ND: Well, at least for love.

AS: Yes, at least for love. And, in this case, nobody got any satisfaction whatsoever.

ND: Certainly not the amanuensis.

AS: Oh, I like the amanuensis.

ND: That's a great word. I'm glad to see that someone took it out to dinner.

AS: Along with "acolyte."

ND: And "vizier." (Both dissolve in waves of barely controlled laughter.)

AS: The "vizier" only would have worked in Turkish society, but I couldn't resist the word.

ND: Oh, but it absolutely worked.

AS: Yeah! I think "Royal Courtship" is just a song that nobody else would write. If I didn't write it, it wouldn't get done and Plenipotentiary would still be sitting in the back row of the stadium being ignored by everybody, so I just thought it was a valuable service that I have performed.

ND: Absolutely, and a grateful, word-hungry world thanks you.

Don't miss part two of our chat, wherein folk-rock legend Al Stewart waxes nostalgic about rock and roll (but not about Doris Day) while reminding us that size matters, talks sense about nonsense poetry, and delightfully bends words to his will.

More info on Al Stewart's music and concert appearances can be found at his official site and at NevilleJudd.com.

Blogcritics' featured artist Al Stewart.