MUSICAL MASTERPIECE! | Year Of The Cat - Al Stewart (Reaction)

[@vellaropedart9190]

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

[@geoffos42]

That's just immense, isn't it?

[@christianmarler2253]

It reminds me a little of the lines from "MacArthur Park" ..."MacArthur's Park is melting in the dark, all the sweet. green icing flowing down. Someone left the cake out in the rain..." ...and... "I recall the yellow cotton dress foaming like a wave on the ground around your knees."

[@lisarousseau788]

Well she looks at you so cooly and her eyes shine like the moon in the sea my favorite line

[@DennisGayhart-s3t]

Time Passages is another Al Stewart masterpiece.

[@ladybearbaiter]

without a doubt!

[@tamasjuhaszi2808]

To be fair, almost every Al Stewart song is a masterpiece. So many great compositions. I'm glad I've discovered his music.

[@stephaniewilson1153]

Completely Agree!

[@2Cambourne]

You are right with your title. "Musical Masterpiece!" This is one of the greatest songs ever written by singer/songwriter Al Stewart. He takes us back to a movie made in 1942 title "Casablanca." It starred Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Claud Raines, Paul Henrie'd, and Peter Lorie. It takes place in French Morrocco Africa that is under control by the Nazi Germans. The night club is the center piece of the story. It is under Constance surveillance by the Nazi Germans. It was one of the greatest movies of the 20th century. It is worth watching the movie. Great reaction to one of the greatest songs ever penned. In the 1942 movie [Casablanca]. Humphrey Bogart says a very famous line to the black piano player Sam in his bar and restaurant named [Casa Blanca]. He tells Sam to play the song "As Time Goes By." He says "Play It Sam." I am saying the same thing when it comes to this song. "Play it JIMBOY TV. Brilliant!

[@talltulip]

Definitely one of the best -- and some experts say THE best -- film ever made. If you ever decide to branch out into doing movie reactions, Casablanca is a must. I watch a lot of movie reactions, and every single one of them has totally loved it, even though it was made more than 80 years ago. It has held up beautifully.

[@2Cambourne]

Yes, it has held up. It is a movie worth watching. Tanks for replying to my comment.@@talltulip

[@NikLuar]

Belíssimo comentário!!

[@sirderam1]

Totally agree with your comment, but two things; Casablanca is just one word, and Rick (Humphrey Bogart) never actually says, "Play it again, Sam." Otherwise, yes, one of the best, if not the best, films ever made. Here's looking at you, ......

[@christianmarler2253]

@@sirderam1 "Play it, Sam. You played it for her, you can play it for me."

[@grahamharley4895]

One of the all time great tracks. The instrumental break layered up and up, then up again. A rich tapestry. And that line 'she comes out of the sun with her silk dress running like a watercolour in the rain' , genius.

[@Noelle0026]

One of my all time favorite song lyrics!

[@wpollock1]

Going into the bridge....strings, then the acoustic Spanish guitar, then the electric guitar and then the sax to finish you off. It is a masterpiece.

[@jimfrederick3907]

This song gets better after every 10 seconds! It just keeps improving. No reactor can anticipate the musical genius they're about to experience!

[@christianmarler2253]

You would think, with the ever-increasing number of instruments and sounds that are layered on that the song would start to sound muddy or overcrowded, but it stays perfectly clean and you can hear everything.

[@TheJohnnywbred]

Not only is Al Stewart a great musician and lyricist but he’s an historian. Vastly underappreciated 🏆

[@elevenbucks5682]

Thank you for using an correctley, dont you hate it when people say something like I ate a apple today?

[@sourisvoleur4854]

And a published oenophile.

[@TheJohnnywbred]

@@elevenbucks5682 I was a journalism major and briefly a reporter so I’m at least competent with writing ✍️

[@trevorfolker3665]

One of s dying breed Johnny - I don't want to be the grammar police but......

[@hackermusic3355]

@@elevenbucks5682 Actually either can be correct. In America where the H is emphasized it would normally be written as "a historian." In British English it would normally be written as "an historian." Just depends on how the H is pronounced. Apple is not a good analogy because it doesn't have an alternate pronunciation that begins with a consonant and would always be "an apple."

[@CitizenDissendentVI]

Very rarely do you encounter a perfect song. This is one of those songs

[@jonathanmurphy3141]

Al Stewart, Scottish musician/Songwriter (b.1945)

[@jackmeov1123]

Dude, you do the best reactions ever...!!!!

[@JMBOYTV]

I appreciate the compliment!

[@suzanneprock7286]

Now that was a great reaction, no stop and start or interruptions, thank you. Hope you enjoyed the great Al Stewart.

[@sunnyquan9540]

I literally only discovered this song today I was at work and I heard it so I shazamed it and I’ve been listening to it for the rest of my shift 😭

[@AliasMark69]

The instrumental of “Year of the Cat” was composed by keyboardist Peter Wood. Al Stewart - vocals, guitar, keyboards · Peter White - spanish guitar leads. The lead electric guitar was done by Tim Renwick who played with David Gilmour/Pink Floyd as back-up/lead. I saw him twice in live shows. He is awesome. The Sax solos are played by sax legend Phil Kenzie. The song was produced by legendary producer Alan Parsons, and features a subtle yet powerful arrangement consisting of acoustic and electric guitar, piano, bass, drums, strings, saxophone, and synthesizer creating the unique sound at some points.

[@wpollock1]

Add that it was recorded at Abbey Road studios - you can't top that.

[@AliasMark69]

A true Temple Of The Gods Of Rock n Roll@@wpollock1

[@billkant849]

Tim Renwick played with a band named Quiver. They did several albums and collaborated with the Sutherland Brothers on several more albums (that's where I first ran into the band). He was also on a album by Ian Matthews called If You Saw Thro' My Eyes, I've always assumed he was the lead guitarist on the song Morgan The Pirate.

[@DrStrangelove3891]

Engineered by Alan Parsons, who also was the studio engineer for Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd. The man is a genius with sound.

[@t.j.payeur5331]

I didn't know that. Thanks.

[@kitharley6159]

*Produced by Alan Parsons, as were Modern Times and Time Passages. Dark Side of the Moon is actually Parsons only major credit as Engineer.

[@AirDOGGe]

@@kitharley6159 Parsons was the one who suggested added the sax player.

[@sourisvoleur4854]

They were a great pair, creating three fabulous albums.

[@oskarobit]

And in "Let it Be" by The Beatles. And later with Paul McCartney and The Hollies as well as a solid career with The Alan Parsons Project.

[@1bigrowdy]

Stewart didnt really want the sax solo .Producer Alan Parsons insisted and found Phil Kenzie was drinking at a pub around the corner from the studio and asked him to do the solo...He said he was watching a soccer match and couldn't do it till half time.. He came over at half time laid down the track in one take I believe and went back to the pub

[@mboyer68]

I'd absolutely freak out if you could do your thing with two songs, Link Wray "Fire and Brimstone', and Paul Simon 'Late in the Evening'. They're both unique and awesome pieces of art. Watching you listen to/ react to those songs would be incredible, it would warm my heart, and I'm straight!

[@Dread_Pirate62]

And instantly I’m transported back to the 70’s. Great times…

[@ClydeHUC]

And the sacks was played by my friend felkinsing Phil.Kensing, that's exactly correct.He played on Rolling Stones.I'm just waiting for a friend.Also saxophone give me a little inside tip you'll never get again

[@AliasMark69]

This was a Radio MONSTER HIT, but I'm sure you could figure that out on your own.

[@Dooklawz]

just the first few opening notes of this song instantly transports me back to my young years, listening to my little radio in my room back in the 70s.... love those memories 😄

[@AlwaysHalloween000]

little radios were away better for remembering stuff than big fancy stereo systems anyways

[@jeffstevens4262]

I believe the year of the cat is a Vietnamese thing. This particular work of pure genius was written by Al Stewart, a fine Scottish artist and brilliantly produced by the legendary Alan Parsons. It's a real work of art. "She comes out of the sun in a silk dress running like a watercolour in the rain..." Wow. What an incredible line.

[@krkhns]

It is. It was inspired by something he read that his Vietnamese girlfriend had written about Vietnam being the only Asian calendar with a Year of the Cat. It also gets into how he met her. The whole part about "losing your ticket" was true. He lost his ticket and had to stay longer than expected.

[@joepegel]

I read somewhere that I the Vietnamese calendar, the year of the cat is supposed to be a low stress year where you focus on recuperation and self care instead of accomplishments. Which fits the storyline of the song.

[@AlwaysHalloween000]

I'm Pagan Irish and religiously follow the Wheel of the year and just about every zodiac symbol. "Year of the Cat" came out in 1976 and the actual year of the cat started in February 1975 and it's from the Vietnamese zodiac 'like you said' (not Chinese) who refer to their zodiac as "Year of the Tiger" 'like most people think ' The next Year of the Cat won't start until 8 February 2035.. 🐈‍⬛

[@jeffstevens4262]

@@AlwaysHalloween000 Many thanks for that.

[@VicEclectica]

This song and Do You Feel Like We Do always brings back summertime in the 1970s to me. I can close my eyes and I'm there. What a gift. :)

[@jameswallace1406]

Weight be the same age, your reference to Peter Frampton, that 70s summer music for sure,. Golden

[@rogerdaly6326]

Al Stewart has a lot of good songs. Check out On The Border , Time Passages , Roads To Moscow , The Palace Of Versailles , Lord Greenville. I'm going to see him live in May.

[@bumperu]

The Broadway Hotel.

[@trevorfolker3665]

And dozens of others.......

[@kallsop2]

As others have pointed out, this album was produced and engineered by Alan Parsons who worked with George Martin and the Beatles for Abbey Road and Let It Be as well as working on Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon. I saw an interview with Al Stewart and Alan Parsons about the making of Year Of The Cat, and after the song was recorded in the early mixing stages, Parsons was concerned about the instrumental section and having two guitar solos and suggested having a sax solo in the section. Al Stewart told Parsons he was a British folk musician and saxophone wasn't part of his music. Parsons said essentially, "Let's try it, and see how you feel with that as a version." Parsons added the sax solo, and Stewart agreed that it fit and the rest is history. There are several good songs on this album like On The Border, Broadway Hotel, One Stage Before. This song and album really launched Al Stewart into the music world. On a side note, at the time that this album was being recorded, Alan Parsons was working on his fisrt album for the Alan Parsons Project called Tales Of Mystery And Imagination based on the works of Edgar Alan Poe which launched Parsons and Eric Wolfson into progressive concept album history.

[@t.j.payeur5331]

This tune Owned the airwaves in 1976...thanks, buddy...On The Border is a great tune too...

[@tvgator1]

This is one of VERY few songs I can hear a million times and never ever get tired of

[@AlwaysHalloween000]

A lot of people say the same thing

[@justjack0715]

Can you imagine it's the fall of 1976 and hearing this on the radio for the first time? Songs of this caliber were a dime a dozen back in the day. Today? Autotune, beat boxes and mediocrity abound... So sad! 😥

[@Blue-qr7qe]

@justjack0715 I'm concluding, now, that a Renaissance is not perceived while it's on - only in a distant look about. We'd thought it would always be that way. Then came the great dummying down, dummying down, dummying down. Now, the musical art of that time seems like an alchemistical formula.

[@justjack0715]

@@Blue-qr7qe well stated!

[@donniehagy5125]

Unfortunately, the radio edit did not do this song justice. I prefer this version much better.

[@blakebufford6239]

​@@Blue-qr7qe Very well said! So sad so true. I'm glad I was around then to experience it.

[@AliasMark69]

Just sittin here waiting for the Guitar - Sax Solos that JM is going to really like, as much as the rest of us do. Too Cool.

[@donnakubiski5572]

This is my #1 all time favorite song. I could listen to it once everyday and never get tired if it. I recommend "On The Border" for your next reaction from him. I think you will love the playing of the Spanish guitar in the song.

[@AliasMark69]

Classic Rock, nothing else can touch it for quality and live shows. Just my humble opinion after listening to all sorts of music for the past 66 years. I got my first Transistor Radio at 4 years old, and music has been a huge part of my life ever since.

[@dabassmann]

Anyone 40 years old or younger probably have no idea what a transistor radio even is. We even had kits that you would solder and build your own transistor radio at home.

[@AliasMark69]

We were so fucking lucky, and now we know it and just smile.@@dabassmann

[@theodoreritola7641]

THE 70s were fantastic hearse proof

[@BradWilson-w4k]

You are good at this! Keep it up.

[@bobschenkel7921]

Went to see Al Stewart and Jim Capaldi at a small club. It was an hour and a half in, and on my way to the restroom, I came face-to-face with Al Stewart, as he was making his way to the stage. And my first thought was "this dude looks like a cat". It was funny, but the moment was over and he went to the stage, and I went. The show was excellent, Jim Capaldi played a bunch of Traffic tunes and Mr. Stewart did his thing, of course including "Year Of The Cat".

[@kallsop2]

I have to say I'm a bit envious that you saw Jim Capaldi. Whether it was Traffic or his solo work I still listen to it today.

[@optimusmaximus9646]

I gotta say JMBoy, your reactions are a refreshing change from all the other disingenuous reactions I see on other channels. Keep up the good work 👍

[@sassymess7111]

Produced by the iconic Alan Parsons

[@DJBilodeau]

This song has got to be one of the most beautiful songs on all levels I've ever heard. Remember being in love with this guy in the late 70's. Not only is the music gorgeous, but the lyrics are pure gold.

[@mikecaetano]

Audio production really began to reach its potential in the mid-seventies and this song makes the case. "Year of the Cat" was a top ten hit in 1977. It was one of my favorites that year, but I wasn't yet ten and had to ask my mom who Peter Lorre was. If you don't know who he was, check out The Maltese Falcon and Casablanca. The violin flourish caught my ear back then too -- "over four minutes of the 6:40 album version is instrumental, including a long, melodic series of solos that encompass cello, violin, piano, acoustic guitar, distorted electric guitar, synthesizer and saxophone." (wikipedia). Boz Scaggs. Yeah, I suppose the song is kind of yachty. Listening along now the comparison that crossed my mind was David Bowie "Aladdin Sane (1913-1938-197Q)" and "Lady Grinning Soul".

[@mariaportengen2959]

A great song. I love the guitar and saxophone solo's. 🎸🎷🎶👍

[@Frankiarmz]

The only thing better than the incredible music, vocal, lyrics and story this song tells, is being able to have a wonderful life connection to it ! I met my wife at a Club Med in Paradise Island back in 1980. We were both young, strong, passionate, and fell in Love . This song and others played as our relationship grew . That Club is long gone, but we are still here with children and grandchildren, and Year of the Cat still playing and sounding great as ever 🙏❤️

[@christianmarler2253]

That's incredible. You said that tribute beautifully.

[@tjrivers]

Great bass line, right? And that sax! Those little add-ins. What a melody! A masterpiece. I remember every note, nuance, sound, violin, sax, instrumental in this song, after loving it for 50 years! In my top ten.

[@samir061000]

guitare violon saxophone une grande mélodie reconnue dans le monde entier compositeur de talent qui combiné musique est histoires on the border ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@codjh9]

Great, great song. Thanks for reacting to it - hadn't heard it in quite a while, but I know it note for note. As another commenter said, he's got numerous other great songs. I suggest 'Time Passages' next.

[@WorldWide-q8v]

Yep, great song. Iconic '70's.

[@jamesolsen5353]

Al Stewart....Song on the radio.......sax magic.......cheers

[@alabhaois]

I can't listen to this song without getting goosebumps!!

[@peggie52]

I have always loved this song since it first came out ❤ also love your positive attitude and beautiful smile 😊

[@XTREM1213]

It's so good to see another brother enjoying this magical music. I 1st heard this song in 1982, on the radio in Monrovia Liberia, West Africa, I was driving in my dad's red Lada car, lol. fast forward to 1984 when I 1st arrived in the US. I heard it again at JFK NY airport for the 2nd time and I said OMG this is the song !!!!! I'm 53 now. Every time I hear this song takes me back to that moment in my dad's red Lada. Enjoy young brother !!!!!!!

[@michaelbenge2388]

Brother, I appreciate your positivity in your reactions. You are blessed with an apparent joy.

[@lindamosley922]

I was 16 yrs old when this song first came out. I love it as much today as I did then.

[@mboyer68]

I've loved this song since it came out when i was about 10 and would hear it while driving with my parents. Just last night i started playing the solo on guitar. When the saxophone kicks in i get goosebumps head to toe. This song is incredible, thank you for the video!!!! Edit: figure to mention, i googled Al Stewart and he's going to play a show in Rochester NY in May 2025. I'm definitely going!

[@ndamohmannahhouseoffgrid]

Love you man... You didn't stop the song like EVERYBODY ELSE.. Gives you the full impact of the song. Rock on brotha😊

[@krkhns]

Stewart calls his music "history rock". Year of the Cat was inspired by his Vietnamese girlfriend and how he met her. Only the Vietnamese calendar has a Year of the Cat. He has another song on the album called "On the Border" which is about the Basque Separatist Movement in Spain. The song "Flying Sorcery" is about Amy Johnson, the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia.

[@barryhickman6911]

I LOVE this song! Great music, terrific lyrics, and a WONDERFUL voice bringing it all together! Great reaction brother!

[@sealdrup]

When the right speaker kicks in it is similar to the Wizard of Oz when Technicolor was introduced as Dorothy opens the door. This song is perfect, a masterpiece!

[@wpollock1]

Produced and engineered out of Abbey Road by Al Parsons.....are we surprised that this is produced flawlessly?

[@WardDorrity]

I'm 73 now. This and so many other songs from that era became the soundtrack of my life. So many memories.

[@debbiegillette4734]

Love that you let the song play and then react. Your reaction is wonderful.

[@bugvswindshield]

Great song. I saw him live years ago. Brilliant singer songwriter.

[@AirDOGGe]

The album was produced and/or engineered by Alan Parsons of "The Alan Parsons Project, who was the one to suggest adding the saxophone which made the song so much better.

[@joelmclean2898]

Al Stewart is one of the hidden gems of rock 'n' roll. His musical abilities are outstanding and he lyrics are very descriptive.

[@KyleS3m3noff]

Quite possibly the single greatest opening lyric to a song ever penned. Instantly evokes a clear mental picture of where our story starts and how it feels...

[@dreamweaver8913]

Go through the lyrics on this song from start to finish. It's dated because it starts with a reference to "a Bogart movie" which sets the scene. It's a complete story from start to finish. The solos represent their private time together before the morning comes. Probably one of the best stories painted through music...

[@alvinjohnston4565]

This is the music I grew up listening to . Deep meaningful lyrics that stick with you for 50 years . They really don't make em like they used to

[@celebmrk9]

We had such varied and FABULOUS music back in the day…from this, as experimental and progressive such as Yes, to heavy metal like Black Sabbath and on and on it went my friend

[@paulrivera5231]

A great song that has stood the test of time. Music alone is awesome and those lyrics make you do a lot of thinking

[@debjorgo]

I definitely have this in my top ten, "songs you have to hear" list.

[@michaels.5878]

One of the best "headphone" songs ... EVER!!!!

[@murraytown4]

This was without a doubt one of my fave tracks growing up. Couldn’t wait until this came on the radio. Love that guitar solo.

[@robertwalker1803]

Genius song that has it all…You are very respectful in your reaction.

[@evelynne2846]

Yes it is a masterpiece. Always enjoy hearing it. Thank you for appreciating this great song.

[@davidmckenzie420]

I loved this back in the day...Bought this album...Still good...

[@rayj1011]

Music for a refined taste. It's for grown-ups.

[@WardDorrity]

It's like a 12 year old Macallan or an older Bunnehabhain.

[@Serai3]

Oh yeah, that's the cover of the album. I bought the original LP when it came out, and that cover provided many an hour of fascination. This is one of my favorite songs. It's wonderful how music can create experiences - the music in the bridge is a wonderful evocation of lovemaking. The violins bring the foreplay, then the acoustic guitar deepens the action, the electric guitar then takes up the theme, reaching higher and higher and higher until... the sax brings us down into a sigh and afterglow, a cigarette's red tip flickering in the dark. The notes hit places words can only approximate. Just wonderful.

[@tomcollens4621]

Alan Parsons deserves a lot of credit here, but, my God, this is just a wonderful song! My original album sounds like the masterpiece it is!

[@ziasun1094]

Oh those were the best of days ❤

[@vitoriogarcia6931]

I have listened this for the first time when i was a tennager, in a radio that didnt use to say the artist's name. Even being a hard rock/metal fan i' ve got absolutly catched by this song. For years i've been searching for the artist.

[@BaronessErsatz]

Glad you're liking this. Al's still touring.

[@flash1660]

A masterpiece exactly what it is engineered by Alan Parsons. You might try some blues with a guy named Robert Cray and the song called right next-door. Another masterpiece.

[@artromano2419]

One of the best arranged pop songs ever!!

[@johnkent9582]

This song has knocked me out since it came out)

[@gastonbouchard9330]

Yes, when you think "This song can't get better", it does, and then it gets better again, and again, and again ......

[@jimmyfortrue3741]

Yep.... A classic that i still remember the moment hearing it the first time back when it was released.... I was getting ready for school and it stopped me in my tracks. Edit: there is something special about this song that takes people back to that time in the 1970's for me and apparently for lots of others as I see from the comments.

[@michaelfridayable]

This song is so well crafted.

[@AgingDrummerBoy-ly1js]

One of my favs, bought this album when it first came out. I still listen to it all the time. Excellent choice! ✌️❤️🤘🥁

[@pattymckitrick7436]

❤ I was about 7 when this song hit the radio. I instantly loved it, and still do !

[@thiarasilva294]

beautifull song !!

[@katesjanice]

Great song! One of my 1976 favs behind Kansas!

[@ClydeHUC]

The vocal is sublime the lyric. S are extraordinarily beautiful and gorgeous. And with the Alan parson produced band it's just a reason that it is one of the top 10 pop songs of all time. Thank you in my view. In the great critics review of which i'm not one of them just from rolling stone but who ever heard of them

[@biggmaqq]

The sexiest song ever written. I love the little cat meows at the end.

[@micheller6804]

I Just Want to Make Love to You by Etta James is sexier.

[@rah2287]

👍 👍 Absolutely. A masterpiece. I was fortunate to hear Al Stewart in concert in 1978 at the Cincinnati Mudic Hall.

[@hawkeyegeorge]

The entire time watching your facial expressions i kept thinking "just wait until the sax kicks in!"

[@CManInTheD]

As soon as I saw you were going to give this hit a listen, I knew you were going to be thrilled. I couldn’t wait to see your reaction when the sax solo kicked in. On most of the live recordings the string parts are played by the second keyboardist . I saw Al’s first Midnight Special appearance back in ‘76-77. You, my man have the listening ear of an old soul. So happy you got to enjoy this one .

[@izorion6443]

I've always loved this song. It just makes me feel some kinda way.

[@robertlear2712]

Pretty much a perfect song.

[@mysterymac38]

I've watched everyone's reaction to this song and they all smile when that sax begins to play.

[@EJSmith-dk3yg]

Thank you ... I called this a Masterpiece in the 1970's, I'm so glad that you guys just get it !

[@shemanic1]

One of the great 70's tunes, with Sax. I just love it.

[@stephenreiner1523]

I heard Al sing this live about a year ago. Remarkably he sounded almost identical to when he did in 76 or 77. Anyway yeah great stuff from Al, especially his studio musicians who were so gifted in their instrumentation.

[@PaulCervantez]

This has so many musical treats. I appreciate you reacting to them.

[@lanapoulliot7682]

I've loved this song since it first came out on the radio ❤

[@stevenaleman7454]

Great reaction video… this song is such a work of art…reminds me of another great song from the’70s.. Gerry Rafferty’s song “ Baker Street”…music was so different then…great memories…thanks for listening to this song..✌️

[@tonydelapa1911]

This takes me back to the job (golf course maintenance) and the life I had at age 17 when Year of the Cat came out. Good times! Worked hard and played hard. My friends and I were happy to listen to this, then on to Peter Frampton, Foghat, and maybe Billy Joel all in an hour’s time. Thank you for featuring this one JM.