Hi Sweetheards thank you so much for this song, it reminds me on the most beautiful time in my Life, I was falling in Love with your Father and i still love him after all this years
When you combine the beautiful lyrics of Al Stewart, with the brilliant Production of Alan Parsons, then you have perfection. This song is breath taking. They will play this in a 100 years and it will still have the same response.
"On a morning from a Bogart movie/In a country where they turned back time/You go strolling through the crowd like Peter Lorre contemplating a crime" one of the best opening lyrics in the history of music
"She comes out of the sun and her silk dress running like a watercolor in the rain" wow, what a line! Lord Grenville from this album is so good also. Produced at Abbey Roads studio by Alan Parsons (the same person that produced Dark Side of the Moon) and the soon to be rock star. Great reaction!
Great tune, was so fortunate to be a teenager in the mid 70s, the era was filled with some of the best music ever recorded. Baker street by Gerry Rafferty would also be a good choice I know you two would love, very similar
I agree with you and Tony, was a Teenager at that time too. My theory About the Beauty in the Music of that time is, that the Music was composed with the heart and not the brain, like later and nowadays. I Always tell my son, the musicians played Music, which they personally liked, it was not composed for success and Money reasons
@@rudolfbecker4313 I’ve got to agree, and not forgetting rock and R&B, it was an explosive time with electronics just starting to kick-in, jazz fusion and prog rock too, King Crimson, Jean Michel Jarre, ELP, my goodness the list is endless...
It started at the end of the 60s . And through the whole 70s my love for music was growing. I grew up listening to The Beatles, Alice Cooper, Frank Zappa, David Bowie, Al Stewart, Cat Stevens, Alan Parsons Project, Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Joni Mitchel, Roxy Music and many others
This has to be one of the coolest songs ever written. In 1976 I was 24 years old and this song was always big in my heart and 45 years later, it still is. Beautifully written, produced and performed. Let's face it, it's a timeless classic. Love your reactions you guys. So much genuine love for the music and it comes right through the screen.
Music is more than just sound; it is the emotional side of a story. Many reactions focus on the music itself, but every song tells a story. No one seems to talk about the story behind the song. This is the song, guys. Listen to the story; it is the song. This is the best reaction of all. Thanks, guys.
Seriously i have watched 20 reactions to this song and no one gets it, read the story behind the song before you listen and your views will go through the roof .everyone loves their songs for a reason and if you understand you will appreciate the song .thanks for the reply.@@NicknLex
Oh yes! A truly beautiful song that came out for all of us to remember the best years of our lives… the end of the 70’s with our loves and friends ! For ever Memories
I'm 64 and was privileged to hear this song at 17 in Manchester UK. Believe me, it sounds just as beautiful as it did then. Got to be timeless. Your emotion is no surprise to me. It's genius. Thank you
I saw Al Stewart play the whole album acoustically a few years ago, and he explained the meaning of many of the songs. Some not at all about what you thought! Superb album - "On The Border" remains my favourite. I'd love to see you react to that - the lyrics just blow me away even after all these years.
Not only is it a pleasure watching your reaction, but also it is a trip down memory lane for me. This is the defining song and album for Al Stewart. I have not listened to this song for such a long time. Truly a lovely song from a very talented singer and musician. Once again, thank you for your diversity in your musical taste.
This song was about a love affair taking place n North Africa and when Al saw the movie Casablanca he was inspired to write the song. The affair took place in 1975 which is the year of the cat per Vietnamese astrology.
Al heard heard his pianist playing the tune and said it would make a great song. Al struggled with the composition until he saw his then girlfriend's book on Vietnamese astrology and decided on Year Of The Cat. the time from hearing that tune and the completion of the recording took more than a year.
I saw Al Stewart live at The Diamond in Toronto in support of his album Last Days of the Century, & it was the best concert I've ever seen by a band not named Rush. Song suggestions: Time Passages, King of Portugal, Josephine Baker, Lord Grenville, Flying Sorcery, Fields of France.
Back in my younger days, my girlfriend and I Loved this song. After a night of "having fun" lol we would smoke a joint, snuggle and listen to this song!! and (Jefferson Starships "Miracles") too and drift to sleep!! Great memories!! Love Al Stewart!!
Wow, I heard this song a lot back when it was released in 1976. I was still in college and driving a VW with a crappy stereo in my car. Now I can fully appreciate the stereo effects in this song. Thanks for reacting to this timeless classic.
Well, how about that. This is my favorite song of all time. My wife started playing guitar last February , and eventually I asked her to try "Year Of The Cat". She plays the basic chords and then, after a number of tries and a couple of tears, I join in singing and it's just... freaking Heaven! I met Al Stewart back in the eighties and it was an honor. He's also a top tier wine expert and a pretty cool guy.
So glad you guys reacted to this song. I also enjoyed hearing part of your "how we met" story... would enjoy hearing more. This song was 2-years old when I met my wife. We lived 400-miles apart, and met randomly at a beach in NC, USA. We both love music from the 70s, as well as your Reactions. Thanks.
I don’t care what you’re musical preference may be, Year of the Cat will transform your mood to zen. You two are a joy to watch, as your spirit is moved from the magic of these timeless masterpieces. Thanks for acting as curators of great art.
this song brings me back to when it was released, I was 14 years old, and hearing it now is as close to time travel I will ever get.....just something you cant describe
I heard this song one time and I fell in love with it! I love the albums Year Of The Cat and Time Passages. All the songs on the albums are masterpieces. I even got my hubbin into Al Stewart. Beautiful music!! 💕🎶
Al Stewart evokes such a sense of nostalgia in me, he makes me weepy too! I was just 14 when this came out, but as I matured over the years, this song became very emotional for me. And I just have a thing for the saxophone, it gets me every time! As a small child maybe 6 years old, I found this old Boots Randolph lp my mom had where he played saxophone the whole album, and I loved that album like crazy, ha. Around that same time my nine years' older than me brother bought The Beatles' Abbey Road lp and I was madly in love with it at 6 or 7 years old, I think I was 7 when it came out. I kept stealing it from his room to play it on my older sister's turntable in our shared bedroom and finally he gave up taking it back and yelling at me and just let me have it for my own, ha. He used to say " You're too young to even understand what the words mean, why do you like this album so much!" I just remember standing on my bed using my hairbrush for a microphone and belting out "Oh Darling!" with all the emotion a 6 year old could muster! I turn 59 this year and Abbey Road is still my fave Beatles album! ( And I've listened to and loved many other Beatles albums since I was 6!) Just for fun, here's a 1964 audio of Boots Randolph, I couldn't find the exact album my mom had but he was old school compared to now, I guess, ha. ua-cam.com/video/U9Xgl5RLGe8/v-deo.html
Not sure if others have mentioned it in the comments here, but the albums Year Of The Cat and Time Passages were both engineered and produced by Alan Parsons, another group you reacted to and Nick loves through Dark Side of the Moon.
This is one of those songs you would never get tired of and you'll always hear something new. This brings back childhood memories (from the 70's & 80's). Great instrumentals, vocals, production, on and on. Love this!
When I was young I LOVED this song. (this was the same year the musician turned me on to Steely Dan, so very long ago). If you have never heard it I think you would like Miracles by Jefferson Starship!
One of my favorite songwriters, and while this song is without a doubt his most popular my top album is the next one: Time Passages... there are only top quality songs on it.
I'd love for you to give a listen to Al Stewart's "Roads To Moscow" from the album "Past, Present and Future" from 1973. It is a hauntingly beautiful story set in WWII and really displays his talents as an acoustic guitarist, not to mention his songwriting/storytelling. It gives me chills every time I hear it, and I bet it could even bring Nick a tear or two.
saw him open for Fairport Convention in the very early 70s just before Past, Present and Future came out. Al on a stool with his guitar and his set was the whole album! been a fan ever since.
This song, truly a great song, and other of this era bring back memories of times, places, and loves long gone, yet so missed. Yes, tears...........................
This is what I consider lush, it's instantly nostalgic without even trying. I'm somewhat older than you two, but this also takes me back to my younger days, I believe I would have been 12 when this came out. It reminds me of warm summer evenings with a soft breeze in the air. I listen to this when I want to chill and think back in time. Cheers....
I would hear this song from time to time growing up in the 70's-early 80's. The only local 'heavy FM' station would play it, and sometimes it would pop up on AM. I only heard this and "Time Passages" by Stewart for the longest time.
I was 17 and growing up in upstate NY by Connecticut. You really couldn't ask for a more statesque place to listen to venues and really appreciate the music coming out of that era. I'm going to turn back the clock now, it's time to take a step back into the rich heritage that was right at my fingertips. See you on the other side.
Just feeling as yoy do Nick. It is one of the songs that bring me back to my High School live. I'm 61 now and just can't get over it and that is not necessary at all. This is just agreat song. No excuses my friends.
Hey Carl, that song was from a grossly underrated album, “The turn of a friendly card”, one of my favorite all time albums!! The other album really under appreciated by most from a few years later was ELO’s “Time”.
My 11 year old son loves this song. He is a big fan of a lot of the 80's music and some 70's. He's also a fan of Billy Joel! Loves the classics just like me.
20+ years ago I was walking down the main street of one of the villages of the Cinque Terra, I can't remember which. I heard this song drifting out of a cafe and was struck with the oddest sensations of homesickness, nostalgia and sadness. I can now never hear it without being back on that street, in that village, at that time.
I don't know how anyone could improve on the visual imagery of the lyrics, or the melody, the arrangement, ya know everything. It took him a year to get this recorded the way he and Alan Parsons finally did it. It is my all time favorite song, ever. Once I listened to it on FM, I was hooked. Thanks, you two. Well done.
One of the most beautiful song of all times. You should check maybe the best hymn to Music EVER ...the magnificent MUSIC (of course) by John Miles . If you love Music you cannot miss this immortal dedication to this art.
My wife's nickname is Kat. We love this tune. We have no children except all our cats. We've at least 2 cats since we married. We have 8 now 5 girls & 3 boys.
I was not aware of the silence from the right chanel at the beginning. I mostly heard this song in my car or on a cheap radio. Back then some stations still broadcasted in mono so both chanels would have had sound coming from them in mono. BTW... this song was produced by Alan Parsons so that may explain why it was so well produced.
You are doing exactly what you are suppose to do my friend, feel the music, you can have tears, they are an expression of feelings, never ever apologize for allowing yourself to feel that emotion. That's what human beings do. Carry on if you need to shed some tears it's ok to do so. Huge warm, comforting hugs.
I was 17 and under the domion of the court until I was 18. I wrote " Sometimes I feel my life just like a river running through" and put it on my wall. Ripped it down when I was finally free of that house...Now I'm just the crazy cat lady .LOL
Feel so lucky to have been doing the concert's in the 70's.Saw Al at the Hammersmith Odeon, London in 77. Also Chris Rea,whom,may I suggest,you give some airtime to when you are stuck for something to listen to.Al tells of an occasion, very early in his career,when an American folk singer,visiting London,called in to the flat where he was hanging out & asked his opinion on something he was writing.His name was Paul Simon! Have you heard Al's Time Passages album.
What a great song and pick guys. This song brings back good memories during it's released in 1976, the decade when music was music. Al is such a talented singer-songwriter. Another song of his worth listening to is Time Passages.
This song came out during my first year at uni and my first mysterious poet lover. I have yet to not cry whenever I hear it played. It is bittersweet and beautiful. Thank you for the tears.
Have been listening to this album ever since it was released.... It never ever gets stale. I predict that you will still be listening to and enjoying it when you are 68 like me.. Keep on Rocking.. xxxx AND of course Produced by Alan Parsons.... what a man..
Nel biennio 1974-75 Alan Parson aveva avuto modo di apprezzare la raffinatezza creativa e musicale di Al Stewart accettando di produrre il suo album "Modern times" dopo che il cantautore scozzese si era fatto conoscere al grande pubblico con quel sontuoso brano "Roads to Moscow" che richiama alla mente l'epica dell'operazione Barbarossa, forse l'evento più drammatico e tragico della seconda guerra mondiale, del novecento e dell'intera storia dell'uomo. Entrambi condividevano la passione per i richiami storici nella musica e decisero di collaborare nuovamente ad un progetto ambizioso e in netta controtendenza rispetto alle sonorità del pop in voga in quegli anni. Fu così che Alan raccolse intorno a loro un formidabile gruppo di musicisti virtuosi tra cui ricordiamo il polistrumentista Peter White, il chitarrista Tim Renwick, il sassofonista Phil Kenzie, il batterista Stuart Elliott, il tastierista Peter Wood e l'arrangiatore d'orchestra Andrew Powell. Ne vennero fuori due album capolavori del pop più raffinato e senza tempo, "Year of the cat" e il successivo "Time passages". Dopo gli anni 70 il successo commerciale di Stewart calò bruscamente tanto che molti lo definirono con ridicola superficialità una meteora del pop, quando in realtà il suo repertorio creativo é di un livello artistico decisamente superiore a quello di tante star della musica leggera, molte delle quali sono già decadute, dimenticate o persino scomparse mentre lui alla veneranda età di 79 anni gira ancora per teatri e auditorium deliziando il pubblico e rinnovando l'interesse nei giovani con i suoi aneddoti e riproponendo con ammirevole passione i suoi raffinati racconti musicali.
Awww, you folks are so sweet! Me and my wife (now ex, but still friends, so don't let that put you off!) were into Al Stewart. His early songs were all about his (many!) girlfriends, but then he moved on to songs about historical events, of which his most epic was "Roads to Moscow", about a Russian soldier fighting the Nazis. Worth a listen!
This song means my family to me too it’s one of my dad’s favourite albums, my mom used to get worried when my dad was driving and he played this song because he was so enraptured by it. Obviously not a great idea to be jamming to the smoothest freaking song of all time rather than focusing on driving. Not as bad as when queen’s don’t stop me now came then the speed doubled lol
Why was Al not a bigger star? I guess because this was his only real hit. Isn’t everything about this song perfect? The lyrics, melody, different sections and solos and Al’s soothing voice all combine in a seamless work of beauty. I saw Al and his favorite guitarist, Peter White, at a small venue in the mid-90’s. It was intimate and wonderful.
Agree with most of that, however Al Stewart did have several more hits including Time Passages and On the Border. Perhaps his record label didn’t promote him properly? Non-American and some UK artists had a tough go being accepted by the masses during the 70’s and early 80’s.
@@chuckhutton5087 Thanks - I couldn’t think of those two songs. I go used everything had to fall into place for someone to be commercially successful. Talent, alone, is not enough.
@@willasacco9898 Oh, and one more hit comes to mind. “Song on the Radio. Great sax work from Phil Kenzie, like the other hits. Peter White is a very good and underrated guitarist. Must have been a great show.
@@chuckhutton5087 There is nothing like seeing true artists in a small setting. I think that I was surprised that he was playing such a small venue. I bought some of Peter’s albums, after that, even though I am not a fan of smooth jazz. (too bland for my taste)
I think I heard somewhere that year of the cat is actually a Festival of some sort in a certain country. Try Crime of the Century from Supertramp. Bloody Well Right or School..
Beautiful, beautiful song. It also touches me and brings me to wonderful memories. Hate it when the radio cuts out the bridge and solos. "well, 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, ..."
I was fortunate to be a teenager during the 70's and living near London when a lot your music choices were released. Saving pocket money I would get a train to my favorite record shop in Romford with a friend to buy one record; we used to forensically check it for scratches before leaving the shop. I still have these albums but no longer have a record player. I also had the pleasure seeing some of these bands play at venues in London or at football stadiums during the summer. My brother's mate even booked Roxy Music and Supertramp on the same bill for their school dance.
Subscribed! Love you honest, heartfelt emotion. I agree with you 100% how this song evokes memories and emotions. This song came out during my senior year in high school and I would listen to this on the radio in the winter/spring of '77 while washing pots and pans at the fried chicken joint I worked at. I watch a lot of reaction shows and Year Of The Cat blows them all away. Arguably this is my favorite song!
Hey, I'm a newbie here. I have never heard of this song or Al Stewart for that matter. The first time I heard of Year of the Cat was on a cable access show on ch 16 back when Comcast Xfinity was just Comcast. The cable access show was This Old Town. This Old Town is a show that shows old forgotten and often neglected home movies that were filmed around the area of Hammond and I think there were home movies shot in East Chicago. I used to live in East Chicago Indiana. I grew up in a neighborhood in Prairie Park if I remember correctly. I had my own TV and VCR at that point. This is back in 2001, I had stubbed my toe in my room. I stayed home from work for one week. I had recorded an episode when this home movie came on with a group of people driving through Downtown Hammond. The year of this home movie is dated back to 1977, just a year after Year of the Cat came out. They were bringing this sculpture called Man of Steel. I know what you're thinking, when you hear the Man of Steel, you think of Superman but it's not the case. The Man of Steel sculpture was created by the artist whose name is Hermann Gurfinkel. There's an old home movie that come on the show. The episode opens with the Mister Rogers theme. And when the theme song had finished, the announcer who does these episodes comes in and says, Hi neighbor. And he go on and talks about how we are neighbours and stuff about our town I think. And he is describing what is happening there's a big pick up truck hauling this red beast of a sculpture. And the song you guys played comes on and I was totally mesmerized by that song. The version on that episode is what it seems to be the single edit. That means that whenever a song that goes over the asking length of the song has to be edited for Top 40 radio. The single edit to the Year of the Cat is 4:38, while the version on the record is 6:40. An FM station would play the full version. Back in the day, FM radio would play the full album cuts of songs of rock groups and other types of music groups. Al Stewart is probably in the Jazzy Soft Rock variety. Edit: I Googled his name and his genres go by Soft Rock and Psychedelic Rock and even Folk Rock to name but a few. The genre for Year of the Cat would be Soft Rock. And maybe a little Pop. Whenever I watch that episode on a videotape I used to have, I would be so memorized by that song. I remember going online copying the lyrics from my sister's computer. The video is on UA-cam. The channel's name is Turner House Media. You guys did great. I am subscribed to your channel.
Music is a time machine, that takes you back to when a certain song was part of your life. I think this was 1977. I just turned 21 yrs. old. Party Time!
I feel that the music we grew up with knew how to mainline musical pleasure into our veins. It just hooked you right away. You would have to work to not like it.
Hi Sweetheards thank you so much for this song, it reminds me on the most beautiful time in my Life, I was falling in Love with your Father and i still love him after all this years
When you combine the beautiful lyrics of Al Stewart, with the brilliant Production of Alan Parsons, then you have perfection. This song is breath taking. They will play this in a 100 years and it will still have the same response.
"On a morning from a Bogart movie/In a country where they turned back time/You go strolling through the crowd like Peter Lorre contemplating a crime" one of the best opening lyrics in the history of music
True Paul and all about the film Casablanca as some may not know :)
How many people know Peter Lorre? Such a great line.
@@wpollock1 Most people probably know his voice (impersonated by countless others) more than they know him himself.
Cinematic is my favorite word that I use to describe Al Stewart's lyrics and music.
@@wpollock1 You have to be old...lol
"in a silk dress running, like a watercolor in the rain." is still such a great line.
"She comes out of the sun and her silk dress running like a watercolor in the rain" wow, what a line! Lord Grenville from this album is so good also. Produced at Abbey Roads studio by Alan Parsons (the same person that produced Dark Side of the Moon) and the soon to be rock star. Great reaction!
Thank you for your comment and support! :) - Lex
Parsons didn't produce "Dark Side .." he was the hands-on engineer in studio.
@@carty43 I stand corrected. Yes, he was one of the engineers.
That line is one of the best ever written
It rips your soul into yesterday's memories.
Recommendation: Kansas, Song for America
The Sax is a tear jerker hits me everytime
This song epitomizes my teenage years. The late 70s were quite awesome.
Indeed
Early 20s for me. The amount of great music from so many great bands is incredible.
A beautiful song. I highly recommend
"On The Border"
Thank you kindly.
Agree absolutely, also life in dark water
@@thefacultyoffunk
😊👍🏻
Great tune, was so fortunate to be a teenager in the mid 70s, the era was filled with some of the best music ever recorded.
Baker street by Gerry Rafferty would also be a good choice I know you two would love, very similar
You're so right about being a teenager in the mid 70's, I consider it by far the finest decade for Rock-n-Roll and R&B.
I agree with you and Tony, was a Teenager at that time too. My theory About the Beauty in the Music of that time is, that the Music was composed with the heart and not the brain, like later and nowadays. I Always tell my son, the musicians played Music, which they personally liked, it was not composed for success and Money reasons
@@rudolfbecker4313
I’ve got to agree, and not forgetting rock and R&B, it was an explosive time with electronics just starting to kick-in, jazz fusion and prog rock too, King Crimson, Jean Michel Jarre, ELP, my goodness the list is endless...
THE BEST music ever recorded was recorded in the 70s. Not even up for debate. You’re very confused if you think otherwise.
It started at the end of the 60s . And through the whole 70s my love for music was growing. I grew up listening to The Beatles, Alice Cooper, Frank Zappa, David Bowie, Al Stewart, Cat Stevens, Alan Parsons Project, Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Joni Mitchel, Roxy Music and many others
One of the best and most beautiful songs ever written….
This has to be one of the coolest songs ever written. In 1976 I was 24 years old and this song was always big in my heart and 45 years later, it still is. Beautifully written, produced and performed. Let's face it, it's a timeless classic. Love your reactions you guys. So much genuine love for the music and it comes right through the screen.
Music is more than just sound; it is the emotional side of a story. Many reactions focus on the music itself, but every song tells a story. No one seems to talk about the story behind the song. This is the song, guys. Listen to the story; it is the song. This is the best reaction of all. Thanks, guys.
One of our all-time favorite song and part of our story. Thanks so much for watching. Big hug 🤗
Seriously i have watched 20 reactions to this song and no one gets it, read the story behind the song before you listen and your views will go through the roof .everyone loves their songs for a reason and if you understand you will appreciate the song .thanks for the reply.@@NicknLex
Would love to see you react to "On the Border".
The albums "Year of the Cat" and "Time Passages" are masterpieces, many great songs to choose from
And both produced and engineered by Alan Parsons.
Oh yes! A truly beautiful song that came out for all of us to remember the best years of our lives… the end of the 70’s with our loves and friends ! For ever Memories
10CC "I'M NOT IN LOVE" & "THE THINGS WE DO FOR LOVE"...BOTH ABSOLUTE CLASSICS..TRUTH!!
That's what good music is about: Pure Joy. I can see you guys genuinely enjoying this one. A timeless classic. Thanks for the memory.
I'm 64 and was privileged to hear this song at 17 in Manchester UK. Believe me, it sounds just as beautiful as it did then. Got to be timeless. Your emotion is no surprise to me. It's genius. Thank you
I saw Al Stewart play the whole album acoustically a few years ago, and he explained the meaning of many of the songs. Some not at all about what you thought! Superb album - "On The Border" remains my favourite. I'd love to see you react to that - the lyrics just blow me away even after all these years.
There are those songs in all of our lives that sink in so deep to all of us
Not only is it a pleasure watching your reaction, but also it is a trip down memory lane for me. This is the defining song and album for Al Stewart. I have not listened to this song for such a long time. Truly a lovely song from a very talented singer and musician. Once again, thank you for your diversity in your musical taste.
This song was about a love affair taking place n North Africa and when Al saw the movie Casablanca he was inspired to write the song. The affair took place in 1975 which is the year of the cat per Vietnamese astrology.
Wow! This is awesome backstory. Thank you!!! :) - Lex
Al heard heard his pianist playing the tune and said it would make a great song.
Al struggled with the composition until he saw his then girlfriend's book on Vietnamese astrology and decided on Year Of The Cat.
the time from hearing that tune and the completion of the recording took more than a year.
What a wonderful song by Al Stewart 1976! Thanks all time for the good songs from old Germany!
I saw Al Stewart live at The Diamond in Toronto in support of his album Last Days of the Century, & it was the best concert I've ever seen by a band not named Rush. Song suggestions: Time Passages, King of Portugal, Josephine Baker, Lord Grenville, Flying Sorcery, Fields of France.
Never got to the diamond but saw the hip at the horseshoe
I suggest stepping beyond the narrow confines of rock music... 🙉
Back in my younger days, my girlfriend and I Loved this song. After a night of "having fun" lol we would smoke a joint, snuggle and listen to this song!! and (Jefferson Starships "Miracles") too and drift to sleep!! Great memories!! Love Al Stewart!!
Wow, I heard this song a lot back when it was released in 1976. I was still in college and driving a VW with a crappy stereo in my car. Now I can fully appreciate the stereo effects in this song. Thanks for reacting to this timeless classic.
Well, how about that. This is my favorite song of all time. My wife started playing guitar last February , and eventually I asked her to try "Year Of The Cat". She plays the basic chords and then, after a number of tries and a couple of tears, I join in singing and it's just... freaking Heaven! I met Al Stewart back in the eighties and it was an honor. He's also a top tier wine expert and a pretty cool guy.
So glad you guys reacted to this song. I also enjoyed hearing part of your "how we met" story... would enjoy hearing more. This song was 2-years old when I met my wife. We lived 400-miles apart, and met randomly at a beach in NC, USA. We both love music from the 70s, as well as your Reactions. Thanks.
I don’t care what you’re musical preference may be, Year of the Cat will transform your mood to zen. You two are a joy to watch, as your spirit is moved from the magic of these timeless masterpieces. Thanks for acting as curators of great art.
this song brings me back to when it was released, I was 14 years old, and hearing it now is as close to time travel I will ever get.....just something you cant describe
I heard this song one time and I fell in love with it! I love the albums Year Of The Cat and Time Passages. All the songs on the albums are masterpieces. I even got my hubbin into Al Stewart. Beautiful music!! 💕🎶
I'm a metal/prog fanatic but this will always be a top 5 song for me. Love the reaction!
First heard this on radio in 1976,as 16 year old I knew this was extra special, and Al had a specially distinctive voice, great memory😊😓
Al Stewart evokes such a sense of nostalgia in me, he makes me weepy too! I was just 14 when this came out, but as I matured over the years, this song became very emotional for me. And I just have a thing for the saxophone, it gets me every time! As a small child maybe 6 years old, I found this old Boots Randolph lp my mom had where he played saxophone the whole album, and I loved that album like crazy, ha. Around that same time my nine years' older than me brother bought The Beatles' Abbey Road lp and I was madly in love with it at 6 or 7 years old, I think I was 7 when it came out. I kept stealing it from his room to play it on my older sister's turntable in our shared bedroom and finally he gave up taking it back and yelling at me and just let me have it for my own, ha. He used to say " You're too young to even understand what the words mean, why do you like this album so much!" I just remember standing on my bed using my hairbrush for a microphone and belting out "Oh Darling!" with all the emotion a 6 year old could muster! I turn 59 this year and Abbey Road is still my fave Beatles album! ( And I've listened to and loved many other Beatles albums since I was 6!)
Just for fun, here's a 1964 audio of Boots Randolph, I couldn't find the exact album my mom had but he was old school compared to now, I guess, ha. ua-cam.com/video/U9Xgl5RLGe8/v-deo.html
I just listened to that Boots Randolph cut and loved it! Have you heard the original, by Santo and Johnny? It is beautiful!
@@debrabrabenec3731 I will have to look that up!
Not sure if others have mentioned it in the comments here, but the albums Year Of The Cat and Time Passages were both engineered and produced by Alan Parsons, another group you reacted to and Nick loves through Dark Side of the Moon.
This is one of those songs you would never get tired of and you'll always hear something new. This brings back childhood memories (from the 70's & 80's). Great instrumentals, vocals, production, on and on. Love this!
Everytime I hear this song, I think of our Kitty "Dinker" we lost in 14'.
When I was young I LOVED this song. (this was the same year the musician turned me on to Steely Dan, so very long ago). If you have never heard it I think you would like Miracles by Jefferson Starship!
Required listening... any age any time.
Nobody I've seen has ever reacted to Miracles - one of the best songs ever. Ain't it a shame now....
One of my favorite songwriters, and while this song is without a doubt his most popular my top album is the next one: Time Passages... there are only top quality songs on it.
This song literally has everything.
It reminds me of my favorite actress Ingrid Bergman.
Duh…
Love the acoustic solo.
So many levels and hidden images in this song. Just wonderful, and so clever.
I get tears, too, from this song from just how brilliantly crafted it is....
I'd love for you to give a listen to Al Stewart's "Roads To Moscow" from the album "Past, Present and Future" from 1973. It is a hauntingly beautiful story set in WWII and really displays his talents as an acoustic guitarist, not to mention his songwriting/storytelling. It gives me chills every time I hear it, and I bet it could even bring Nick a tear or two.
Amazing lyrics in that song
"Roads To Moscow" is my favorite Al Stewart song, too.
"... And the morning answers, never..." That whole album is fantastic. 🗿
Saw So in a club near D.C., we the audience did the choral part on "Roads"!It was awesome! It was the" Life Between the Wars"tour.
saw him open for Fairport Convention in the very early 70s just before Past, Present and Future came out. Al on a stool with his guitar and his set was the whole album! been a fan ever since.
This song, truly a great song, and other of this era bring back memories of times, places, and loves long gone, yet so missed. Yes, tears...........................
God I Love this song
If you want to dive deeper, check out some of his interviews. He’s such humble and likable man. You’ll love him even more.
a CLASSIC from my sophomore year (10th grade) in high school 1976 this and More than a feeling by Boston were the two songs of the year !!!!!
This is what I consider lush, it's instantly nostalgic without even trying. I'm somewhat older than you two, but this also takes me back to my younger days, I believe I would have been 12 when this came out. It reminds me of warm summer evenings with a soft breeze in the air. I listen to this when I want to chill and think back in time. Cheers....
Stylistically, a song that goes well with this one is "Baker Street" by the now gone Gerry Rafferty. Great, similar, vibes, with a very nice sax solo.
I would hear this song from time to time growing up in the 70's-early 80's. The only local 'heavy FM' station would play it, and sometimes it would pop up on AM. I only heard this and "Time Passages" by Stewart for the longest time.
I was 17 and growing up in upstate NY by Connecticut. You really couldn't ask for a more statesque place to listen to venues and really appreciate the music coming out of that era. I'm going to turn back the clock now, it's time to take a step back into the rich heritage that was right at my fingertips. See you on the other side.
For a couple both being into music so deeply and seeing the delight is very moving you two wow!
Be proud that you can feel it that much, it's human. I was ten when this came out and I remember it like it was yesterday. Such memories.
Because of this song, I was only the 2nd best thing to come out of 1976.
The guy on the piano is Peter White, who later became a jazz giant on the classical guitar, playing jazz on the guitar, with his own band.
Just feeling as yoy do Nick. It is one of the songs that bring me back to my High School live. I'm 61 now and just can't get over it and that is not necessary at all. This is just agreat song. No excuses my friends.
One of the most beautiful songs....ever!!
its on our wall on that giant tape
Games People Play by Alan Parsons Project is another legendary 70's radio song. Check it out! EDIT: early 80's song!
Hey Carl, that song was from a grossly underrated album, “The turn of a friendly card”, one of my favorite all time albums!! The other album really under appreciated by most from a few years later was ELO’s “Time”.
@@chuckhutton5087 My bad though. It's actually a very early 1980's song. Not 70's. lol
@@chuckhutton5087 _Turn of a Friendly Card_ came out in 1980; _Time_ came out the following year.
@@ComeOnIsSuchAJoy Right. In fact, on several lyrics on “Time” Jeff Lynne refers to 1981.
@@chuckhutton5087 Agreed, "I Don't Want To Go Home" is one of my favorite APP songs!
Tim Renwick plays both guitar solos, Phil Kenzie is on sax. Andrew Powell is the genius strings arranger. Alan Parsons is the producer.
My 11 year old son loves this song. He is a big fan of a lot of the 80's music and some 70's. He's also a fan of Billy Joel! Loves the classics just like me.
What a treat for you both!! 💕
20+ years ago I was walking down the main street of one of the villages of the Cinque Terra, I can't remember which. I heard this song drifting out of a cafe and was struck with the oddest sensations of homesickness, nostalgia and sadness. I can now never hear it without being back on that street, in that village, at that time.
Cinque Terre
"On the Boarder" is stunningly beautiful.
I don't know how anyone could improve on the visual imagery of the lyrics, or the melody, the arrangement, ya know everything. It took him a year to get this recorded the way he and Alan Parsons finally did it. It is my all time favorite song, ever. Once I listened to it on FM, I was hooked. Thanks, you two. Well done.
One of my favorite tunes. Brings back memories.
The line, she comes out of the sun in a summer dress running like a watercolor in the rain, toataly says it all.
One of the most beautiful song of all times. You should check maybe the best hymn to Music EVER ...the magnificent MUSIC (of course) by John Miles . If you love Music you cannot miss this immortal dedication to this art.
My wife's nickname is Kat. We love this tune. We have no children except all our cats. We've at least 2 cats since we married. We have 8 now 5 girls & 3 boys.
I was not aware of the silence from the right chanel at the beginning. I mostly heard this song in my car or on a cheap radio. Back then some stations still broadcasted in mono so both chanels would have had sound coming from them in mono. BTW... this song was produced by Alan Parsons so that may explain why it was so well produced.
You are doing exactly what you are suppose to do my friend, feel the music, you can have tears, they are an expression of feelings, never ever apologize for allowing yourself to feel that emotion. That's what human beings do. Carry on if you need to shed some tears it's ok to do so. Huge warm, comforting hugs.
It’s so romantic that you have to squeeze the love you are with.
It's like slipping on a pair of your favorite slippers ...such a lovely fit and comfortable feeling...a familiar friend...Ty guys
I was 17 and under the domion of the court until I was 18. I wrote " Sometimes I feel my life just like a river running through" and put it on my wall. Ripped it down when I was finally free of that house...Now I'm just the crazy cat lady .LOL
Feel so lucky to have been doing the concert's in the 70's.Saw Al at the Hammersmith Odeon, London in 77.
Also Chris Rea,whom,may I suggest,you give some airtime to when you are stuck for something to listen to.Al tells of an occasion, very early in his career,when an American folk singer,visiting London,called in to the flat where he was hanging out & asked his opinion on something he was writing.His name was Paul Simon! Have you heard Al's Time Passages album.
What a great song and pick guys. This song brings back good memories during it's released in 1976, the decade when music was music. Al is such a talented singer-songwriter. Another song of his worth listening to is Time Passages.
Wow...saw Al Stewart in Wash. DC many, many years ago...brought back some great memories! Wore this song out!
This song came out during my first year at uni and my first mysterious poet lover. I have yet to not cry whenever I hear it played. It is bittersweet and beautiful. Thank you for the tears.
Have been listening to this album ever since it was released.... It never ever gets stale. I predict that you will still be listening to and enjoying it when you are 68 like me.. Keep on Rocking.. xxxx AND of course Produced by Alan Parsons.... what a man..
I love this song, very atmospheric. One of my favorites. Andy and Alex also reviewed in the past week, so double treat.
One of the smoothest songs of the 70's. I love how he worked Peter Lorie into the lyrics!
Just one word.......masterpiece !!!!!
1 of my favorite songs.
I’m Crying all these most beautiful years and happy times have faded away 🥲…but the Music is Eternal!
How can you me or I not like this tune??? thanks you guys AWESOME reaction to an AWESOME tune.
One of the most beautiful songs of all the time
Nel biennio 1974-75 Alan Parson aveva avuto modo di apprezzare la raffinatezza creativa e musicale di Al Stewart accettando di produrre il suo album "Modern times" dopo che il cantautore scozzese si era fatto conoscere al grande pubblico con quel sontuoso brano "Roads to Moscow" che richiama alla mente l'epica dell'operazione Barbarossa, forse l'evento più drammatico e tragico della seconda guerra mondiale, del novecento e dell'intera storia dell'uomo. Entrambi condividevano la passione per i richiami storici nella musica e decisero di collaborare nuovamente ad un progetto ambizioso e in netta controtendenza rispetto alle sonorità del pop in voga in quegli anni. Fu così che Alan raccolse intorno a loro un formidabile gruppo di musicisti virtuosi tra cui ricordiamo il polistrumentista Peter White, il chitarrista Tim Renwick, il sassofonista Phil Kenzie, il batterista Stuart Elliott, il tastierista Peter Wood e l'arrangiatore d'orchestra Andrew Powell. Ne vennero fuori due album capolavori del pop più raffinato e senza tempo, "Year of the cat" e il successivo "Time passages". Dopo gli anni 70 il successo commerciale di Stewart calò bruscamente tanto che molti lo definirono con ridicola superficialità una meteora del pop, quando in realtà il suo repertorio creativo é di un livello artistico decisamente superiore a quello di tante star della musica leggera, molte delle quali sono già decadute, dimenticate o persino scomparse mentre lui alla veneranda età di 79 anni gira ancora per teatri e auditorium deliziando il pubblico e rinnovando l'interesse nei giovani con i suoi aneddoti e riproponendo con ammirevole passione i suoi raffinati racconti musicali.
There are those songs that touch us deeply. Let lose your heart.
Awww, you folks are so sweet! Me and my wife (now ex, but still friends, so don't let that put you off!) were into Al Stewart. His early songs were all about his (many!) girlfriends, but then he moved on to songs about historical events, of which his most epic was "Roads to Moscow", about a Russian soldier fighting the Nazis. Worth a listen!
This song means my family to me too it’s one of my dad’s favourite albums, my mom used to get worried when my dad was driving and he played this song because he was so enraptured by it. Obviously not a great idea to be jamming to the smoothest freaking song of all time rather than focusing on driving. Not as bad as when queen’s don’t stop me now came then the speed doubled lol
Why was Al not a bigger star? I guess because this was his only real hit. Isn’t everything about this song perfect? The lyrics, melody, different sections and solos and Al’s soothing voice all combine in a seamless work of beauty.
I saw Al and his favorite guitarist, Peter White, at a small venue in the mid-90’s. It was intimate and wonderful.
Agree with most of that, however Al Stewart did have several more hits including Time Passages and On the Border. Perhaps his record label didn’t promote him properly? Non-American and some UK artists had a tough go being accepted by the masses during the 70’s and early 80’s.
@@chuckhutton5087 Thanks - I couldn’t think of those two songs. I go used everything had to fall into place for someone to be commercially successful. Talent, alone, is not enough.
@@willasacco9898 Oh, and one more hit comes to mind. “Song on the Radio. Great sax work from Phil Kenzie, like the other hits. Peter White is a very good and underrated guitarist. Must have been a great show.
@@chuckhutton5087 There is nothing like seeing true artists in a small setting. I think that I was surprised that he was playing such a small venue. I bought some of Peter’s albums, after that, even though I am not a fan of smooth jazz. (too bland for my taste)
@@chuckhutton5087 One more comment - I forgot about Song on the Radio - I guess it’s because they rarely did.
I think I heard somewhere that year of the cat is actually a Festival of some sort in a certain country. Try Crime of the Century from Supertramp. Bloody Well Right or School..
Beautiful, beautiful song. It also touches me and brings me to wonderful memories. Hate it when the radio cuts out the bridge and solos. "well, 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, ..."
I was fortunate to be a teenager during the 70's and living near London when a lot your music choices were released. Saving pocket money I would get a train to my favorite record shop in Romford with a friend to buy one record; we used to forensically check it for scratches before leaving the shop. I still have these albums but no longer have a record player. I also had the pleasure seeing some of these bands play at venues in London or at football stadiums during the summer. My brother's mate even booked Roxy Music and Supertramp on the same bill for their school dance.
Always loved Al Stewarts haunting melody and orchestrations in this song! Great pick!
Subscribed! Love you honest, heartfelt emotion. I agree with you 100% how this song evokes memories and emotions. This song came out during my senior year in high school and I would listen to this on the radio in the winter/spring of '77 while washing pots and pans at the fried chicken joint I worked at. I watch a lot of reaction shows and Year Of The Cat blows them all away. Arguably this is my favorite song!
Try the "Small Fruit song" by Al, very short, but great on headphones!
"said the apple to the orange come close to me and love me to the core" a very early Stewart song
Hey, I'm a newbie here. I have never heard of this song or Al Stewart for that matter. The first time I heard of Year of the Cat was on a cable access show on ch 16 back when Comcast Xfinity was just Comcast. The cable access show was This Old Town. This Old Town is a show that shows old forgotten and often neglected home movies that were filmed around the area of Hammond and I think there were home movies shot in East Chicago. I used to live in East Chicago Indiana. I grew up in a neighborhood in Prairie Park if I remember correctly. I had my own TV and VCR at that point. This is back in 2001, I had stubbed my toe in my room. I stayed home from work for one week. I had recorded an episode when this home movie came on with a group of people driving through Downtown Hammond. The year of this home movie is dated back to 1977, just a year after Year of the Cat came out. They were bringing this sculpture called Man of Steel. I know what you're thinking, when you hear the Man of Steel, you think of Superman but it's not the case. The Man of Steel sculpture was created by the artist whose name is Hermann Gurfinkel. There's an old home movie that come on the show. The episode opens with the Mister Rogers theme. And when the theme song had finished, the announcer who does these episodes comes in and says, Hi neighbor. And he go on and talks about how we are neighbours and stuff about our town I think. And he is describing what is happening there's a big pick up truck hauling this red beast of a sculpture. And the song you guys played comes on and I was totally mesmerized by that song. The version on that episode is what it seems to be the single edit. That means that whenever a song that goes over the asking length of the song has to be edited for Top 40 radio. The single edit to the Year of the Cat is 4:38, while the version on the record is 6:40. An FM station would play the full version. Back in the day, FM radio would play the full album cuts of songs of rock groups and other types of music groups. Al Stewart is probably in the Jazzy Soft Rock variety. Edit: I Googled his name and his genres go by Soft Rock and Psychedelic Rock and even Folk Rock to name but a few. The genre for Year of the Cat would be Soft Rock. And maybe a little Pop. Whenever I watch that episode on a videotape I used to have, I would be so memorized by that song. I remember going online copying the lyrics from my sister's computer. The video is on UA-cam. The channel's name is Turner House Media. You guys did great. I am subscribed to your channel.
The first time I heard that song was in 1977 when I was in college on vinyl and kept playing it over and over.
Music is a time machine, that takes you back to when a certain song was part of your life. I think this was 1977. I just turned 21 yrs. old. Party Time!
I feel that the music we grew up with knew how to mainline musical pleasure into our veins. It just hooked you right away. You would have to work to not like it.
First heard this while deployed overseas in the Navy. Good memories.