Year of the Cat

by Al Stewart

Overview

Al Stewart had found his voice on Past, Present & Future and found his sound on Modern Times. He then perfected it all on 1976's Year of the Cat, arguably his masterpiece. There is no overarching theme here, as there was on its two immediate predecessors, but the impossible lushness of Alan Parsons' production and Stewart's evocative Continental narratives give the record a welcome feeling of cohesion that keeps the record enchanting as it moves from "Lord Grenville" to "Midas Shadow" to "Broadway Hotel," before it ends with the haunting title track. Along the way, Stewart doesn't dwell too deeply in any area, preferring to trace out mysteries with his evocative lyrical imagery and a spinning array of self-consciously sophisticated music, songs that evoke American and European folk and pop with a deliberate grace. This could be unbearably precious if it didn't work so well. Stewart is detached from his music, but only in the sense that he gives this album a stylish elegance, and Parsons is his perfect foil, giving the music a rich, panoramic sweep that mimics Stewart's globe-trotting songs. The result is a tremendous example of how good self-conscious progressive pop can be, given the right producer and songwriter -- and if you're a fan of either prog or pop and haven't given Al Stewart much thought, prepare to be enchanted. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	05/20/2014
Label:	Rhino
UPC:	0825646310838
Rank:	3777

Tracks

1. Lord Grenville
2. On the Border
3. Midas Shadow
4. Sand in Your Shoes
5. If It Doesn't Come Naturally, Leave It
6. Flying Sorcery
7. Broadway Hotel
8. One Stage Before
9. Year of the Cat

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Al Stewart   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals,Keyboards,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Vocals (Background)
Peter White   Guest Artist,Bass,Guitar,Keyboards,Guitar,Keyboards
Tony Rivers   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Steve Chapman   Drums
Bobby Bruce   Violin
George Ford   Bass
Tim Renwick   Guitar
David Pack   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Peter Wood   Keyboards
Stuart Elliot   Drums,Percussion,Vocals (Background)
Stuart Elliott   Drums,Percussion,Vocals (Background)
Andrew Powell   Strings
Phil Kenzie   Saxophone,Sax (Alto)
John G. Perry   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Mark Goldenberg   Guitar
Robin Lamble   Bass,Violin
Peter Robinson   Piano
Marion Driscoll   Triangle,Percussion
Graham Smith   Harmonica
John Perry   Vocals (Background)
Tony Rivers & The Castaways   Vocals (Background)
Don Lobster   Keyboards

Technical Credits

Patrick Milligan   Reissue Coordination
Alan Parsons   Producer
Steve Chapman   Project Assistant
Bill Inglot   Remastering
Chris Bellman   Remastering
Cheryl Pawelski   Project Assistant
Emily Cagan   Project Assistant
Steve Woolard   Project Assistant
Hugh Brown   Art Direction
Peter Wood   Composer
Andrew Powell   Arranger,String Arrangements
Al Stewart   Composer
Thane Tierney   Liner Notes
Luke O'Reilly   Direction
Rob Brimson   Photography
Ginger Dettman   Project Assistant
Neville Judd   Photography
Julee Stover   Project Assistant
Nancy L. Hopkins   Design,Art Direction
Daniel Hersch   Remastering
Colin Elgie   Cover Design