Disco de Al Stewart: “Last Days of the Century [EMI]”

There are four great albums in Stewart's career so far, and this is one of them. Some have called this overproduced. Perhaps it is, compared to Between the Wars (another of the four great Stewart albums), but that one is UNDERproduced.

I felt that the thickly-layered instrumentation and production added to the grandeur of these literate and melodic materpieces. My only criticism is that they tried to do an Alan Parsons-type production on the cheap, using keyboard synthesizers and string machines, whereas Parsons would have used more acoustic instruments and a real orchestra. No doubt this had partly to do with budgetary constraints.

Whatever its debatable flaws might be, I can't think of any album released in the past two or three years that comes close to this kind of artistic quality, though Norah Jones' debut was adorable, and surprisingly a hit as well. (How did THAT happen?)

If you like melody, if you like literate music that tackles subjects beyond moon-spoon-June love songs or their more vulgar modern counterparts, and if you like intelligently and intricately arranged pop music, then this ought to appeal. Yes, Al Stewart can entertain with just a microphone and a guitar slung over his shoulder. He can play the stripped-down folkie. But he also shines in this environment, as the central voice in orchestral pop -- and the material here is equal to Year of the Cat.

All I'm trying to say is, "This is just GOOD!"

After RUSSIANS AND AMERICANS (released in the mid 80's), Al Stewart seemed to disappear from the music scene completely. I've been a fan of his since I first heard PAST,PRESENT AND FUTURE, back in the '70s. Then came FAMOUS LAST WORDS in 1993, and I was thrilled to hear such wonderful new songs from Al. It wasn't until about 9 months ago that I even knew this album (LAST DAYS OF THE CENTURY) existed, and once I found out I couldn't find a copy anywhere! What a pity! This is a great album!!

OH, I've heard the criticisms: too glossy...

overproduced...etc.; but I could not disagree more. Because I purchased this album recently I'm not influenced by the late '80s sound (this isn't the late '80s anymore). I can't believe that even the critics don't find LICENSE TO STEAL engaging (if you don't, you've obviously have never been jerked around by a Lawyer). Other great tunes are JOSEPHINE BAKER, RED TOUPEE, and ANTARTICA. I admit that this is not standard Al Stewart stuff, but it is I good album. Give it a listen.

Few albums were released by Al in the eighties, but I am glad that Last Days of the Century came along like a blast of fresh air. The sound of this collection is unlike any before or after due to the sound of the time. Yes, it may be a little overproduced, but every producer will give Al a different flavor. And that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Joe Chicarelli did take Al where I think he wanted to go at the time to try to acheive radio airplay, and it is obvious that radio detractors simply won't give Al the credit he deserves. The only jarring song on this collection, "Real and Unreal" seems out of place here, but it isn't so bad that it doesn't deserve some credit too. "Last Days of the Century", "King of Portugal", and "Josephine Baker" truly deserved radio airplay, and one can only hope that people will still discover and appreciate Al regardless. I wouldn't mind another Stewart collection produced by Chicarelli again, but we will go with Al wherever he feels it necessary to be for the time. Give it a listen, and see for yourself !

Al produced this work in the 1980's. It is a "different" album. Al was bringing out the swift rock here. In retrospect, it is a lesser known and appreciated work than material produced in later years. At the time, he was attempting to get back into the limelight of rock stations who had ceased playing his stuff after the phenomenal "Year of the Cat" in '76. There are some cuts that remind you of the old Al, "King of Portugal" for example. But "Last Days of the Century" was an attempt to put him back in the top 40. My favorite, "He's fresh out of Law school...he's got a license to steal" should have been used as background music for "The Firm" or put somewhere in a Gordon Gekko speech in "Wall Street". As time has gone by, Al has produced two excellent albums since this one, "Between the Wars" and "Beach Full of Shells", also one good piano album "Down in the Cellar". So this work will probably fall to a lower rung with "Russians and Americans" from '84. At least he survived and continued to plug away. It paid off! Songs from this album are almost NEVER sung at any of Al's concerts. I think because they require too many other instruments. I don't recommend this work for people who like Al's casual style. It was designed to be different and it may shock the uninitiated, especially if this was the only work of Mr. Stewart that they ever heard. (that WOULD be a crime!)

This guy was at his best in the early 70s.The time was on his side.Surely this album was made by the 80s thick layered synthesizer sound but Al's noble and breath taking pop skill is still alive here.The surroundings of the musical industry has changed a lot but Al's song writing skill and his beautiful melody sense never dies.Only listen to his voice without prejudice.You'll find yourself in a warm hearted dream world.