Al Stewart - Past, Present and Future

Title Fits My Life with This Recording - Owned in Past; Bought In Present; Will Listen Often in Future

I had an LP of this wonderful album in college back in the '70s. I recorded my favorites onto tape and listened to them in my car for years. I'm amazed that it took me another 10-15 years to buy Al Stewart's "Past, Present and Future" on CD.

Although not directly fulfilling his initial concept of a century-by-century trip through the last millenium, Stewart does well enough with six history-tinged tunes (Old Admirals, Warren Harding, The Last Day of June 1934, Post World War Two Blues, Roads to Moscow and Nostradamus). The other two cuts (Soho (Needless to Say) and Terminal Eyes) are set in the here and now (back then) of the musical and social scene of '60s and '70s London.

I bought the CD primarily to listen to the long-form songs, "Roads to Moscow" and "Nostradamus". The former is a fascinating and touching 8-minute examination of the Russian military resistance to the Nazi invasion in World War II. It was especially poignant to me, having just read Volume 3 of Solzhenitsyn's "Gulag Archipelago". Stewart's acoustic guitar work adds a Eastern European twinge. His easygoing voice still carries the emotion of the song.

On "Nostradamus", Stewart rewinds the clock about 400 years to the 16th century, when the Jeane Dixon of his day made a number of predictions about political life in the next few hundred years. All predictions can be cherry-picked to make a so-called prophet look good. In this case, Nostradamus predicts the rises of both Napoleon and Hitler, and perhaps even the assassination of the Kennedys (though he's one over on this one). Stewart's guitar playing takes on a minstrel quality that fits the song very well. His liner notes about both long songs are very interesting.

Five enthusiastic stars to lovers of folk music with an historical edge. I don't know how it could be done better--perhaps by Eric Bogle's "The Band Played Waltzing Matilda," the heartbreaking story of an Australian soldier's involvement in World War I. November 15, 2008

In my opinion the best concept album of the 70's

When I was in high school album rock stations ruled FM. Concept albums with long tracks over 5 minutes were the norm. Rick Wakeman's "Journey to the Center of the Earth", Jeff Wayne's "War of the World's" all built up on a foundation laid by Arlo Guthrie and "Alices Restaraunt" and Don McLean and "American Pie".

The best over all of these albums was Al Stewart's folksey "Past, Present, and Future" which had a song for each decade of the 20th Century up to the 1970's plus "Nostradamus" to take us to Y2K.

The flip side featuring the haunting "Roads to Moscow", the Beatles inspired "Terminal Eyes", and the catchy Sitar riffs of "Nostradamus" was one of the most enjoyable on vinyl ever to enjoy a needle.

I was reminded of how good it was when I was you tube recently and saw several mini movies based on Roads to Moscow and Nostradamus. I had lost the vinyl album long ago but now am looking forward to enjoying the music of this wonderful artist again on CD.

The live versions of these songs on the "Indian Summer" album are very good also though Nostradamus is a tad long with the prescient "World Goes to Riyadh" riff between the two halves of the song.

I wish he would tour the states again soon. July 17, 2008

Astounding Work

This is one of the best albums (yes, it was on vinyl to start) ever, showing the guitar artistry, historical storytelling, and unique melodies of Al Stewart. There is no disputing the haunting "Road To Moscow" and intricate "Nostradamus" as masterpieces. June 25, 2008

Past, Present, and Future

Like other reviewers, this was the album that introduced me to Al Stewart. The affection I felt for the muusic was immediate and permanent. Over time I've replaced my old vinyl records with discs and I'm glad I did. No longer do I hear the pop or static of a scratch.

As others have written, "Roads to Moscow" received some airplay on a local Twin Cities radio station that is still around but a shadow of its former self. Upon hearing this song I promptly went to the local record store (ah for the carefree days of being 17) and purchased this album. Wow. If ever a musical purchase was a life changing event, this purchase was. It contains no "I love you" songs. Those words appear in none of the lyrics on this record. There is no "she done me wrong" crap. This songwriter found his way onto a major record label with songs of historical reference (I already knew I would study history for the rest of my life by age 17), and crafty ballads.

The Last Day of June, 1934 led me to investigate its significance. Unfortunately it wasn't until the advent of internet that I was able to print a complete set of lyrics to this album. This means that after twenty years I was finally able to make out "we moved the booze just before daylight" ("Warren Harding") from a recording that seems to have half as many syllables to support what he actually sings. On PPF, each song is a work of art. If there is one fault, "Nostradamus" is a bit tedious and receives more attention on the original album jacket than it deserves.

But this is the album that launched my musical infatuation with the Scottish songwriter I've enjoyed ever since. When Year of the Cat came out two years later, newcomers to Al were saying "wow." I was already on board. April 22, 2008

Intellectual gem

"Roads to Moscow" is one of the most atmospheric songs about war that has ever been written. The whole album showcases Al Stewart at his seeped in history intellectual best. "Nostrodamus" remains as valid today as it did when I heard him play it live in 1975. This is a timeless intellectual gem of a record for anyone who enjoys guitar driven soft folk rock with intelligent lyrics. December 22, 2007

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