Al Stewart

Time Passages

(Esoteric/Cherry Red)

8.5/10

By Paul Davies

Following up the worldwide smash The Year Of The Cat with an on-par release was never going to be easy for Al Stewart. Yet, Time Passages ably managed to do so with its subtle song narratives and depth of delivery. Utilising pretty much the same musicians and, once again for the third time, helmed by Alan Parsons on production duties, this expanded re-release reveals a strong standalone collection of beguiling songs. Formatted across four discs, there’s an additional thirteen tracks collected from session out-takes, singles, demo recordings and a top of his game radio concert from Chicago 1978 Time Passages tour.

A top ten placing in the US album charts consolidated Stewart’s rising profile that would see him right as golden rain to this very day. Of the songs, there are plenty of classic tracks from Valentina Way to The Palace Of Versailles to Almost Lucy and the catchy hit single Song On The Radio that weather well adding extra layers down the years and especially on this fine remaster from the original studio tapes. The passage of time since its original release has reinforced the classy contents of this not at all difficult follow up to its platinum selling predecessor. This new collection adds polish and panache.