Al Stewart Album: “Last Days of the Century”

This quite brilliant Al Steward CD, if one reads the liner notes (and then between the lines of the liner notes), looks as though it was abysmally handled by the management of the fledgling record company AS had signed with. It's hard to believe anyone could lead with "King Of Portugal" when "Red Toupee" was -- are you surprised? -- SCREAMING for attention! And what a pity. This CD is so very good. I wasn't in the least surprised to learn that fledging record company went bankrupt.

Now, I don't think it's too late for a "Red Toupee" music video. A favorite expression of an artist friend is, "I'm getting pictures." Well, when I first heard "Red Toupee" I was seeing pictures! Even if you haven't heard the CD yet you can see it, yes? Antics from folks with... red toupees. Talk about appealing to folks across the board.

Please, if you know any music video directors out there looking for something to play with, they need look no further than "Red Toupee." Add a little visual creativity and expect a few awards.

A quick ending note. I agree with an earlier review noting the "tinny" quality of the recording. It's funny, but I almost find it refreshing. With our teens constantly playing their bass-heavy grungy music, it was a relief to hear emphasis in the treble zone. It's such a pity that younger folk today can't hear the richness of Al Stewart's music...

Now... to see if I can catch him live again... it's been years...

Kirtland Peterson

Added 12/31/07... The Last Day Of The Year!

Having listened to LAST DAYS OF THE CENTURY a hundred times now, I must add another note: This CD is as good as YEAR OF THE CAT, TIME PASSAGES, etc. Truly wonderful, and it's lamentable this CD was "lost" given the troubles at the record company.

A good many of these tunes belong on any GREATEST collection: Al Stewart and Peter While were obviously at their collaborative best.

I could go on and on... but if you want a great AS fix from the days of YOTC and TM, this is it. If you're like me, you'll have it on REPEAT for weeks on end.

Procure now and ENJOY!

Kirtland Peterson

Last Days of the Century has been one of my favorite Al Stewart albums since it was originally released. I have it on vinyl, had it on cassette, and also own it on an import EMI pressing from 1997. So why, you might ask, did I buy the Collector's Choice edition? Well, the answer to that is that remastering technology had greatly improved in the 10 years between the EMI release date and that of this edition so one might reasonably expect this to be noticeably better. Well, its not but neither is it notably worse.

While audiophiles might argue over which version is better, you can't argue about the music. Last Days of the Century contains a raft of memorable Stewart compositions most notably the metaphorical romance of Where Are They Now, the dark, driving Bad Reputation and the hilarious anti-lawyer anthem, License To Steal. Other songs of note and merit include the evocative Fields of France and the dreamy Antarctica. About the only cuts I don't like are the silly Red Toupee and Josephine Baker. This edition offers three bonus tracks absent from the earlier release. My favorite is the instrumental Ghostly Horses of the Plain set to lyrics. Excellent!

What this edition lacks that was provided with the EMI release is a booklet containing the all-important lyrics! What was Collector's Choice thinking when they omitted that? There is a folded insert containing interesting commentary but that certainly does not make up for the omission of the lyrics. Its really kind of a toss-up as to which edition is better, so my recommendation is to get the EMI pressing if you can and the Collector's Choice edition if you must.

This album didnt seem to get the attention it deserved.

It is purely brilliant Al Stewart.

The sound on this CD was slightly "tinny" (for lack of any better word) but not enough to discourage me in my listening.

Last Days of the Century (1988) is a very solid release, as Al Stewart returns for his last record in the 80's. A better produced, and more polished effort than Russians and Americans (1984), Stewart continues with his soft rock storytelling, painting musical pictures with new subjects, and perfecting his craft with some familiar faces.

After being touched by commercial success in the late 70's, Stewart recorded 24 Carrots (1980), which for him, had a harder rock sound. Although the album is one of his best, the success that he once enjoyed did not continue, and after the Live - Indian Summer (1981) album, Stewart was dropped by Arista Records. Such is the fickle hand of fate.

On Last Days, Stewart returns strongly with a nice variety of songs and styles, working with old friends, guitarists Tim Renwick and Peter White. Stewart shows he still has some hard rock sensibilities, on the title track Last Days of the Century, which pumps along as hard and fast as Al can go. Stewart is more at home with the softer electric stuff. 'Bad Reputation' is a rich, dark toned dance tune, while 'King of Portugal' and 'Red Toupee', are more light-hearted and fun ones. Telling tales, and painting lyrical pictures is Al Stewart's specialty. Who else but Al could give us folksy light 'Josephine Baker', the wonderfully wispy and romantic 'Fields of France', followed by the bouncy bubbly rock of 'Antarctica'. Have you ever Imagined rocking in Antarctica? If you listen to Al, you just might.

Stewart had some legal issues in the past, and although not known for being mean or angry in his music, Al clearly states his feelings about lawyers on 'License To Steal'. Something pretty serious must have happened, for a guy who sings about Josephine Baker to get that worked up. 'Real and Unreal' with its sleepy old worldly mood, is sort of a pointer where Stewart's music would eventually go in the future.

In this well-balanced release, Al Stewart displays many sides of his music to good measure. This formula might work best for a non mainstream artist with a niche appeal. Focusing too tightly in one area, like acoustic guitar, can make maintaining an audience more of a challenge, and things in music, are tough enough already. An artist of unique talent, and a gifted storyteller, Al Stewart has continued to be active in music, with his latest release being Sparks of Ancient Light released in 2008.