Rhymes In Rooms (1992)
Two musical power houses in Al Stewart and Peter White join together on tour and record a phenomenal live record. Just the two maestros with acoustic guitars and a harmonica run riot through some of Al’s greatest works. Does the songs lose a little bit without all of the full band accompaniment? Maybe just a tiny bit, but these full on acoustic arrangements are beautiful and worth revisiting time and time again.
Al and Peter treat us to some “new” material from the “Last Days of the Century” album with “Josephine Baker” and “Fields of France” that are stripped back and gorgeous. They even treat us to a very very early and folky Al song in “Clifton in the Rain” done in medley form with “Small Fruit Song”. Two of my all time favorite early Al Stewart cuts.
Al’s big hits also get plenty of attention on this album. From “Time Passages” to “Year of the Cat” and “Broadway Hotel” to “SoHo (Needless to Say”, you get all you could ask for. I could go on and on praising the musical intricacies of the record, but I’ll just leave it as this.
A complete and utter No Skip Album delivered on a warm silver platter by the incomparable Al Stewart and Peter White. Perfect for any rainy day, wine and cheese night, or late night drive.
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Highlight Songs:
Clifton in the Rain/Small Fruit Song
On The Border
Josephine Baker
Broadway Hotel
Year of the Cat
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Own it, Stream it, Forget about it?
Most if not all of the Al Stewart deluxe albums include live shows, but none quite like this. Rhymes in Rooms is a completely different, stripped and raw experience that should be owned and loved to death. Own it.
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Overall Rating:
5 Stars
