Al Stewart - Year Of The Cat [Indie Exclusive, Rhino Reserve]

Produced by Alan Parsons, Al Stewart's Year Of The Cat joins historical storytelling, acoustic guitar, piano, strings, saxophone, and polished rock arrangements in one of the defining singer-songwriter albums of the 1970s. Stewart writes with the detail of a novelist, moving from political history to travel, romance, and missed chances. This indie exclusive Rhino Reserve vinyl record is pressed on 180g vinyl and housed in a gatefold jacket.

"Lord Grenville" opens with a portrait of the British statesman and the consequences of political hesitation, while "On The Border" uses Spanish guitar and a driving rhythm to frame revolution, exile, and uncertainty. "Flying Sorcery" turns the life of aviator Amy Johnson into a tribute built around flight and independence. The title track unfolds as a cinematic encounter, moving from piano and acoustic guitar into strings, electric guitar, and Phil Kenzie's extended saxophone solo before its final refrain.

Stewart's lyrics place private decisions inside larger historical or imagined settings. "Midas Shadow" examines ambition and compromise, "Broadway Hotel" follows a brief relationship shaped by departure, and "One Stage Before" looks back on performance, memory, and distance. The limited Rhino Reserve edition pairs the nine-song album with 180g vinyl and its gatefold jacket.

• Format: Black Vinyl LP
• Standout tracks: "Year Of The Cat," "On The Border," "Flying Sorcery," "Lord Grenville"
• Pressing details: Indie Exclusive, Rhino Reserve, Rhino Spirit of 76, Limited Edition, 180g Vinyl, Gatefold Jacket, Audiophile
• Genre/style: Folk Rock, Soft Rock, Singer-Songwriter, Art Rock
• UPC: 081227804688

"On The Border" and "Year Of The Cat" remain the best-known songs while "Lord Grenville" and "Flying Sorcery" show Stewart placing history inside character-driven writing. Alan Parsons' production connects acoustic passages, orchestral color, guitar, and saxophone.

* The Spotify track list may not exactly represent the tracks and audio of this LP edition.

Track List:

Side A:

1. Lord Grenville
2. On The Border
3. Midas Shadow
4. Sand In Your Shoes
5. If It Doesn't Come Naturally, Leave It

Side B:

1. Flying Sorcery
2. Broadway Hotel
3. One Stage Before
4. Year Of The Cat