Famous Last Words (Mesa/US, Permanent/UK, 1993) - Stewart sounds happy on this disc, and no wonder. He's gotten married and will soon become a father. Songs like "Feel Like" and the effervescent "Genie on a Tabletop" are a testament to the artist's good spirits. The list of dramatis personae has changed: the Peters, Wood and White, are on hand (White actually produces the disc with Ross Hogarth), as is bassist Adam Yurman, but the others are session players who do a good job on the album's offerings. Which is no faint praise: FLW has some amazing stuff, including (in addition to those mentioned previously) Trains, a latter-day Stewart classic; the heart-tugging "Don't Forget Me"; and "Peter on the White Sea," which soars as it recounts the story of a sea voyage by Russia's 17th- and 18th-century czar Peter the Great. Also interesting: the silly "Hipposong" and "Charlotte Corday," a Stewart-Tori Amos collaboration about a principled French Revolution-era woman who paid the ultimate price for being true to herself. (Stewart has talked fondly of his time working with then-upcoming artist Amos at the piano in his living room.)
Despite continuing small-label woes - Mesa soon will find itself dealing with dwindling funds. Eventually, it will merge with another tiny acoustic-music-focused label, Bluemoon, enter a distribution deal with Atlantic Records, and see responsibility for marketing its offerings - including FLW - shuffled from hand to hand. Thankfully, Stewart is focusing on pursuing his interests - marriage, books, film, and wine - and leaving the rest. Whatever the problems with record companies, his classic and new songs are embraced passionately by those who see his acoustic shows in small venues across the US, so things are good.
Tracks:
- Feels Like
- Angel of Mercy
- Don't Forget Me (Al Stewart & Peter White)
- Peter on the White Sea (Al Stewart, David Pack & Andrew Powell)
- Genie on a Table Top
- Trespasser (Al Stewart & Peter White)
- Trains
- Necromancer
- Charlotte Corday (Al Stewart & Tori Amos)
- Hipposong
- Night Rolls In
Al Stewart 1966-1970: To Whom It May Concern (Mesa/US, Permanent/UK, 1993) - See Part One for more on this quite marvelous and extensive collection of Stewart songs covering the first three albums of his recording career.
Tracks:
DISC ONE:
- The Elf
-
-
- Turn into Earth (Paul Samwell-Smith & Rosemary Simon)
- Bedsitter Images
- Swiss Cottage Manoeuvres
- The Carmichaels
- Scandinavian Girl
- Pretty Golden Hair
- Denise at 16
- Samuel, Oh How You've Changed!
- Cleave to Me
- A Long Way Down from Stephanie
- Ivich
- Beleeka Doodle Day
- Lover Man (Mike Heron)
- Clifton in The Rain
- In Brooklyn
- Old Compton Street Blues
- The Ballad of Mary Foster
- Life and Life Only
Article comments
1 - Michael J. West
R&A is not at the top of the list of greatest Al Stewart recordings
The Hell it's not! It's at the VERY top of my list.
Incidentally, "The Gypsy and the Rose" is also UK only. I have the original US pressing or R&A and it ends with "The Candidate."
It's awfully hard to get past the synthesizers in LoDC. The songs really are as good as you say but the synths do date the album horribly.
2 - NR Davis
I'm with you on the LDOTC synths, Mr. West. Oh, yes. And thank for the head's up on "Gypsy and the Rose" - I thought I'd included that it was UK only, but I'll repair that. As for R&A, I'm glad it's your favorite. It isn't mine, and of course the piece is labeled Opinion, but that doesn't mean I don't love it. That would be categorically false.
3 - Michael J. West
Of course you're right, Ms. Davis, that the piece is labeled Opinion. But acknowledging that at the outset would have made it much harder to argue passionately and heatedly, which is the fun part of arguing isn't it?
While I'm here again, I might as well add that in so many ways it seems like Between the Wars was the album that Al had been wanting to make forever--most of his historical interest is in that period and the guitar parts for him and Juber both are an excellent showcase. In your encounters with him, Ms. Davis, did you ever ask him if he had a particular favorite among his releases?
4 - Jet in Columbus
As sad as it is to say this, I think two factors drove me away from Al.
Being a HUGE fan of Alan Parsons, when he wandered off to work on his other projects, Al's sound did indeed change, and it hurt, because I consider the Year of the cat, and Time Passages to be two of my all time favorite albums.
Another thing that kept me out of touch was that as Disco and Rap/hip-hop started taking over in that era, he got less airplay.
I thoroughly enjoyed both parts of this article, and you have my sincere compliments.
Jet
5 - NR Davis
Mr. West: Couldn't say. I don't find arguing or debate at all enjoyable.
You make a great observation about BTW, which many consider one of his masterpieces. Most of the time I've spent with Al has involved subjects other than him, but I do know that his favorite changes fairly regularly (and often it is whatever was released most recently). He has told me that "Optical Illusion" is one of his favorite compositions.
Mr. Jet: That is perfectly understandable, but do recall that Al was making music before his association with Parsons. Each man has his own muse to follow: Parsons followed his, before, during and after Al [the Project started in 1976]; it only makes sense that Al would do the same. Do not feel badly about it, though; your reasoning made sense and worked for you, which is what counts.
I thank you very much indeed for your kind words and hope you'll try some of his non-Parsons stuff with an open mind. I believe you'll find it a worthwhile experience - and trust me, Alan Parsons will be perfectly OK with you listening to his stuff and enjoying other stuff as well. :)
6 - Rob Macdonald
Natalie, I've just read Pt1 and Pt2 after attending Al's astonishing live performance at The Dome in Brighton (as it was November and he was in Brighton, he re-learnt the words to to 'Not the One' which as always been a favourite of mine). Thank you so much for this. I was considering extending the commentary on Al's albums on Wikipedia, but your words are so much better than any I would write, perhaps you might rise to the task?
7 - Jack Schwab
I interviewed Al regarding his association with Tori Amos. It was done for the Caldwells' "Really Deep Thoughts" Tori 'zine. They had the right to do with it whatever they wanted. I admit to over-reacting and acting immaturely at the time of publishing. That being said, Al himself was disappointed with the end result, as both him and Steve Chapman had approved my version. If any of you reading this are curious after all this time, it can be arranged to send you a hard copy. It's too long to transcribe again and save to a USB to send as an attachment.