Scottish Musicians Top Ten: Al Stewart (#3)

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Today’s musician from the list of favorites from the land of Scotland, a tribute to our myLotter @Jimbo452020 , is the only one on the list that I’ve actually met. That’s not why he ranks so high on the list of favorites: he’s up here because I love his music. And here he is! #3: Al Stewart Those opening lines: On a morning from a Bogart movie In a country where they turn back time You go strolling through the crowd like Peter Lorre Contemplating a crime Talk about a chin-on-the-floor opening! And with that, American popular music was introduced to Al Stewart in 1976. But he’d been around for a good ten years before that, creating his niche of “historical folk-rock songs” to an ever-growing audience. Stewart was born in Glasgow, but his family didn’t live there long. In fact, there was tragedy before he was even born: his father was killed in a plane crash shortly before Stewart’s birth. He became interested in music and played guitar (according to Picky Wedia, he even acquired a guitar from Andy Summers before either of them were famous [Summers is the Police’s guitarist]), forging a following beginning in the early 70s. In America, Stewart’s “big” popularity was over quickly, lasting for three albums (Year of the Cat, Time Passages, and 24 Carrots), but that introduction gave the core following of fans either affirmation of their or the beginning of a beautiful friendship (to quote the end of the movie he referenced in the opening of “Year of the Cat”). For me, it was the latter. It was a thrill to see him live in 2015; and, as I mentioned, he was gracious enough to sit in the lobby and sign autographs and pose for photos after the show. A gifted singer and songwriter who’s been a favorite for over 40 years now! Al Stewart Born Alastair Ian Stewart September 5, 1945 Glasgow Singer/songwriter The great classic song that was America’s introduction to Al Stewart: