Search - Al Stewart :: Last Days of the Century

Production quibbles aside, a great pop music album

Eric J. Anderson | Ankeny, Iowa | 09/12/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There is no great theme here, and stylistically these songs vary all over the map, from distorted guitars to modernized madrigals about ancient Greek legends to quiet instrumentals. Still, almost all the compositions are top notch, equivalent to the stuff on Al's hit album Year Of The Cat.



Many of the cuts attempt the complex layered orchestral production that Alan Parsons gave to Year Of The Cat and Time Passages. However, on Last Days Of The Century, the violins are synthesized. Sonically, the sound has a brittle etched quality that is consistent with early digital recording techniques. I suppose the word for it is "tinny." This tinny character affects everything from vocals to keyboards to percussion. This is a little irritating to someone like myself who loves the smooth organic wholeness of a good analog recording, but the songs are so good, it becomes a minor factor.



Al writes intelligently and movingly about Josephine Baker, the longing of lovers, the conquest of the South Pole, and lawyers. Al hates lawyers. Listen to License To Steal, and I think you'll get the picture. But whatever his choice of theme, Al writes in a literate, amusing way that speaks of great song craftsmanship.



This is one of my favorite Al Stewart albums and one of my top 50 favorite albums of any artist or genre. With the sythesizers and the tinny-sounding cymbals and guitars, the *sound* of the album is clearly dated. Still, the music is timeless, even in these first days of a new century."

"Red Toupee" Music Video LONG Overdue -- Anyone?

Kirtland Peterson | Baltimore, MD, USA | 12/07/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This quite brilliant Al Steward CD, if one reads the liner notes (and then between the lines of the liner notes), looks as though it was abysmally handled by the management of the fledgling record company AS had signed with. It's hard to believe anyone could lead with "King Of Portugal" when "Red Toupee" was -- are you surprised? -- SCREAMING for attention! And what a pity. This CD is so very good. I wasn't in the least surprised to learn that fledging record company went bankrupt.



Now, I don't think it's too late for a "Red Toupee" music video. A favorite expression of an artist friend is, "I'm getting pictures." Well, when I first heard "Red Toupee" I was seeing pictures! Even if you haven't heard the CD yet you can see it, yes? Antics from folks with... red toupees. Talk about appealing to folks across the board.



Please, if you know any music video directors out there looking for something to play with, they need look no further than "Red Toupee." Add a little visual creativity and expect a few awards.



A quick ending note. I agree with an earlier review noting the "tinny" quality of the recording. It's funny, but I almost find it refreshing. With our teens constantly playing their bass-heavy grungy music, it was a relief to hear emphasis in the treble zone. It's such a pity that younger folk today can't hear the richness of Al Stewart's music...



Now... to see if I can catch him live again... it's been years...



Kirtland Peterson



Added 12/31/07... The Last Day Of The Year!



Having listened to LAST DAYS OF THE CENTURY a hundred times now, I must add another note: This CD is as good as YEAR OF THE CAT, TIME PASSAGES, etc. Truly wonderful, and it's lamentable this CD was "lost" given the troubles at the record company.



A good many of these tunes belong on any GREATEST collection: Al Stewart and Peter While were obviously at their collaborative best.



I could go on and on... but if you want a great AS fix from the days of YOTC and TM, this is it. If you're like me, you'll have it on REPEAT for weeks on end.



Procure now and ENJOY!



Kirtland Peterson"