Just mesmerizing! | AL STEWART YEAR OF THE CAT REACTION | First time hearing.

[@spectregeneral66]

I love watching people hear this song for the first time. My dad is the saxophone player on this song as well as Time Passages. I’ve grown up with it and it’s a lovely thing to watch people discover.

[@mwfmtnman]

Very cool

[@star4dreamers]

He did an amazing performance…pure magic

[@christinemosley1475]

Really??!

[@mary-y8x8h]

This saxophone sound feels to me like it is travelling through the heavens above my head. A wonderful goosebumps moment. I must admit I have a twinge of envy for you being around that sound in your life. It must make you proud to read the glowing tributes here.

[@nancyd2240]

A big thank you to your dad.

[@eileendobbs8009]

She comes out of the sun in a silk dress running like a watercolor in the rain. I love the lyrics and arrangement of this song. Just a masterpiece.

[@2869may]

Amazing lyric I've loved since I was a child...!

[@Isleofskye]

One of the greatest lines ever by an unbelievably talented lyricist and musician...

[@donaldduck2139]

ya beat me to it lol, was going to say the same... I"ve always loved that line...can sing this song all day long especially this line...

[@ArthurRChan]

Perhaps my favorite lyric from ANY song!

[@timtravasos2742]

Great evocative lyrics.

[@johnmcbarron7282]

The real reason the song sounds so crystal clear is because Alan Parsons was involved in the project and all of his projects sound crystal clear.

[@lancelittrell369]

👍

[@sergiomattos109]

Exactly. Youre right!! The sound of Alan Parsons Project is smelled

[@1bigrowdy]

Just go back to Ambrosia thats A.Parsons...Find the David Pack and Alan Parsons duet of a Beatles song . awesome

[@KyleS3m3noff]

Alan Parsons knows a thing or two about doing a project...

[@andrewpetik2034]

@@KyleS3m3noff NOICE!!!

[@christophercoughlin9493]

I love seeing people's reaction to hearing this wonderful song for the first time. One of the best productions of all time!

[@stevencohn922]

I must have watched 15 reviews of people listening to this song for the first time and without exception they are practically left speechless by its brilliance!

[@jvsmith7888]

This is one of those songs you could play 100 times in a row and still love and enjoy it every time. I never get tired of hearing this song. It always takes me away.

[@John_Chu]

Simply one of the most beautiful sounding recordings ever made. Al Stewart a very under-rated artist. Ear candy, Harri.

[@2869may]

Roads to Moscow is really good too...!

[@jackasswhiskyandpintobeans9344]

This song was very, very popular.

[@Lchristyhastings]

@@2869may YUP YUP YUP. Story telling perfection.

[@jvsmith7888]

Most definitely!

[@sharondavid-melly1498]

Didn't he always sound crystal clear? Remember when l first heard this song.

[@robertmason9522]

Every time I hear this song I love it more, a timeless masterpiece, I first heard it 1976.

[@guerralg63]

The intro to this song is like a slow revelation. I live in California, and when I drive home in the evening, I drive up a rocky hill, and as I go up, the city lights are slowly exposed like a curtain slowly revealing the twinkling lights. That's how I feel the intro of this song is.

[@tonyfred123]

When I hear this song I am transported back in time to 1976...sitting in my Trans Am...8 track playing Year of the Cat....late at night...making out with a beautiful girl that I let slip away. She will always be the girl in this song. 1976 is my Year of the Cat. Wonderful memories.

[@rubenvalencia7959]

Amen, Brother!

[@UBZUKki]

What a year that was...Summer in the UK was one of the hottest on record...

[@Debcatawba]

Me too. I had a red TransAm and listened to this tune over and over on my 8track player for the entire 45 minute drive to and from work. Just my humble opinion, but this was the best song of 1976, and that is saying a lot because there were so many songs to choose from.

[@davidgibson9736]

@@Debcatawba Was it a 73 455HD? I had one with black interior and brushed aluminum dash... I WISH I still had it! Somehow 8 tracks sounded so good in it and this was one of the best songs to listen to on the way to class.

[@Debcatawba]

Oh my God!!!!! I had a TransAm. A 1977 red TransAm 6.6.L And then I had (at the same time) a blue 1980 TransAm with the honeycomb rims.

[@robertlear2735]

This song is a fantastic example of music as an art form.

[@ronlewald9752]

Al Stewart came out of nowhere and he stayed forever and its like day one with this song every day .. fresh , neat ,clean ,masterpiece every time playing .. you never get tired of it ..

[@jennytalks5882]

"She comes out of the sun in a silk dress running like a watercolor in the rain 🌧 "....one of the most picturesque lyrics I've ever heard.

[@matthewoconnor5838]

Every song either a love story or a history lesson,one of the greatest singer songwriters ever.

[@timwhitnell7145]

The middle transition between four instruments in legendary but the string arrangement is so smooth and beautiful.

[@markfarley671]

You nailed it when you said Musical Masterpiece. One of the best songs to come out of the 70's.

[@55nimrod55]

The guitar solo followed by the sax solo, MAGIC!!!!!!! Whole song is magnificent!

[@michaelbenge2388]

The combination of the acoustic guitar leading into the electric guitar and the sax solo is perfection.

[@tonyfred123]

Time Passages by Al is my favorite song of all time. It will be played at my funeral. "Buy me a ticket on the last train home tonight..."

[@2869may]

Right on..!

[@jonneyuk7486]

You can always tell when a song is great, goosebumps appear on your skin

[@harrypeters8306]

45 winters ago, this song entered my life, and the feeling associated with it have never left me!

[@evelynne2846]

This is an orchestral masterpiece. Huge hit in the late 70s. I had a quadraphonic stereo & four big speakers & good headphones. The sound quality on my album (still have) was phenomenal. Glad you appreciated it. Thank you.

[@samhain1894]

I could listen to this song on a loop for the rest of my life.

[@carolholly1608]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@allisonreed7682]

Impeccably produced by the one and only Alan Parsons 🎧

[@TheCornishCockney]

Another hero of mine. Time by APP has been chosen as my funeral tune. There won’t be a dry eye in the house.

[@jeffcobb2734]

Well, that explains it. :)

[@rranger1014]

Mega

[@doplinger1]

When we would go into a stereo shop back in the day, they would have listening rooms where you could test out different systems and speakers - THIS was one of the songs you would put on to listen to for all of it's sonic greatness!

[@JimiBurleigh]

For my brother and I, it was "Nostradamus" &/or "Roads To Moscow". The other "test record" we had was ELP's "dove album".

[@jeffcobb2734]

Yes, and the "Aja" album by Steely Dan.

[@doplinger1]

@@jeffcobb2734 - exactly.

[@sourisvoleur4854]

I remember seeing Al play with a full band at a club north of Seattle on 99, in maybe 1983. The saxophone player had a radio mic, and wandered all over the stage. When they started Year of the Cat, the sax player was nowhere to be found. It got closer and closer to the sax solo, and he was still AWOL. People started looking around. Then the climax of the bridge hit, and the follow-spot hits an exit tunnel at the back of the house, and there's the sax player, right on time, playing his heart out. One of the greatest moments I've ever seen at a live music venue. I've now seen Al so many times I can't count. At least 12. Most of the time I got to chat with him after the show. Really nice guy, smart as hell and knows a hundred times more about wine than I ever will.

[@j.whisper2379]

Parkers Ballroom, Maybe? Saw some great acts there! Kingsmen, Rockin Robin and Gail Harris, Jimmy Hendrix! What a time!!

[@sourisvoleur4854]

@@j.whisper2379 Yes, that's it, I think. Parker's.

[@deirdre108]

@@sourisvoleur4854 I saw Heart there before they became nationally known, around 1973 I think. It was called the Aquarius Tavern at the time. Now it's Parker's Casino.

[@2869may]

"She comes out of the sun in a silk dress running like a water color... in the rain" Amazing lyric..!

[@jennytalks5882]

I said the same thing!

[@carmenwise2256]

Absolutely AGREE. His lyrics touched my ❤. He was an amazing ARTIST. HEY Y'ALL FROM NORTH CAROLINA 🇺🇸👍

[@davidkarr1490]

Alliteration: She comeS out of the Sun in a Silk dreSS (all those S's) and that lovely rhyming "sun" and "running"...great songcraft...even the closing "r" in "watercolor" and then again in "rain"...marvelous line.

[@2869may]

@@davidkarr1490 Not as beautiful, But...... "Little ole lady got mutilated late last night"..... Another GREAT line..!

[@paulcollins1918]

And another great line is "Her eyes shine like the moon In the sea"

[@goittoog7563]

Al Stewart one of the greatest unknowns in rock music

[@Julio-d6y]

It's been so many years since this beautiful song came out and it's as good as wine...the older it gets, the better it tastes.

[@purgemachine5030]

One of the most beautiful songs ever composed in my opinion. Production is perfect as well. An incredible journey 🤓

[@roro515_video]

This song came out when I was a kid, and I never paid much attention to it. About a decade ago I heard it on the radio and it blew me away! It has remained a favorite song ever since. Truly an epic piece of music.

[@dondonner1095]

She came out of the sun in a silk dress running like a waterfall in the rain. GENIUS

[@roccaclassico9028]

This and "On the Border" are my favorites by Al Stewart. So many different solos in this song: piano, cello, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, sax, and synth. Amazing lyrics, story, and musicianship.

[@Sarvasaha]

Broadway Hotel and One Stage Before are also magic.

[@debratroeak77]

It sounds like diamonds in the ears, so crystal clear and fluid. This song always takes me away from this earth really. 🥰

[@enricoc.948]

Ascoltai casualmente alla radio questo brano per la prima volta nel 1980, avevo 16 anni e non conoscevo assolutamente Al Stewart. Fu un'enorme sorpresa a cui seguì subito la ricerca dei dischi di questo straordinario e inimitabile cantautore scozzese. L'incontro e la collaborazione fra Alan Parson e Al Stewart che condividevano la passione per le atmosfere storiche e sognanti, supportati da un gruppo di virtuosi session men e da un arrangiatore orchestrale di primissimo livello, produsse due album capolavori, Year of the cat e Time passages, che secondo me rimangono ancora oggi insuperabili per raffinatezza sonora, ispirazione compositiva e maestria esecutiva. Memorabile resta anche il concerto live in Belgio nel 1988 con la Flanders Philarmonic Orchestra.

[@gavinholt5428]

This is one of my all time favourites. Al Stewart sang many songs but this was the only one I really connected with.

[@rodneyrawlings7100]

Surprisingly for me, I've yet to see any talk about the absolutely gorgeous chord changes that underlie everything in this song. Not unusual chords, but beautifully timed atypical progressions.

[@paulwolf5258]

Esa magia experimenté cuando reproduje esos acordes en mi guitarra. simplemente, sublime..!

[@dsusan17]

I know this is cliche but, they don't do songs like this anymore. Great pick and reaction Harri!

[@HeatherAllen]

I remember taping this off the radio as a kid & my older brother hearing me play it back & saying “someone in this family has good taste.”

[@lindamosley922]

I was 16 yrs old when this came out. I remember when it came on the radio one day when I was getting ready for school, and I just had to sit down and listen.It still has the same effect today as it did back in '76.

[@Isleofskye]

Exactly Linda :)

[@kenperk9854]

i did a lot of driving and LISTENING BACK THEN.

[@rockerdowns6051]

I was 14 and I can still remember this song blaring on the radio with the windows rolled down. I wouldn’t trade our childhood and teen years for what they’re faced with today. The music had heart and emotion. Best wishes always.

[@modularmuse]

Growing up in that era of music was perfect, so much talent.

[@Isleofskye]

1971 Was my first Concert : Curved Air @ THe Royal Festival Hall and my main years from 1971-78 were fantastic years....Yes, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, Wishbone Ash (multiple times) and Status Quo REALLY "paid their dues" then. One of their Croydon gigs had 5 Encores ending with a 7 Part Medley :)

[@jeffcobb2734]

Those lyrics are next tier brilliant. And all those little tinkling piano flourishes are just superb. And can we talk about the strings? And the sax?!?!? Meticulously crafted song. Everything done with purpose. Artists nowadays don't approach this level of musicianship. Nice one Harri!

[@tedharvick9010]

That sax solo is what has stuck with me since this first time I heard this so many years ago.

[@vellaropedart9190]

It's so easy to get lost in this song. That's why I love it so much! I really love how the violin, acoustic guitar, electric guitar and saxophone solos flow so effortlessly into one another!

[@stevencohn922]

The creators of this song deserve a big time recognition for their masterpiece

[@pauldouglas4158]

I'm 75 and I still wear patchouli from my time in the 60s

[@Telephonebill51]

Lol, sandalwood was mine. Keep the faith, brother...

[@The5thGen]

Just a fantastic piece of music!

[@MonkeyFace544]

An overdose of goodness, indeed!

[@russevans3586]

I'm right there with you, Harri, love how the middle of the song (around 4:15) moves from his voice, to the strings, to acoustic guitar, to electric guitar, then to the sax. Brilliant!

[@bigdchi]

The only problem with the bridge are the overproduced strings.

[@beeseewill2407]

One of the best songs ever .A forever song.Will never get tired of listening to a tune like this one. A musical feast that soothes your appetite.Each time it starts is like the first spoonful,the first taste of something that is exremely appetizing It's a favourite of mine.

[@071949]

Hi beesee Will, Agreed! I am an aging Baby Boomer, and this and *Time Passages* are 2 of my all-time favorite songs. (Honorable mention to *Baker Street*.)

[@wordsleydave]

"Overdose of goodness" ... I love that !! It's a great, great track.

[@papadoh4231]

I saw Al in the late 70's at San Diego State U in the amphitheater. Every song had a story before hand. Great night. The only time I remember the sax playing was during this song, wouldn't be the same without it. He was a great storyteller in so many ways.

[@TheCornishCockney]

Utter pleasure from first note to last. Waves of heaven washing over you. One of the greatest pieces ever created.

[@jimmyfortrue3741]

This is one of those few songs that brings me back to the very first time I ever heard it.

[@elainemarsh5170]

One of my absolute favorites from the 70s. It really holds up.

[@stevencohn39]

YES AL STEWART AND GILBERT OSULLIVAN WERE UNDERATED GREAT MUSICIANS WITH TALENT!

[@robertwatson2823]

Great music, great lyrics, great vocals...what else do you need in a song!! Perfection!!

[@roymoore3156]

Harri, I’m on the north left coast of the USA, and I saw Al Stewart perform twice...74’ & 75’ here. He’s from there, as are you. Not I. You’ve never heard of him? I’ve got the ticket stubs from those shows from before you were likely born. Oh Harri, I feel as young as the music. Al Stewart is a true historian when it comes to his diligence writing the content of songs he performs, and his world class musicianship is just that, WORLD CLASS. Harri, this song WAS and remains, B I G

[@stevencohn39]

THIS GUY KNOWS A CLASSIC WHEN HE HEARS IT! I COMPLETELY CONCUR!!

[@miamidolphinsfan]

Easily one of my all-time favorites. This came out in 1976, my sophomore year (10th grade) of High School....ahhhh the memories

[@titusho2]

Al Stewart the most underrated musical artist, he is a great story teller with a unique voice musicianship ..he did have a few hits. Please react to Al's..."One stage before". Stewart is alive and performing!

[@rbking9296]

Always liked the Humphrey Bogart and the Peter Lorre reference in the song, it gave the song a Casablanca feel to it like the story was right out of a classic Bogart movie

[@OverandOutChief1]

He certainly set the scene with that lyric.

[@jimmyfortrue3741]

Check out the song "Friends of Mr Cairo" by Jon and Vangelis. For a great song about the golden age of TV.

[@davidhoward6254]

Yes, especially since the first line of the song is 'On a morning from a Bogart movie in a country where they turn back time...' A great way to set the scene and mood of the song up front!

[@GinMae]

"like Peter Lorre.. contemplating a crime... " -- so great!

[@davesimms8825]

Like the beginning of Casablanca

[@tvgator1]

This was one of my FAVORITES growing up; this song was played to death in 1976. I’ve heard this song literally a million times and I still enjoy every second of it today and will tomorrow in perpetuity. It’s that good.

[@suzie4417]

Al Stewart & Alan Parsons take you on a dream journey ! I love listening to this outside with the moon and ✨ 😻☮️💜🇨🇦

[@phillecompte3438]

What is it about these songs of the past that we find both endearing and long suffering as though the past is always waiting to pull us back in to places that we 've long ago left behind yet still resonate in our hearts and minds .I swear sometimes it's just unbearable to sit , listen and relive those memories that I can never go back to . Sometimes I just want to go insane and find myself back in the days when these songs were everything I could lean on .

[@Southern_Yankee]

You’ve hit on EXACTLY how I feel about these songs, too. I listen to this song over and over and it affects me the same way every time.

[@dondonner1095]

Al Stewart. Genius.

[@epluribusunum1460]

Harri, I love it when you hear a beautiful change in a song and you say that long, low “ohhhhh”. You sound just like my old basset hound moaning, when I would rub the sweet spot behind his ears. 👏👏👏

[@stephenpaparo9166]

This is intelligent analysis, that's why I watch this guy

[@rollomaughfling380]

Harri, pls note: What you're hearing in the production isn't so much the remastering, but the genius of Alan Parsons as a producer (best known for his work with Pink Floyd on Dark Side of the Moon, Alan Parsons Project). Remastering is often done because the early original stereo *CD* masters didn't account for the RIAA eq curve properly (one reason why early CDs got a bad rap for sounding "cold, sterile"). I'll put it this way: The digital version (which *is* an improvement) was done in 2004, but many years earlier the original was one of those albums hi fi salespeople would put on to show off a system to customers.

[@frederickbays405]

yes that is a problem with recorded sound. One reason I like live rather then recorded when I can get it. At one time I listened to nothing but live. U see I have hearing that very few ppl do. I can hear down to 40Hz and up to 22.45K So harmonics play a big part in my enjoyment of music. By the way when i was listening to only live music it was my years trying to make it as a singer in bands If I was a kid of 28 today 9that was the year i think my voice sound its best) I would go on AGT alone and so an A cappella version of Terrapin Station

[@darylkik777]

Your preaching to the choir. We all love and respect Alan Parsons.

[@rollomaughfling380]

@@darylkik777 I was specifically addressing Harri. Not you, nor anyone else, thank you.

[@darylkik777]

@@rollomaughfling380 I just thought it was nice to know I am not the only Parsons fan still out there. I believe Alan just finished a new home and studio in Los Angeles a few years ago. Between him and Jeff Lynne I have so much respect for they can do. Thanks

[@petiteme1960]

Al Stewart is a Brit. This song was off the charts in the USA and laid flat in the UK. Al Stewart immediately made his way over the pond and put down roots in the USA. I love this entire album! Such a story teller is Al Stewart. On the Border is just as fantastic.

[@paulwolf5258]

Es escocés.

[@dlbeal]

This is a classic! And the original sounded pretty darn good too.

[@viacrucis2509]

It sounds the same to me. To tell the truth, I rarely hear the sound we used to listen to on vinyl with the stereo phonics we had. Of course our stereo systems would take up a whole side of the room.

[@kentmains7763]

One of my favorite songs and has been since I was kid. A true masterpiece.

[@nathanwanner..44]

Such a beautiful elegant masterpiece everytime i hear this im in the 70's again 😢

[@dalem8332]

Excellent song! The entire Year Of The Cat album is fabulous! ♥️🎼🎶🎵🇨🇦

[@sundarmann6167]

The album, ''Year of the Cat", is a masterpiece. Every song in itself is a work of art - among my top ten albums.

[@ArthurRChan]

There is an absolutely stellar live performance of this song that they do on the Old Grey Whistle Test - check it out if you want to see Al Stewart and his band.

[@PhillyGirl64]

One od my all time favorite songs!!!!

[@SweetThing]

Quite right, Harri! This song makes you glad to be alive! You can't help but smile & reminisce. And this song was fire before the term was even thought of. 🔥

[@atombomb31458]

Al stewart music is a rich treasure

[@OverandOutChief1]

This song has so much meaning and is worthy of a great conversation.

[@karenj3611]

Total 70's vibe. Loved this song then, love it now.

[@jakeblack212]

really enjoy watching your videos. It's like watching an old Friend

[@krismcc719]

To me, this song always seemed like it was describing a dream. So beautiful and as others have said, a masterpiece. Takes me back to the first time I was in love ❤❤

[@Isleofskye]

Here are a couple of explanations though the opening lines are DEFINITELY "The Maltese Falcon" Humphrey Bogard/Peter Lorre references and The Cat is the fourth animal symbol in the 12-year cycle of the Vietnamese zodiac and it IS a North African Love Song.. " I think the song is an analogy for a staid, conservative man having an affair (contemplating a crime) with a flamboyant, free-spirited woman (silk dress running like a watercolor in the rain) who shows him a secret world which he's never even dreamed of (hidden door) or maybe just forgotten from his youth (turn back time) " Alternatively " The Tourist visits Algeria as evidenced by "blue tiled walls." He is seduced by a mysterious, exotic woman. The Peter Lorre reference describes someone prone to hedonistic pleasures so it's likely he was selected by the woman who observed and identified him as a receptive, willing mark for her seduction. The night of passion and overall allure of the woman lures him into abandoning his tour bus and staying on with her. He knows there's something 'not quite right about the woman who is very secretive and he knows it won't last ("you're bound to leave her") ...but there's no definite end in sight. The song just sort of trails off with ambiguity and the listener suspects the man may wind up staying with her a lot longer than he knows." etc...

[@victoriagrove5344]

This song has such a mood, that you feel immediately.

[@brucer2152]

Try these Al Stewart songs..."Nostradamus", "Roads to Moscow", "Old Admirals", "On the Border", "Cassandra". The man is amazing. I've seen him in concert at an old intimate venue here in Houston called "Rockerfellers", was inside an old bank. Was truly amazing.

[@2869may]

"Song on the Radio"....

[@brucer2152]

@@2869may Oh yeah, another GREAT one! :)

[@susanneg2824]

Your pleasure gives US pleasure, Harri. You bring a child-like anticipation and appreciation of beauty to your reactions. I so much enjoy you.

[@garychambers5850]

Great song! You can imagine when I first heard it "new" back in 1976! It was all over the radio! And its a timeless song, like The Beatles Music! Id rather listen to this great music than what ever is out today....🧡🤗🎼

[@aslobos]

Such a gorgeous intro and a beautiful song. 🎼🎵Takes me back to 8th grade in 1976/1977. 💖💖💖

[@chrisjenkins6120]

This song has always given me goosebumps because it is so well done on the all-around🎼❤️

[@robertadams7751]

Can't beat the 70's

[@statnerd9263]

I loved this song as a kid and still love it!

[@daviddixon6408]

I was 21 when this song came out in 1976. It's one of my all time favorites.

[@kristin1533]

Martha and the Vandellas--Heat Wave and Dancing in the Street. Thank you for the great videos!

[@debbiechang5781]

It’s been awhile since I’ve heard this song. I had forgotten how awesome it is. Great choice Harri 🌺✌️

[@timtravasos2742]

Great mixture of strings, violin, piano, acoustic guitar and sax.

[@ChataCovers]

Al Stewart got the idea for the song when he went over to his girlfriend's house she was into Chinese astrology and happened to have a book open on the coffee table to the year of the cat in her astrology book so he looked at that and that gave him the idea of the song that together with his love for nostalgic movies and actors he put the song together true fact he said it himself

[@arthurwohlwill3837]

The cat is not one one of the traditional Chinese Zodiac figures though....

[@unrulyjulie4382]

Actually it's Vietnamese, not Chinese.

[@rodneygriffin7666]

"Time Passages". Another Great song from him. Good Songwriter.

[@Isleofskye]

On The Border conjures up wonderful littoral images of the Sea and Lord Grenville and Roads To Moscow :)

[@mauriziolagaxio4954]

Fantastic adv timeless masterpiece When I first heard this track for the first time I was absolutely amazed and I knew it it was ant still is an instant classic