Hey, guys, don't ignore the lyrics. He wrote some of the most vivid, picturesque lyrics in rock..."You go strolling through the crowd like Peter Lorre contemplating a crime"..."She comes out of the sun in a silk dress, running like a watercolor in the rain..." Really amazing and poetic stuff.
@jeremygray1331
Жыл бұрын
And perhaps the only Peter Lorre call out in music history.
@michaelkeefe8494
Жыл бұрын
@@jeremygray1331warren zevon got lon chaney Jr. though.
@jackasswhiskyandpintobeans9344
Жыл бұрын
The line about Peter Lorre is a reference to Fritz Lang's film "M," 1931. Very strong subject matter for 1931. There is a famous scene in "M," in which Lorre is escaping on a crowded street.
@debjorgo
Жыл бұрын
@@jackasswhiskyandpintobeans9344 Casablanca. In a morning from a Bogart movie. Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Peter Lorrie.
@debjorgo
Жыл бұрын
@@marcelliott1111 I'd always heard it was Casablanca. Wiki says Al was watching Casablanca when the opening couplet came to him.
@2869may
Жыл бұрын
"She comes out of the sun in a silk dress running like a water color in the rain" What an incredible line that is....!
@laurabrevitz3944
Жыл бұрын
My absolute favorite line.
@2869may
Жыл бұрын
@@laurabrevitz3944 It's a good one for sure...! He has one of the most haunting lines in "Roads To Moscow" about the war, ww2... "The old men and children they send out to face us, can't slow us down...." Think about that for a minute, and imagine having to live with it....
@Isleofskye
Жыл бұрын
@@2869may Al was a lyrical Genius imo
@2869may
Жыл бұрын
@@Isleofskye For sure..!
@briandonovan1584
8 ай бұрын
Absolutely ... One of the greatest lines ever written. Mona Lisa Talking is another absolutely brilliant masterpiece. "Out of a patch of oil and water ... "
@TexasMagnolia
Жыл бұрын
This right here is why we, the children of the 70’s are suffering with modern music.
@robertjohnson1681
Жыл бұрын
Maybe you haven't noticed because the instrumentation stands out so beautiful, but in time you realize just how important the lyrics are to the song. Absolutely brilliant writing.
@Noelle0026
Жыл бұрын
My favorite line is “she comes out of the sun with her silk dress running like a watercolor in the rain. “ Love the visual of that lyric.
@armadillotoe
Жыл бұрын
@@Noelle0026 I don't know how many times/years I was lost in the instrumentation before I listened to the lyrics. BOOM! The song was on an entirely different level.
@tbirdsteve1
Жыл бұрын
Amen
@richardnanian2446
Жыл бұрын
True story: I discovered by accident that this song has quasi-magical powers. When my son was just a few months old, I found that he could be crying hysterically, but if I put this song on, he would be completely entranced before we got 10 seconds in. It was incredible. It never failed. Any time he was crying, I’d put the song on and he would instantly get a beatific look on his face. I did it in front of friends and they’d laugh in disbelief. This lasted until he was almost four. He’s seven now and taking piano lessons. He still likes the song, but it no longer has quite the same effect.
@sharona256
4 ай бұрын
I wish I had known this when my twins were young! 😅
@boomtownrat5106
Жыл бұрын
Producer Alan Parsons (engineer of Dark Side of the Moon) elevated this basic construct of a folk song to a more jazz inflected pop song. His decision to include the sax changed the whole tenor of the song. A masterful production.
@coinneachmaclellan3121
Жыл бұрын
"Sax"..."tenor"...sounds like a pun to me...
@moniqueleroux2198
8 ай бұрын
Love APP
@SusanGordon-bf2cg
6 ай бұрын
Alan Parsons .... That explains a lot ❤ You'll like Gerry Rafferty too
@Necronette665.99
3 ай бұрын
Agreed, Alan Parsons...everything he touches is gold.
@lancerx1759
Жыл бұрын
"Time Passages" is definitely another Al Stewart song worth a future reaction
@John_Chu
Жыл бұрын
Phil Kenzie on alto sax, Tim Renwick on electric and acoustic guitars, Peter Wood on piano, George Ford on bass, Stuart Elliott on drums. Just classic, a masterpiece.
@billkant849
Жыл бұрын
Rim Renwick - The "other guy" playing guitar on the Pink Floyd Pulse videos. Also the guitar player for the Sutherland Brothers and Quiver.
@John_Chu
Жыл бұрын
Tim’s work on Al’s “Modern Times” is ridiculous. The fellas need to react to that track, lord!
@Lionize728
Жыл бұрын
Tim also was the guitarist for the Elton John Band during the "Simple Man" era.
@x0539p
Жыл бұрын
Don’t forget David Pack, lead singer of Ambrosia, singing back up vocals.
@billkant849
Жыл бұрын
@@Lionize728 - I'm still trying to figure out if he played the acoustic on Ian Matthews version of Morgan The Pirate from back in 1971.
@gesundheit602
6 ай бұрын
One of the reasons it sounds so good is because it was produced and engineered by the great Alan Parsons.
@GinMae
2 ай бұрын
YES! Alan Parsons!
@julianbarber4708
Ай бұрын
Wow, I didn't know that! Thank you!
@Darth_Jafar
Жыл бұрын
As an old soul (born in 90 but listen to 60s-90s) I showed this to my girl on one of our first dates in 2017. Still together here in 2023 and this song MUST be played at least once a week. We both love it and have adopted it into the soundtrack of our relationship.
@BethHutter
Жыл бұрын
This track will stay with you long after you've finished. A damn near perfect pop song. I love those opening lines...
@hklinker
Жыл бұрын
Nah, it IS perfect😉. You have to award a 10 on occasion. This song has it all.
@Freewayjim
Жыл бұрын
@@hklinker Gotta agree, this is a perfect song.
@adolfnoise4673
10 ай бұрын
it is perfect.😽
@BrixtonTone
Жыл бұрын
"She comes out of the sun In a silk dress Running Like a water colour in the rain" Still remains as my favourite descriptively poetic lines in any song I've ever heard.
@Noelle0026
Жыл бұрын
That is one of my favorite song lyrics of all time. I love the visual the lyric describes.
@richardyoung6214
Жыл бұрын
Man that sounded irritatingly too fast, must be my wifi 😊
@aaronfrazier7159
Жыл бұрын
I Whole-heartedly agree with you! Beautifully written so much so that I can picture it. I love it when lyrics do that 👍
@Isleofskye
Жыл бұрын
....and mine and I bought records in London in 1960 :)
@realbser1956
Жыл бұрын
For me personally, this song is Steely Dan level. Meaning every aspect of the song is perfect. Could listen to this all day long on repeat. Go back and check out the lyrics. Brilliant. 🔥👍
@kdbadk
Жыл бұрын
On a morning from a Bogart movie In a country where they turn back time You go strolling through the crowd like Peter Lorre Contemplating a crime She comes out of the sun in a silk dress running Like a watercolor in the rain Don't bother asking for explanations She'll just tell you that she came In the year of the cat She doesn't give you time for questions As she locks up your arm in hers And you follow 'till your sense of which direction Completely disappears By the blue tiled walls near the market stalls There's a hidden door she leads you to These days, she says, I feel my life Just like a river running through The year of the cat While she looks at you so cooly And her eyes shine like the moon in the sea She comes in incense and patchouli So you take her, to find what's waiting inside The year of the cat Well morning comes and you're still with her And the bus and the tourists are gone And you've thrown away your choice you've lost your ticket So you have to stay on But the drum-beat strains of the night remain In the rhythm of the newborn day You know sometime you're bound to leave her But for now you're going to stay In the year of the cat
@gailjohnson5950
Жыл бұрын
The production of this song and Al's first album was done by the immortal Alan Parsons, who has an amazing catalogue of his own and also produced for Pink Floyd. Check out the Alan Parsons Project's "I Wouldn't Want To Be Like You" , "Time" or "Games People Play". Year of the Cat is one of my all time favorites. Al Stewart is an amazing storyteller, which you will discover if you go deeper into his music. Check out "Time Passages" next. Thanks for the great reviews!
@conureron3792
Жыл бұрын
For a fun time, they should check out the entire first side of Tales of Mystery and Imagination. Several diverse songs based on the works of Edgar Allan Poe
@burtonmediaprod
Жыл бұрын
Time Passages and On The Border are also great!
@franksomoza1124
7 ай бұрын
Just a word, MASTERPIECE!!!!!
@JoeyBongas
Жыл бұрын
"The drum-beat strains of the night remain in the rhythm of the newborn day" Just wow!
@Isleofskye
Жыл бұрын
"She comes out of the sun, in a silk dress, running like a Water Colour in the rain"......:)
@rogerdaly6326
Жыл бұрын
For all the young aspiring songwriters out there watching this reaction video , pay close attention to this song. It is a master class in arranging a song. This is one of the most well crafted songs ever recorded. The build up with the strings , acoustic guitar solo , electric guitar solo and then the cresendo of the sax solo is perfect. All the notes played at the right time wirhout anyone stepping on anyone else. Add the poetic , vivid lyrics and it becomes pop music perfection.
@saxworthmusic
Жыл бұрын
You can’t beat that warm analog 2” tape capturing the real instruments. Back then even the music that you didn’t really like as much was still well-crafted and mixed to perfection.
@VIDSTORAGE
Жыл бұрын
Analogue Tape is the best for capturing that one moment that will never happen again
@joebarrera9741
Жыл бұрын
Al Stewart great writer
@derekdonnell6503
Жыл бұрын
I'M 56 AND I STILL LISTEN TO 🎶 THIS TIMELESS MASTER PIECE.
@clifton8929
Жыл бұрын
Outstanding piano, and Al’s soft engaging voice, smooth chorus, bass guitar, and saxophone solo; everything about this song just screams amazing, Another absolutely fantastic choice from Big Soul Airplay Beats. Keep up the hard work guys, you're the best at what you do, making people forget the bad and feel the warmth of the music.
@sellsubz
10 ай бұрын
La's face when the Saxophone appears after the guitar solo. . . Priceless!😮
@AP-gb3eh
Жыл бұрын
I think it’s fair to call this a masterpiece. It lures you in then becomes as lush a sound as one could imagine ☮️
@TheGreatGig73
Жыл бұрын
Oh ! It is a masterpiece! Loved it then and still love it today!
@rogerk55
Жыл бұрын
What a timeless and beautiful song this is. Makes me wish every year was the Year of the Cat.
@hoyageorge
8 ай бұрын
A perfectly constructed song. Lyrics, vocals, instrumentation, mixing, production. I have loved pop/rock/folk music my entire life, and I firmly believe this is one of the greatest songs ever recorded. Perfection.
@CarolineLambert-si6dd
7 ай бұрын
A portrait of pure brilliance and colour. Escapism in pure brilliance of an age gone by. Never to be forgotten.
@SuperSuperswan
Жыл бұрын
One of the best songs ever written.
@RMForbes505
Жыл бұрын
Alan Parsons was the sound engineer on this song like he was on Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon and it shows. The engineering of the song was masterful.
@kckelly7889
Жыл бұрын
Time Passages is another jam worth a listen.
@timpafundi6321
Жыл бұрын
Al Stewart is a master storyteller with his music. He paints pictures with his lyrics.
@petersalter9359
11 ай бұрын
Al Stewart stared off as a folk musician. This is magic
@stillstanding8286
Жыл бұрын
I saw Al Stewart in the spring of 1975, he was the opening act for Linda Ronstadt. I’d never heard of him before, but he and his band were fantastic! As good as she was, I barely recall anything about Ronstadt’s performance that night, but I vividly remember Stewart’s. He was great!
@mikemicrael5749
Жыл бұрын
I recently dove into Al Stewart's catalog and have a new appreciation for him. This and "Time Passages" were his biggest hits, but his albums are beautifully written and performed. He's part of the British hippie folk sound of the late '60s and had his greatest success in the 70's. You would probably also like Donovan, who has a lot of hits and some magic albums.
@spongo
Жыл бұрын
I wish folks would check out his earlier stuff like Zero She Flies. Fantastic songwriting.
@Isleofskye
Жыл бұрын
How I regret not knowing enough about Al,in London, when I first attended Coberts from 1971. What a missed opportunity.
@andrewtrotter9023
Жыл бұрын
Al Stewart was quoted after this song was released, “If that’s not a hit record then I can’t make a hit record.” And a hit it was.
@pangaea90
Жыл бұрын
I noticed that the instrumental went along with the lyrics in that the last line he says before the instrumental begins is, "so you take her to find what's waiting inside. The year of the cat." Ok, they about to get busy...but he's speaking in the second person. The audience (us) are experiencing, this act through the ear (the ear candy). So first we get the strings, slow mellow Getting to know you, we dealing with something special...the foreplay. Next is the acoustic guitar. The foreplay intensifies to penetrate, your ears Then we get the electric guitar that speeds up the thrust of the beat. And then we have the sax, finally the climax. It brings the whole musical act to a head and then relaxes you...but you want more. It's "The Year of the Cat."
@steve9199
11 ай бұрын
This has been called by many as "The PERFECT Song". I can't disagree. It's literally the movie "Casablanca" set to music.
@melvinwomack3717
Жыл бұрын
This track is one of the best produced pop track imo between this and Baker street it's hard to choose.
@jaydubya3698
Жыл бұрын
Agreed. A lot of pop songs get written off as just being shallow, simple, sappy or whatever. But sometimes, under the right circumstances and executed by the right musician, pop music can really be elevated to timeless and beautiful music. "Year of the Cat" and "Baker Street" are two good examples. Elton John and Paul Simon did it often. My point is: don't dismiss always dismiss pop. Just saying.
@edwardcapobianco2975
Жыл бұрын
Right on Mel!
@Isleofskye
Жыл бұрын
Alan Parsons who engineered Dark Side Of The Moon for Pink Floyd.
@melvinwomack3717
Жыл бұрын
@@Isleofskye I think Ambrosia's first album sounds better but that's just my opinion 😏
@roadshow69
Жыл бұрын
One of the best songs ever recorded imo.
@imogene413
6 ай бұрын
This is a perfect song, perfect.
@captjeter2
2 ай бұрын
there is not one thing wrong with this song , a masterpiece
@hungfao
Жыл бұрын
One of the most perfect tracks ever.
@jeffstevens4262
Жыл бұрын
It's a real masterpiece, written and performed by Al Stewart (and his band) and produced by the equally talented Alan Parker. An absolute clasic from way back in the '70's, well ahead of its time. 🙋♂
@douglasgreen437
4 ай бұрын
Alan Parsons...
@traceyclemons7800
Жыл бұрын
On the Border..A MUST LISTEN!!
@bonniethompson2019
Жыл бұрын
It's one of my favorite songs! Love him.
@erdossuitcase7667
Жыл бұрын
Ear candy says it all. One of the coolest songs ever.
@roccaclassico9028
Жыл бұрын
I *love* this song; the lyrics are so poetic & the arrangement is so smooth! This song and "On the Border" are my favorites by Al Stewart.
@NG-Lespaul
Жыл бұрын
What a GREAT song!!!!!
@sprezzatura8755
Жыл бұрын
Layer upon layer of Excellence.
@VinzClorthokeymasterofGozer
Жыл бұрын
This song sneaks up on you. It grows on you. A few days from now, you'll have some part of it in your head, and you just have to hear the song again. That has gone on for 40 years for me.
@melvinwomack3717
Жыл бұрын
One of the things that always amazed me about this song is how'd they get his voice so crystal clear and clean back then
@billreilly7693
Жыл бұрын
Great selection here gentleman, you guys are good dudes.🥁☮
@srstech1
Жыл бұрын
Same dude. First half is so fluffy like a damn dream. Then they start hitting you with the instrumentals and it’s like…where we goin 😂. Great job guys y’all are getting really sharp 👂
@robertwalker1803
Жыл бұрын
One of the most beautiful and timeless songs ever written…
@kimkovaly2393
Жыл бұрын
Omg this song is a Masterpiece!!!!!! It's so beautifully written,and the instruments are brilliant ❤❤❤❤❤❤
@roballen5718
Жыл бұрын
i've been a fan since '69. he was originally a folk singer. this album was produced by Alan Parsons, who also produced the Dark Side Of The Moon, by Pink Floyd. you should seriously pay more attention to the lyrics. he's a master story teller, often telling stories from history. he researches them vey deeply. he's definitely a poet. i suggest 'the Road to Moscow', or 'Time Passages', for your next reaction to him
@1bigrowdy
Жыл бұрын
Another song produced by the brilliant Alan Parsons...Stewart didn't think it needed the sax..Not so fast.. Parsons pulled the sax player Phil Kenzie out of a pub during halftime of a soccer match to record it
@submandave1125
Жыл бұрын
This song has some of the best instrumentation and production ever. Yes, this was what was playing on top-40 radio in the '70s. There will never again be as much diversity and quality in popular commercial music.
@craiglarge5925
10 ай бұрын
I was in 8th grade when this song was big along with On The Border.
@UBZUKki
10 ай бұрын
It Really was a GREAT decade for music....Special times.
@patrickvecchio8138
Жыл бұрын
This is one of those songs that…even if you are into hard rock,blues,country,etc.and this isnt your style,you know and respect the great lyrics,musicianship,and vocals…You just know.
@MikeOstrowski-iq8wf
Жыл бұрын
Props to both of you for understanding and appreciating great musicianship. Ear Candy for sure ! 🔥❤️🎸👍🏼
@chicagojon1972
Жыл бұрын
This sounds like it could have come out recently, not 1976. So beautifully produced!
@mikefixx7177
Жыл бұрын
Yes it sounds like it COULD come out today but that would never happen because they can't make music like this anymore
@lloydbraun6026
Жыл бұрын
Todays music is so overly produced, computerized and digitized. In a word: Souless
@katherinepearson167
Жыл бұрын
Roads to Moscow is an amazing history lesson and beautifully written.
@conureron3792
Жыл бұрын
One of the best. Love the lyrics, love the arrangement.
@anderspettersson9885
Жыл бұрын
"Midas shadow" is another one of my favs with Al Stewart.
@gustavopanesso7297
3 ай бұрын
Absolutely gorgeous song ❤❤❤❤❤❤
@gary2kr1
Жыл бұрын
"you know one day you're bound to leave her, but for now you're gonna stay" wow
@deaniegarcia5694
Жыл бұрын
I actually like this track..took me back to ‘76 and my college days following my stint in the USAF….a timeless song that gets in my head…as always, your reactions are the first things I look for bc they are so damn good!
@bluesrock1
Жыл бұрын
Another great example of how many different sounds were coming at us back in the day. 1965 to 1979 was truly the greatest era in music.
@tektoniks_architects
Жыл бұрын
Brilliant, iconic track. Left a huge memory imprint on me from back in those days.
@stewartgovan1672
11 ай бұрын
Aah Al Stewart .a forgotten gem of a song..what a songwriter. orchestration,production and general vibe is very unique .still sounds relevant today ..like a time capsule .
@alanshields8036
Жыл бұрын
Always felt like Al Stewart took me on an incredible journey that I could picture so vividly. Made me a little sad when it was over.
@Isleofskye
Жыл бұрын
Very well said.
@keelsmac01
Жыл бұрын
Always loved this song. Thank brothers.
@greglavers
4 ай бұрын
IN my opinion, one of the best pieces of music ever written.
@danielmesery2904
9 ай бұрын
5🌟ALBUM✌️🌎🎸🎶
@carmenwise2256
Жыл бұрын
A True Perfect Masterpiece.
@ML-un1oi
Жыл бұрын
An iconic song that still sounds great Thanks fellas. Appreciate you 🙏 ❤
@dianegardner7210
Жыл бұрын
The lyrics are a big part of why I love this song-so vivid and exotic
@laurakali6522
Жыл бұрын
Singer songwriters of the 70’s were and are still iconic. The songs cross over into every generation.
@patrickjacobson2261
Жыл бұрын
This came out when I was in high-school. What a time it was for music and unfortunately no one makes music like this anymore.
@tbirdsteve1
Жыл бұрын
One of the songs of the century. Look into the meaning of the song and you'll love it even more.
@glennburch1081
Жыл бұрын
Nothing but layer after layer after layer of sublime ear candy in this mega hit by Al Stewart. From the piano to the strings, then the guitar, then the sax as well as the vocals throughout this masterpeice that beautifully combines the orchestra band with the rock band. The song was written and recorded from Feb 1975 to Jan 1976 which coincides with the Vietnamese Year of the Cat. I remember it well as it was the first year of my military service in the state of Florida. I always enjoy a reaction from you two....TY. What a great song by Al Stewart.
@jimmayors2315
Жыл бұрын
Al Stewart is a historical folk rock, which is a genre all its own!
@grangerjung4129
12 күн бұрын
Some favorite songs: Sand in Your Shoes, Roads to Moscow and Nostradamus. The last two are long stories that I heard for the first time when FM radio started in my city. Epic. Stewart is one of the greatest wordsmiths in his time.
@SimpsonMusicProductions
Жыл бұрын
One of my favorites 🎉 My Aunt got this for me when I was a kid. The whole record is perfect. Always brings me back to 12 years old, discovering & loving music ❤❤ 🎶 🎵 🎶
@SimpsonMusicProductions
Жыл бұрын
And the Logo is DOPE 👍
@dmCurator
Жыл бұрын
It's another great example of the incredible musicianship and production that characterizd the era.
@x0539p
Жыл бұрын
This is my absolute favourite song as it came along with some massive changes in my young life. It is tied to the birth of my first son & I never get tired of it even after 47 years. He is a good story teller and I miss good music like this. We can’t forget that Alan Parson produced it and David Pack, lead singer of Ambrosia, sings back up vocals on this as well. All three artists are amazing.
@pfcampos7041
Жыл бұрын
One of the best songs of my childhood. Every time I hear this it immediately takes me back to good times.
@richardjimenez7467
Жыл бұрын
The arrangement and orchestration is lovely! The lyrics paint pictures. On of my all time faves!
@penshaw2
11 ай бұрын
Love Al Stewart - the best lyric writer of all time. He has written so many classics - love "Roads to Moscow" but so many others by him are amazing too.
@cameronstestingart794
Жыл бұрын
Just floated along while the various instruments took me on a journey in 1976 at 19 years old back to my lifetime home up north while stuck in TX! Time Passages was his next hit. Unfortunately, never bought his albums, so that’s the only other one I know
@freebirdtony
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for reacting to this amazing song.
@jonathansmith3742
Жыл бұрын
I have been listening to this since it came out. Caught Al last year 2022. Great song and reaction. Time Passages.
@balmpatchvideos
7 ай бұрын
The piano weave into the guitar in the beginning is so elegant, like elton.
@gary2kr1
Жыл бұрын
The lyrics are as good as any script ever written for a movie.
@eddiecriglington400
Жыл бұрын
Just drifts me back to those early/mid 70’s days. When life felt so great and simple. Brilliant music. Love it. 🎶❤️🎶
@doplinger1
Жыл бұрын
Top tier, gentlemen. Right up there with Steely Dan’s “Ajá”.
@ggwalker55
Жыл бұрын
One of the most gorgeous mixes ever. Incredible song.
@Isleofskye
Жыл бұрын
I have just Subscribed and, bitterly, regret not seeing Al on the Folk Circuit in the early 1970's around London. Actually, besides the outstanding musicianship, Al is one of the greatest lyricists I have known and I bought my first records in 1960. He specializes in painting beautiful pictures in your mind and is a War Historian with thought-provoking songs like Roads To Mascow about The Eastern Front in World War 2 and Time Passages. On The Border is a lovely song. He is still performing though he doesn't look like a 1960s hippie anymore. lol
@griffcrammond6640
Жыл бұрын
Piano, strings, accoustic, electric and sax. Held together by image-filled lyrics.
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