Al Stewart A Beach Full of Shells

You can always count on Al Stewart to tell a story in music. He has been doing it since the early ‘60s, perfecting his craft as he progressed. He moved toward shorter, more radio-friendly songs as he arrived at Year of the Cat and Time Passages. After his success began to wane, we saw a return to his deeper philosophical thoughts in albums like Famous Last Words, just as he laid out in the underrated Modern Times (the title track is a great tune for the uninitiated) and his breakout album, Past, Present and Future with historical story-telling found in songs like the popular “Roads to Moscow.” All of his earlier material has a strong undercurrent of the reflection and fear of time, some more forcefully explored than others. In “Modern Times,” he states that ‘I have no use for the tricks of modern times, they tangle all my thoughts like ivy’ while in “One Stage Before,” he meshes with the ghosts of the past who cannot give up to the plague of time

Al Stewart has not changed a bit in sound nor has his affinity waned for the story bathed in time. On A Beach Full of Shells, the first song, “The Immelman Turn” is a song with Scottish music (viola) as a background and which bears a musical resemblance to “Modern Times.” “Mr. Lear” reminds easily of Year of the Cat period tunes while the rest of Stewart’s songs move between culture inspired music and the ever-present story. “Somewhere in England 1915,” is a lovely acoustic historical song done up in the familiar fashion, a softly expressive recount of time and event.

“Catherine of Oregon” uses culture yet again in a country-flavoured song designed to fit the tale, acoustic and endearing. An interesting tune is Al Stewart’s play with ‘50s styled rock n roll on his “Class of ’58 [short version],” daringly bemusing the day when “...they’ll make TV shows on aging rock-and-rollers.” “My Egyptian Couch” is beautifully put together with a blend of memories, comparisons, and reflection, delicately carried by enchanting acoustic music and encapsulated in a song barely 2 minutes. In short, Stewart is a master of song in short and long displays. The album is complete with meanderings down the paths of time, culture, and philosophy with side roads to traces of sadness, an element that invades much of Al Stewart’s catalog whether it’s intentional or not. But it all works just like it always has.

A Beach Full of Shells is a strong effort by Al Stewart and will be immediately comfortable with long time fans. With a collection of songs that revisit his past works from every period and, yet, is still fresh, A Beach Full of Shells is a clear choice winner for Al Stewart fans.

A personal thanks to Appleseed Recordings for releasing important voices and not letting them sink into the Gulf of Obscurities.