Featured Artist: Al Stewart - The Discography, Pt. 1
Published April 24, 2006
That isn't to say that everything changed: Yes, 24PC's sound is harder, but it's in no danger of resembling Metallica. This is still rock music played most elegantly. The theme may be "change," but the topic is still explored through historically based songs (including the epic "Murmansk Run/Ellis Island") and musings on modern times and relationships. And while the record is a tad less satisfying on the whole than previous Stewart classics, it is most assuredly superior to much of what was released in 1980 - and of what is released today. The quality of the musicianship is as high as expected, though listening today, some of the bright-sounding production - though very well done - feels a bit sterile. That is not because of the songs, by and large: the tense, ever-moving "Running Man," the hilarious rocker "Mondo Sinistro," the pensive "Optical Illusion" and the resplendent hit "Midnight Rocks" (which boasts a chorus that soars on swoon-worthy harmonies) help make what turned out to be the final album of Stewart's rock-star period such delicious punishment.
Tracks:
- Running Man
- Midnight Rocks
- Constantinople
- Merlin's Time
- Mondo Sinistro
- Murmansk Run/Ellis Island
- Rocks in the Ocean
- Paint by Numbers
- Optical Illusion
Indian Summer/Live (Arista/US, RCA/UK, 1982) - This interesting collection offers songs performed at the Roxy in Los, LA Angeles in 1981. Called Indian Summer/Live in the US, the British version, pictured left, is known as Live at the Roxy, L.A. '81); 2002's Al Stewart Live on Razor and Tie features much of the same material.
The live release came at an interesting time - during the initial transition between Stewart's Elton John years and his post-stardom career. Intentional or not, it offers us a pause to appreciate works gone by - and it's a welcome souvenir of the live Al Stewart concert experience, complete with his extemporaneous and wildly entertaining stage patter (check out his homage to Clarence "Frogman" Henry). In addition to the live tracks, which feature cuts from Past, Present and Future through 24 PCarrots, there are also brand-new studio songs on the 1982 American release (which eventually show up on new CD reissues of 24 PC). My recommendation: the exotic and thought-provoking "The World Goes to Riyadh."
Tracks:
- Here In Angola
- Pandora (Peter White co-wrote)
- Indian Summer
- Delia's Gone
- Princess Olivia
- Running Man (live)
- Time Passages (live)
- Merlin's Time (live)
- If It Doesn't Come Naturally, Leave It
- Roads to Moscow
- Nostradamus 1 / World Goes To Riyadh / Nostradamus 2
- Soho (Needless To Say)
- On The Border
- Valentina Way
- Clarence Frogman Henry
- Year Of The Cat
Natalie Davis is an award-winning journalist, progressive- and GLBT-issues activist, musician and broadcaster. Davis' All Facts and Opinions - The Armchair Activist has existed since 1996. She is general manager and program/music director of Grateful Dread Radio, an 11-year-old multigenre Internet station dedicated to presenting diverse sounds for open minds.
- Featured Artist: Al Stewart - The Discography, Pt. 1
- Published: April 24, 2006
- Type: Opinion
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Folk, Music: Pop, Music: Rock
- Writer: Natalie Davis
- Natalie Davis's BC Writer page
- Natalie Davis's personal site
- Spread the Word
- Like this article?
- Email this
Save to del.icio.us
Comments on this articleComments
Hi Natalie thank for the wonderful writing about Al Stewart. I have been a b-i-g fan since "Year" enjoying his and Peter White's releases ever since.
I'm going to commit blasphemy among Al Stewart fans, but somehow having been acquainted with his work since being in utero makes me feel sufficiently educated to make the following assertion:
Love Chronicles is the blandest, most uninspired record of Stewart's career. Especially in context: the beautiful and luxuriant Bedsitter Images right before it, the raw and vaguely bluesy Zero She Flies right after it. It's a blemish on his wonderful career and I make sure to program LC out when I listen to To Whom It May Concern.
You, however, Ms. Davis, have done a great job here. I loved reading this and picked up a lot of stuff I didn't know. Thanks!
Thanks, Mr. West. Opinions can vary as to the relative value of each album, so your assessment of LC is as valid as anyone's.
BI, for instance: Al ultimtely decided that its production was overblown and had the album remixed. I happen to quite enjoy the original chamber-backed version. Oh well.
At one point, Al took a dim view of all of his first four albums, though he has since reconsidered, IMO, wisely. There is some incredible stuff on those albums, including LC (I happen to prefer ZSF too).
Perceptions are individual and can change over time. Favorite LPs change all the time, and that's OK: This week, it's PPF for me, but last week it was Between the Wars and next week it may be something else. That's cool. And it's just as OK for a fan to say that something in the catalog isn't quite his or her cup of chai.
Since in utero? My kids had the same experience.
I have always had an affinity for Russians and Americans, myself. But lately it's been Modern Times--especially the title track. The lyric is so bittersweet, but the instrumental ending just flows over you like a summer evening breeze.
In utero indeed, Ms. Davis, and good on ya for giving your kids the same. When I was a toddler, my mom kept Time Passages and Modern Times (the US cover, with the mansion and the greenish dusk sky) in heavy rotation. So I would tell people my favorite records were "the Blue Al Stewart and the Green Al Stewart."
Add your comment, speak your mind
(Or ping: http://blogcritics.org/mt/tb/46803)
No comments yet?
While I'm not a major fan of Al Stewart's, I've always found him pleasant.
However, I'm quite a big fan of the Love Chronicles album, shamefully out of print and nearly impossible to find on CD. Page is inspired; working out some of the textures he'd eventually explore on Led Zeppelin III. And the pseudonym-ed Fairport Convention are great on it, too.
"Time Passages" was one of my first 'favorite' songs, when it was new in 1978.
Great work, nice depth on a neglected artist.