Al Stewart - Year of The Cat...C/D?

Love this song. Neil Tennant should cover it.

Just watched the Old Grey Whistle Test video of this, and was struck by how the guitar solo (clean) segues into a different guitar solo (distorted).
And then that segues into a sax solo.

Classic.

Anyone seen Al recently? Wonder if he's still got it or no. The man is 78!

“Year of the Cat” surfaces at a key moment in The Shards, the Bret Easton Ellis novel from earlier this year.

I was going to say that I’d seen him recently but after checking I realise it was way back in 2015. Eight years ago he was still worth seeing if that helps.

he played at the venue attached to my workplace within the last year but i did not catch his performance unfortunately

He did this extremely comprehensive 50 CD BOX SET a few years ago, and my first question was "why? who is this for? Al and his family? Who in the world needs 50 CDs of Al Stewart?" The answer is probably not many, because it's reguarly onsale on Amazon for quite a bit less than original price. But I also admire him for having the guts to do it, and I guess if you're one of the select few who needs all of this material, there it is.

https://superdeluxeedition.com/news/al-stewart-the-admiralty-lights-complete-studio-live-and-rare-1964-2009/

i mean if nothing else, you do get "Year of the Cat print individually SIGNED by Colin Elgie" along with it

Yeah I'm a Stewart fanatic but even I baulked at that box set.

Only went to number 31 in the UK charts, just HOW did this song become so well known??

What’s his best song that isn’t Year of the Cat?

Time Passages

which is kind of the same song but you know

A better song.

i was going to say "a shorter song" but they are both 6:43

From Real Gone Music, who are real good, in my experience (thanx again to Alfred's Pitchfork coverage of Dusty's The Complete Atlantic Singles)

https://realgonemusic.com/cdn/shop/products/8540348299132769f77b7cb555c69174_1024x1024.jpg?v=1689092710

Al Stewart Songs on the Radio Complete U.S. Singles 74-81 CD
$ 17.99

he Vietnamese Lunar New Year identifies 2023 as The Year of the Cat…and the timing couldn’t be better! Real Gone Music and Second Disc Records are proud to announce a definitive, first-ever singles collection from legendary singer-songwriter Al Stewart. In 1976, Stewart took “Year of the Cat” to the top ten of the Pop and AC charts, inaugurating a run of timeless hits still heard on radio today. Now, for the very first time, each and every one of the British troubadour’s seminal A- and B-sides from his halcyon period has been brought together. Songs on the Radio: The Complete U.S. Singles 1974-1981 brings together 20 tracks which catapulted the artist from folk clubs to the mainstream. Often in collaboration with producer-engineer Alan Parsons, Stewart bridged the gap between FM rock and AM pop. He brought his passion for historical events and flair for lyrical invention to these singles originally issued on the Janus and Arista labels, including “Nostradamus,” “Carol,” “On the Border,” “Midnight Rocks,” “Year of the Cat,” “Song on the Radio,” and the record-breaking, chart-topping “Time Passages.” And the B-sides (“Terminal Eyes,” “Sirens of Titan,” “A Man for All Seasons,” “Merlin’s Time”) are every bit as compelling as the A-sides! Every track is presented in its original U.S. single version (most of which are new to CD and not even included on Stewart’s massive The Admiralty Lights box set) as newly remastered by Mike Milchner at SonicVision. The deluxe 20-page booklet features Joe Marchese’s extensive interview with Al Stewart as well as rare photos and memorabilia. As a special bonus, the unique U.K. single edit of Al’s signature song “Year of the Cat” is also included. With vivid lyrics, captivating melodies, crisp guitars, and, yes, smooth saxophone, these Songs on the Radio celebrate the remarkable discography of a master musical storyteller. Limited edition of 2500…and they’re gonna go fast!

1. Nostradamus
2. Terminal Eyes
3. Carol
4. Sirens of Titan
5. Year of the Cat
6. Broadway Hotel
7. On the Border
8. Flying Sorcery
9. Time Passages
10. Almost Lucy
11. Song on the Radio
12. A Man for All Seasons
13. Midnight Rocks
14. Constantinople
15. Paint by Numbers
16. Optical Illusion
17. Running Man
18. Merlin’s Time
19. Indian Summer
20. Soho (Needless to Say)
21. Year of the Cat (UK Single Version)

Only went to number 31 in the UK charts, just HOW did this song become so well known??

He was getting both Adult Contemporary AM radio and Album Rock FM airplay at that time, he managed to appeal to both audiences.

Yeah, that’s in the US though where it was a big hit. I’m not old enough to remember UK radio in the 70s but I know Ken Bruce played “Year of the Cat” and “On the Border” quite often on BBC Radio 2 until he left this year.