The Rockologist: Remembering Two Of Al Stewart's Best Albums, And The Time He Stole My Date
Published May 14, 2007
As Collectors Choice Music prepares to reissue thirteen of English folk rock singer Al Stewart's original releases in new, remastered editions with never before heard tracks, I couldn't help but reminisce a little. You see, old Al and I go way back.
As a twenty something record store clerk at the very beginning of what would prove to be a long career in the music business, Al Stewart was one of my favorite songwriters. I first got turned on to Al by hearing the album Past, Present & Future, which was Stewart's first record to chart on Billboard in the United States (it peaked at #133). Minor as it was, that chart success was due in no small part to the success he enjoyed here in Seattle. Local rock radio stations like KZOK fully embraced Stewart on the airwaves, and his shows here always sold out. The truth is, Seattle was one of Al Stewart's earliest, and strongest markets.
And I'd like to think that guys who worked in record stores--guys like me--played a role in that as well. I was always giving records like Past Present & Future and Modern Times heavy in-store play, and I'd just as quickly recommend his albums to anyone who would listen.
So like I said, the first record I heard by Al was Past, Present & Future. I was particularly struck by the track "Nostradamus," as I was something of a "spiritual seeker" myself back then. I found Stewart's lyrics about the French seer predicting things like the rise of Hitler particularly fascinating. That album also contained a track called "Roads To Moscow" that had something or another to do with Russian history. You see, that was the thing about Al Stewart. Besides the fact that Stewart was particularly skillful at turning a phrase, his lyrics were just so damned literate.
They also often contained lush and romantic themes and imagery. So by appealing to both my pretensions of intellectualism, and the fact that at twenty something I was still something of a die-hard romantic at heart, Al Stewart's music had me hooked from the get-go.
So did I mention that I worked in a record store back then? Well, one of the best perks that came from this job was free tickets to concerts. Occasionally, these free tickets would also include backstage passes if the label was trying particularly hard to get the so-called "tastemakers" in the market behind an artist.
Al Stewart was particularly big with the ladies back then. So when I got a pair of tickets with backstage passes for an Al Stewart concert, I figured this would be the perfect opportunity to ask a certain hot female customer I'd been eyeing for awhile out on a date. I mean what better way to impress a date than introducing her to music's most wonderfully romantic songsmith himself?
- The Rockologist: Remembering Two Of Al Stewart's Best Albums, And The Time He Stole My Date
- Published: May 14, 2007
- Type: Review
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Acoustic, Music: Folk, Music: Original, Music: Pop, Music: Recording
- Part of a feature: The Rockologist
- Writer: Glen Boyd
- Glen Boyd's BC Writer page
- Glen Boyd's personal site
- Spread the Word
- Like this article?
- Email this
Save to del.icio.us
Comments on this articleComments
Sorry about the date... I know how that must have felt.
Nice article. Just listened again to "Modern Times."
I'd forgotten about how nicely that closes.
Minor nitpick... it's "Jackdaw" not "Jacksaw."
I met Al a couple of times in the last decade - if I'd known his past, I'd never have introduced my date, Emily. :)
Best,
Rj
No worries RJ, I got over it years ago. To this day, it still makes a great story though. Thanx for the comment.
-Glen
P.S. Modern Times really is a great record isn't it?
I remember you telling that story some time ago. So glad you decided to share it (in fact, I heard about it, which is why coming by to read it was a must-do).
Re: #1 -- Al is touring constantly. He was recently in Maryland and on the East Coast, and he's doing a lot overseas as well (plus on the Left Coast, where he lives). AlStewart.com has all the latest Al news, including his itinerary.
NR,
Nice to hear from you again. So I guess it's safe to reveal you as my "reliable source" that Al has gotten all of that skirt chasing out of his system then? Anyway, I do really love the reissues, and thanks for the comment.
-Glen
Perfectly OK to reveal that. The reissues are awesome, aren't they? You have to see him live now. And yes, your dates are thoroughly safe.
Hey, Mr. West. Been busy. Quite, lately -- trying to become the next public radio host. Check it out!
Glen,
Yes it is, as is YotC. As an Alan Parsons fanboy, he can do no wrong, but Al is truly a unique and under-appreciated artist. His live shows are so entertaining as Al tells stories, screws up and starts over without making anyone feel anything other than they are seeing a really honest artist.
His guitar playing is amazing and has only gotten better over the years. And Al is quite witty - his shows are not to be missed.
Thanks again for making me revisit Modern Times. I'll definitely be buying all the reissues.
Best,
Rj
OK, I'll bite - my goodness, what aural planet do you live on? Jimmy Page and "uncharacteristically tasty guitar riffage" do not remotely belong together in the same sentence, much less "VERY uncharacteristically." I mean I know taste is subjective and all, but, honestly... that this record exists should give you an inkling. Other than that, amusing article, and I'll be buying "Love Chronicles." But mainly because Page is on it.
al is indeed touring, got to see him in montreal (can't travel anywhere else atm which is incredibly sad...), fucking brilliant
I wonuldn't have been so forgiving, Glen - I likely would have taken this opportunity to trash talk Stewart........ ahh, who'm I kidding? If my girl liked Al Stewart, that'd be her problem - I'd let sleeping dogs continue to put me to sleep. Stewart's music never did anything for me anyways.
Oddly enough, I always associate Al Stewart with Walter Egan. I know they have nothing to do with each other, so there's some kind of sublminal connection going on here. But I don't think Stewart ever had a song as good as Egan's Magnet & Steel.
I have seen Al two times, both great concerts. Once was in the 80's, when he had a full band with him. We saw him in a very small convert venue (had my beautiful girlfriend with me, so I guess I am glad I didn't have any kind of backstage pass :-)
The second time was maybe 5 years ago, at a free beach concert (I am in Tampa Bay area FYI), where Al was listed as part of a string of bands. Turns out, it was him alone on stage, with basically a whole beach of a thousand people who all came to see the other groups. I had dragged along my beautiful wife (same girl, fast forward 15 years and 3 kids later!) and 3 kids, and I remember being the loudest cheering maniac on the beach. Al did a lot of songs, all himself on guitar, and it was BETTER than the first time I saw him!!! He is terrific.
The reason I write this is I just had been scanning the web for any concerts, and was amazed to see he is going to be at EPCOT September 28-29, 2007. Some sort of concert series included in your normal ticket. You can bet $ I will be there. For one thing, he appears to tour clubs and concert halls, but very sporadically. I also would think that they are paying him soem good $$ so maybe he will have a band too? In any event, I hope some of you can come too, so it isn't just me (my very beautiful wife + 4 kids - yes another) clapping and my head off with a million disinterested EPCOT visitors wandering by. Maybe we could all ask for backstage passes :-)
"perspective" no
"prospective" yes
Add your comment, speak your mind
(Or ping: http://blogcritics.org/mt/tb/63835)
I love Al Stewart as well. "Cafe Society" is one of the best pieces of music ever written, and there is something really precient about "The world goes to Riyahd" in the middle of "Nostrodamus" when he warns "be careful how you choose your friends now". I hope he intends to tour again. Thanks for the heads up about the new realeases.