Time Passages [Original recording remastered]

1. Time Passages

2. Valentina Way

3. Life in Dark Water

4. Man for All Seasons

5. Almost Lucy

6. Palace of Versailles

7. Timeless Skies

8. Song on the Radio

9. End of the Day

Time Passages,Al Stewart,Rhino / Wea,Album Rock,Folk-Rock,Pop,Pop/Rock,Prog-Rock/Art Rock,Rock,Rock/Pop,Singer/Songwriter,Soft Rock

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Time Passages [Original recording remastered]

Average customer rating: Sounds more like an Alan Parsons album than an Al Stewart album One Of Al Stewart's Best MR. ALAN PARSONS, PLEASE STEP FORWARD AND TAKE A BOW... This is best for veteran fans... terrific--brilliant songwriting & great production

Time Passages Al Stewart Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Rhino Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Year of the Cat Past, Present And Future Modern Times A Beach Full of Shells Greatest Hits by Alstewart ASIN: B0001XAS2G Release Date: 2004-04-27

Tracks:

1. Time Passages
2. Valentina Way
3. Life in Dark Water
4. Man for All Seasons
5. Almost Lucy
6. Palace of Versailles
7. Timeless Skies
8. Song on the Radio
9. End of the Day

Customer Reviews:

Sounds more like an Alan Parsons album than an Al Stewart album.......2006-11-29

I would have presumed that producer Alan Parsons was less intimately involved with this record than with its predecessor, "Year of the Cat". His own project had released a record the year earlier and he was likely devoting most of his time to that. Nevertheless, "Time Passages" sounds far more like an Alan Parsons record than his previous collaborations with Al Stewart do.

That's not a complaint, just an observation. Whereas "Year of the Cat" (abbreviated hereafter as YotC) is at heart a beautiful acoustic folk record that is merely enhanced by Parsons' production, "Time Passages" seems to have been transformed, resulting in a whole new sound. The title track is the most similar to YotC, using many of the same elements that made the title track from YotC a huge hit such as a mellow piano - or in this case, keyboard - intro, culminating in a loud and passionate sax solo near the end. But the heart of this album is progressive, spacey, trippy, synthesizer-powered, mellow rock. Not only that, there is also some very slick electric guitar playing on this record (played by the same guy who did the amazing acoustic guitar part on YotC's "On the Border".) There are even moments on the third track that sound ripped straight from a Pink Floyd album.

I find that Al Stewart's voice fits in very well with all of this, strangely enough. Apart from "Time Passages" title track, I don't think the songwriting is as good here as it was on YotC. Still, the production value is amazing and the album has a great sound. This remastered Rhino disc sounds great, this is a good buy.

In addition to Al Stewart fans, I think the album would be enjoyed by many fans of Pink Floyd, fans of the Moody Blues albums of this period (Octave, Long Distance Voyager, etc.), and even some fans of contemporary downtempo groups Air and Zero 7.

One Of Al Stewart's Best.......2006-05-17

TIME PASSAGES is one of Al Stewart's best albums ever. His music from this period has come under fire from the reviewers at MUSICHOUND, but it's their loss. Stewart had found a sympathetic producer in Alan Parsons, who added much-needed muscle to Stewart's music, and Stewart's folkie leanings also prevented Parsons from overdoing things. The second verse of the title track makes the point that living in the past can make it hard to focus on the present, a theme which I've expressed in putting my dream of looking good for any number of pretty actresses as a higher priority than going to Thanksgiving dinner and Graduation luncheon at my old school. "Song On The Radio" is also great, and if nothing else quite matches these two peaks, the rest of the album is nevertheless quite consistent. Stewart would put out two more great albums, 24 CARROTS and LIVE- INDIAN SUMMER, and then hit a dry patch musically before coming back in the last eighteen years with a series of excellent releases, including RHYMES IN ROOMS and FAMOUS LAST WORDS. The fact that some of Stewart's work has dated poorly takes nothing away from the lyrical power of this album and its direct predecessor, YEAR OF THE CAT.

MR. ALAN PARSONS, PLEASE STEP FORWARD AND TAKE A BOW..........2005-06-08

Sigh... if only Al Stewart and Alan Parsons were working together again - they were perfect musical soulmates not unlike Lennon/McCartney. When you get right down to it, Al is really a folkie troubadour; as such, I'm convinced that these tunes wouldn't be anywhere near as fleshed out if it weren't for Alan Parsons' musical guidance and sound expertise - and the end result is a sonic masterpiece. If you were to get only two Al Stewart CDs, it would have to be the ones where AP was working the soundboard - "Year Of The Cat" and this one. Highly recommended.

This is best for veteran fans..........2004-09-25

since the hits from this one, "Time Passages" and "Song on the Radio" are available on other CD's, along with companion tunes which are a bit stronger than the other seven tracks here. I must say, however, I like "Valentina Way" a lot. Al is mostly mellow, and often cerebral, sometimes obscure in his history sagas, but he enunciates beautifully, and the guitar-dominant accompaniment is always good on his albums. He did unique stuff, and his best compositions are truly remarkable and hold up well to repeated listening. If you are new to him, look for his "Greatest Hits" or the "Song on the Radio" compilation, then dig in to the originals from the '70's and '80's one-by-one.

terrific--brilliant songwriting & great production.......2004-09-03

To a certain extent, it's not that surprising that certain fans will somewhat write this album off, being as it was, along with "Year Of The Cat", Al's commercial peak--in the US, the album reached the Top Ten on the album charts & went platinum within a year of its original release in September/ October of 1978. Granted, Al has lots of excellent work from before as well as after this album, yet "Time Passages" demonstrates a genius at an absolute peak. Al's songwriting on track after track is so melodically rich & full of outstanding, incisive lyrics, it's hard not to be envious of his ability. Also, his understated, precisely-phrased, clearly enunciated vocals complement the material perfectly. As much credit as Al deserves, you can't deny the contributions of producer Alan Parsons for the album's lush, warm sound, & all the great musicianship, including guitarist Peter White who co-wrote the beautiful, timeless title track (& the final track--everything in between was written by Al himself). Some fans seem to find the sound of the album too bland/ soft-rockish/ radio-friendly, which is being very harsh. His folkier side is very much represented on "Timeless Skies" and "Almost Lucy", the latter of which is one of his patented 'mysterious woman' songs. Maybe it WAS radio-friendly for its time, but listening today it sounds arguably even more impressive than when first released in the sense that there's none of the overdone, overly slick, lifeless production that's heard all too frequently on much 1990s/ 2000s music. The album is so rich & complete--you could go on at length discussing the individual tracks... The thing that really drives it all home making the album so extra-special is the emotional resonance of the material--the majestic title track, "Timeless Skies" (with a great "rainy" acoustic guitar part), and the relaxed "Song On The Radio" are all wistful, breezy, and wonderful; the haunting story-song "Almost Lucy" is also a terrific, deeply affecting track. "The Palace of Versailles" with its great synthesizer melody, & the punchy uptempo rocker "Valentina Way" are a couple more gems from the album. Al said in an interview over 20 years ago he doesn't expect listeners to fully understand his often historically-based lyrics, and that some of it elludes even himself. Having attended a Stewart concert this past June, playing solo with acoustic guitar, his humbleness is readily apparent, and as much as he clearly enjoys piling in the little details into his lyrics for the fans who love trying to decipher it all and to point out any historical inaccuracies, he is truly effective in his attempts to communicate feeling. This Rhino Records treatment of the album, with the liner notes & outstanding sound quality, take an already must-have album that extra mile. If you're new to Al, this is an ideal starting place--"Time Passages" belongs in any serious listener's collection.

Average customer rating: BEST OF BEST

Time Passages Live [Collectables] Al Stewart Manufacturer: Collectables ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Folk | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Folk | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music Scotland | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | British Isles | Europe | International | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | British Isles | Europe | International | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music General | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 International | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Folk | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B0007QS3RO Release Date: 2005-04-12

Tracks:

1. ON THE BORDER
2. SIRENS OF TITAN
3. TIME PASSAGES
4. ROADS TO MOSCOW
5. LIFE IN DARK WATER
6. VALENTINA WAY
7. YEAR OF THE CAT
8. PINK PANTHER THEME
9. SONG ON THE RADIO

Customer Reviews:

BEST OF BEST.......2007-07-22

THIS CD CPNTAINS EXCELENT LIVE PERFORMANCES OF THE CLASICAL HITS, AND CONTAINS SOME RARELY VERSION OF PINK PANTHER'S THEME, I RECOMEND THIS CD

Average customer rating: terrific--brilliant songwriting & great production A Desert Island Disc Good story telling Great Travelling Music "Buy me a ticket on the last train home tonight"

Time Passages Al Stewart Manufacturer: Arista ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Oldies | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Folk Rock | Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Folk Rock | Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Similar Items: Year of the Cat Year of the Cat Famous Last Words Year of the Cat A Beach Full of Shells ASIN: B000002VDW Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Time Passages
2. Valentina Way
3. Life In Dark Water
4. A Man For All Seasons
5. Almost Lucy
6. The Palace Of Versailles
7. Timeless Skies
8. Song On The Radio
9. End Of The Day

Customer Reviews:

terrific--brilliant songwriting & great production.......2004-11-08

To a certain extent, it's not that surprising that certain fans will somewhat write this album off, being as it was, along with "Year Of The Cat", Al's commercial peak--in the US, the album reached the Top Ten on the album charts & went platinum within a year of its original release in September/ October of 1978. Granted, Al has lots of excellent work from before as well as after this album, yet "Time Passages" demonstrates a genius at an absolute peak. Al's songwriting on track after track is so melodically rich & full of outstanding, incisive lyrics, it's hard not to be envious of his ability. Also, his understated, precisely-phrased, clearly enunciated vocals complement the material perfectly. As much credit as Al deserves, you can't deny the contributions of producer Alan Parsons for the album's lush, warm sound, & all the great musicianship, including guitarist Peter White who co-wrote the beautiful, timeless title track (& the final track--everything in between was written by Al himself). Some fans seem to find the sound of the album too bland/ soft-rockish/ radio-friendly, which is being very harsh. His folkier side is very much represented on "Timeless Skies" and "Almost Lucy", the latter of which is one of his patented 'mysterious woman' songs. Maybe it WAS radio-friendly for its time, but listening today it sounds arguably even more impressive than when first released in the sense that there's none of the overdone, overly slick, lifeless production that's heard all too frequently on much 1990s/ 2000s music. The album is so rich & complete--you could go on at length discussing the individual tracks... The thing that really drives it all home making the album so extra-special is the emotional resonance of the material--the majestic title track, "Timeless Skies" (with a great "rainy" acoustic guitar part), and the relaxed "Song On The Radio" are all wistful, breezy, and wonderful; the haunting story-song "Almost Lucy" is also a terrific, deeply affecting track. "The Palace of Versailles" with its great synthesizer melody, & the punchy uptempo rocker "Valentina Way" are a couple more gems from the album. Al said in an interview over 20 years ago he doesn't expect listeners to fully understand his often historically-based lyrics, and that some of it elludes even himself. Having attended a Stewart concert this past June, playing solo with acoustic guitar, his humbleness is readily apparent, and as much as he clearly enjoys piling in the little details into his lyrics for the fans who love trying to decipher it all and to point out any historical inaccuracies, he is overwhelmingly effective in his attempts to communicate feeling. This album was reissued on CD by Rhino Records in April of 2004, and it's preferrable to this older Arista CD release; however, if you already have this version or if you see it cheap, it will get you by just fine since the sound quality here is solid in its own right and the Rhino reissue doesn't feature any bonus tracks. If you're new to Al, this is a great album to start with--this is one of those truly special albums that belongs in any serious listener's collection.

A Desert Island Disc.......2003-11-15

Right now, in 2003, this music is just so hopelessly U N H I P it isn't even funny. It's almost like you have to apologise for liking it! Well, to me this album has been like a faithful friend for almost 25 years now. It's an album I often return to. After a stressful day, it's like balsam to my soul more than any other album i know about. And for those very inspired moments, it's everlasting.
I believe this is Stewart's best album. I haven't heard them all, but I do think it's better than "Past, Present and Future" and "Year of the Cat". Stewart has just the nicest, most sympathic VOICE in the entire history of pop music. "Time "Passages" has a more "symphonic" touch than other Stewart albums I have heard, and it pays off. There's not a single weak song on the album. I've heard some people dislike "Song On The Radio", but I really don't understand why. When I go for a drive on a sunny day, I can't think of any better soundtrack than that song.
I LOVE this beautiful album, and I would definately take it with me on a desert island.

Good story telling.......2003-06-21

This album was released after the very sucessful YEAR OF THE CAT. Some good stuff here, but not as engaging as YEAR OF THE CAT. It's been said that SONG ON THE RADIO was written specifically to get radio airplay, yet it's still a good tune. Other highlights: VALENTINA WAY (has a great driving beat) and the Title tract, TIME PASSAGES (sort of an ode to nostalgia) are really good. The rest is good story telling, but not much Rockin-n-rollin'. If you like songs that give you the feel for the story they're telling, this is for you!!!

Great Travelling Music.......2003-02-24

Some have praised this album while downplaying the two hit songs it contains, but I think they each fit in nicely. "Time Passages" is the perfect opener, inviting you, the listener, to open up your mind and listen to Al tell some stories. "Song on the Radio," while it may be a bit of a stretch thematically, provides a nice uptempo kick near the end of the album, gently bringing us back into the here and now. I was not a fan of either of these songs when they were hits, but after buying the album years later I was able to appreciate them much more.

And they are not the only great songs here. "Palace of Versailles" and "The Man for All Seasons" are excellent examples of how Stewart was able to fuse American folk and rock styles with distinctly European themes. "Almost Lucy," "Acadian Skies," and "End of the Day" are mostly acoustic, and harken back to Stewart's earlier, more personal work.

I love to listen to Al Stewart's music, particularly this album, while travelling. Stewart is obviously an observant, enthusiastic traveller who also has an appreciation of the comforts of home, and his attitude is infectious.

"Buy me a ticket on the last train home tonight".......2003-02-20

"Time Passages" is a collection of well-written, finely-crafted tunes, excellently produced and absolutely guaranteed to please persons of discriminating taste. The title track is still played extensively on many radio stations, and deservedly so. The sentiments are sweet, suggestive of a thoughtful, Chardonnay-induced reverie into one's past. "Palace of Versailles" is haunting, and "Song on the Radio", while a tad trite compared to Mr. Stewart's other offerings, is just plain fun, and contains a gem of a verse: "I don't know what it was that was painful...". Buy the album and hear the lyrics for yourself; you'll understand why I was able to use this verse very succesfully in my attempt to win over a reluctant would-be, semi-misanthropic lover...(Question is now, why did I bother....)

Average customer rating:

Time Passages Live Al Stewart Manufacturer: SSM (Sunset Strategic Marketing) ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music Scotland | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Live Albums | Pop | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music 4-for-3 International | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Acoustic Evening With Al Stewart Live at the Roxy Los Angeles 1981 Past, Present And Future ASIN: B00008G71K Release Date: 2006-07-23

Tracks:

1. On the Border 3:46
2. Sirens of Titan 3:35
3. Time Passages 6:35
4. Roads to Moscow 8:45
5. Life in Dark Water 5:59
6. Valentina Way 4:03
7. Year of the Cat 9:25
8. The Pink Panther Theme 2:59
9. Song on the Radio 6:31

Product Description

Time Passages Live is the earliest extant live recording of Al Stewart, licensed from Stewart himself and derived from a 1978 concert, along the tour promoting the then new LP Time Passages -- that album's title track, as well as "Valentina Way," "Life In Dark Water," and "Song On The Radio" (the latter offering a great Phil Kenzie sax solo), are all represented. Issued by BMG through its budget-priced Special Products Division, it's a genuine bargain, offering state-of-the-art sound (for its time) and a very solid song list, including highlights from the preceding pair of LPs -- there's no "Nostradamus" but there's a superb "Roads To Moscow," in addition to the ubiquitous "Year Of The Cat" and "On The Border." And only in 1978, at a concert by Al Stewart, would a big portion of a rock concert audience applaud enthusiastically at the mention of Kurt Vonnegut's name (in the introduction to "Sirens Of Titan"). The band also breaks up the seriousness of Stewart's originals with an enjoyable rendition of Henry Mancini's "Pink Panther Theme," spotlighting Phil Kenzie's sax.

Average customer rating: A New Age Classic

Traces of Time Manufacturer: Emerald Web ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music Jazz | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Manatee Dreams of Neptune Nocturne/Lights of the Ivory Plain Catspaw ASIN: B000AAL33I Release Date: 1987-06-15

Tracks:

1. Variations on Pachelbel's Canon
2. Earthtrails
3. Awakening
4. Valley of the Birds
5. Ice Caves
6. View from the Window Seat
7. Whispered Vision

Product Description

Ethereal textures, floating melodies, and cascading passages create a beautiful relaxing ambience. Can be used for massage, healing, rush hour traffic, or the office. This inspiring music is created on Flutes, Lyricon, and Electronics. This extended play album is a musical anthology which includes music from previous Emerald Web albums plus, "Pachelbel's Canon" and other recordings. The music can create a perfect relaxed and intimate atmosphere, can be used for massage, healing, rush hour traffic, or at the office. This inspiring instrumental music is charming and calming. It is created on Flutes, Lyricon, and Electronics. A new age classic! Ethereal textures, floating melodies, and cascading passages create a beautiful relaxing ambience.. Another album by Emerald Web: Manatee Dreams of Neptune Another album by Kat Epple: Azure Pieces of Life

Customer Reviews:

A New Age Classic.......2007-04-25

The following info is from the album's liner notes.
Ethereal textures and flowing, cascading passages. This extended play album is a musical anthology which includes music from previous Emerald Web albums plus, "Pachelbel's Canon". Inspiring and calming. Flutes, Lyricon, and Synthesizers. A New Age Classic!

Average customer rating: terrific--brilliant songwriting & great production A Desert Island Disc Good story telling Great Travelling Music "Buy me a ticket on the last train home tonight"

Time Passages Al Stewart Manufacturer: EMI ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Folk | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Year of the Cat Year of the Cat Famous Last Words Year of the Cat A Beach Full of Shells ASIN: B000024KBM Release Date: 2004-02-23

Tracks:

1. Time Passages
2. Valentina Way
3. Life in Dark Water
4. Man for All Seasons
5. Almost Lucy
6. Palace of Versailles
7. Timeless Skies
8. Song on the Radio
9. End of the Day

Customer Reviews:

terrific--brilliant songwriting & great production.......2004-11-08

To a certain extent, it's not that surprising that certain fans will somewhat write this album off, being as it was, along with "Year Of The Cat", Al's commercial peak--in the US, the album reached the Top Ten on the album charts & went platinum within a year of its original release in September/ October of 1978. Granted, Al has lots of excellent work from before as well as after this album, yet "Time Passages" demonstrates a genius at an absolute peak. Al's songwriting on track after track is so melodically rich & full of outstanding, incisive lyrics, it's hard not to be envious of his ability. Also, his understated, precisely-phrased, clearly enunciated vocals complement the material perfectly. As much credit as Al deserves, you can't deny the contributions of producer Alan Parsons for the album's lush, warm sound, & all the great musicianship, including guitarist Peter White who co-wrote the beautiful, timeless title track (& the final track--everything in between was written by Al himself). Some fans seem to find the sound of the album too bland/ soft-rockish/ radio-friendly, which is being very harsh. His folkier side is very much represented on "Timeless Skies" and "Almost Lucy", the latter of which is one of his patented 'mysterious woman' songs. Maybe it WAS radio-friendly for its time, but listening today it sounds arguably even more impressive than when first released in the sense that there's none of the overdone, overly slick, lifeless production that's heard all too frequently on much 1990s/ 2000s music. The album is so rich & complete--you could go on at length discussing the individual tracks... The thing that really drives it all home making the album so extra-special is the emotional resonance of the material--the majestic title track, "Timeless Skies" (with a great "rainy" acoustic guitar part), and the relaxed "Song On The Radio" are all wistful, breezy, and wonderful; the haunting story-song "Almost Lucy" is also a terrific, deeply affecting track. "The Palace of Versailles" with its great synthesizer melody, & the punchy uptempo rocker "Valentina Way" are a couple more gems from the album. Al said in an interview over 20 years ago he doesn't expect listeners to fully understand his often historically-based lyrics, and that some of it elludes even himself. Having attended a Stewart concert this past June, playing solo with acoustic guitar, his humbleness is readily apparent, and as much as he clearly enjoys piling in the little details into his lyrics for the fans who love trying to decipher it all and to point out any historical inaccuracies, he is overwhelmingly effective in his attempts to communicate feeling. This album was reissued on CD by Rhino Records in April of 2004, and it's preferrable to this older Arista CD release; however, if you already have this version or if you see it cheap, it will get you by just fine since the sound quality here is solid in its own right and the Rhino reissue doesn't feature any bonus tracks. If you're new to Al, this is a great album to start with--this is one of those truly special albums that belongs in any serious listener's collection.

A Desert Island Disc.......2003-11-15

Right now, in 2003, this music is just so hopelessly U N H I P it isn't even funny. It's almost like you have to apologise for liking it! Well, to me this album has been like a faithful friend for almost 25 years now. It's an album I often return to. After a stressful day, it's like balsam to my soul more than any other album i know about. And for those very inspired moments, it's everlasting.
I believe this is Stewart's best album. I haven't heard them all, but I do think it's better than "Past, Present and Future" and "Year of the Cat". Stewart has just the nicest, most sympathic VOICE in the entire history of pop music. "Time "Passages" has a more "symphonic" touch than other Stewart albums I have heard, and it pays off. There's not a single weak song on the album. I've heard some people dislike "Song On The Radio", but I really don't understand why. When I go for a drive on a sunny day, I can't think of any better soundtrack than that song.
I LOVE this beautiful album, and I would definately take it with me on a desert island.

Good story telling.......2003-06-21

This album was released after the very sucessful YEAR OF THE CAT. Some good stuff here, but not as engaging as YEAR OF THE CAT. It's been said that SONG ON THE RADIO was written specifically to get radio airplay, yet it's still a good tune. Other highlights: VALENTINA WAY (has a great driving beat) and the Title tract, TIME PASSAGES (sort of an ode to nostalgia) are really good. The rest is good story telling, but not much Rockin-n-rollin'. If you like songs that give you the feel for the story they're telling, this is for you!!!

Great Travelling Music.......2003-02-24

Some have praised this album while downplaying the two hit songs it contains, but I think they each fit in nicely. "Time Passages" is the perfect opener, inviting you, the listener, to open up your mind and listen to Al tell some stories. "Song on the Radio," while it may be a bit of a stretch thematically, provides a nice uptempo kick near the end of the album, gently bringing us back into the here and now. I was not a fan of either of these songs when they were hits, but after buying the album years later I was able to appreciate them much more.

And they are not the only great songs here. "Palace of Versailles" and "The Man for All Seasons" are excellent examples of how Stewart was able to fuse American folk and rock styles with distinctly European themes. "Almost Lucy," "Acadian Skies," and "End of the Day" are mostly acoustic, and harken back to Stewart's earlier, more personal work.

I love to listen to Al Stewart's music, particularly this album, while travelling. Stewart is obviously an observant, enthusiastic traveller who also has an appreciation of the comforts of home, and his attitude is infectious.

"Buy me a ticket on the last train home tonight".......2003-02-20

"Time Passages" is a collection of well-written, finely-crafted tunes, excellently produced and absolutely guaranteed to please persons of discriminating taste. The title track is still played extensively on many radio stations, and deservedly so. The sentiments are sweet, suggestive of a thoughtful, Chardonnay-induced reverie into one's past. "Palace of Versailles" is haunting, and "Song on the Radio", while a tad trite compared to Mr. Stewart's other offerings, is just plain fun, and contains a gem of a verse: "I don't know what it was that was painful...". Buy the album and hear the lyrics for yourself; you'll understand why I was able to use this verse very succesfully in my attempt to win over a reluctant would-be, semi-misanthropic lover...(Question is now, why did I bother....)

Average customer rating:

Time Passages Various Artists Manufacturer: Disky ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music ASIN: B000024V0W Release Date: 1998-10-08

Average customer rating: The studio versions are much better. Time Passages Live ~ Al Stewart Good Live Set The BEST Al Stewart Live album Great live cd

Time Passages Live Al Stewart Manufacturer: Bmg Special Product ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music Scotland | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Live Albums | Pop | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | British Isles | Europe | International | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | British Isles | Europe | International | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Folk Rock | Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Folk Rock | Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Similar Items: Live at the Roxy Los Angeles 1981 A Beach Full of Shells Acoustic Evening With Al Stewart Down in the Cellar ASIN: B00006CYBB Release Date: 2002-07-23

Tracks:

1. On The Border
2. Sirens Of Titan
3. Time Passages
4. Roads To Moscow
5. Life In Dark Water
6. Valentina Way
7. Year Of The Cat
8. Pink Panther Theme
9. Song On The Radio

Customer Reviews:

The studio versions are much better........2006-12-08

I USUALLY PREFER LIVE PERFORMANCES AND EXTENDED VERSIONS OF SONGS. IN THIS CASE THE STUDIO VERSIONS ARE BETTER.

This is another cheap BMG project. It is taken from a 1978 radio concert. It was originally released on LP as The Live Radio Concert and was about 46 minutes long. This CD has an extra track, Sirens of Titan and is just under 50 minutes. It has a cheap packaging and there are no liner notes or credits.

Sound quality is pretty good, but not perfect. Audience noise is almost nonexistant while the group is playing, which is a big plus. Many of today's live CD's (like those by Dave Matthews) are ruined by the audience being mixed in way too loud so that you can't enjoy the music. When Stewart talks between tracks, you can barely hear what he is saying.

The perfromance of the songs and the back up band are not that good. The singing and accompanying music are flat and uninteresting. Great songs like On the Border and Year of the Cat come off as boring. Song On the Radio is especially bad. Much of it sounds like a lounge act.

A saxophone player is featured on many songs. Normally, that could be a good thing. Many groups know how to use a saxophone to add depth to a song, such as Loggins and Messina, Marshall Tucker and Pink Floyd. But, here, the saxophone seems just thrown in. It reminds me a lot of Jerry Rafferty. The only time the saxophone sounds any good is when it breaks out during the Pink Panther theme. But, what is the point of buying an Al Stewart album to hear a Henry Mancini song? I would prefer if they used the limited album space to include another Al Stewart song.

The only real nice musical interlude is the 2 minute piano intro to Year of the Cat. Unfortunately, the rest of the song is not done with the same energy, and doesn't come close to the studio version.

The only song that is good throughout is Roads To Moscow. That is because it is mostly just Stewart accompanied by an accoustic guitar. It doesn't have the over production problems of the other albums, and Stewart sings with some emotion, having to carry the song.

I know there are some rabid Al Stewart fans out there and they will attack me for my views. But, I think this album is flat and not up to the standards of Past, Present and Future. Normally, you expect a live album to be more lively and intereting than the studio versions, not less.

Time Passages Live ~ Al Stewart.......2006-02-07

An excellent live album with most of Stewart's big hits. Great vocals and great instrumentation from a very capable band. I had heard this live version of "Pink Panther Theme" many years ago and was never able to find it. Apparently, this album had been available on vinyl for only a short time. I'm thrilled to see it on CD.

Good Live Set.......2003-08-25

The reissue of Al's legendary "Blue Album" is somewhat of a surprise, though a well received surprise. This CD documents Al's golden years of the late 1970s when the record buying public saw him as a nice break from the disco extravaganza. What we have here is a nice 'greatest-hits-thus-far-live' set. The songs are duplicated almost 100% as their original studio counterparts. Though I will say that the live version of "Sirens of Titan" blows the studio version out of the water.

There is one point in "Roads to Moscow" that Al's voice breaks a little, but then again, this album was never officially released when it was first pressed in 1979 and I'm not sure if this release was authorised by Al. Still, it's a great listen if you're a collector. Chances are, though, if you have "LIVE AT THE ROXY" you have a more comprehensive live collection.

The BEST Al Stewart Live album.......2003-04-25

I always lusted after the Radio Concert Album, and was not disappointed when I purchased this. The big surprise on the cd is that two songs I never thought were among Al's best, Life in Dark Water and Valentina Way are the best tracks on this cd. The band is excellent, and I much prefer these recordings to the Indian Summer/Live which were dreadfully doctored (orchestral overdubs) no doubt under the guidance of wonder boy Clive Davis who's Arista dumped him from the label shortly before or after Indian Summer! I think this is a very worthwhile collection of Al in his prime with a great back up band. Buy it and be happy.

Great live cd.......2002-10-18

It's really great to see the legendary "Blue Album" put on cd.
I find the recording good, especially since it is 24 years old.
The thing I liked the best was Phil Kenzie's sax solos on "Song
on the Radio". Some of the notes he hits are just incredible.
This is about the most bang for your buck that you could possibly get.

Average customer rating:

Gold Manufacturer: MMB ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Theodorakis | Theodorakis, Mikis | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Greece | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music ASIN: B00004VEFA Release Date: 1997-01-01

Tracks:

1. The Jovial Boy
2. Old-Time Passages
3. Myrtle
4. 'Tis Raining Hard In The Slums
5. My Joy I Can Spare
6. Andriko's Ballad
7. Anguished Yearning
8. Sunrise Was Your Name
9. Margaret Of May
10. Of The Little Northwind
11. In This Nieghbourhood
12. O Maggie-Margaret
13. The Train Leaves At Eight
14. My April
15. Betrayed Love
16. Dream
17. Go To Sleep My Angel
18. You Were Leaning Against The Window
19. Where To Has My Lad Fled
20. Thanks Me To God

Average customer rating:

Hidden Passages Manufacturer: Time Dance Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B00099ZP5C

Product Description

New Age Piano Passages - Drifting among the waves and currents of the original new age piano solos in this debut collection. You will find yourself far away from the noise and haste of every day life - in a world of soothing soul searching music. songs include: 1. Starting over 2.Hidden passages 3. mom's song 4. for Natanya 5. Promise of life 6. Music manna 7. Anosaka's hope 8. Christmas past 9. Goodbye 10. A father's love 11. Isle of dreams 12. On the lamb 13. First-born fiesta

Rap Music:

1. Tripping the Live Fantastic [Live]
2. VH1 Classic Presents: Metal Mania - Stripped, Vol. 2: Anthems
3. VH1: I Love the '90s
4. Volcano
5. Weather Systems [Enhanced]
6. Where It All Begins
7. A Live One [Live]
8. All Wood & Stones
9. Always Be
10. Believe

Rap Music

rap music

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