Al Stewart - Year of the Cat | REACTION 

This is the one song to play to anyone who tells you there is no such thing as a perfect song.

In a silk dress, running, like a watercolor in the rain. One of the best lines ever!!!

This isn't a song, it's musical genius.

The Year of the Cat has had me under its spell for forty years...

I am so jealous of you three people able to listen to this song for the first time. I want to go back and relive that first time again. Lovely.

Fellas… it was a pleasure to see young men appreciate this masterpiece. So many youngsters wouldn’t even give it a chance. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Another one from the embarrassment of riches that was the music of the 70s. We didn’t know how good we had it back then!

This Song belongs to category "Songs you don't want to end"

I keep coming back to this reaction. One of my absolute favourites on RU-vid!

I,m 68. Cryiing while listening. Lost my wife of 21 years 2 months ago. Love this song.

I am so pleasantly surprised by how much you guys enjoyed this. Love this song, but it's hard to tell sometimes how much of it is due to a nostalgia. So happy to know this stands the test of time.

I'm crying as I watching you guys.....So much joy. That's what real music is about....Pure Joy. The Year of the Cat is a timeless classic.

This song is so hauntingly beautiful. I was 8 when it came out, and my big brother had drowned...and, somehow, this song soooothed me so deeply.

What all the generations since don't understand is, we smoked a bowl, turned off the lights, poured a glass of wine, opened a beer etc, , put on our headphones in a dark room only lit by the stereo dial and the turn table light and heard it all, 100%. The 70’s we're amazing in so many different ways, and there was NEVER the need to go faster, in anything. Kick back, and enjoy the ride. Pure Bliss.

That triple hit of acoustic guitar/electric guitar/sax solos preceded by the string section sounds just as amazing now as it did in 76'

They don’t write songs like this anymore. The collaboration of the instruments is just mind blowing.

Refreshing to see young people with good taste

The layering of instruments is masterful. A timeless classic.

Best instrumental break in history - strings to Spanish guitar to electric guitar to sax. Brilliant.

Lyrical genius. On a morning from a Bogart movie She comes out of the sun in a silk dress running Like a watercolor in the rain And her eyes shine like the moon in the sea And the bus and the tourists are gone And you've thrown away your choice you've lost your ticket So you have to stay on Incredibly descriptive visuals.

"She comes out of the sun in a silk dress running like a watercolor in the rain." Are you kidding me? Dude is a master wordsmith. Do "Roads To Moscow". Thanks for this reaction.

Like seriously, this epic rock song is right up there with Stairway To Heaven and Bohemian Rhapsody. Panoramic, haunting and dazzling. Soul caressing instrumentations swirling with whirling majestic radiance. Evocative lyrical transcendence conjured from another world. This luminous song demands and deserves and receives repeated listens, played really loud and i mean like seriously cranked up.

You guys are fun to watch!! Baby boomer here. Love watching you guys appreciate and enjoy the music of the 60’s, 70’s, and eighties into the first part of the 90’s! Pure raw poetic talent back then! 😊

Can you visualize it, guys? You’re listening to a master storyteller. His use of precise words to a beautiful tune with a magnificent arrangement - it’s at the top of my list of best songs ever!

I've heard this masterpiece of an album a thousand times,i'm 67,and it STILL gives me goosebumps. Listen to the album,you'll adore it.

I drove 60 miles to see Al Stewart play in the Sherman TX public park. The band with him is Empty Pockets and did a great job. At his age, his vocal range was limited (like Ian Anderson), but musicianship and lyrical recall was top notch. I was simply in awe of a person still driven to perform regardless of the venue or crowd size. Very friendly and said hello to everyone afterwards.

EVERYTHING about this song screams MASTERPIECE ❤ Ryan - your reaction was beautiful. I enjoyed this soooooooo much. 😂

This song is so powerful that it even takes me back to places I've never been.

God Bless The BRITISH for the best Bands and Music that they have given to the world. 👍👍

As a 62 year old guy it's amazing to have listened to this masterpiece and many other great songs from the 60's and 70's and these guys are just discovering they were born in the wrong era.Fortunately,this music is still available for younger people to discover.I used to find out about these older bands by hanging out in record stores but today they barely still exist.Now unless you know the band or someone older introduces it to you you'll never hear this great stuff.The world has lost its soul.

My Fifth Grade English Teacher played this album, during class. This was one of his tactics, to get us to learn how to write in Proper Cursive in Paragraph Form. He wrote all the lyrics on the chalkboard, put on the Vinyl, while the class wrote away. It was this Class, that I heard so many Classic Artists, that still remind me of that Teacher and how cool He was to influence so many young people to learn English, but at the same time hear GREAT Music.

This song is just beautiful... and it brings back so many good memories of my life with childhood friends in the 70s..

Lyrics. So important in any Al Stewart song. The allusion to Bogart's Casablanca, and the whole feel of a Moroccan escapade. Plus everything else that was said. Nice reaction!

I have to come back to this one over and over again. The best reaction ever.

Welcome to our childhood guys, glad you could join. Jr high back then was pretty special. The airways were littered with great music in every direction...

The acoustic solo to electric solo to sax solo is complicatedly beautiful.

I don't know a thing about music and I have no musical abilities. But I know this song is an intricately crafted masterpiece. Absolutely my favorite.

This has to be one of the best songs ever written

I was 16 yo when i first listened to Year of the Cat..what an absolute masterpiece my favourite of all time. Very blessed to have grown up with 70's music. Loved watching you guys react as you discover his talent. Thanks for playing it..that sax still gives me shivers....

It's no wonder the Album went platinum in the USA.. It is a masterpiece.😄

This IS a perfect song, great reaction guys!

This is why we say we grew up with the best music, and the best cars in the 70's and 80's. I carry in my truck a cd of Year of the Cat, Dark side of the Moon, CCR greatest hits and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.

I am crying like a baby listening to this. Takes me right back to one of the three happiest years of my life. Can't help thinking of our then President Carter and his recent infirmity. A really great era and this song was a big part of my mornings primping for the girls at school. Thanks for the review and reminding me.

This song is so instrumentally satisfying. Takes me back to my childhood. Fills me with nostalgia

Guys, the thing I always loved about this amazing track, is how, even when it goes in jazzy mode, EVERYTHING is in context. Every note is beautifully in context. It's a master-piece of musicianship and a classic from the '70's rock/blues/jazz genre. Timeless. Still listening to it 50 years later and loving it just the same.

The whole song is one of those rare, flowing stories, not broken up by repeats of chorus or lyrics that don't seem to fit the song. It's always been a favorite of mine and I love these guys reactions to it.

The first time I heard this song, I was 15 years old and in bed with the flu. Needless to say that I was so blown away that I couldn't wait to get well enough to buy the album. 46 years later, I am still blown away. I freaking love Al Stewart.

My brother played this album non-stop when it came out and this song in particular; now he’s gone, this song makes me feel his presence....

This was one of the songs, when I was in college, that we heard on the radio and INSTANTLY loved. It was just that good.

I don't know how many times I have watched your reaction. Your smiles only enhance this masterpiece.😊

Bring out your weed, lava lamp, and black light posters. Burn some strawberry incense. Grab your pet rock and mood rings. Put on your bell bottoms. We're taking a tour of the 70's. A magical decade that is sadly now history. This song is one of my absolute favorite songs, and artists. Check out Time Passages, On The Border, You're On My Mind Like A Song On The Radio. All by Al Stewart.

Its important to know who Peter Lorre is to appreciate the lyrics.

An absolute joy to listen to such an incredible masterpiece! Al is without doubt a musical genius!

This is what real music is supposed to be. For those of us that were lucky enough to grow up with it it was a wonderful time.

This has been and always be in my top 5 favorite songs of all time. I was around when it first came out and still listen to this day. It's what some may call "meat-cutting music".

I cannot count how many times I have watched this review since I first saw it several months ago. I love this song, and I love your reaction to it. There are several other of your reviews I've watched multiple times. You guys are great!😊🥰

This friends is my number one all time favorite songs. The voice. The instruments. The melody. It’s amazing ❤

Truly the best REACTION ever for the best song of all times.

That bittersweet ending gets me every time: “you know sometime you’re bound to leave her. But for now you’re going to stay in the year of the cat….”

This is The Perfect Song.

It's just great to see your generation loving my "teen music" ?? 😊. Love Al Stewart's music...🎤🎸💖

I've heard this song literally thousands of times, and I still love it.

Engineering by Alan Parsons. Orchestra arranged by Andrew Powell..same guy who did all the Parsons albums! That's why it sounds so smooth. Al is a good guitarist btw. He'ssingingandplayingbackupguitaron this track. There is a live version of Cat on RU-vid...you'll really enjoy it!!

The saxophone player was rather annoyed having to come record this song, because he was in the middle of watching a movie, and wanted to finish it. Producer, Alan Parsons, promised he'd get to finish the movie, because he lived so close to the studio. After playing his part on the song he went home, and finished the movie. Afterwards, he joined Al Stewart's band.

Great Singer. Best Song. Best line ever written...... "She comes out of the sun, in a silk dress running, like a water color in the rain"

My absolut favorite song since my youth!! ..since today...I am 60 years and I feel like I am young hearing that wonderful song !!! Many greets from Germany near Cologne 🙋🏼‍♀️!!

He was playing the acoustic guitar. Men get into more 70's music. It was the best era ever.

I'm so glad people's discovering this song, it's probably my favorite song ever.

I always enjoy a lot when the people start to listen the solo. First, the Cello, next the acoustic guitar, next to it, electric guitar and finish with that beautiful sax. It's just a masterpiece ❤

Your reaction to this song has been so amazing and now, of all of the reactions I have watched to this song, whenever I hear Year of the Cat, I picture your reaction video. The joyous expressions and comments you made in this reaction stood out to me and have left quite an impact. Everytime I hear this song, I see you. Thanks, guys. You're awesome!! 🎧😎👍

Seeing this young guys enjoying good music like this classic, priceless good job guys thank you

The Year of the Cat is a modern masterpiece. If you do not recognize it, you do not know instrumentation and arrangement.

I still remember when this song came out. I was 16 and still trying to find out where I fit in. It helped me through it all. I never let anything interrupt me while it's playing.

Alan Parsons engineered. Parsons did the beatles white album.....and Pink Floyd's DSOTM. Alan Parsons is the bomb. He lives near Santa Barbara now......working his studio, Parsonics. If you like this song......listen to any of the Alan Parsons albums. From Tales of Mystery and Imagination to A Valid Path....and beyond. You'll see why this song is so well done. Kudos to Al Stewart for sure.

I love that you have had the same mind-blowing experience that I have had for this piece of perfect art.

This reaction is almost as good as the song.

Ryan’s reaction to the sax coming in-hahaha, love it!

I have been listening to this song since the 70s. If has me spellbound every time. It's my favourite song EVER. I can't believe how I never tire from listening to it !!

The live RU-vid version is mind blowing. The ten minute piano intro that morphs into this song…wow!

Al is a gift to music lovers everywhere. Please , do your ears a favor and listen to "On The Border". The bass line and Spanish guitar are priceless.

For me , this is the only song that can actually paint a picture in my mind. My generation lived it . Your generation can enjoy it , and it looks like you did

THESE YOUNGAINS WERE BORN IN THE 90'S BUT YOU CAN SEE THEY ARE PLEASANTLY STUNNED AND CAPTIVATED BY THIS CLASSIC SONG THEY ARE ALMOST SPEECHLESS! THRILLED TO SEE THEM ENJOY THIS SONG. THEY SEEM TO LOVE IT.

This song brings emotions not just a vibe. Simply genius.

Back again for my annual indulgence. Thanks guys.

I have not heard this in decades…thank you!

This is one of those RVC videos that I make return visits to periodically. Great song. Great reaction. Y'all's exuberant reaction to this one is completely warranted. And I understand Ryan saying this is his favorite song from the channel. He isn't the only one who loves this song ... in y'all's room. And in the music world. It is definitely an iconic track. Was played regularly on the radio despite it's length.

His next biggest hit... Time Passages. You’ll love that.

Im 60 and grew up with this song. I lost my dad when he was 55 and every time I hear this song brings back so many memories with him during that time. Thanks guys.

I’m so glad they liked it. I’m old enough to remember when it first came out and I was fascinated by it. It’s a truly timeless piece that is still impressing people all these years later.

The joy in seeing you guys listening to this song all the way through, warms my heart; it’s just the quintessential perfect song

😻 This song is PUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRFECTION!!! (and it ALWAYS will be!) 😻

I come back to watch this review time and again... the gradual revelation of its brilliance to you is a joyful experience every time :-)

Thinking that this song is 45 yrs old and sounds even better now.....and it's heartwarming to see that you appreciate it as much as many of us

btw that whole album is a masterpiece 💪, On the Border, One Stage Before, Lord Grenville... awesome 💖

Love, love, love this song! From the very beginning!!!!!

This song means a lot to me. Every time I went to work at a KFC in1975, this popped out of the radio, and you knew it was going to be a good day. never tire of it and have fun introducing others to it. Now it's your turn. And thanks guys, you also made my day. Great stuff. Keep it up.

This is a song that, if it came on the radio while you were driving and arrived at your destination, you wouldn't get out of the car until it was over. Funny thing about the sax solo is that Al said he didn't like it at first. There's an interview where he tells the story of the sax player having to be dragged into the studio because he was watching a movie and didn't want to be bothered. So he came over and knocked it out in TWO TAKES. And Alan Parsons, the producer, said it would work, so AL put it on the end of the album so it wouldn't hurt the album. I don't know if he was serious about that or just being modest. But watching three younger people discover it and immediately "get it" is something special to see.

Al Stewart - an amazing singer/songwriter. I’ve been a fan since the 70’s when I first heard him singing The Year of the Cat on a rental car FM Radio as I left LAX to drive down the coast. THEN, right after it they played Time Passages; the sun was setting, it was just after Christmas…magic!

She comes out of the Sun in a silk dress running like a watercolor in the rain. It's one of the best lyrics ever

I'm a child of the 80's and love 80's music, but the 70's music scene is where it all began. The tree of music started branching out in every possible direction! I tell everyone the 70's is 100% the best decade of music of all genres. It's fun going back and getting lost in all those great tunes! Puts anything from the last 30 years to shame. Enjoy the ride! Cheers 👏👍🎶🍻