I agree, this song is a real masterpiece. Great instrumentals and musical arrangements. The singer sounded great, loved his tone, and the words of the song, so beautiful. Been one of my favorite songs for many many many years.
Al Stewart is a great Scottish singer-songwriter & folk-rock musician. He was big in the 70's. I had his album "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.
This song IS a masterpiece.....that middle part when it starts with the strings, then goes to the acoustic, then the electric guitar and THEN the sax????? Seriously perfect! Of course, this was produced at Abby Road Studio in London (The Beatles used this heavily) by Alan Parsons and the mix is flawless!
This was one of my favorite songs in the late '70's. Just proves it again, the good music holds up through time! A friend of mine and I drove to Daryl's Place in upstate NY a year ago to see Al Stewart. What a delightful guy!
Your reaction is phenomenal. I remember oh so well that same rush hearing this masterpiece for the first time. I was blown away then and still am to this day.
No joke, I’ve heard this song a million times (it came out when I was 12), they played the hell out of it on the radio (it was a #1 hit), and I could hear it a million times more and NEVER get tired of it. It was engineered by none other than ALAN PARSONS (you may know that name from the Alan Parsons Project), so you know the sound production was top notch; the sound is so crisp, like it was just made yesterday. This came out in the Fall of 1976.
No Joke, eh? Well, firstly, congratulations as not everyone lives to be 200 years old. 200 years equals 73,000 days means 14 times a day, every day, for 200 years = 1,012,000 times.
Yeah, unfortunately, radio played the short single version which always left one wanting more.... then I got the album version...and still wanted more. :)
I really like how you understand all the instruments, including that string line that just happened. That kind of insight just makes you able to experience it so much more intimately with greater connection. It's really cool.
Older guy here but I've played in bands my whole life and written songs and composed even some classical stuff. But yeah, I really like your comment about you are hinting at what I do anyway when I go into the listening mode on music rather than playing it. And it's like I try to isolate all the parts alone and just see what's going on and then blend them together and twos and threes, and then jump back out and get the whole experience, and then go back in and so forth. It's a way to really understand what's happening and it makes you extract every little bit of appreciation enjoyment you can from it. And often a lot of respect. I do this with hip-hop I do this with Bulgarian folk women's choir singing, just all the stuff, that all operates on that level which is the beautiful thing about music. And I really believe you experience it that way too. I am really enjoying your reactions.
This is one of three Al Stewart albums produced by Alan Parsons, and it shows: every one of Stewarts major hits come from 'Year of the Cat' and 'Time Passages', the second and third they did together. (The sax in 'Year of the Cat' was Parsons' suggestion, which Stewart was initially very resistant to!)
I'm an old metalhead by heart, but I absolutely love the music of Al Stewart. I'll be going to see him play live in October. Eagerly anticipating some magical music!
Hey, Ace, it's getting better and better with you 🤗 Like someone else said, "On The Border" and "Time Passages" are equally good. Al Stewart is such a story teller, isn't he! To see you so excited reminds me of my own excitement when I heard this song for the first time. I feel happy like a dad who is happy his son likes a song he plays to him as much as he did himself years before ❤️
Have always loved this song. So glad you found it. I like to play this in tandem with "Ride Like the Wind" by Christopher Cross. Check it out sometime; I'm pretty sure you would love it, too. Thanks for this!!
A sonic masterpiece the quality and variety of these songs from the 70s we took for granted that songs should sound like this for ever but alas this was not to be.
Thanks, Ace - Al Stewart is awesome... hope you hear a few more of his songs... (although this one remains my favorite) - I also recommend "On the Border" and "Time Passages" - such a balanced and beautiful composition! Appreciate your reaction...(p.s. hope you had lyrics!)
OMG love your genuine reaction…. Loved this song as a kid but I have to say seeing someone hear it today and be so excited about I’d awesome. Thank you , you made my day😀
One of my favorite songs since it came out, and i never get tired of hearing it. It actually gets better over time, i think. Glad to see a person who understands music appreciating the music i love. Thanks, brother!
From "The Best of Al Stewart -- Songs From the Radio" liner notes: Al's biggest hit to date was co-written with keyboard player Peter Wood, to whom Al attributes "the demonic riff that opens it and most of the tune." A tourist is stranded in the Casablanca of Bogart and Lorre, and decides to succumb -- Al's characters are observers of their fate -- to the allure of a beautiful temptress. He stays with her for one year and that one year is the Year of the Cat (the title is derived from Vietnamese astrology). Alan Parsons' introduction of the saxophone into Al Stewart records here reaches fulfillment in the rhapsodic, erruptive solo by Phil Kenzie. Parsons' production was responsive to the cinematic quality of the song, and yet avoided any ossifying slickness. Incidentally, in an early incarnation, there was a set of lyrics about a British comedian, and the title was "Foot of the Stage."
I don't blame you! "THIS is going in my collection." Clever & it rules! It rules your emotions and tells it like it is. The way we feel about so much in life and the unattainable. The sax brings it to you when you feel that it can't be any better.
It's a real masterpiece, written and performed by Al Stewart and his band, and produced by the equally talented Alan Parker. An absolute clasic from way back in the '70's, well ahead of its time. 🙋♂
We Scot's have been known to get it right now and than...Somehow the Cat didn`t make the Jade empire top 12 zodiac animals contest, But `76 was an exhausting year of chasing the cat for this teenager...rock on, Ace
One of my all time favorites ever!!!!
"Year of the Cat" is as close to a musical masterpiece as they come.
With Al and Alan(Dark Side Of THe Moon) Parsons as THe Engineer then what did we all expect:)
My number one favorite song of all time ❤
Same, from the first time I heard it. 7th or 8th grade, on the bus to school.
Alan Parsons was the sound engineer on this song too.
Thanks! I didn't know that.. but not surprised...
One of the greatest songs from the 70’s. If not of all times.
I agree, this song is a real masterpiece. Great instrumentals and musical arrangements. The singer sounded great, loved his tone, and the words of the song, so beautiful. Been one of my favorite songs for many many many years.
Al Stewart is a great Scottish singer-songwriter & folk-rock musician. He was big in the 70's. I had his album "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.
Alan Parsons enginering this masterpiece
Check out Al Stewart's "Time Passages."
Yes, just as good as this one.
This song IS a masterpiece.....that middle part when it starts with the strings, then goes to the acoustic, then the electric guitar and THEN the sax????? Seriously perfect! Of course, this was produced at Abby Road Studio in London (The Beatles used this heavily) by Alan Parsons and the mix is flawless!
This was one of my favorite songs in the late '70's. Just proves it again, the good music holds up through time! A friend of mine and I drove to Daryl's Place in upstate NY a year ago to see Al Stewart. What a delightful guy!
Your reaction is phenomenal. I remember oh so well that same rush hearing this masterpiece for the first time. I was blown away then and still am to this day.
No joke, I’ve heard this song a million times (it came out when I was 12), they played the hell out of it on the radio (it was a #1 hit), and I could hear it a million times more and NEVER get tired of it. It was engineered by none other than ALAN PARSONS (you may know that name from the Alan Parsons Project), so you know the sound production was top notch; the sound is so crisp, like it was just made yesterday. This came out in the Fall of 1976.
No Joke, eh? Well, firstly, congratulations as not everyone lives to be 200 years old.
200 years equals 73,000 days means 14 times a day, every day, for 200 years = 1,012,000 times.
Yeah, unfortunately, radio played the short single version which always left one wanting more....
then I got the album version...and still wanted more. :)
@@spoonunit03 I always heard it on the local FM station, so I always got the full version. HOWEVER, when I bought the 45, boy was I pissed.
I really like how you understand all the instruments, including that string line that just happened. That kind of insight just makes you able to experience it so much more intimately with greater connection. It's really cool.
Amazing reaction to one of the best written songs ever!!!
Older guy here but I've played in bands my whole life and written songs and composed even some classical stuff. But yeah, I really like your comment about you are hinting at what I do anyway when I go into the listening mode on music rather than playing it. And it's like I try to isolate all the parts alone and just see what's going on and then blend them together and twos and threes, and then jump back out and get the whole experience, and then go back in and so forth. It's a way to really understand what's happening and it makes you extract every little bit of appreciation enjoyment you can from it. And often a lot of respect.
I do this with hip-hop I do this with Bulgarian folk women's choir singing, just all the stuff, that all operates on that level which is the beautiful thing about music. And I really believe you experience it that way too. I am really enjoying your reactions.
This is one of three Al Stewart albums produced by Alan Parsons, and it shows: every one of Stewarts major hits come from 'Year of the Cat' and 'Time Passages', the second and third they did together. (The sax in 'Year of the Cat' was Parsons' suggestion, which Stewart was initially very resistant to!)
I'm an old metalhead by heart, but I absolutely love the music of Al Stewart. I'll be going to see him play live in October. Eagerly anticipating some magical music!
Lucky you! I loved this song from the first time I heard it.
My favorite song since the day it dropped wayyyyy back in my youth.✌️ Clearly a masterpiece.
Hey, Ace, it's getting better and better with you 🤗 Like someone else said, "On The Border" and "Time Passages" are equally good. Al Stewart is such a story teller, isn't he! To see you so excited reminds me of my own excitement when I heard this song for the first time. I feel happy like a dad who is happy his son likes a song he plays to him as much as he did himself years before ❤️
Greatest bridge in music history
Al Stewart is a great artist with many great songs. 🙏 Please give a listen to Roundabout by Yes
One of my all time favorite albums. Every song is special.
Al Stewart is the leader, lean vocal, guitar and song writer. He’s the mastermind
A wonderful reaction to such an amazing song!
Great job, Ace!
And yes, when this came out it was a smashing success.
Kudos!
Allen Parsons was the magic in this song. He is the best ever
I bought my first records in 1960 and over the last 63 years since then,this is in My Top 5 of all time.
My favorite song since I was 13yrs old. Love your reaction, I've seen poor reactions but your's is genuine and great fun. Subcrised for shur.
Have always loved this song. So glad you found it. I like to play this in tandem with "Ride Like the Wind" by Christopher Cross. Check it out sometime; I'm pretty sure you would love it, too. Thanks for this!!
saw Al live in St. Louis right as Past, Present and Future hit the states (70s). he sat on a stool and played the whole album. it was magical!!
he was opening for Fairport Convention (with Sandy Denny and Jean Luc Ponty)
Perfection
POP perfection like few times in contemporary music has been.
The sexiest song ever.
Year of the Cat is part of the Vietnamese Zodiac.
Also check out Josephine Baker, it barely rates a mention as one his highlights but I’ve always loved it.
If you love saxophone give a listen to Boz Scaggs song titled JoJo
A sonic masterpiece the quality and variety of these songs from the 70s we took for granted that songs should sound like this for ever but alas this was not to be.
Ths saxo idea by Alan Parsons production
Year of the Cat and Bohemian Rhapsody are my favorite songs of all time. The sounds of the 1970’s
Thanks, Ace - Al Stewart is awesome... hope you hear a few more of his songs... (although this one remains my favorite) - I also recommend "On the Border" and "Time Passages" - such a balanced and beautiful composition! Appreciate your reaction...(p.s. hope you had lyrics!)
OMG love your genuine reaction….
Loved this song as a kid but I have to say seeing someone hear it today and be so excited about I’d awesome. Thank you , you made my day😀
This could play 24/7 and would be difficult to tire of.
One of my favorite songs since it came out, and i never get tired of hearing it. It actually gets better over time, i think. Glad to see a person who understands music appreciating the music i love. Thanks, brother!
From "The Best of Al Stewart -- Songs From the Radio" liner notes: Al's biggest hit to date was co-written with keyboard player Peter Wood, to whom Al attributes "the demonic riff that opens it and most of the tune." A tourist is stranded in the Casablanca of Bogart and Lorre, and decides to succumb -- Al's characters are observers of their fate -- to the allure of a beautiful temptress. He stays with her for one year and that one year is the Year of the Cat (the title is derived from Vietnamese astrology). Alan Parsons' introduction of the saxophone into Al Stewart records here reaches fulfillment in the rhapsodic, erruptive solo by Phil Kenzie. Parsons' production was responsive to the cinematic quality of the song, and yet avoided any ossifying slickness. Incidentally, in an early incarnation, there was a set of lyrics about a British comedian, and the title was "Foot of the Stage."
Great reaction bro 😊
I don't blame you! "THIS is going in my collection." Clever & it rules! It rules your emotions and tells it like it is. The way we feel about so much in life and the unattainable. The sax brings it to you when you feel that it can't be any better.
Best reaction ever to a great song!
Everything's already been said about this monstrously magnificent masterpiece
It's a real masterpiece, written and performed by Al Stewart and his band, and produced by the equally talented Alan Parker. An absolute clasic from way back in the '70's, well ahead of its time. 🙋♂
I think you mean Alan Parsons
Man , Luv your reaction!!!!
This is from my time. There were so many great songs from this Era. Today's music if you can call it that is garbage. Truly a masterpiece.
Loved watching you react to this one as it unfolded and expanded. 🔥
This is a music lovers….favourite pair of shoes….it has everything….todays music is garbage in comparison
It is a totally CREAMY song that makes you feel you can fly.
We Scot's have been known to get it right now and than...Somehow the Cat didn`t make the Jade empire top 12 zodiac animals contest, But `76 was an exhausting year of chasing the cat for this teenager...rock on, Ace
Had to sub, u da man !
This type of song is called Soft Rock Opera
Beautiful song. I don't know about you but I hear a little bit of M Jacksons, Billie Jean inspired
lol! like this? try "Time Passages"!
Sounds like he recorded his video in Mono ?!
Dragon Ball Z yo!!