Review by Jason Barnard
Esoteric Records are re-releasing three classic albums from Al Stewart’s career. Sounding better than ever, this fantastic singer-songwriter’s records have been remastered from the original tapes, with the original artwork restored plus detailed booklets included with a detailed look at the contents.
Al’s fourth LP from 1972, Orange sounds better than ever. A particularly personal record, ‘Songs Out of Clay’ and ‘I Don’t Believe You’ chart the break-up from his then girlfriend. As a bonus, both sides of his ‘News from Spain’ single are included. South Kensington’s relationship marking ‘Elvaston Place’ tying in neatly with ‘Orange’s’ themes.
1973’s Past, Present & Future takes a more historical turn. Particularly well known for ‘Nostradamus’ (which features here in album and single form), the LP’s original sleeve notes were written by Erika Cheetham, author of the book The Prophesises of Nostradamus. The Nazi invasion of Russia is also told with the epic eight minute ‘Roads to Moscow’. Although predominately historically linked there’s still space for the dense memory thickets of ‘Soho (Needless To Say)’.
1975’s Modern Times brings Alan Parsons production to its Abbey Road sessions. Its folk tinged melodic rock is strong throughout, typified by single ‘Carol’. ‘Apple Cider Re-Constitution’ is another great track, this time harking back to his childhood.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xt8fdp12us
‘The Dark And The Rolling Sea’ points the way for future glories in The Year of The Cat, but taken together these three records alone encompass the essence of Al Stewart.
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