Al Stewart with special guests Peter White, Laurence Juber, the Empty Pockets and Chase Huna perform an awesome version of Al’s signature song live at Coach House in San Juan Capistrano 9/22/23.
sometime on a friday night back in the 70's i was waiting for a girl i met, we agreed to meet at my apartment for a night out to a discotheque, before the waiting i spend 3 hours cleaning my place and lit up some gonesh incense listening to some music, was so desperately sitting on my couch and watching thru the window every 5 seconds her arrival, this song was playing and at the exact saxophone part she appeared around the corner wearing this ruby red drees that matched perfectly her beautiful red lips i stood there, hypnotized, mesmerized, and i thought, I am in deep trouble!! now she's watching over us, gave me so many happy and trouble times and the best, a beautiful daughter her spitting image and subsequently 2 beautiful grandchildren, even after her depart gave me happiness and double trouble, this song takes me back to that moment in time so hard to be just a memory but a treasure
Isn't it nice to close our eyes and recall the days. Even the bad ones somehow take on a more pleasant, affirming tone when it's associated with music.
The music of the 70’s was indeed magical and mysterious all at once. There will never be another time like it. Oh to be 18 again, but time marches on. 😊
I have pretty eclectic tastes in music. Over the years I have been amazed how many pop and rock songs came from 1976-78 that I consider my favorites . All the more amazing that it was the disco era, and none of them are of that genre. Perhaps everyone that is a music lover has their own “golden years”. Back then music was crafted by professionals that mastered their instrument and wrote music. So much of what passes for music now is just computer generated crap. I know I sound like the old man that I am.
@@stevejesus6525 I often wonder, will the music today have the same kind of lasting appeal with its audience 30-40 years from now the same way we feel about 70’s music? I get the sense it’s just whatever is the latest thing gets listened to, and the old stuff is just forgotten. Part of it is young people don’t buy physical media, they don’t have that memento of the past sitting in a box waiting to be re-experienced.
I was there too, you cant tell anyone about it if they weren't there! ;-) But I have such a Cool selection for these emojis (emojii?) ALMOST makes up for it - haha...
Saw Al Steward with David Nachmanoff (along with Don McLean) at a small theater in Tucson in 2018 and this was the last song he played for his set. It was a good show and my 16 year old daughter and I really enjoyed it.
Al Stewart’s music provided the soundtrack to us as we climbed whatever we could. We hitchhiked across Europe from Liverpool, England to climb the Eiger and the Matterhorn. We climbed rock faces and frozen waterfalls, we were young and risked our lives constantly and we did it all listening to Al Stewart.
This ol' Boomer is almost 69 here in '23. I must have been what....21 or so when this hit America by storm? Tears from all the memories that are still so fresh.....but so far away. What a joy that he's still out on the road doing justice to this magnifect classic. jbeintucson
I was a freak in the late 70's, the only one in my group of friends who was into Al's music. Many of his songs were a soundtrack of my late teen years. He is way under rated, a real musical genius.
I don't know whether we shld feel angry on his behalf that he never became the superstar he seemed poised to be for a few brief shining moments, or thrilled that we're among the few who are in on the secret. Bit o both, I guess...
@@smartalek180 But he is one of the few original musical stars on their "50th Anniversary" tours whose singing voice hasn't lost that much from back in the day...
@@thebordernow You are so correct. I had the misfortune of seeing Phil Collins' last performance at the O2 Arena in London, I believe (saw it on RU-vid). It was difficult as a fan of his for many decades to watch him...kind of wish I had not seen it and merely enjoyed the memories of his music in his prime.
This is one of those songs that splits your emotions between positive and negative memories. Such a unique classic that takes me back to 1976; First marriage to the most beautiful girl I had ever met. Beautiful, yet wayward. She left 9 years later. It was only my two gorgeous daughters that got me through.
If you're an old rock act that's cursed with having to play one particular song from your catalogue EVERY F**KING TIME the audience gets itchy, you could do a LOT worse than this one.
One sunny day in Seattle, way back in the early 70s I was walking through the Seattle Center and heard this man singing in a small venue there and stopped by for the treat of a short concert with about 20 other people. His album had just come out and he was in town for an interview. Will always remember that.
Such a great song and arrangement. Alan Parsons production work made the original recording timeless. Wonderful to see & hear Al, Peter and band sounding so great live in 2023. Thanks for sharing
If you're an old rock act that's cursed with having to play one particular song from your catalogue EVERY F**KING TIME the audience gets itchy, you could do a LOT worse than this one..... pure, eternal genius.
I'd love to have been there for this live performance ❤ Theres nothing in the world could improve that Al Stewart should have gotten every music award for this song it's still hauntingly beautiful to listen to ❤
I was there as part of the sell-out crowd last Friday night. Quite a show but then I have always expected that of Al and never been disappointed. Very special to have Lawrence Juber and Peter White drop-in add a touch of magic to the night!
Throughout the prelude, the whole room was waiting for those magnificent old familiar chords, anticipating the sweet but slightly melancholy way they’d mark time in their souls. When the chords finally come, it’s always better than expected, fleeting though it is.
Al Stewart has been a favorite of mine for over forty years, so I was excited to find out he was playing in Sherman, TX, on June 20, as part of the city's Hot Summer Nights outdoor concert series. He was accompanied by a band from Chicago, The Empty Pockets, and they played an awesome show, with the biggest applause for this song, of course. It was especially amazing, considering he's going to be eighty (80) next year.
Like other commenters here, I was lucky enough to see Al on his Year of the Cat tour in 1977. I saw him at the Sacramento Community Center and his show was great. As I hit my mid-70s, it's amazing to see these old guys still doing what they love, and doing it so well.
I must say that I've been fortunate enough to have been in my 20's in the 70's. Good times from what I remember. Always thoroughly enjoyed this man's music. Great sound and wonderful lyrics. I always liked his "historical" songs: Old Admirals, Nostradamus, Road to Moscow. Awesome stuff, but then I was a history major. Lol. Thanks for posting.
They played this song to death. Not my favorite at all. I much prefer " Roads To Moscow" and the other cuts on "Past Present Future" to "Year Of The Cat."
AL STEWART LEGEND! OMG I had the LP of this album its my ALL TIME FAVOURITE album - I played it so much it almost cut THROUGH the record! So I got it on CD then digital still one of my greatest loved driving songs on a long night drive with my top down.........Im waiting to see who plays the acoustic break in the middle! WHAT A VERSION I wish I had been there!
I had the good fortune to see Al back in April of 2022 (after two postponements due to COVID) in a tiny theatre in PA. One of my favorite shows ever. This version is absolutely great. Thank you for sharing.
To be honest, I didn't recognise anybody on the line up. When the guy strolled up to the mike and started singing, my first thought was "WOW! What an amazing tribute act... he sounds EXACTLY like the young Al Stewart." God... I feel so OLD. (F**k it, I AM old).
I've listened to Al Stewart constantly since I first saw him in Les Cousins in London in the 60's, seen him concert many times. He is timeless, the subjects of his songs never wear out. His voice has remained the same. Long may he continue.
I love this, thanks. I went to see Al Stewart alone in the 70s when I was in my very early 20s - couldn’t find anyone willing to go with me - but wasn’t about to miss the opportunity to see him. It was in a very small venue (one of those beautiful old movie theaters with a small stage). I remember clearly a man sitting behind me asking me if I went to concerts alone often; he thought I was about 16, haha. It was a wonderful show and I’m so glad I got to see Al play, and especially my favorite song of all-time, Year of the Cat. It has remained my favorite for nearly 50 years.
Outstanding! I saw Al Stewart in 1977 when he was touring the On the Border LP. They were so great and after 45 years it sounds like I'm in the past. Thanks for sharing this brilliant live version. ❤
Peter Wood was the original keyboard player. Peter White is an acoustic guitar player with numerous critically acclaimed "smooth jazz" albums over multiple decades.
I reckon I've played this song every week if not more since it came out in 1976, love it! Al's voice ain't what it used to be but the song is still exceptional!
Peter's piano lick was the birth of the song,Al took it from there.. it's all attributed by those who were there,and btw, there isn't a classier character than Al Stewart, beautiful lifetime catalog, one of a kind ,really..
Saw Al and Peter live in the 80s whenever they came through Boston. Great memories. They've aged a bit, but then so have I... Not sure they sound quite as good, but then it could just be my hearing...
Love it that he still tours and draws a good crowd. I’ll never forget this one from his show at the Agora sometime in the early 90s near OSU campus. I still have many of his cds on the hard drive in my car. 😊
Some songs really paint a picture. This is one of them! The Coach House is such a great venue for a live show...I'll be here soon to see Dada. Godspeed Al!
You can see how Al laughs when Peter in the introduction on the keyboards goes into 'As Time Goes By', the theme song from the movie 'Casablanca', which Al saw for the first time on TV as a rerun in the year 1976, the year he composed and released the album and single 'Year of the Cat'. But I believe 1975 was really (the Year of the Wood Cat in Vietnamese astrology). So the love story in Casablanca starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, with Peter Lorre was a key inspiration for Al's 'Year of The Cat'. Al sings by name Bogart and Lorre in the song. INCREDIBLE STUFF!!!!! Wish I could have been there!!! Thank You Dave Nash for the upload !!!!! (To chrisjennings5680, the bass player is mostly off camera just to the right of the drummer, and to conradverschuren8944, I agree the drums are a little too loud, a professional recording could have tamed it down a little.
I saw Al in Preston Uk in the eighties, as there was an England match on that night the crowd was small, and Alanand his warmer up Dave Matthews gave an intimate performance which was more of a request session. At one point, I asked about the original version of the song which was inspired by Tony Hancocks life and sad demise. Al was very surprised that anyone knew the story, as the Casablanca theme is so well known. So as a treat he played that version, first, then went into the regular version. The fabled original was wonderful to hear for the first time but to be honest I’m glad he pushed the second version.
I had heard one of Al Stewart's songs 2 or 3 years before the Year of the Cat. It was part of LP shared by several groups and singers of rhe early 70s. I remember the effect it made on me and my friends, but not the title. Afraid that if I find it on the net, nostalgia will submerge me. So, I just keep this blurred melody far behind other memories.
Great memories of days gone by. Back in the seventies it was everything Al for me for a long time, not sure why I fell away, things change you know, not his music, me. I still love his music.
I remember buying this album back in '77 after buying my first Hi-Fi my last year in high school, I still use it as a reference in evaluating new equipment. Allan Parsons was a great engineer and producer as well as a musician.
I had the good fortune to start listening to Al Stewart over 50 years ago, going to see him at the Town Hall Birmingham when he was still a young man. I have enjoyed his music ever since. A tremendous wordsmith with a great catalogue of fabulous music. Many years later I saw him at Worcester a much smaller venue but still magic. Check out Bed Sitter Images etc. Well worth investing some time in this artist if he is new to you.
Fell in love with this song - and the entire LP - when it first came out. Started with the LP, eight track, cassette tape and then CD. Great to see Peter White on keyboard and guitar.
Peter Wood was the original keyboard player and co writer of the Year of the Cat with Al Stewart. Yes, this is Tim Renwick on guitar. Both Peter and Tim where members of Quiver who were backing Al Stewart in the early years. Unfortunately Peter died many years ago, a great loss as he was an excellent keyboard player. Nice to Tim playing here.
He is simply a musical genius of all time and was born in the magical time of inspiration in the 70s with beautiful and countless magical songs that cannot be compared to any musical decade in history!!! I really like the song that will surprise you, this song is called "CAROL" from 1975. I invite you to listen to it!!!
It took me a minute or two to realize this was AL Stewart live and not a cover. I really liked this version a lot. The radio burnt me out on the original version. I had loved the "Past Present Future" album from 1973. I kind of lost track of his music after "Time Passages". Now I'm going to have to dig deeper into his catalogue.
