Search - Al Stewart :: First Album (Reis)

Not A Bad Debut

Kurt Harding | Boerne TX | 03/23/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Back in the day when I became an Al Stewart fan, I was only vaguely aware that any Stewart recordings preceding Past Present and Future existed. The First Album (Bedsitter Images) is one I didn't even know existed until I saw the listing while putzing around on amazon earlier this year.

Being a confirmed Al Stewart fan, I just had to have it though I was a little skeptical that it would be very good. I figured if it had been, it would have been widely available years ago. Well, you know after listening a few times I find that its not such a bad debut after all.

It is readily apparent that Stewart is just beginning to develop what was to become his unique style here, yet there is quite a bit to like. My favorites are: Bed-Sitter Images on which Stewart reveals an early knack for a literate compositional style; the charming romance of Swiss Cottage Manoeuvres; a rare instrumental on Ivich, with faint gypsy undertones; and Beleeka Doodle Day, which was written in the epic style of storytelling upon which Stewart is to build his reputation. Most amusing is My Contemporaries, a short highbrow translation of a few lines of the Who's then-current hit My Generation.

I wouldn't go so far as to say that this album is essential, but if you really like Al Stewart you are going to want to get it. At the price on offer here, The First Album (Bed-Sitter Images) is a huge bargain."

The troubadour's beginning

Izant | Atlantic | 12/21/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is where it all began. While the singing and the music was much improved later, we can glimpse the humor and the rhythmic melodies here that would form the foundation for Al Stewart's later works."