Year of the Cat [Original recording remastered]

Al Stewart | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 27, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Rhino / Wea
• ASIN: B0001XAS1W
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #48,925 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Lord Grenville

2. On the Border

3. Midas Shadow

4. Sand in Your Shoes

5. If It Doesn't Come Naturally, Leave It

6. Flying Sorcery

7. Broadway Hotel

8. One Stage Before

9. Year of the Cat

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of his best original albums..., September 24, 2004

By 

William E. Adams (Midland, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Year of the Cat (Audio CD)

"Year of the Cat" has nine songs, and I think seven of them rate five stars, and the other two a mere four stars. I won't tell you which ones, because every listener will have a different preference. This is a stronger disc overall than "Time Passages" although the title song on that one is even better than "Year of the Cat". Al has many great songs scattered through his other releases, especially the historical sagas, so in his case, I do recommend "Greatest Hits" or "Song on the Radio" as the starter kits, with "Year of the Cat" a third choice as one's introduction to Al. If you like your initial dose of Mr. Stewart, then you are ready for songs such as "Road to Moscow" and "Nostradmus" and "Ryiad." Look them up and give them a chance. Al was filling a need in the '70's and '80's, combining a folk feel, with rock underpinnings, but writing lengthy sagas about obscure historical moments which had intellectual appeal. It's probably a love him or hate him kind of encounter, but a friend introduced me to his work around 1985 and it was love at first listen.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Year Of The Cat, A Masterpiece Done Right!, September 24, 2004

By 

William F. Greco (Mount Holly, New Jersey) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Year of the Cat (Audio CD)

Years ago, Arista & Mobile Fidelity released Al Stewart's "Year Of The Cat" on CD & I purchased the MF version. Over the years I've played the two hits from this album ("On The Border" & the title track) but due to what I was doing at the time, the other tracks were passed over in favor of playing another CD or to do something else. When I learned that Rhino was releasing "Year Of The Cat" (with a sonic upgrade!), My interest in this album peaked once again so I purchased it while visiting New Jersey. One night I decided to play it as I went off to sleep. I couldn't get to sleep that night until I heard this masterpiece four times! This CD is loaded with artistic wit & creativity & I am shocked that I managed to go all this time without listening to these treasures. Rhino did a beautiful job remastering this album too. I have never heard such detail in this album as I did with this Rhino CD. When I play this CD now, I have to play the entire CD. The only way I can play the two individual tracks is if I happen to be playing a "Various Artists" CD or listening to the radio. If anyone I know tells me they have any of the original "Year Of The Cat" CD's, I will strongly insist that they upgrade to the Rhino version. Thanks to this CD (& Rhino), I am going back through all of my CD's to revisit them one track at a time. My only hope is that if I discover another overlooked treasure like this one, I hope Rhino is involved with the latest issue. "Year Of The Cat" is a stunning album! The Rhino CD sounds spectacular! I highly recommend this CD!---William F. Greco

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Folk Rock Classic From The Awesome Seventy's!, May 29, 2004

By 

TerriS (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Year of the Cat (Audio CD)

Al Stewart's "Year Of The Cat" was one of my all time favorite albums alongside Cat Steven's "Tea For The Tillerman". Al Stewart had a way of writing beautiful songs with a style all his own. Examples of standout songs are the title track "Year Of The Cat", "Lord Greenville", "On The Border", "Flying Sorcery" and "Broadway Hotel". His unique blend of folk and rock made him a favorite among listeners of Paul Simon, Cat Stevens, and Jim Croce. Thanks to Rhino Records the remastering makes a great cd even better. Buy it and remember just how awesome the music of the seventy's was (and still is).