Al Stewart - Complete Artist Review

Complete Artist Review after reviewing every album. Here you will find an overview of Al Stewart as well as my personal rankings of all of his records. You will also find my Top 10 Songs as well as a link to an Essentials Playlist in the pages 1st photo

AL STEWART

Al Stewart, a masterful storyteller and folk-rock icon, has left an indelible mark on the music landscape with a rich discography spanning over five decades. He has grown from being just another artist/musician that my father was deeply fond of when I was growing up to becoming one of the most important musical figures in my entire adult life. And it’s all hit me at just the right time. Here is yet another artist that is as close to a perfect five stars as you can get.

From Al’s early beginnings with albums like Bed-Sitter Images and Love Chronicles, he established himself as a songwriter of unparalleled depth. Weaving intricate narratives against a backdrop of folk melodies. Tracks like Bedsitter Images and Samuel, Oh How You’ve Changed! from Al’s debut, and Love Chronicles and In Brooklyn from his sophomore record not only showcase Stewart's early songwriting prowess but also introduce listeners to his penchant for transporting them to different time periods. Stewart masterfully blends historical insight with poetic lyricism, creating a completely unique musical journey for his audience.

As Stewart's career progressed, he embraced experimentation, which is evident in his next records Zero She Flies and Orange. Here, he seamlessly integrated the folky storytelling of his first two records with more poppy, rock elements, which created this dynamic sonic style that pushed the boundaries of the era. Songs like My Enemies Have Sweet Voices and Electric Los Angeles Sunset from Zero She Flies stand as testaments to Stewart's ability to grow his sound while staying true to his folk storytelling roots. Songs like Songs Out of Clay and The News From Spain from Orange continue to show a maturity in Stewart displaying his masterclass of musicianship and creativity.

Building upon the sonic growth of his last two records, Past, Present and Future and Modern Times, delved into more ambitious conceptual territory, tackling themes of time, history, and existentialism. These records marked a grander departure from his folk roots, incorporating elements of this hybrid progressive folk/rock musical style with symphonic arrangements. Tracks like Soho (Needless to Say) and Roads to Moscow from Past, Present and Future are unbelievable displays of musical prowess and lyrical storytelling that tackle complex themes with both gravitas and musicality. And songs like Nostradamus and Carol from Modern Times show Stewart's knack for creating both high-energy folk/rock anthems and experimental history-based epics on the same record.

Stewart's commercial breakthrough came after a continued collaboration with (our mighty King) Alan Parsons on albums like Year of the Cat, Time Passages and even Modern Times, where he embraced a more polished sound while retaining his distinctive voice and signature style. Alan Parsons really brought the best out of Al with some of the richest and most beautiful-sounding production you may ever hear on a record. Tracks like Year of The Cat and Broadway Hotel from the Year of The Cat album are full band epics like you’ve never heard before. Time Passages also hits hard with the title track Time Passages and The Palace of Versailles marking a shift towards a more commercially appreciative sound, earning Stewart more widespread acclaim and success. These two records are versatile, elegant, and complex all together. They are deserving of 6 out of 5 stars and that is just a scientific fact. We can’t argue with science.

In 24 Carrots and Indian Summer, we see Stewart’s Golden Era take its victory lap where he continued to explore contemporary themes, but without the magical touch of Alan Parsons. Stewart gets a little rougher around the edges on this one and gets a little more electric, but balances it all with the rich and elegant beauty of his last two records. There is not one song that is not at least 6 out of 5 stars on this record. Tracks like Midnight Rocks and Running Man just further proved Stewart's versatility as a songwriter, blending catchy melodies with insightful lyrics. With Indian Summer predominately being a live album, we do get 5 bonus tracks from the 24 Carrots recording sessions, which are just as glorious as anything Al’s done, especially Here In Angola.

Al Stewart, though, finds himself at a bit of a juncture when he releases Russians and Americans. At the time, the record took a keen socio-political lens exploring a spectrum of emotions and themes. Russians and Americans is not just an album; it's an exploration of the human experience through the artistry of one of folk-rock's most distinctive voices. Met with mixed reviews, we find Al providing us with a variety of some of the best songs he has ever released mixed with some tracks that just fall short of the mark.

Al is utterly and completely “redeemed” once he released Last Days of the Century, where he returned to what he does best, delivering absolute gems in Last Days of the Century and Antarctica. Dialing in to more of that 80’s synth sound while still maintaining his signature blend of folk rock is something to only Al can do so masterfully.

The biggest surprise after this record was his early 1990’s release of Famous Last Words where I believed Al might take a step back and focus on less energetic, more storytelling based music. Boy, was I wrong when right out the gate this record produces the toppest of tier quality over and over again. Feel Like, Angel of Mercy and Don’t Forget Me might forever be the gold standard of the perfect three track run. I dare you to come at me with a record that has a better three-song opener than Famous Last Words. I dare you. I am happy to wait.

Live albums like Rhymes in Rooms and Uncorked offer intimate glimpses into Stewart's artistry, stripping down arrangements to showcase his raw talent and magnetic stage presence. Meanwhile, more dialed back concept albums like Between the Wars and Down In The Cellar provide strong thematic cohesion, exploring themes of wine, history, and the human experience with depth and nuance. Tracks like Night Train to Munich and Marion the Chaitlaine from Between the Wars and Waiting for Margaux and House of Clocks from Down In The Cellar stand out as examples of Stewart's ability to blend all of these themes tightly with intricate musicality seamlessly.

Stewart finds himself returning to a fuller band approach with his last two studio albums in A Beach Full of Shells and Sparks of Ancient Light. Al’s ability to craft compelling narratives is perhaps most evident on these later two albums, especially in tracks like Somewhere in England 1915 from A Beach Full of Shells and (A Child’s View of) The Eisenhower Years from Sparks of Ancient Light. Al effortlessly combines historical insight with poignant melodies. These songs serve as windows into different eras and events, inviting listeners to ponder the complexities of the human experience. Through these albums, Stewart continues to push the boundaries of his sound, experimenting with different musical styles while staying true to his storytelling roots.

Now that I have briefly touched on all of Al Stewart’s releases, let us rank the albums and check out their best songs!

Album Rankings

  1. 24 Carrots (1980)

  2. Time Passages (1978)

  3. Year of the Cat (1976)

  4. Last Days of The Century (1988)

  5. Famous Last Words (1993)

  6. Modern Times (1975)

  7. Past, Present & Future (1974)

  8. Orange (1972)

  9. Russians & Americans (1984)

  10. Down In The Cellar (2000)

  11. Love Chronicles (1969)

  12. Sparks of Ancient Light (2008)

  13. Zero She Flies (1970)

  14. Between the Wars (1995)

  15. A Beach Full of Shells (2005)

  16. Bed-Sitter Images (1967)

Side Note: If you want the best live version of “Year of the Cat”, it is on the 24 Carrots 40th Anniversary Edition Live Album.

Live Albums Ranked

  1. Time Passages (Expanded Edition) (1978)

  2. Indian Summer (1981)

  3. Uncorked (2009)

  4. Year of the Cat (45th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) (1976)

  5. 24 Carrots (40th Anniversary Edition) (1980)

  6. Rhymes in Rooms (1992)

Top 10 Songs

In No Particular Order

  1. Year of The Cat (Year of the Cat)

  2. Time Passages (Time Passages)

  3. Carol (Modern Times)

  4. Broadway Hotel (Year of the Cat)

  5. Candy Came Back (24 Carrots)

  6. Don’t Forget Me (Famous Last Words)

  7. The News From Spain (Orange)

  8. Last Days of the Century (Last Days of the Century)

  9. The One That Got Away (Russians & Americans)

  10. Roads To Moscow (Past, Present & Future)

  11. Clifton in the Rain (Bed-Sitter Images)

Yes I know that is 11 songs.. You try eliminating one! Can’t be done..

Top 10 Underrated Songs

In No Particular Order

  1. Here in Angola (Indian Summer)

  2. Constantinople (24 Carrots)

  3. In Brooklyn (Love Chronicles)

  4. (A Child’s View of) The Eisenhower Years (Sparks of Ancient Light)

  5. Cafe Society (Russians & Americans)

  6. Feel Like (Famous Last Words)

  7. Soho (Needless To Say) (Past, Present & Future)

  8. Angel of Mercy (Famous Last Words)

  9. Samuel, Oh How You’ve Changed! (Bed-Sitter Images)

  10. The Pink Panther Theme (Live) (Time Passages Expanded Edition)

  11. Apple Cider Re-Constitution (Modern Times)

Yes I know that was 11 again... Sue me!

Ah to hell with it ...

10 More Underrated Songs Because There Are Too Many

In No Particular Order

  1. Antarctica (Last Days of the Century)

  2. Waiting for Margaux (Down In The Cellar)

  3. Almost Lucy (Time Passages)

  4. Last Days of the Century: Constantinople (Uncorked)

  5. Carol (Uncorked)

  6. Somewhere in England 1915 (A Beach Full of Shells)

  7. Midnight Rocks (24 Carrots)

  8. Modern Times (Modern Times)

  9. Rocks In the Ocean (24 Carrots)

  10. Lyke-Wake Dirge (Zero She Flies)

  11. Bed-Sitter Images (Bed-Sitter Images)

At this point you should have expected 11 songs again. If not, that is on you. It’s too hard!

In essence, Al Stewart's music transcends time and genre, offering a timeless journey through history, romance, and the human experience. With each album, he continues to enchant listeners with his unparalleled storytelling and musical craftsmanship, solidifying his place as one of the most enduring icons in folk-rock music and one of the most underrated and overlooked icons in the history of music all together.

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