|
Okidok,
for a change inbetween all those hardrockers, here we got a diamond
tonight in munich after many years of abstinence. The older generaton of
us, who do not only listen to hardrock, but also to other kind fo music,
get sparkling eyes by mentioning the name Al Stewart. Yes it is this Al
Stewart, who celebrated his biggest success in the end of the seventies
with 'Year Of The Cat' 1976 and 'Time Passages'1978. The man who learned
playing the guitar from Robert Fripp of King Crimson, and who now at the
age of 61 is better than ever live on stage. His carriere he started off
in 1966 with his first single 'Elf', followed by the longplayer 'Bedsitter
Images' one year later. And after that it's rolling. With the folkalbums
Love Chronicles 1969, 'Zero Flies 1970 and 'Orange' 1972 Al Stewart
founded his own musical style, which is inspired by autobiographical
stories. And though Jimmy Page and Phil Collins helped him on these Lps,
he did not reach another commercial success. 'Past, Present &
Future' in 1973 was changing things. He put historical facts in those
songs combined with comments from the movie and literature genre and the
hints to Nostradamus.
Al Stewart moved to America. Besides his love for music, he owned and
still owns one of the best windecellars in california. - Further albums
like 'Last Days Of The Century' in 1988, 'Famous Last Words' 1993 and 'Between
The Wars' 1995 don't bring him the same success of the seventies either.
The last CD 'A Beach Full Of Shells' came out in 2005.
But Al Stewart belongs to those artists, who could possibly release
another 100 albums, but it will always be compared with 'Year Of the Cat'
and 'Time Passages' and never reach it's level again.
He's not on his own this time on tour, but accompanied by the
californian guitarplayer Dave
Nachmanoff who
is not as well known as Al, but he is a brilliant player - however.
Al
Stewart has contributed on Dave's new album 'Time Before The Fall'. And
Dave is next to his solo carriere also Al's leadguitarist. So everything
stays within the family. Dave Nachmanoff, starts the first part of the
set, playing also the supportslot in a way for Al and himself. He offers
us four of his songs from his latest CD following a rather folk
stylistic and then announces the star of the evening. And he comes on
stage, sees, plays and wins, as we say so. Our good old venue
Schlachthos here is sold out by the way.
And the music is going well down at the seated audiance. And even some
readers now still ask themselves - who is this actually? So I bet with
you, if you heard those tracks like 'Year of The Cat' and 'Time
Passages' you'd be calling out a surprised ohhhh or ahhh - yep I know
this. Yes of course you know this but you didn't know, it was Al
Stewart. But don't worry, it is obvious, that the audiance tonight know
exactly, who this man is. And when 'On The Border' came along the
mood in this room rises up to a higher level. .'Time Passages' makes the
end of the first set, followed by a break. The second part is
dominated by all musical periods of Al Stewart as well, and always
accompanied by Dave Nachmanoff's great guitar style. No, there's no
doubt. God gave him the talent, that's for sure, though he doesn't come
out into the public's eye very often anymore and rather dedicates time
to his wine collection. As Stewart is first class live on
stage,musically as well as the entertainment aspect. Just before
the break he said to the audiance: ' we make a little break so you can
have a glass of wine, and after that you hear us sounding better. If we
have a glas of wine now, we probably sound worse to you. So let's both
have at least 5 glasses of wine, and we are equal again.
However, as great as the performance of Al does, so weard was the
interview with him before coming to the result, that great musicians
often have to be outta their minds to be good. Wouldn't be the first
time anyway....
solong.....
http://www.alstewart.com/
|
