Posted on 03/05/2020 8:25:58 AM PST by simpson96
(Stewart in 1976, and still performing in 2019...)
Year of the Cat is the seventh studio album by Al Stewart, released in 1976 and was produced and engineered by Alan Parsons; it is considered his masterpiece, its sales helped by the hit single "Year of the Cat", "one of those 'mysterious woman' songs," co-written by Peter Wood.
Stewart had all of the music and orchestration written and completely recorded before he even had a title of any of the songs. In a Canadian radio interview he stated that he has done this for 6 of his albums, and he often writes four different sets of lyrics for each song. The title track derives from a song Stewart wrote in 1966 called "Foot of the Stage" with prescient lyrics about Tony Hancock, one of Britain's favourite comedians who tragically committed suicide two years later. When Stewart discovered that Hancock was not well known in the United States, he went back to his original title "Year of the Cat".
Al Stewart - "Year Of The Cat" 1976
(Excerpt) Read more at youtube.com ...
My cousin gave me that album back in the day and I still have it.
Only song I know that has the word “patchouli” in it.
My favorite solo male singer ... I have every one of his albums.
I read somewhere that Al Stewart said if this song didn’t become a hit, then he just cannot write one.
Very few seem to have interest in history. One is Iron Maiden. The other is Sabaton.
Me too! Time Passages was the song playing on the radio as my son and I drove out of his college campus for the last time, car loaded up with all his stuff. It was perfect! We both felt so free! He had made it! It was an excruciating journey. CR has always been “different”—extremely bright, seeing the world in a different way, and questioning everything. He has carved out a very interesting life since then, and he turns 40 this year, happier than he has ever been in his life. It was worth all my husband and I went through to get him to this place. He has been true to himself through all.
Barely ManEnough?
On the Border is another one with a strong history message.
WOLD by Harry Chapin is another
Well...., https://www.lyrics.com/lyrics/patchouli
... says 40 count, including Aerosmith’s “Face”, but a glance has “Year of the Cat” at least thrice, including a cover.
Cmon, what about Convoy?
I actually remember buying the Album in ‘76
Some department store on Water St. St. Johns, Newfoundland, Canada. Still have it!
I bought it at a local record store in 76 when I was in the Marines at Camp LeJeune, NC....................
I stumbled into a Fells Point bar in Baltimore during the summer of ‘92 and Stewart was just starting his first set. Couldn’t have been more than 100 people in the joint. Stewart was joined by a bass player and some guy on piano. One of the best concerts I’ve ever seen. He played 90 minutes and covered all his best stuff. Don’t remember what caused me to enter that particular bar right then, but I am sure glad I did.
I’m not that old. Haha.
Convoy was released in 1975. The Wreck 9f the Edmund Fitzgerald was released in 1976.
You argument holds as much water at the boat does.
Convoy is a great story that tells a story from start to finish. It must, simply must be included on your list.
Love Al Stewart - one of the great voices of popular music.
I especially liked his historical stuff - like “Lord Grenville”, but “Year of the Cat” and “Time Passages” are classics.
I was born in the Year of the Cat.
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