Awesome sax, thanks to Alan Parsons, who engineered year of the cat and time passages, Al Stewart wasn't crazy about adding the sax but went along with Alan Parsons and boy oh boy so glad he did, just added more layers to this master piece, back then instruments that sounds like a person talking is just WOW! All these different instruments coming in but not drowning out the other instruments, so gently with Al Stewarts vocals is just WOW!
I had an app that I made a ringtone of this sax solo. Love this one. Had my band director not had too many saxophonists to start the year, I would have learned it. Had to take trumpet, instead.
And he very nearly equals that with the two later lines "By the blue tiled walls near the market stalls" and "But the drum beat strains of the night remain". The man is a master word smith.
"Year Of The Cat" has that easy-listening, mellow sound of the 70's. A terrific song. Another hit song from Al Stewart which you'll also enjoy is "Time Passages".
9/10 for your reaction Ladies and when you review the LYRICS you will realize where the 10/10 would have come from as Al Stewart is, arguably, the GREATEST rock Poet/HistorianPoet of all time with my most memorable line I have ever listened to when, in this, he sang " She Comes Out Of The Sun In A Silk Dress Running Like A Watercolour In The Rain"You will get many interpretations of this but Al said 50 years ago, that it was a "North African Love Song" set in Morocco and it uses several early references from Humphrey Bogard's "Casablanca". Al is still performing wonderful songs like this and "On The Border" and "Time Passages" and his epic "Roads To Moscow" about World War 2... ENJOY..
Nailed it, the lyrics are so evocative of love affair in a different era. I can just see that moment when Humphrey Bogart sees Ingrid Bergman in Ricks.
Year of the Cat is in the running for the Perfect Song. It has everything - amazing tune, outstanding arrangements and instrumentation, stellar performances, and lyrically evocative. Stewart is an amazing songwriter and a true poet - “in a silk dress running like a watercolor in the rain” is such beautiful imagery. I recommend Roads to Moscow, an epic piece about the ebb and flow of war, and the tragedy for even the victors. It’s a masterpiece of storytelling, and utterly compelling.
This to me is one of the greatest musically composed songs I have ever heard. Every instrument seems to have been used here in this masterpiece of a song. This is music to the ears and soul. Brilliant!
I agree. I grew up listening to the great '60s and '70s tunes. I thought such music would last and keep being made for decades that followed. I was wrong : )
I love this song. Thank you for the reaction. I am really happy to see all the people giving this positive comments. I am glad i am not the only person who absolutely loves this song.
Can't believe how much I took good music for granted back in the day. Obviously a great song but there was so much back then you just assumed it would be around forever.
Al Stewart is a great Scottish-born singer-songwriter & folk-rock musician. He was big in the 70's. I had his albums "Year Of The Cat" & "Time Passages". All the songs on both are great. "Year Of The Cat" is one of my favorites songs. Love the sax solo.
@@MarkCucchiara Who told you that?, if you say the opposite in the certain parts of Scotland you will be fighting very soon as well. From Stewart`s background its very likely hes from the latter.
@@MarkCucchiara - the crime would be to infer that a Scot was English. Anyone from England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland is British. Only someone from England is English!
the 4 part solos... synthesizer..acoustic guitar...electric guitar...saxophone....amazing... heard this song first time in 1976 when the album was released..
Al wrote this song while traveling. He left the tour he was on and stayed behind feeling writing inspiration. The Year of the Cat was the name of a secluded club, The place was real, but the woman and the club were imagined.
Al has some truly beautiful songs and this is just one of them. Life in Dark Water, Lord Grenville, On the Border, Time Passages, So many great tunes from Al Stewart, he deserves much more attention than he gets.
It tells you something that my 20 something daughters and nieces are hooked on this song. Great musicianship. The song "Lord Grenville" from this album is special, also. it is a historical song that is beautifully written.
The thing about this song that impresses the most is that it takes you away to another place and time for a few minutes better than maybe any song you can think of. It paints a picture in your mind.40 years later, it still does that to people who haven't heard it. Sometimes there's just a little bit of magic in music.
I was waiting for this, and yet I knew you’d get to it eventually. This has got to be one of my most favorite songs of all time. I’ve heard it a million times and could hear it a million more and NEVER get tired of it. I look specifically for reactions to it, and I was one of the “many others” who suggested this after the Gerry Rafferty Baker Street reaction. It’s so good because of the craftsmanship in the sound quality; musicians, Stewart’s voice, and the engineering and production by a master of sound craft: Alan Parsons (who has a good catalog of his own material that charted to listen to as well). This song is a complete good; loved your reactions although I completely expected it.
I've never heard a song whose lyrics paint such an explicit yet poetically beautiful picture. " 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". My brother loved this album. Miss you bro.
It is just a magnificent song, and not one violin or cello, but many strings (violins and cellos) were playing beautifully. I love all the instruments in that song, and the arrangement was awesome, and the singer's voice was so nice, beautiful tone, and just perfect for the words of the song. Has been one of my very favorites for many many years.
Loved Daughter's face as each new solo comes in. Al Stewart is the consummate storyteller, writing theatrical songs, especially about historical events. (This one is fictional but many of the descriptions are based on the movie Casablanca.) Confession: I'm a huge, lifelong fan (since 1975), have all his albums, seen him in concert double-digit times, etc.
Women are so sensitive to music - its a joy to watch ... when that solo section kicks off, you see both swaying to the orchestral and guitar parts, affected by the changes in keys ... the daughter senses a shift in vibe with the electric guitar ... then the smile from Mum as the sax breaks out!
Part of the soundtrack of my youth. I always thought he was underrated, personally. The acoustic guitar, piano, sax and vocal are all wonderful. Edit: I should add that the great Phil Kenzie is the saxophonist and often reminds me of another stellar band, Steely Dan. That era was the Golden Age and after Genesis went more "pop" than prog I felt there was a dearth of bands who dealt in really good meaningful songs with complex instrumentals be and arrangements, until of course in the mid/late 90s that was more than filled by Nightwish.
In my many years I've seen an awful lot of concerts. I would rank Al Stewart as the third best concert I ever saw. I saw him in a tiny dinner theater in Fells Point Baltimore. Our table was right next to the stage so close I could see the time on his watch. This was in the mid 80's way after his commercial success. It was just him and another guitarist doing all his songs acoustically. He took time afterwards to talk to just about everyone. He kissed my wife's hand. Nice dude, nice concert and nice memories.
I love this song. It has such great imagery. He references characters from "Casablanca." Don't you love the sax? I read his idea for the title came from a book his girlfriend at the time had on Vietnamese astrology. There was a chapter on "The Year of the Cat." Coincidentally, this year is also The Year of the Cat. Nice Pick. Thank you.
I read that he wrote it after a first viewing of Casablanca. There's a video on UA-cam (w/ Spanish subtitles) that intersperses clips of a live performance with scenes from the movie.
@@flarrfan The song's germination started when he opened for Linda Ronstadt the year before. It took a year to come to fruition and went through 15 revisions. Stewart quite often charts out the solos and let's his musicians work within his framework.
A timeless piece of music that will never, ever grow old. Is as fresh now as when it first came out. The music and lyrics capture the passing of time and also provide a wonderful escape.
This song was all over the radio at the time. I associate it with long road trips. That instrument you mentioned at 12:30 is a synthesizer. They were still new around then. This was a big budget recording session. Enjoyed your reactions!
I love that look that’s nestled somewhere between a smile and something close to verge of tears. It must be how I look every time I hear this song. This has been my favorite song since I heard its first note
Al Stewart weaves lyrical tapestries. Listening to his songs is like reading book and painting mental imagery with stellar musicianship and vocals. If you research his songs prior to listening, they become magical
One of the most competently composed songs of the 70s. Right up there with some of the music Steely Dan was making at that time. Every note, every instrument is in the perfect place...thanks to Alan Parsons for the brilliant production!
You can listen to this a hundred times and you may still hear some hidden delight you may have previously missed. It is indeed magical. I was 17 in 1976 when it was out, and my reaction was just like yours.
Bohemian North Africa set to music. Brilliant stuff. Al is the consummate story teller. ‘Life in Dark water’, ‘Roads to Moscow’, ‘On the border’, ‘Time passages’, ‘Nostradamus’, ‘Soho needless to say’ there are just so many great songs, hope that you can fit in at least some of them.
it has a cinematic feel to it, very nicely constructed song.... he actually has several good songs but this is one of the most pleasant for sure Roads to Moscow is an interesting song, sort of a dramatic historic ballad with some fine acoustic guitar on it, and pretty decent lyrically as well
I’m 70 yrs old and heard this song when it was first released. Truly it’s a timeless masterpiece. Love it to this day. Btw, the sax solo only took 2 takes.
One of the greatest troll jobs in music. I'm willing to bet everyone that hears this song for the first time assumes the song is going into the third verse after the electric guitar solo. No one ever expects that saxophone. There is absolutely nothing in the first two verses and choruses of the song that gives any indication there is going to be a saxophone in it.
There were so many great singer/songwriters in the late '60's and early '70's. Al Stewart, Jim Croce, Harry Chapin, Carole King, Carly Simon, Joni Mitchell, Cat Stevens, Gordon Lightfoot, Janis Ian, etc..
Year of the Cat is an example of master class song writing. The musical composition, orchestration is stellar. In fact the entire album is excellent. Each song transports you to another land, "On the Border", "Broadway Hotel", "Lord Grenville", "Flying Sorcery" are dreamy and magical. 😉
Ladies, you're quite right about Al coming from the UK and this remarkable song was written and produced by his close association at the time with the genius Alan Parsons. Actually, the year of the cat is Vietnamese (not sure if they also have one in Morocco) The lyrics are (allegedly) based on a true event.
I always felt tied to this song,even as a child in the 70's. I always loved how the solos are all strung together,and I LOVE that you noticed that. And when I was learning how to play guitar,the electric guitar solo was the first solo I picked out by myself by ear. I remember running into the living room of our house where my dad was watching TV and yelling to him "HEY DAD! CHECK THIS OUT!" I must have played that solo at least 50 times over and over that night!
I hold a very special memory of this resplendent tune. I was a chauffeur at the time of my first hearing this tune. That same night, in early December 1977, I had to drive a lovely couple to a dinner engagement. I could tell guy and gal were very much in love. As we rode along, I asked them if they wanted to hear some music. Amazingly, this tune came over the limo's radio. I told the couple seated behind me that I had heard this tune earlier that same day. I asked them if they wanted to hear it. They agreed and then I said to them, "This tune is for you two." As soon as I said that a light snowfall began. I've never forgotten that lovely couple, this tune and that particular night. Thanks, Al Stewart and orchestra and Alan Parsons (producer). Thanks, Generation Gap Reacts! Oh yeah, that "meowing" sound near the end of the tune was created with electronics (possibly, a synthesizer).
Check out "I Wouldn't Want To Be Like You" by Alan Parsons Project [He's the one who produced this song] It has a great bass line in it. You two work so well together.
Al Stewart has been a favorite of mine for over forty years, so I was excited to find out he was playing in Sherman, TX, on July 20, as part of the city's Hot Summer Nights outdoor concert series. He was accompanied by a band from Chicago, The Empty Pockets, and they played an awesome show, with the biggest applause for this song, of course. It was especially amazing, considering he's going to be eighty (80) next year.
Time Passages is another one to listen also, I would suggest Naustrodamus but it's longer than most songs and never made it to the radio because of that. It's from his Past, Present, Future album.
Unforgettable tune,and artist. This song takes you to a world of a sensual and magical imagination!Other fantastic tunes by Al are On The Border, Roads To Moscow, Time Passages, and Modern Times!
Awesome song…..takes me back to my roller skating days🛼I’m 60+ and boy do I wish we could go back to those days.You guys are a joy to watch,my husband and I look forward to each video .I love when you are doing Home Free,you should check out the drum solo,and Guilty pleasures videos,you won’t be disappointed.Keep on rocking and bringing smiles to th world,Thank you
Year of The Cat was produced by the amazing Alan Parsons, who started working at Abby Road as an assistant engineer when he was only 18. In addition to producing and engineering some of the greatest albums of all time for other artists, he has had his own successful solo career with the Alan Parsons Project.
My favorite Al Stewart song is "Roads to Moscow." This song is close to being a perfect song. Poetry for lyrics, piano, guitar, strings, and that wonderful sax. "She comes out of the sun in a silk dress running like a watercolor in the rain."
Any song from the year of the cat album is great. One of my favorite albums of all time. Listen to the whole thing. You’ll fall in love with it. Just like I did.
This is a masterpiece with such a great arrangement in my opinion. The song makes some references to an old classic movie called Casablanca in case you know of It. The title for the song comes from Vietnamese astrology as explained by Al Stewart on a some sort of interview or short video posted a while ago.
This is quite clearly one of the best songs ever written, and recorded. Amazingly evocative lyrics - Strolling through the crowd like Peter Lorre contemplating a crime! Genius! And the arrangement and production (Alan Parsons) is stunning, with the strings swelling up then giving way to the sax; the individual solos with so much else going on... an absolute masterpiece.
It's a song that has really grown on me over the decades. I now see it as a classic. That mid-song transition is one of the most smooth and beautiful in music history, from piano to acoustic guitar to electric guitar to saxophone.
The first part of song to me is a 10 and when the instrument break in the middle comes in it gets pushed up to an 11. One of my all-time favorite songs.
I was one of the 'many many others'. I just love Al Stewart. He first came to my attention when I was at University at the end of the 70s, and I met people with wider musical tastes than just the Top 10! This is a bit of a 'kitchen sink' kind of song in that EVERYTHING is thrown at it - and then they add the saxophone. But it's so perfect. I've had the pleasure of seeing Al in concert quite a few times, once just a couple of months ago, and it's always a magical moment when the piano player starts playing those famous notes. After all these years, Al's voice is almost unchanged, and he's a warm, friendly person to be with. Next time he plays London, I'll be there. That sound at the end is made by the keyboard, if I remember correctly. Five suggestions: Apple Cider Reconstitution A Man For All Seasons The Palace of Versailles Helen and Cassandra Fields of France (that's a very short one but very beautiful and sad) If I may: this album was produced by Alan Parsons. Alan Parsons later went on to found the Alan Parsons Project. Please take a listen to 'Old and Wise' by the APP. You may hear a few similarities to 'Year of the Cat'. As people say below, Al Stewart is a great storyteller, historian and history story teller. There is another, though, as they say in Star Wars - and just as I saw Al a few months ago, I'm seeing this other person in two week's time. But I'll put that in another comment.
So our song here is from a Scottish gentleman and this song we played on is one of the favorite songs in the history of pop music. If you didn't know it's been around for 5 decades 50 years OK, so this is the year of the catit's majesty put together by a bunch of extremely. I don't want to say famous but famoussessions and it's not a great wonder you're discovering it and loving it, but I'm glad you are. This song is beloved by hundreds of millions of people around the world for 50 years. So it's not just like a crazy little pop song, but thank you for listening, thank you. And I am also a cat lover if you wondered.
A crystal clear beautiful song and fantastic music from the masters of music, true genius. Al is a Scottish singer,song writer and Alan parsons is a musical genius. Very privileged to grow up with this music.
I am a sucker for these 70s bass and drum grooves and sounds. Dreams Fleetwood Mac, Make me Smile Steve Harley amongst others. It's the warmth of the acoustics of the instruments and analog recordings probably. Masterpiece.
Characteristic of the music of Al Stewart is that it’s not emotional, but about telling a story; mostly based on books or movies, etc. He is really is good at painting an atmosphere by creating beautiful arrangements. One of my favorites of this great album is Lord Grenville. A trivial remark: when I bought this album; I already had the album “A kick inside” from Kate Bush and what striked me, was that some of the same musicians participated.
I've heard this song hundreds of times, and that sax kicking in STILL SLAYS ME. A masterpiece song
Awesome sax, thanks to Alan Parsons, who engineered year of the cat and time passages, Al Stewart wasn't crazy about adding the sax but went along with Alan Parsons and boy oh boy so glad he did, just added more layers to this master piece, back then instruments that sounds like a person talking is just WOW! All these different instruments coming in but not drowning out the other instruments, so gently with Al Stewarts vocals is just WOW!
Year of the Cat and Time Passages will forever be synonymous with Mr. All Stewart.
I had an app that I made a ringtone of this sax solo. Love this one. Had my band director not had too many saxophonists to start the year, I would have learned it. Had to take trumpet, instead.
@@judylee9022I could’ve done without the sax and replaced it with electric guitar.
Great choice. My favorite line in any song "she comes out of the sun in a silk dress running like a water color in the rain." Masterful.
My sentiment EXACTLY!
I think that is everyone's favorite line in the song. It's definitely mine and it is one of the best lyrics ever written.
And he very nearly equals that with the two later lines "By the blue tiled walls near the market stalls" and "But the drum beat strains of the night remain". The man is a master word smith.
@@taun856 These days, she says, I feel my life
Just like a river running through...........:)
"Year Of The Cat" has that easy-listening, mellow sound of the 70's. A terrific song. Another hit song from Al Stewart which you'll also enjoy is "Time Passages".
Yes! and also "On the Border"..
9/10 for your reaction Ladies and when you review the LYRICS you will realize where the 10/10 would have come from as Al Stewart is, arguably, the GREATEST rock Poet/HistorianPoet of all time with my most memorable line I have ever listened to when, in this, he sang " She Comes Out Of The Sun In A Silk Dress Running Like A Watercolour In The Rain"You will get many interpretations of this but Al said 50 years ago, that it was a "North African Love Song" set in Morocco and it uses several early references from Humphrey Bogard's "Casablanca". Al is still performing wonderful songs like this and "On The Border" and "Time Passages" and his epic "Roads To Moscow" about World War 2... ENJOY..
I love that line too. It's very evocative.
Nailed it, the lyrics are so evocative of love affair in a different era. I can just see that moment when Humphrey Bogart sees Ingrid Bergman in Ricks.
My favorite line, too - the entire song is cinematic.
Just the finest
@@juliusdavies2005, of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine
Year of the Cat is in the running for the Perfect Song. It has everything - amazing tune, outstanding arrangements and instrumentation, stellar performances, and lyrically evocative. Stewart is an amazing songwriter and a true poet - “in a silk dress running like a watercolor in the rain” is such beautiful imagery.
I recommend Roads to Moscow, an epic piece about the ebb and flow of war, and the tragedy for even the victors. It’s a masterpiece of storytelling, and utterly compelling.
I agree!
I'll second that.
@@theread59 Third.
This to me is one of the greatest musically composed songs I have ever heard. Every instrument seems to have been used here in this masterpiece of a song. This is music to the ears and soul. Brilliant!
I'm 66 and this song is beautifully put together love it ty for bringing back great memories of my past.
Remember this from when I was stationed in Germany. Brings back memories. The 60's and the 70's had the best music EVER.
I agree. I grew up listening to the great '60s and '70s tunes. I thought such music would last and keep being made for decades that followed. I was wrong : )
Same here, was stationed in West Berlin when this came out, whenever I hear it now it always takes me back.
My dad was stationed in Heidelberg at this time and my brother and I were in middle school , he got the record for my brother. His first album ever.
one of the greatest songs in music history 👍
I love this song. Thank you for the reaction. I am really happy to see all the people giving this positive comments. I am glad i am not the only person who absolutely loves this song.
Can't believe how much I took good music for granted back in the day. Obviously a great song but there was so much back then you just assumed it would be around forever.
Al doesn't write lyrics, he writes poetry and stories.
Al Stewart is a great Scottish-born singer-songwriter & folk-rock musician. He was big in the 70's. I had his albums "Year Of The Cat" & "Time Passages". All the songs on both are great. "Year Of The Cat" is one of my favorites songs. Love the sax solo.
Never infer a Scot is British, those are fighting words!
@@MarkCucchiara Who told you that?, if you say the opposite in the certain parts of Scotland you will be fighting very soon as well. From Stewart`s background its very likely hes from the latter.
@@MarkCucchiara - the crime would be to infer that a Scot was English. Anyone from England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland is British. Only someone from England is English!
the 4 part solos... synthesizer..acoustic guitar...electric guitar...saxophone....amazing... heard this song first time in 1976 when the album was released..
Same here. My friend turned me on to this song before it hit the airwaves. Top of my play list since then.
THIS MAY BE THE MOST PERFECT SONG EVER WRITTEN.
Al wrote this song while traveling. He left the tour he was on and stayed behind feeling writing inspiration. The Year of the Cat was the name of a secluded club, The place was real, but the woman and the club were imagined.
Al has some truly beautiful songs and this is just one of them. Life in Dark Water, Lord Grenville, On the Border, Time Passages, So many great tunes from Al Stewart, he deserves much more attention than he gets.
"Year of the Cat"is a musical masterpiece.Check out Al Stewarts "Time Passages".
What a feast of different instruments! You called it exactly; "This song has everything "
It's a rare song that gets better every time you listen to it. This is one of those.
Oh yes!
Coolest arrangement in music!
It tells you something that my 20 something daughters and nieces are hooked on this song. Great musicianship. The song "Lord Grenville" from this album is special, also. it is a historical song that is beautifully written.
The thing about this song that impresses the most is that it takes you away to another place and time for a few minutes better than maybe any song you can think of. It paints a picture in your mind.40 years later, it still does that to people who haven't heard it. Sometimes there's just a little bit of magic in music.
A Absolute Masterpiece!!
Some tasty waves and a cool buzz would be appropriate while listening to this!
I was waiting for this, and yet I knew you’d get to it eventually. This has got to be one of my most favorite songs of all time. I’ve heard it a million times and could hear it a million more and NEVER get tired of it. I look specifically for reactions to it, and I was one of the “many others” who suggested this after the Gerry Rafferty Baker Street reaction. It’s so good because of the craftsmanship in the sound quality; musicians, Stewart’s voice, and the engineering and production by a master of sound craft: Alan Parsons (who has a good catalog of his own material that charted to listen to as well). This song is a complete good; loved your reactions although I completely expected it.
I've never heard a song whose lyrics paint such an explicit yet poetically beautiful picture. " 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". My brother loved this album. Miss you bro.
Yes I love the music....and the lyrics,but alas,I recently moved to Arizona and so now I DO NOT......................" turn back time"
Really is a timeless song, hard to believe it's been around for 47 years!
Year of the Cat will transcend time itself. Your reaction was awesome, especially when the sax came in. Such a beautiful, all encompassing song.
It is just a magnificent song, and not one violin or cello, but many strings (violins and cellos) were playing beautifully. I love all the instruments in that song, and the arrangement was awesome, and the singer's voice was so nice, beautiful tone, and just perfect for the words of the song. Has been one of my very favorites for many many years.
Loved Daughter's face as each new solo comes in. Al Stewart is the consummate storyteller, writing theatrical songs, especially about historical events. (This one is fictional but many of the descriptions are based on the movie Casablanca.) Confession: I'm a huge, lifelong fan (since 1975), have all his albums, seen him in concert double-digit times, etc.
This song is so musically satisfying. Remind me of my childhood and cool fall days in my hometown
Women are so sensitive to music - its a joy to watch ... when that solo section kicks off, you see both swaying to the orchestral and guitar parts, affected by the changes in keys ... the daughter senses a shift in vibe with the electric guitar ... then the smile from Mum as the sax breaks out!
Part of the soundtrack of my youth.
I always thought he was underrated, personally.
The acoustic guitar, piano, sax and vocal are all wonderful.
Edit: I should add that the great Phil Kenzie is the saxophonist and often reminds me of another stellar band, Steely Dan. That era was the Golden Age and after Genesis went more "pop" than prog I felt there was a dearth of bands who dealt in really good meaningful songs with complex instrumentals be and arrangements, until of course in the mid/late 90s that was more than filled by Nightwish.
In my many years I've seen an awful lot of concerts. I would rank Al Stewart as the third best concert I ever saw. I saw him in a tiny dinner theater in Fells Point Baltimore. Our table was right next to the stage so close I could see the time on his watch. This was in the mid 80's way after his commercial success. It was just him and another guitarist doing all his songs acoustically. He took time afterwards to talk to just about everyone. He kissed my wife's hand. Nice dude, nice concert and nice memories.
Was the other guitarist Lawrence Juber? They were fantastic together.
@@ron88303 Not really sure it was so long ago. If that's who was with him in the mid 80's then yes.
@@chazblitz If you haven't already, you should check out UA-cam video of Al and Lawrence playing Clifton in the Rain.
Al Stewart is a genius !!
45 yrs of The Year of the Cat. Love it every time I hear it. Smooth as smooth gets.
1976 was such a fun year! Each week another classic appeared.
I love this song. It has such great imagery. He references characters from "Casablanca." Don't you love the sax? I read his idea for the title came from a book his girlfriend at the time had on Vietnamese astrology. There was a chapter on "The Year of the Cat." Coincidentally, this year is also The Year of the Cat. Nice Pick. Thank you.
I read that he wrote it after a first viewing of Casablanca. There's a video on UA-cam (w/ Spanish subtitles) that intersperses clips of a live performance with scenes from the movie.
@@flarrfan The song's germination started when he opened for Linda Ronstadt the year before. It took a year to come to fruition and went through 15 revisions. Stewart quite often charts out the solos and let's his musicians work within his framework.
Produced and arranged by Alan Parsons, musical genius and Al Stewart, Scot btw, composed a masterpiece, indeed
A timeless piece of music that will never, ever grow old. Is as fresh now as when it first came out. The music and lyrics capture the passing of time and also provide a wonderful escape.
Al is the master of nostalgia
This song was all over the radio at the time. I associate it with long road trips. That instrument you mentioned at 12:30 is a synthesizer. They were still new around then. This was a big budget recording session. Enjoyed your reactions!
Al Stewart’s vocals are superb!
I love that look that’s nestled somewhere between a smile and something close to verge of tears. It must be how I look every time I hear this song. This has been my favorite song since I heard its first note
Al Stewart weaves lyrical tapestries. Listening to his songs is like reading book and painting mental imagery with stellar musicianship and vocals.
If you research his songs prior to listening, they become magical
I bought my first record in London in 1960 and this has been in my Top 10 for 50 years now..
One of the most competently composed songs of the 70s. Right up there with some of the music Steely Dan was making at that time. Every note, every instrument is in the perfect place...thanks to Alan Parsons for the brilliant production!
You can listen to this a hundred times and you may still hear some hidden delight you may have previously missed. It is indeed magical. I was 17 in 1976 when it was out, and my reaction was just like yours.
Top 5 of my favorite songs, lyrical genius, produced by Alan Parsons, perfection.
I bought my first record in London in 1960 and this has been in my Top 10 for 50 years now..
Good points on musical cues, but I can't believe you both overlooked the genius of the lyrics. WOW!
Bohemian North Africa set to music. Brilliant stuff. Al is the consummate story teller. ‘Life in Dark water’, ‘Roads to Moscow’, ‘On the border’, ‘Time passages’, ‘Nostradamus’, ‘Soho needless to say’ there are just so many great songs, hope that you can fit in at least some of them.
Ive always said this is my favourite Bohemian song.
it has a cinematic feel to it, very nicely constructed song.... he actually has several good songs but this is one of the most pleasant for sure
Roads to Moscow is an interesting song, sort of a dramatic historic ballad with some fine acoustic guitar on it, and pretty decent lyrically as well
I’m 70 yrs old and heard this song when it was first released. Truly it’s a timeless masterpiece. Love it to this day. Btw, the sax solo only took 2 takes.
One of the most dramatic instrumental breaks in rock history. Excellent choice and commentary.
One of the greatest troll jobs in music. I'm willing to bet everyone that hears this song for the first time assumes the song is going into the third verse after the electric guitar solo. No one ever expects that saxophone. There is absolutely nothing in the first two verses and choruses of the song that gives any indication there is going to be a saxophone in it.
Mood, Mood, Mood. Like a candle lit, multi-course diner at an elegant 5 star restaurant. Serves up the perfect experience.
A very underappreciated song. Al was a poet, an arranger, a musician, and an all around inspiration.
There were so many great singer/songwriters in the late '60's and early '70's. Al Stewart, Jim Croce, Harry Chapin, Carole King, Carly Simon, Joni Mitchell, Cat Stevens, Gordon Lightfoot, Janis Ian, etc..
Year of the Cat is an example of master class song writing. The musical composition, orchestration is stellar. In fact the entire album is excellent. Each song transports you to another land, "On the Border", "Broadway Hotel", "Lord Grenville", "Flying Sorcery" are dreamy and magical. 😉
If anybody says the 70s wasn't the best decade in music, I'm gunna slap em !
Great story telling from Al Stewart, with some pretty talented musicians.
And Alan Parsons enginering !!!!
You would think the mom should have heard this back in the day. It was everywhere!!
Ladies, you're quite right about Al coming from the UK and this remarkable song was written and produced by his close association at the time with the genius Alan Parsons. Actually, the year of the cat is Vietnamese (not sure if they also have one in Morocco) The lyrics are (allegedly) based on a true event.
I always felt tied to this song,even as a child in the 70's. I always loved how the solos are all strung together,and I LOVE that you noticed that. And when I was learning how to play guitar,the electric guitar solo was the first solo I picked out by myself by ear. I remember running into the living room of our house where my dad was watching TV and yelling to him "HEY DAD! CHECK THIS OUT!" I must have played that solo at least 50 times over and over that night!
I hold a very special memory of this resplendent tune. I was a chauffeur at the time of my first hearing this tune. That same night, in early December 1977, I had to drive a lovely couple to a dinner engagement. I could tell guy and gal were very much in love. As we rode along, I asked them if they wanted to hear some music. Amazingly, this tune came over the limo's radio. I told the couple seated behind me that I had heard this tune earlier that same day. I asked them if they wanted to hear it. They agreed and then I said to them, "This tune is for you two." As soon as I said that a light snowfall began. I've never forgotten that lovely couple, this tune and that particular night. Thanks, Al Stewart and orchestra and Alan Parsons (producer). Thanks, Generation Gap Reacts! Oh yeah, that "meowing" sound near the end of the tune was created with electronics (possibly, a synthesizer).
What a lovely memory, that's the power of music for you right there. Thanks for sharing it! 😊✌
@@0Yemiserly1 You're welcome. 😺🎼🎵🎶
Check out "I Wouldn't Want To Be Like You" by Alan Parsons Project [He's the one who produced this song] It has a great bass line in it. You two work so well together.
A beautiful lament of youthful adventure in strange places.
Al Stewart has been a favorite of mine for over forty years, so I was excited to find out he was playing in Sherman, TX, on July 20, as part of the city's Hot Summer Nights outdoor concert series. He was accompanied by a band from Chicago, The Empty Pockets, and they played an awesome show, with the biggest applause for this song, of course. It was especially amazing, considering he's going to be eighty (80) next year.
Time Passages is another one to listen also, I would suggest Naustrodamus but it's longer than most songs and never made it to the radio because of that. It's from his Past, Present, Future album.
Another group you will love is Ambrosia, Holding on to yesterday !
"These days, she says, I feel my life
Just like a river running through
The year of the cat."
Unforgettable tune,and artist. This song takes you to a world of a sensual and magical imagination!Other fantastic tunes by Al are On The Border, Roads To Moscow, Time Passages, and Modern Times!
Yes, his voice is both soothing, and his enunciation so clear. Truly a magnificent song in every way.
When the saxophone came in, the mum smiled and the daughter drowned. Mum knew... she knew...
Awesome song…..takes me back to my roller skating days🛼I’m 60+ and boy do I wish we could go back to those days.You guys are a joy to watch,my husband and I look forward to each video .I love when you are doing Home Free,you should check out the drum solo,and Guilty pleasures videos,you won’t be disappointed.Keep on rocking and bringing smiles to th world,Thank you
One of the best songs of all time…so much music in one song.
This is the perfect song IMO.
A real pleasure to see your anticipation and adiction to one of my "all-time" favorites. :-) Love your reactions!
Wow, thank you!
Year of The Cat was produced by the amazing Alan Parsons, who started working at Abby Road as an assistant engineer when he was only 18. In addition to producing and engineering some of the greatest albums of all time for other artists, he has had his own successful solo career with the Alan Parsons Project.
My favorite Al Stewart song is "Roads to Moscow." This song is close to being a perfect song. Poetry for lyrics, piano, guitar, strings, and that wonderful sax.
"She comes out of the sun in a silk dress running like a watercolor in the rain."
One of the best songs my ears have ever heard.
Song is a masterpiece of production.
Any song from the year of the cat album is great. One of my favorite albums of all time. Listen to the whole thing. You’ll fall in love with it. Just like I did.
Well ladies, glad you enjoyed one of my favourite artists, great reaction, thankyou, try time passages next , you will love it , guaranteed.
Great song, they have another one called ON the Border
Totally love this song. Always have!
You guys rock! ❤️🤘🔥
This is a masterpiece with such a great arrangement in my opinion. The song makes some references to an old classic movie called Casablanca in case you know of It. The title for the song comes from Vietnamese astrology as explained by Al Stewart on a some sort of interview or short video posted a while ago.
This song is ear candy. Reminds me of my teen years. Nice reaction.
This is quite clearly one of the best songs ever written, and recorded. Amazingly evocative lyrics - Strolling through the crowd like Peter Lorre contemplating a crime! Genius! And the arrangement and production (Alan Parsons) is stunning, with the strings swelling up then giving way to the sax; the individual solos with so much else going on... an absolute masterpiece.
It's a song that has really grown on me over the decades. I now see it as a classic. That mid-song transition is one of the most smooth and beautiful in music history, from piano to acoustic guitar to electric guitar to saxophone.
The first part of song to me is a 10 and when the instrument break in the middle comes in it gets pushed up to an 11. One of my all-time favorite songs.
I was one of the 'many many others'.
I just love Al Stewart. He first came to my attention when I was at University at the end of the 70s, and I met people with wider musical tastes than just the Top 10!
This is a bit of a 'kitchen sink' kind of song in that EVERYTHING is thrown at it - and then they add the saxophone. But it's so perfect. I've had the pleasure of seeing Al in concert quite a few times, once just a couple of months ago, and it's always a magical moment when the piano player starts playing those famous notes. After all these years, Al's voice is almost unchanged, and he's a warm, friendly person to be with. Next time he plays London, I'll be there.
That sound at the end is made by the keyboard, if I remember correctly.
Five suggestions:
Apple Cider Reconstitution
A Man For All Seasons
The Palace of Versailles
Helen and Cassandra
Fields of France (that's a very short one but very beautiful and sad)
If I may: this album was produced by Alan Parsons. Alan Parsons later went on to found the Alan Parsons Project. Please take a listen to 'Old and Wise' by the APP. You may hear a few similarities to 'Year of the Cat'.
As people say below, Al Stewart is a great storyteller, historian and history story teller. There is another, though, as they say in Star Wars - and just as I saw Al a few months ago, I'm seeing this other person in two week's time. But I'll put that in another comment.
You both have great musical taste ! This is a masterpiece of a record.
Love Al Stewart the amazing wordsmith and his music fab too!
Brilliant .. It's a masterpiece
So our song here is from a Scottish gentleman and this song we played on is one of the favorite songs in the history of pop music. If you didn't know it's been around for 5 decades 50 years OK, so this is the year of the catit's majesty put together by a bunch of extremely. I don't want to say famous but famoussessions and it's not a great wonder you're discovering it and loving it, but I'm glad you are. This song is beloved by hundreds of millions of people around the world for 50 years. So it's not just like a crazy little pop song, but thank you for listening, thank you.
And I am also a cat lover if you wondered.
Year of the cat: 1975. Una de mis canciones preferidas! Gracias por su bella reacción. Son personas hermosas 🥰. Saludos desde Tandil, Argentina ❤❤
1 of my favorite songs.
A masterpiece
A crystal clear beautiful song and fantastic music from the masters of music, true genius. Al is a Scottish singer,song writer and Alan parsons is a musical genius. Very privileged to grow up with this music.
I am a sucker for these 70s bass and drum grooves and sounds. Dreams Fleetwood Mac, Make me Smile Steve Harley amongst others. It's the warmth of the acoustics of the instruments and analog recordings probably. Masterpiece.
Characteristic of the music of Al Stewart is that it’s not emotional, but about telling a story; mostly based on books or movies, etc.
He is really is good at painting an atmosphere by creating beautiful arrangements. One of my favorites of this great album is Lord Grenville.
A trivial remark: when I bought this album; I already had the album “A kick inside” from Kate Bush and what striked me, was that some of the same musicians participated.