Al Stewart - Year of the Cat

muncybob
muncybob Posts: 3,053
in Music & Movies
I heard the title song many times on the radio years ago and came across this album at the local shop. Not familiar with his other works other than FM airplay so I picked it up. Pleasantly surprised by both the music and the recording(on vinyl). This is a Janus Records pressing and now on the hunt for a Janus" Modern Times" and possibly "Past, Present and Future". If you like his voice and the FM songs that almost got played to death you may want to pick up an album. Any other Stewart fans or other Janus pressings that impressed you?
Yep, my name really is Bob.
Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub.
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,895
    I got nothing :( other than to say that Year of the Cat is a good album, and was known in its time for its very good sound. MoFi put out a version, too :)

    I like the song On the Border besides the rather cinematic title track (FWIW)

    https://youtu.be/z2L_OyS21lM
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gudnoyez
    gudnoyez Posts: 8,124
    edited February 2018
    c8srqzqpjjx9.jpg
    gc40ponb1q5u.jpg

    If you have YOTC and TP on a Janus label your good to go, I got all of All's stuff on Vinyl Im very fond of all of them, Modern Times, and Past, Present, and Future are must haves. The last time I was at the local ma and pa shop they had a copy of PP&F on a Janus label for 11 bucks as in nice of shape as the one pictured next time I go I will see if it's still there for you.

    Home Theater
    Parasound Halo A 31 OnkyoTX-NR838 Sony XBR55X850B 55" 4K RtiA9 Fronts CsiA6 Center RtiA3 Rears FxiA6 Side Surrounds Dual Psw 111's Oppo 105D Signal Ultra Speaker Cables & IC's Signal Magic Power Cable Technics SL Q300 Panamax MR4300 Audioquest Chocolate HDMI Cables Audioquest Forest USB Cable

    2 Channel
    Adcom 555II Vincent SA-T1 Marantz SA 15S2 Denon DR-M11 Clearaudio Bluemotion SDA 2.3tl's (Z) edition MIT Terminator II Speaker Cables & IC's Adcom 545II Adcom Gtp-450 Marantz CD5004 Technics M245X SDA 2B's, SDA CRS+

    Stuff for the Head
    JD LABS C5 Headphone Amplifier, Sennheiser HD 598, Polk Audio Buckle, Polk Audio Hinge, Velodyne vPulse, Bose IE2, Sennheiser CX 200 Street II, Sennheiser MX 365

    Shower & Off the beaten path Rigs
    Polk Audio Boom Swimmer, Polk Audio Urchin B)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    I was going through my CD library and found this:
    qe4j1r05lbj8.png
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    Year of the Cat is an excellent album.

    I don't have vinyl, but own the MFSL (silver) CD, and the sound quality is excellent.
    Relayer-Big-O-Poster.jpg
    Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
    "I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion." :\
    My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....

    "Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson

    "Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • muncybob
    muncybob Posts: 3,053
    I'm hoping TP and PPF are soon into my collection...also hoping I like them as much as YOTC. I'll be stopping by at my local shop also to see if he has them. I see that Future release was the only one with the Enigma label. He has many more albums than I was aware of.
    Yep, my name really is Bob.
    Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Viking64
    Viking64 Posts: 7,108
    I've been a big fan since the 70s. I saw him live in Burlington, Vermont in September, 1986 in a small, intimate setting. I loved it. :)

    I have everything he has recorded from 1967-1993 in some form or another, and at least one copy of "Year of the Cat" on Janus. I have all of his 70s and 80s stuff on vinyl and CDs of everything else.

    I recently ordered both "Original Album Series" collections that have 5 CDs each. You get every one of his albums from 1967-1993, save for "Orange", "Past, Present and Future", "Modern Times", and the 1992 live album "Rhymes and Rooms".

    juha8p9fxag3.jpg
    bx6qld1jdcds.jpg

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    Very cool!
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Viking64
    Viking64 Posts: 7,108
    After doing a bit of research, I have discovered that my double LP version of "The Early Years" (1977) is also on Janus. There was also a single LP version on RCA (1978).

    These compilation albums were comprised of songs from his first 4 albums: "Bed-Sitter Images" (1967), "Love Chronicles" (1969), "Zero She Flies" (1970), and "Orange" (1972).

    I originally bought "The Early Years" because I had read in one of my Led Zeppelin books that it contained some early session work by Jimmy Page. :p

    The double LP Janus version is blueish while the single LP RCA version is more tan.

    hegprl1bcgvh.jpg
    5gmfrzotb7vm.jpg
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,504
    edited February 2018
    gudnoyez wrote: »
    c8srqzqpjjx9.jpg




    I'm a fan, have several of his albums.

    And even if you did know I'm gonna say it anyway, :) that is a Hypgnosis album cover. Year of the Cat, Past, Present and Future, Time Passages, The Early Years and Modern Times were as well.

    Hypgnosis was album art BPS, or before photo shop. They created some of the most iconic album covers from '68 to '82.

    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Viking64
    Viking64 Posts: 7,108
    SCompRacer wrote: »
    And even if you did know I'm gonna say it anyway, :) that is a Hypgnosis album cover. Year of the Cat and Past, Present and Future, Time Passages, The Early Years and Modern Times were as well.

    Hypgnosis was album art BPS, or before photo shop. They created some of the most iconic album covers from '68 to '82.

    I ran across this list. :)

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Albums_with_cover_art_by_Hipgnosis
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,504
    edited February 2018
    I have the book but they do not list all the album covers. A friend and I had been compiling a list of covers not listed on the internet sites.

    s9wda99aqbcn.jpg
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • muncybob
    muncybob Posts: 3,053
    This is cool stuff!
    Yep, my name really is Bob.
    Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • GlennDog
    GlennDog Posts: 3,120
    SCompRacer wrote: »
    A friend and I had been compiling a list of covers not listed on the internet sites.

    s9wda99aqbcn.jpg

    “Double secret research” … I dig it and look forward to more info coming out ...
    AC Regenerator PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
    Source Lumin U1 Mini into Lampizator Baltic 4 DAC
    Pre Cary SLP-05
    Power Rogue M180 Dark monos
    Mains Salk HT2-TL
    Rythmik F12
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BlueBirdMusic
    BlueBirdMusic Posts: 2,309
    Enjoy!! Love that LP.
    "Sometimes you have to look to the past to understand where you are going in the future"

    Anger is just anger. It isn’t good. It isn’t bad. It just is. What you do with it is what matters.
    You can use it to build or to destroy. You just have to make the choice.     Jim Butcher




    Harry / Marietta GA
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,895
    SCompRacer wrote: »
    I have the book but they do not list all the album covers. A friend and I had been compiling a list of covers not listed on the internet sites.

    s9wda99aqbcn.jpg

    There used to be a nice website on Hipgnosis/(the late) Storm Thorgerson
    This might be it? :p

    http://www.hipgnosiscovers.com/

    This is worth five minutes, too, I'd opine :)
    https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/hipgnosis-album-covers-from-pink-floyd-to-led-zeppelin-w475109/pink-floyd-the-dark-side-of-the-moon-1973-w475112
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Msabot1
    Msabot1 Posts: 2,098
    I have both Year Of The Cat and Time Passages on MFSL vinyl...Two of his best offerings...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,338
    Msabot1 wrote: »
    I have both Year Of The Cat and Time Passages on MFSL vinyl...Two of his best offerings...

    I agree with this Msabot. I have both of these records on MFSL vinyl. Both are excellent recordings and great listening from start to finish. Highly recommended.
    Carl

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • muncybob
    muncybob Posts: 3,053
    Just picked up another Janus record "Modern Times". Apparently my idea of NM- is not the same as the seller, scratch on outro of #2 side 2 and intro to #3...only for a short time but still takes away from the experience. Still, another good recording. I guess I'm off to find more A.S. as we like what we have heard so far. I would like to find some MoFi of his work.
    Yep, my name really is Bob.
    Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    Just picked up this collection. Thanks @Viking64 for letting us know!
    i8kvu6o9xcz7.png
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Viking64
    Viking64 Posts: 7,108
    You are most welcome, sir! Now I have to go fire up the rig and listen to some Al myself. So, thank YOU! :)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Viking64
    Viking64 Posts: 7,108
    Here is a clue as to which album I chose:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEH6eDpjgRw
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    Viking64 wrote: »
    Here is a clue as to which album I chose:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEH6eDpjgRw

    I gotta say Jimmy, your taste in women is, well, unusual! :smiley:
    w638nj3kc35g.png
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter