A few weeks ago, we all tossed around the favored Al Stewart album. With the comments and the personal emails that I receive (yes, there are some that find it simpler to just email), it was easy to tell that it was Past, Present & Future from 1974.
I preferred Modern Times even though I love much of Stewart’s work up through his last, Sparks of Ancient Light (2008). And it’s quite a toss-up between Modern Times and Year Of The Cat. Lately, I’ve been listening, heavily I might add, to Time Passages. However, I keep coming back to Modern Times and its title track.
From start to finish, the song just is essential Al Stewart for me. I can listen to it often. And over the last 40 years or more, I have.
Musically, lyrically, the song works on every level. The meaning of the song speaks volumes for me, especially its attention to the good and bad sides of nostalgia.
But while many of you chose Past, Present & Future, I’m wondering if it;s a song from that album that plays forever in your head. Or is it a track from another album?
For the sake of discussion today, let’s share our favorite Al Stewart song, from whichever album it may issue from, even if the album is not your favorite Al Stewart set.
Maybe it might be easier if we did this:
There is a new Al Stewart collection on the table in the planning stages. The label has called you to ask your choice of inclusion into the set. Whatever you choose is guaranteed. What is that song?
Roads to Moscow. A great song that tells a powerful story. And that’s what Al does best: tells stories.
Post World War II Blues. This is my personal favorite which is great, because this deep track is often overlooked, and guaranteeing it on this magical disc(s) means it will easily fit in with the obvious: Road to Moscow, Nostradamus, Modern Times, Carol, What’s going on, On the Border, YOTC, Time Passages, On the Radio, Life in Dark Water.
Good thing I already have my “Very Best of Al Stewart” its called an iTunes Playlist. Wonderful invention that iPod (thx Steve)
For me,it would be a toss up between Life In Dark Water and Palace of Versailles.The guitar solos of both the songs were played by the great Tim Renwick and LIDW may pip POV to the post by its haunting and eerie atmosphere. I can listen to both these songs anytime though the first time I heard them must have been way back in 1980.