Al Stewart Album: “Down in the Cellar”

Although not available as a U.S. release yet, this one is now being made available via EMI in the U.K. You must get this one! This is a beautiful piece of work, lots of piano, lots of lovely melodies and lyrics. Al shines through yet again. "Turning It Into Water", "Waiting For Margaux" and "The Night That The Band Got The Wine" are the highlights of the album, and the catchy, energetic "Toutes Les Etoiles" will get you dancing around - careful not to spill your wine!

Haven't heard it yet? If I didn't know better I would have thought this was released somewhere between 1975's Modern Times and 1976's Year of the Cat. It's that good. Get it.

If there is a more talented songwriter and lyricist than Al Stewart working in folk-rock today, I certainly can't say who it might be. If there is any criticism of Al to be made, it would be that he makes us wait so long between releases... but then that might be why he's so good at what he does -- no "gotta get something out every 12-18 months, regardless of its quality" in his approach to recording music.

Back in 1995 was Al's last original release, "Life Between the Wars" (LBtW) -- which I consider the best thing he's ever done. Now "Down in the Cellar" (DitC) isn't quite as good, but it is still excellent; a work full of thoughtful, literate lyrics with interesting melodies they are set to and (of course) outstanding musicianship.

As on LBtW, Laurence Juber works with Al on this CD and is credited as producer. But whereas the overriding musical presence on practically all of LBtW was the outstanding guitar work of Mr. Juber and Mr. Stewart, DitC features a fuller and more varied mix -- more piano, and electric guitar on songs as well as the expected acoustic presence. (And longtime Al fans will appreciate that Peter White returns for a turn, playing accordion on the oompah-styled "Toutes Les Etoiles.")

As mentioned in other reviews, all the songs mention somehow the presence or influence of various wines, from the opening "Waiting for Margaux" (I didn't know until recently that Margaux is a wine style) to the closing "The Shiraz Shuffle" (another wine style, and a song featuring some lovely acoustic guitar work from Mr. Juber). In between those songs are a number of great songs, from the somber "Down in the Cellars", uptempo "Turning It into Water" (one of the songs featuring some electric guitar work, and which seems to recall "Year of the Cat" in some of its stylings) and the hilarious "The Night That the Band Got the Wine" (listen to that one and you'll pick up the distaste that Al and probably most decent musicians have for playing the same old pop standards for parties and wedding receptions).

If you like Al Stewart, you'll love this CD. It is definitely worth the extra bucks you'll have to shell out for it since it is available only as an import as of this review (August 2001). My personal feeling is it isn't quite as good as "Life Between the Wars" but still excellent, and if you liked the more varied arrangements found on earlier Al Stewart records like "Year of the Cat" or "Famous Last Words" you'll probably prefer this one. In any case though, support this otherwise under-appreciated master of folk-rock, and buy the CD.

I'm surprised at some of the negative comments on this album. This is a solid effort. It may not reach the heights of songwriting found on his previous "Life Between the Wars," but the entire album is enjoyable. Honestly, many of the songs have virtually nothing to do with wine -- merely a wine reference here or there. The great thing about Al is that his songs are intelligent songs for intelligent people (you might even learn a thing or two about history), and also he knows how to write a melody, unlike so many of today's writers.

The production is fine -- not overdone, not underdone. (I thought Life Between the Wars was too spartan, too underproduced.) The recording is not as clean and clear as it should be. As an audiophile, that irks me.

And finally, one must mention price. At $30, I find it hard to recommend this to the average Joe. I guess it depends on how much disposable income you've got. It is criminal that no domestic label will pick up Al's late 1980's and 1990's albums and distribute them. Still, this is a beautiful record, and if you love Al, you've gotta have it, in spite of the cost.

I don't think anyone writes lyrics like Al. He is almost in a class by himself. This is a great album that wasn't distibuted in the U.S. but now can be purchased here on Amazon. Reading about his concerts shows that he seems to like to play "House of Clocks" in almost all his current concerts. This is a good song but there are alot of good songs on this. The wine metaphor used here is quite cleverly done. This is a very well put together album that's worth a listen. I enjoyed "Franklin's Table", "Down in the Cellar", "Turning It Into Water"...wait a minute..I enjoyed the entire album.