music business when he was at a party and was speaking of Russian history to a world famous rock star, who interrupted him to ask who had the cocaine. I have always respected Al's work, which is beautiful and elegant. The references in "Year of the Cat" are to the movie "Casablanca." This song was the first 45 single I ever bought. "Midnight Rocks" and "Time Passages" are two other amazing Al Stewart songs.
I keep circling back around to watch your reaction again and again. Your joy is infectious. Thank you.
Much of the younger generations might not get the first lines, "On a morning from a Bogart Movie, in a country where they turn back time, He goes strolling through the crowd like Peter Lorre contemplating a crime"... Excellent story telling in this one
Another song with beautiful, almost ethereal, piano in it is "Morning Has Broken" by Cat Stevens. I also believe you would love "Scarborough Fair/Canticle" by Simon & Garfunkel.
I haven't listened to this song in a while.
Listening to it hear reminded me of just how perfect the musical moments are in this song.
Truly a master piece of music. This song seems impossible in the sense of I can't imagine human imagination creating such perfection.
I feel the same way about Al Stewart's other hit, Time Passages.
You get it. I'm pleased. The lyrical references are beautiful and interesting as well.
If you ever find an interview with him, he’s like one of the happiest people you’ll run across
Al Stewart considered himself a folk singer but he evolved into so much more. If you’re interested in history, dive into his discography because he’s renown for his songs about historical events that are lyrical masterpieces. Great reaction.😊
Voice was an instrument like no other.
Al Stewart is one of the best storytellers ever.
Every music lover I know bought this album. Great choice! 🦋
He was here in Chicago a couple of years back. He plays small to medium-sized venues. My brother went to see him. Loved it .
This is a special magical song that never gets old. "Time Passages" was another minor hit of his.
Of course you remember that Alan Parsons engineered a little album called "Dark Side of the Moon" by Pink Floyd. And had a successful progressive rock band in its own right -The Alan Parsons Project, that has produced many great classic rock tunes. Check out "Sirius/Eye in the Sky" by Alan Parsons. I think you'll be blown away. Might even recognize it. 😉
One of the most beautiful songs ever composed, it's like a symphony. Another song from Al that you'll definitely love is 'On The Border'. The best version is the 'live 1981' version, which is uploaded on Al's official youtube channel. It has a gorgeous acoustic guitar intro which is missing on the studio version.
I'm transported way beyond planet Earth each time I hear this masterpiece...!
Yes, its beautiful, even without my headphones on.
"Rain it down on me." ☔️
Certainly a Top Tier 1970s hit. Super Producer Alan Parsons worked on this song and suggested adding the saxophone to the cut which Al Stewart was initially reluctant to do. Interestingly Kinsey the sax soloist ending up touring with Al Stewart snd plays sax on Stewart's other big commercial hit "Time Passages".
You can't argue with someone who has this is their top 10 all-time greatest.
Amazing songwritter,every song is either a romantic interlude or a journey through history.
The more you listen to that song. The more you'll appreciate it and the more little things you hear.
Now watch Casablanca, considered by many to be the best movie of the 20th century, then listen to the song again. Stewart wanted to write a song that evoked a modern feel of the movie. Both Bogart and the ill-fated Bulgarty, played by the great, ever quotable, Peter Lorre, were taken from it, and sets up the mood. There are also a million other references from the movie you've heard all your life.
Casablanca is a foundational movie for anyone who calls themselves a film buff.📽️🎭🧓😎
What's SO unique about this song is that it has No CHORUS.....the closest it comes to a chorus is repeating "The Year of the Cat" at the end of every of Verse. Probably one of the most visual lyrics ever written is in this song:
She comes out of the sun in a silk dress running
Like a watercolor in the rain
The arrangement is brilliant
Great song and reaction. Al has been another of the great songwriters for many decades. I'm particularly partial to three of his earlier albums, this one and the one before it and the one after it, but everything I've ever heard from him is luscious and warm and lovely, whether highly produced as this one is, or stripped down and acoustic like the song Roads To Moscow.
Now, as long as saxophone was brought up again, I'll again bring up the band called Morphine. You likely not get many suggestions for them, as their lead songwriter and vocalist died just as they were getting big, but I think you'd love them for their uniqueness. They are a drummer, a saxophonist, and a vocalist who also plays an electric bass guitar with only two strings. The saxophonist plays either a baritone or an alto sax, mostly, and on a few songs actually plays both at the same time. For a studio recording I'd recommend the song Cure For Pain, for a live cut there's a live video on TH-cam with the song Radar, and the song The Only One, that I'd suggest.
Always LOVE your reactions! 😀 I’m excited every time I get an alert! Thank you AGAIN! 👍
I'm not friends with list, but this song will be in my best songs ever for sure.
Alan Parsons produced and engineered (to mention a few) some Beatles, The Hollies, Paul McCartney and Pink Floyd records. He also have his solo career The Alan Parsons Project, with some huge hits the like of: 'Eye In The Sky', 'Don't Answer Me', 'Sirius', 'Lucifer' or 'Old And Wise'.
You experienced the master engineering of Alan Parsons.
In the mid 70s there was a kind of nostalgia craze. Revivals of classic movies like Casa Blanca were very popular.This song captures the mood perfectly.Popular music was trending toward story/ballad lyrics and lush orchestral jazz/classical yet still soft rock instrumentals.
Junior year in HS. Groovin to the soft rock just as much as the harder stuff. Time Passages is another good one by Al.