Customer Reviews

Time Passages Live

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Al Stewart's "Time Passages Live" is one of those discs you see and think, "What the [heck] is this?" A [...]live disc that says on the cover, "Year of the Cat. Time Passages. On the Border. And More!"; no liner notes at all; and, incredibly, a misspelling of "Time" on the spine. Ignore all that. This truly is a fine live disc from Stewart's most productive period. The nine-song concert disc recorded in Chicago in 1978 has good sound and a couple unlikely live nuggets to go with the expected hits. Most of the songs are as good or better than their album versions. Certainly "Sirens of Titan", "Life in Dark Water" and "Song on the Radio" are punchier and better. What a treat to have live versions of those first two. There's a nice two-minute plus piano intro to a strong version of "Year of the Cat" followed by, of all things, the "Pink Panther" theme, a sax solo that morphs into an all-band rocker. "Time Passages Live" is [...], yes, but very worthwhile.

This is a CD releaase of a limited production 1978 promotional LP officially titled "The Live Radio Concert Album" and known among fans as "The Blue Album." It's an excellent performance recorded at the height of Stewart's commercial success. No fan should be without it.

The initial release of this CD had a misprint on the spine of the CD case-- it says "TTIME PASSAGES LIVE." BMG has apparently pulled these from the market causing availability problems.

The track list is: (1) On the Border; (2) Sirens of Titan; (3) Time Passages; (4) Roads to Moscow; (5) Life in Dark Water; (6) Valentina Way; (7) Year of the Cat; (8) Pink Panther Theme; and (9) Song on the Radio.

The rare Blue Album had 8 of these 9 cuts. A great version of Sirens of Titan was added. This is a well-recorded, budget-priced release. It has no printed info except for the song titles. Several of these cuts were available on the UK Russians and Americans CD, which is now OP. The remastered YOTC, which is great, has this version of On The Border as one of the bonus cuts.

I always lusted after the Radio Concert Album, and was not disappointed when I purchased this. The big surprise on the cd is that two songs I never thought were among Al's best, Life in Dark Water and Valentina Way are the best tracks on this cd. The band is excellent, and I much prefer these recordings to the Indian Summer/Live which were dreadfully doctored (orchestral overdubs) no doubt under the guidance of wonder boy Clive Davis who's Arista dumped him from the label shortly before or after Indian Summer! I think this is a very worthwhile collection of Al in his prime with a great back up band. Buy it and be happy.

It's really great to see the legendary "Blue Album" put on cd.
I find the recording good, especially since it is 24 years old.
The thing I liked the best was Phil Kenzie's sax solos on "Song
on the Radio". Some of the notes he hits are just incredible.
This is about the most bang for your buck that you could possibly get.

The reissue of Al's legendary "Blue Album" is somewhat of a surprise, though a well received surprise. This CD documents Al's golden years of the late 1970s when the record buying public saw him as a nice break from the disco extravaganza. What we have here is a nice 'greatest-hits-thus-far-live' set. The songs are duplicated almost 100% as their original studio counterparts. Though I will say that the live version of "Sirens of Titan" blows the studio version out of the water.

There is one point in "Roads to Moscow" that Al's voice breaks a little, but then again, this album was never officially released when it was first pressed in 1979 and I'm not sure if this release was authorised by Al. Still, it's a great listen if you're a collector. Chances are, though, if you have "LIVE AT THE ROXY" you have a more comprehensive live collection.

Even though I was never a huge Al Stewart fan, this CD is a gem from start to finish. Tight, well recorded and a must have for your music library. Found it in the bargain bin and after listening to this disc it's a shame I never got to see him live because that's where he shines!

An excellent live album with most of Stewart's big hits. Great vocals and great instrumentation from a very capable band. I had heard this live version of "Pink Panther Theme" many years ago and was never able to find it. Apparently, this album had been available on vinyl for only a short time. I'm thrilled to see it on CD.

Recorded in Chicago 1978. Back photo shows Eric Clapton,Ron Lane,Eddie Van Halen all on stage and accompanying Al Stewart on guitar. There is no reference as to who produced this gem, but one could fully suspect Alan Parson's was somewhere nearabouts fiddling with the synths. It's a pretty straight forward live concert until the glorious 10 minute version of Year Of The Cat(one can hear the ladies in the audience squeal in ecstasy during the saxophone solo-me too)followed by the Pink Panther theme,then followed by Song On The Radio. Superior performance all around!

2 1/2

A perfectly mediocre live capsule from this minor folk-proggie does capture a few instrumental moments of passion (the second half of Year of the Cat and some creative liberties with the following Pink Panther theme finally breathe much needed life into the disc), but the majority of singer-songwriter-slush feels autopiloted-bland at best, worse off for that pretentious late 70's British sort of lyrical and vocal delivery. I would say that if you enjoy newer Steely Dan, then rock out with this.