This just reminds me of the terrible bore at the party who insists on 'jamming' on the guitar while everyone else wants to talk or listen to some proper music.

alanb wrote:

dmax wrote:

Strangely beautiful even though the polemics of the lyrics make it hard to swallow. I give it an 8

jkdufair wrote:

I think I heard it end at least 4 times, only to (wait for it) juuuuusssst start over again. ;-)

I must say I quite like it though, it sort of grows on you after the first 7 minutes or so. Seriously.

Isn't it over yet. This is brutal.

youforia wrote:

...except not as good.

If asked for my opinion, I would have to say I dislike this song very much. I'm not much for his nasal, generally geeky, delivery. Kinda sounds like the They Might Be Giants guy...

Looooooooooong song about an overrated hoaxster/"prophet".

Always did like a bit of Al Stewart now and again, perhaps because I've always been a sucker for history and so few other groups have ever drawn on it for inspiration (Yeah, Genesis did it better, when they did it)

Hadn't heard any for years. An occasional odd ball number of this sort is fine by me.

Chwkbud wrote:


Here. Isn't the net wonderful?

Oh man, THAT is a flashback - I recall playing this over and over--I think trying to learn the words--when I first bought the record in the 70's, and saw Al live. It's ok now once ina long while....
Hmm...whatever happened to Al Stewart (post Year of Cat)?

dirge-like nonsense!

I consider "Past Present Future" Al's greatest album; it avoids the syrupyness of "Year of the Cat" and the inaccessibility of his early Orange Cider stuff. While I consider "Road to Moscow" that album's best work, I had never heard this live version before. And Al live is almost always better than Al in the studio.

dadofsammy wrote:

I love that "aimless riffing." Perhaps that is the characer of our time, no patience for rambling, ambling, thoughtful nothingness.

Al Steward has an incredible voice as he always had before. Wonderful sound.

dadofsammy wrote:

Someone pass the spliff over here and lemme see how that song sounds now...

I looked into Nostradamus, only to discover that he predicted this won't last long on RP :)

This was very well-regarded when I was in college. I don't think it stands the test of time that well, unfortunately. Lots of aimless riffing on that twelve-string. Of course everyone was high as kites, so it probably sounded just fine.

:P SOUNDS LIKE MONTY PYTHON!!!

Wow. I've always liked this song for some reason, but right now I just love it. Thanks, Bill.

I don't know, maybe cause it's a dreary rainy after thanksgiving day, but this sounds beautiful to me today

MsJudi wrote:


I remember when this song came out and what a stir it caused. I never thought to hear it here. WOW! RP is the best!!

:nodhead: :nodhead: :nodhead: :nodhead:

Strange days indeed!

jkdufair wrote:

I stopped paying attention for about five minutes. When I noticed the music again, it was still the same damn song. So I'm not very optimistic at this point. :)

MsJudi wrote:
I don't think I'd really heard of him, and now I wish I hadn't.

It wouldn't have been quite so bad if it hadn't been

                                               i n t e r m i n a b l e
and shapeless.

This song does end some time, right? Or do I have to wait for the year of the cat?

I never much liked Al Stewart, but this song is really good.

Another great Al Stewart song althought the live version interpolating World Goes To Riyadh is much stronger, IMO.

Wow. Haven't heard this one in ages. Great pick!