Individual CDs
This isn't a complete list. It's just the one's that I particularly recommend.
To Whom it may Concern (1966-1970) A two CD set, containing the first three LPs (Bedsitter Images, Love Chronicles and Zero She Flies), plus several other tracks.
The 'student' years. Al Stewart typifies the sensitive singer/songwriter genre, with plenty of angst, issues, young love and humor.
If you were at university in the early 70s and are reading this, you will probably remember playing these albums and identifying with Al. Some have dated and can be a little toe curling, but most stand the test of time.
I've highlighted what I think are the stand-out tracks. However the near 'perfect truth' is A Small Fruit Song. Only 34 words long, but it says everything that it has to.
Track Listings
CD No.1:The Elf, Turn Into Earth, Bedsitter Images, Swiss Cottage Manoeuvres, The Carmichaels, Scandinavian Girl, Pretty Golden Hair, Denise At 16, Samuel, Oh How You've Changed!, Cleave To Me, A Long Way Down From Stephanie, Ivich, Beleeka Doodle Day, Lover Man [Mike Heron], Clifton In The Rain, In Brooklyn, Old Compton Street Blues, The Ballad of Mary Foster, Life and Life Only
CD No.2: You Should Have Listened to Al, Love Chronicles, My Enemies Have Sweet Voices, A Small Fruit Song, Gethsemane Again, Burbling, Electric Los Angeles Sunset, Manuscript, Black Hill, Anna, Room Of Roots, Zero She Flies
Orange/Past Present and Future/Modern Times
Probably Al's finest hour/years. In these three albums he is consistently at the top of his game.
'Orange' might be better grouped with the first three albums, but with a more defined style and maturity.
'Past Present & Future' is probably Al's most consistent album. There are no fillers here. Heavy on historical themes, every song is a winner.
'Modern Times' does lack the gloss of 'Past, Present and Future', with some more thoughtful tracks. It toured brilliantly.
These were albums that I bought as they were released, when I was in my early twenties. As a fan it was great that they just kept getting better.
Track Listings
Disc: 1 1. You Don't Even Know Me 2. Amsterdam 3. Songs Out Of Clay 4. News From Spain 5. I Don't Believe You 6. Once An Orange Always An Orange 7. I'm Falling 8. Night Of The 4th Of May 9. Old Admirals 10. Warren Harding 11. Soho (Needless To Say) 12. Last Day Of June 1934 13. Post World War Two Blues 14. Roads To Moscow 15. Terminal Eyes 16. Nostradamus
Disc: 2 1. Swallow Wind 2. Carol 3. Sirens Of Titan 4. What's Going On 5. Not The One 6. Next Time 7. Apple Cider Reconstitution 8. Dark And Rolling Sea 9. Modern Times
Year of the Cat: Remastered
Tracks: Lord Grenville, On The Border, Midas Shadow, Sand In Your Shoes, If It Doesn't Come Naturally, Leave It, Flying Sorcery, Broadway Hotel, One Stage Before, Year Of The Cat
Time PassagesTracks: Time Passages, Valentina Way, Life in Dark Water, A Man For All Seasons, Almost Lucy, The Palace Of Versailles, Timeless Skies, Song On The Radio, End Of The Day
Between the Wars
Track List: Night Train to Munich, Age of Rhythm (Al Stewart & Laurence Juber), Sampan, Lindy Comes to Town, Three Mules, A League of Notions, Life Between the Wars, Betty Boop's Birthday (Al Stewart & Laurence Juber), Marion the Chatelaine, Joe the Georgian, Always the Cause, Laughing into 1939, The Black Danube.
Indian Summer/LiveTracks: Here In Angola, Pandora [Al Stewart & Peter White], Indian Summer, Delia's Gone, Princess Olivia, Running Man, Time Passages, Merlin's Time, If It Doesn't Come Naturally, Leave It, Roads To Moscow , Nostradamus 1/World Goes To Riyadh/Nostradamus 2, Soho (Needless To Say), On The Border, Valentina Way, Clarence Frogman Henry, Year Of The Cat