"Beat On The Brat" Ramones Pretty much says it all... But seriously, "Blinded By The Light" by Manfred Mann's Earth Band, 😊, and the mysterious cast of characters it describes, is a tough one to beat...
I was fortunate to have my brother call me and invite me to see Al playing across the Detroit River in Canada 1988 . We get there and it’s little bar possibly a restaurant with a postage stamp size stage and a table open in front of it, so we sat there. Unbelievable Al Stewart in our face, after the show he invited us up stairs into his tiny dressing room and autographed his new release I had on cassette. What an unforgettable evening.
First cassette I ever bought in 6th grade. For my birthday last week, my husband bought me an old cassette deck and receiver. Time to bring out these old classics.
Best bridge ever! Keyboard solo, followed by acoustic guitar solo, electric guitar solo, then a saxophone solo. Songwriting perfection from start to finish.
I never put that together, but yeah, 4 separate solos in a row, every one of them a true work of artistry. But wasn't that a string section before the acoustic solo? Was there a piano between the strings and the acoustic solo? It's been a while. I gotta listen to it again now. I absolutely love that song, and I loved it when I first heard it.
I came here to write the same thing, but Paul has beaten me to it. I'm a very involved musician and sound engineer, quite elderly now, and I've heard a LOT of music, from all styles around the world. This instrumental break IS the best ever. And I'm quite surprised the Professor didn't give it any mention.
This song contains some of the most beautiful, evocative, and memorable lyrics ever, wedded to a flawless, haunting melody with phenomenal arrangement and orchestration... This is easily among the greatest popular songs ever written. I've seen Al in concert 3-4 times and every one has been a great experience. Long life and good health to this legendary artist!
Al Stewart is a master lyricist, historian, wine connoisseur, composer.. and has gifted us with some wonderful music. The whole Year Of The Cat album is brilliant. His word pictures are splendid.
"...Now people down in Georgia come from near and far To hear Richard Betts pickin' on that red guitar!" ~Charlie Daniels~ I had to listen to that song when I heard that great picker died. I was surprised that C.D. sings RICHARD Betts, because my mind always heard "Dickie Betts"! I know that song isn't as well-liked nowadays, singing about "rebels" and the South, but it meant something different to us back in the 70s who loved the music. My family were hillbillies who all played and sang bluegrass, hymns, and Appalachian music. The murder ballads were my favorites. The song has absolutely _nothing_ to do with wanting to bring back a horrible time when people could be bought and sold, it's about loving the music of our region. This was "outlaw country" before that was a genre. RIP Dickie, thanks for the wonderful 🎶🎸
@LazyIRanch, I thought about that song when I read that he had passed. At 70 years old, I'm firmly convinced that my generation has the best music ever. PoR, thank you for your channel. I'm keeping a special space in memory for your Dad, he sounds like one of the coolest parents to walk the earth.
When I was around 15 my cousin was in a band that was opening for the Allman Bros and I got to meet Dickey. Not surprisingly (and like almost everyone else in Southern Rock), was as down to Earth as you could be. RIP.
I had no idea Alan Parsons was involved, but now it makes perfect sense. The song was so beautifully orchestrated and engineered. The piano always sounds incredibly rich.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 And when he suggests adding a sax, you should really consider adding the sax. I think that was a shocking innovation on Dark Side of the Moon. I know Parsons didn't choose to add that sax, but maybe he learned what sax could add to contemporary rock.
The lyrics are al painting images in your ears, the music winds and weaves itself like a fine tapestry, the rythym leads you into a lucid daydream where you experience the stories. And then there's year of the cat. Al Stewart's masterpiece. The man is a Rembrandt or da Vinci of music. I've been a fan since I was 7 years old and list him as one of my favorite artists. And sadly, too many people dont even know who he is, but should really give him a try.
Disco had its excesses but many disco songs are some of the best of the ‘70s and ‘80s (just dance music as ‘disco’ was exterminated) - the list is lengthy - Blondie both made their career and alienated dedicated rock fans with their mega hit ‘Heart of Glass’ and ‘Rapture’ some years later - proving it is the quality of the song and production not the genre - many disco haters are homophobic or racist in my opinion
@@bright93 What is to cause alienation from "Heart of Glass"? I would hardly call it a disco song. One of my favorite songs, and she is so Hot!!! Just that most all of disco songs and music SUCK the big time except for a handful or several good ones. Has nothing to do with being racist, Disco just SUCKS!!
Year Of The Cat and Baker Street, two iconic classics with this format. Can't say that one is better than the other, as they are both great. Perhaps one day they will end up being found by some far-off alien archaeologist long after we have vanished into the ether. This gives me hope for the universe.
As well as Al Stewart getting Peter Wood on keyboards from The Sutherland Bros., Al also recruited their guitarist Tim Renwick who played the lead solo on “Year Of The Cat”. Oh, and Gavin Sutherland wrote “Sailing” made famous by Rod Stewart.
❤🎉 Al Stewart!! Year of the Cat! Absolutely great song. Along with Time Passages. Great sing-along songs. Songs like a puzzle? Kansas comes to mind. Possibly Rush too. Thanks Professor! Great shirt! Have a great weekend.
I looooooved this song when I was six years old. Had no idea what it meant, didn't know any of the lyrics, just thought it was a good-sounding song about a cat. A few years ago, for some reason, I was curious and decided to give it a listen. Dear Lord. This song was BRILLIANT. I didn't get the meaning behind every lyrics, but the lyrics WORKED. They worked beautifully. Aaaaand then the sax solo hits. Yeah, this is one of the all-time great songs.
Most brilliant song of all time. Everytime i hear this song i always think 'man how did the come up with this!' Classic music. No one writes music like that anymore😢
Wow, I just now listened to this program on AL Stewart's Year of the Cat. Great program format. But what a sweet guy is Al. As an amateur singer/songwriter this episode was made for me. FANTASTIC job Professor!!!
When I first heard "Year of the Cat", I was about 15 or 16 and just beginning to fall in love with Impressionism. When Al sang "like a watercolor in the rain", I could see Monet's "Water Lilies" with my mind's eye. So almost 50 years later, I still see the water lilies. Great video, Adam! 😁
I was initially very dismissive of Al Stewart, but a friend of mine was something of a fan and kept playing his records and at one point he'd gone to see him in concert. He came back and was talking about his performance of Roads to Moscow, with film or slides playing on a screen behind him. There was a part with the lyrics, "Two broken Tigers on fire in the night, flicker their souls to the wind," and on the screen was two Tiger tanks burning. That hooked me. I was never a major fan, but certainly the songs of Al's that I heard after that I was much more appreciative of - and ALWAYS my favorite has been Roads to Moscow. The closing lyric and the crying strings still gets me every time I hear it.
This song has probably THE BEST solo instrument transitions in the bridge. It is absolutely perfect!!! Begins with string sounds then the acoustic guitar takes over, followed by the electric guitar, followed by the fantastic saxophone. Each one flows seamlessly from the previous instrument. I can't think of another song where the solo transitional change from one to another is monumental, like Year of the Cat. It's just another absolute classic from THE decade of GREAT music . . . the 1970's. None better. Hey Professor, cover Roads to Moscow. Another classic.
Definitely one of my favorite songs of the '70s (and all time), it's got one of the great lyrics in music: "She comes out of the sun in a silk dress running like a watercolor in the rain". Also, just great piano and orchestration between the acoustic, electric and sax. I've seen Al live a couple of times in NYC (and met him once!), and he likes to change up the Peter Lorre line, which is fun. I saw him in 2002, right around the time of the Enron scandal, and he sang "You go strolling through the crowd like Kenneth Lay (disgraced Enron CEO), contemplating a crime". Great artist, and the trio of albums from '75-'78 (Modern Times, Year of the Cat and Time Passages) are all brilliant. Have a great weekend! - Dave
Finally got see Al live in January 2024 in Vegas at the Smith Centre. Only took 47 years since I first heard this album. It was a great show. Hopefully get to see him again soon. Amazing lyrics no doubt...love these lines as well: "While she looks at you so cooly And her eyes shine like the moon in the sea She comes in incense and patchouli" "But the drum-beat strains of the night remain In the rhythm of the newborn day"
A great follow-up would be an analysis of Stewart's "Roads to Moscow," another beautifully constructed song that tells the story of a Russian soldier caught up in Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of Russia in WWII.
A buddy of mine was a music major in college when this song came out....he was a very accomplished pianist He and I crashed a party late one evening....I will never forget him sitting down at the piano and playing this song. The whole place went silent and enjoyed listening to him play. Fantastic!
This song I can't hear without thinking of my brother! HE fit this sooo much! RIP Joshua! He would have loved your video on this song! Al Stewart truly is a poet! From his lyrics to the description of the sound of the saxophone rolling down like an avalanche,....I have to say I truly loved this interview and to see how Alan PArsons, who I also really like was involved! This was an epic interview!!
One thing about the interview is how likeable AL Stewart is...he is so genuine and complimentary of everyone he's worked with. It's nice to see someone healthy and comfortable in his own skin enjoy acclaim & success!
Heard it for the first time on the AM radio in my 65 Mustang. It was a warm late summer night driving home from the lake after my girl friend broke up with me. The lyrics had nothing to do with my story but the melancholy nature of the melodies, my own grief, and hormones must have imprinted it on my soul. I still get that feeling when I hear the song. Had to have been about the time the song came out.
Al Stewart is a great Scottish singer-songwriter & folk-rock musician. I had his album "Year Of The Cat" & "Time Passages". All the songs on both are great. "Year Of The Cat" is one of my favorites songs. Love the sax solo.
During the “Time Passages” era, when he was living in L.A. and Marin County, he toured the west coast often. Portland was one of his favorite cities because we always gave him a great reception. I still remember getting chills during “Roads to Moscow” with the video of the Nazi invasion of Russia playing behind him. Excellent showman
I love Al Stewart! One of my friends has two sons who have a RU-vid reaction channel and they reviewed Year of the Cat and Time Passages and Al himself greeted them on Facebook when they posted the video there. Very cool moment. Al's musical arrangements and lyrical content are true art.
Looks like POR is on the brink of 1 million subscribers. I gotta get my interview with him done hopefully today. (Update: it’s Saturday night and it’s uploaded now) 🙂👍
This song is magical. Visionary and mystical, and Al’s voice suits it perfectly. The intro is so beautiful, I loved any radio station that didn’t cut it!❤️🐈⬛
I connected with year of the cat during the winter of 1977, while living for the first time in the country and out of the big city. The song is burned into my memory sweeter than honey, and always brings me back to that cold winter ,my attic and discovering the. Joys of music!
… Al’s writing lyrics right in the middle of that interview, “ it comes at you like out of mist …” He has a gift of shaking metaphors out of his sleeve.
I KNEW I was going to love this one just from the description! I was right, this is one of my favorite songs of all time. I can't think of another song that mentions Bogart, Peter Lorre, or patchouli. 😃
I thought of another song that features both Bogart and Peter Lorre, and would be a fascinating episode. It doesn't mention Bogart by name (I don't think) but it uses an imitation of his voice throughout the song, and also features a Peter Lorre impression. It's another favorite of mine, "The Friends of Mr. Cairo" by Vangelis and Jon Anderson of Yes.
I remember listening to The Year of the Cat on my little transistor radio I got for Christmas. A magical song for a magical memory. Thank you for covering this one in particular.
Always loved "Year of the Cat". This song was also "younger kid friendly". I was only about 8 years old when it came out, but I loved singing along to this song about a cat. LOL - as I grew older, it only became even more dear to me. Good stuff! :)
Absolutely! Same here. My parents always had a very eclectic music library from classical to current. This album was one of them, and I loved listening to it over and over. So many nuanced details I missed as a child!
If you want to go to somewhere out of this world put on some headsets,put on Year of the Cat and close your eyes. Fantastic almost like meditation. I knew Al Stewart would be an open and deep thinking interview you can hear it in his songs, one of my all time favorite artists and pair him with Mr. Parson's you have absolute gold! Fantastic interviews and episode, great editing and questions, definitely one of my favorite episodes!
WOW!! Left it for the end of the album because he wasn't sure?? Did he not have a friend to say "DUDE! This is a freaking HIT"!! Crazy! Thanks Professor!! 🕊️☮️
Alan Parsons is an underappreciated musical genius and visionary, so this story didn't surprise me at all. I stumbled upon his unique prog rock sound / approach to music while I was young, & it helped me develop a much wider view of musical genres - will always be thankful for that!
Love all of Alan Parson’s work. I remember this song from an 8 track my dad had in the family car. And I would listen to this over and over. The haunting piano at the beginning just makes me smile.
Feels like a hundred years ago I heard the line in a song, "She comes out of the sun in a silk dress running, like a water color, in the rain." The artist grabbed me by the cerebrum in a rush and I was hooked! Peace!
my favorite concert in my life, Al Stewart opened for Fairport Convention at the American Theater in St. Louis. Back around 73. Al sat on a stool and played the entire Past, Present and Future album (which was out in England but not yet released in America). he was so good. been a fan ever since.
Al Stewart is one of those artists that everyone knows about, but many can't remember by those of us from that time period. I remember "Year of the Cat" as being a song that made you want to "Loose your ticket (and) stay on". A kind of little story that stays with you for a long time. For some reason I always associate this song with Gary Wright's "Dream Weaver". They are so much alike in feel. It would be very cool to have some music, like this, to come along again. It would relieve a lot of stress. Back then, we would roll one up and sit back and just let the music take us away. "Give me the beat boys and free my sole, I want to get lost in your rock and roll. and dream away". "Year of the Cat" is one of those tunes that do just that, allow us to dream away. ;-)
Truly one of my favorite songs of all time, thank you, Professor! It never cease to amaze me that no matter how many times I've listened to this incredible piece of musical poetry and storytelling, I frequently hear something new and develop an ever deeper appreciation for it. I'm sorry, but today's music and songwriting pales in comparison!
I loved the album "Year of the Cat" so much, it was the beginning of a lifelong OBSESSION with all things Al Stewart. I own practically every piece of music he's ever made, seen him live (coming up again in NYC in May), and even met him in 2010. There is no one else like him, he's such a poet, his music is intellectual, but haunting, especially his historical treatises. Even the "happy" songs like "Valentina Way" or "Mondo Sinistro" or "Sand in Your Shoes" or "Warren Harding" haunt you like no one else can
“The Year of the Cat” grabbed me the very first time I heard it. Quite possibly my all-time favorite song. It has everything! Every time I hear it, it runs like a movie in my mind. I didn’t know about Alan Parsons’ involvement until today. “Turn of a Friendly Card” by the Alan Parsons Project is my favorite album of all times, hands down. It all makes sense now.
Oh man. The production and layers on this is perfect. One of my favorite tunes to decompress with. Love Al Stewart's voice and how the Pet Shop Boys co-opted his vocal stylings.
Back in the 70's & 80's my folks owned a bar in Whitehall Wisconsin, we had a fairly decent stereo behind the bar. It was a place where you could hear Black Sabbath, Jim Croce, Pink Floyd or Ozark Mt. Daredevils depending on the make up of the patrons. One afternoon a friend named Ron brought in his new LP of Al Stewart's "Year of the Cat," it was magical! I often played it during the afternoon hours while there was a mix of clientele, ages 18 to probably 65. The music was a true fit for that moment, it had a fresh style, a unique sound and an easy rhythm, it became a regularly played album. It sounded great over our large Advent speakers. Some of the female bartenders often started their shifts with this album, and it always set the mood for a great time!
Hands down my favorite. English language pop song ever. It is my personal standard that I measure all pop rock since 1976. Suffice it to say the quantity of music that measures up to this incidental masterpiece( how it was written was so mundane that it is an absolute miracle. It was like Al & Co. were making potluck dinner) has dwindled at an accelerated rate since 1975. Damn I love this song...
My guy is getting close to that 1 million subscriber mark! Well deserved! Always liked, “Year of the Cat”, but preferred, “Time Passages”. Love that song
About a year ago I had the opportunity to see Al in concert in a small local venue. Had a lot of stories to tell and a great personality. Thanks for this Prof.
Today, I can't improve on the comments already mad about what has always been a favorite of mine. I've listened to his first two albums, and had I followed down the historical stories he sang about, I would have left high school with a very unusual body of knowledge. Keep in mind that Year of the Cat was released during my freshman year. This was pure class. Thanks for bringing the story about this song to life.
Al Stewart is such a unique talent he just made music in his own unique way and totally out of the box and defying categorization my personal favorite is time passages and that's it it's timeless music
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 he was one of the very few songwriters who used historical figures as song titles and he managed to incorporate history into rather catchy folk pop tunes that whole time passages album is wonderful and when you have Alan Parsons producing you than you know you've got a great album
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 another good al Stewart album is underrated 1988 release last days of the century which is a really good late 80s rock album and it also has a young Tori Amos singing background vocals it's not as folky as his classic 70s period but I like it
"Year of the Cat" - First discovered this song in 2017 when I was going through some difficulties in my marriage - God, it's a beautiful song in terms of its lyrics and especially the musical arrangement! Al Stewart's follow up, "Time Passages" is equally lovely.
My HS class graduated in 1977. Our team mascot was the Cougars. Year of the Cat was plastered all over the school. Al Stewart is a great guy. I heard him host an hour on SiriusXM and his hour was a joy to listen to.
One was one of my favoutites songs/albums when I first heard it in 1982. Filled up my my romantic memories of Greece, in thelate '70's. It was nostalgic, the first time i heard it. Cheers from the Pacific West Coast of Canada.
The first time I heard this song, I thought, "What a refreshing sound in the midst of so much noise!" It's on my playlist in my car, in the house, and in my home studio.
I hadn't heard of Al until "Year of the Cat". In the '70's I heard it one night on the radio, when I was driving coming home late from work. That weekend I bought the LP, and I wore it out and had to buy another one, then the CD. It's one of my favorite albums.!
I loved both Alan Parsons and Al Stewart in the 70s. The first time I heard Al Stewart was Roads to Moscow. I was blown away. Fiist time I heard Alan Parsons Project was tales of Mystery and Imagination and was also blown away. A collaboration between had to be epic.
Gods, I loved this somg from the first time I heard it on the radio in '76, when I was 9yrs old. Such amazing storytelling, and gorgeous, haunting orchestration. And the rest of the album has just as much thought & wonder throughout. The opening track 'Lord Grenville' and 'On the Border' are lovely stories, as well. Thanks for another wonderful video & interviews, Professor!
Great song! I love how you seem to always find the most intriguing music out there and helping people to understand the music. Al Stewart had many songs that would fall in this category. I didn’t know that Alan Parsons was involved in this song. It makes since though if you’ve ever listened to “The Alan Parsons’s Project”. He created such interesting and unique music.
I love every bit of this episode! I even got to learn who the artist of the fantastic album cover is. I'm a long-time cat lady, so when I used to have this album, it hung on the wall as art. Just when I think Adam has flabbered all my gasters, and my dumb has been founded, he brings not one but TWO of my favorite artists in excellent interviews. He's is one of the best interviewers I've ever watched. He has such respect and knowledge about his subjects. He asks the right questions and lets them talk. I get the sense that these artists really enjoy meeting and spending time with Adam. Who wouldn't?
Love Al Stewart. After hearing him speak, I want to be his friend so I can call him up every day to hear that voice! and yes, "She comes out of the sun in a silk dress, running like a watercolor in the rain" is THE BEST LYRIC OF ALL TIME in my opinion
I know the song. His only song I know. But after watching the interview with him I thought what a great easy going personality he has I'd love to have a beer with him and talk about music. So calm for a Scot. Thank heavens.
@@ProfessorofRock I saw him two or three times in Portland during the Time Passages and 24 Carrots/Parrots tours. He was still telling the crowd that story. Who wouldn’t be proud of those roommates?
that just blows my mind. Imma gonna head out and listen to Paul Simon through the walls... and nip down to the public house and wave hello to Greg Lake. (head explodes)
Good grief! Al Stewart knew everybody, from Paul Simon to Jimmy Page. “Year Of The Cat” remains one of my favorite songs. The alto saxophone solo by Phil Kenzie remains killer after all these years.
I remember buying the single when it came out and playing it over and over. It had wonderful lyrics to explore and Al's voice was so distinct. Thank you for interviewing him and Alan. There was just such a variety of music in the '70s and all great memories!
Thanx so much for this great look at Year Of The Cat. I was very lucky to see both Al Stewart and Alan Parsons perform and meet them on the On The Blue Cruise in 2019. Both of them put such great shows and were so gracious with their time and such nice people to chat which came across so well in your interviews. Year Of The Cat was just one of those tracks that grabbed hold of you and did not let go of you. It is still one of my all time favourite tracks and made that much more special after seeing Al live and chatting with him.
You have a way of getting me to be curious about artists and topics that I would normally not pay any attention to. Thank you for filling in the blank spots that we don't even know are there.
"Paul Through the Wall" should be the name of an album. Also, I've never heard of Al Stewart, but he was seriously ahead of his time. Learn something new every day. Alan Parsons is a legend, and a genius.
Year of the Cat is a song that grabbed me from that opening piano all the way through the fade out. I never cared what it was about, I just knew it was absolutely beautiful and made me happy every time I heard it!
What other Kinda Cat ❔ What's yer Sign ❔ Oh , Mercury Cougar XR-7 ... Uh , Joey Heatherton ❔ No ... Farah Faucet ! We are ... SIAMESE , IF U please ... Oui R ... SIAMESE , iF U don't , please ... Please don't ... Don't , please ... Twins ❔ Didymus ... The Twin ! Uh , Gem in Eyes ❔ Love Dots ...
One of the greatest songs by AL Stewart, and perhaps, the 100 greatest songs , is On the Border. Remarkable balance of sound and lyrics. Haunting and teeming with intrigue as time quietly strrips rituals and traditions away.
The image of a woman driving through Paris in a sports car with the wind in her hair in Marianne Faithful's song ballad of Lucy Jordan probably comes from Casablanca too.
