Al Stewart – Past, Present & Future (CBS 1973)

This is the album that really established Al Stewart as a completely unique and progressive folk rock troubadour! Yes, his previous albums are also fantastic, but here the arrangements had become much more sophisticated. And that suited him perfectly fine. Thankfully, his wonderful melodic sense is not forsaken one bit. And what melodies there are on this wonderful album! ‘Past, Present & Future’ is also the album where he started incorporating his unique lyrics, that often dealt with obscure historical persons and happenings. Al Stewart really makes the past come alive through his music and words – you feel transported to another time. But there is nothing dated about it, either. It all holds up wonderfully as I write this, in 2021. ‘Past, Present & Future’ indeed – the album couldn’t have had a more fitting name! And the songwriting is pure genius all the way. The album starts with ‘Old Admirals’, one of several ‘out on the sea’-songs by Al Stewart. Haunting, nostalgic and with a certain sadness in the lyrics. ‘Warren Harding’ and ‘Soho (needless to say’ are short songs with superb and addicting melodic themes, female choirs and driving rhythms. Excellent. ‘Post World War Two Blues’ could almost be accused of being a clone of Don McLean’s ‘American Pie’, but if so: This is cloning as art! I absolutely love this song, where Stewart during just four minutes manages to cover many of the defining cultural moments throughout the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s! Addictive stuff indeed. ‘The Last Day of June 1934’ is another one of his brilliant character studies. And now I have just mentioned the first side of the record! The B-side features some of the most epic stuff that he has ever done, and that says a lot! ‘Roads to Moscow’ could very well be my absolute favourite composition from Al Stewart. It basically tells the story of the German invasion of Russia, seen through the eyes of a Russian solder. Each verse of the song covers a different phase of this campaign, and there are also references to the French emperor’s ill-fated invasion of Russia in 1812. But Al Stewart himself has also indicated that the song is really about the genius author and Nobel prize-winner Alexander Solzhenitsyn. Yes, folks, this is how ambitious Al Stewart was – and still is – as a lyricist! He’s an incredibly litterate person and artist, and apparently he read more than 40 books before he wrote this song!! Musically, this is also completely brilliant, with several unforgettable melodic themes, female choirs and an atmosphere so thick you would have to use an axe to cut through it. Then comes the short and catchy ‘Terminal Eyes’, that I personally see as an intro to the closer of the album: The mighty ‘Nostradamus’! Of course, Al Stewart in his prime couldn’t resist having a song about this most well known and mythical of all seers. Nostradamus (1503-1566) certainly had his fair share of visions, depicting war and doom – including Napoleon and Hitler. This incredibly epic song is acoustically driven, and Stewart – who has to be the most well read and history-obsessed singer/songwriter ever – sings it with great passion. Phew, what an album this is! One of the best albums ever made, perhaps? There’s no doubt about that at all, in my book.