Forum

April 17, 2013


A few answers and a some recommended listening this week. In today's update I answered questions about bringing a non-playing spouse or guest, bringing and ice chest, and possible activities outside our window of time. The short answers are: We have that option now, not a bad idea if not too difficult, and we'll have some suggestions soon.

We have more info on Steve Palazzo now on the teacher's page as well as Day Pass guest options on the payment page.

I also broke out some classic Al Stewart albums and recommend that anyone attending (and really even anybody not attending) start by listening to Al's most famous albums Year Of The Cat and Time Passages, but then continue with one I consider his best, Between The Wars. Unfortunately this album, featuring Laurence Juber, has become quite a collector's item.

A little sideline was added with mention of the Sgt. Al Poster. Check this out and see if you recognize anybody-

http://www.mmsies.com/store/index.php?p ... 0&store=24

There was also a bit of random playing as usual and hopefully more next week.

Neil

Thanks Neil. The first thing my wife asked when I signed up, was if guest could come. I've told her for years we need to take a trip to California as she has never been, and if at all possible I'd like to bring her along if there were things for her to do.

Scott

Since signing up for the IGC, I have been buying music by Al Stewart and Alex DeGrassi. Years ago I had DeGrassi's Clockwork album in vinyl and wore it out! So today I was shopping in a second hand store and bought a copy of Year of the Cat. Got to my car and found that the CD inside was a CSNY album...oh well, it was enjoyable.

I saw Al at the Philadelphia Folk Festival in 2008 I think. And it was just him, by himself with a guitar, and he was fantastic. I was so impressed. He is a wonderful storyteller and he just held the audience spellbound. I'll always remember that! I just have to try again to buy Year of the Cat!

Lynnie

Hi Neil

Thanks for your ramblings. Most (maybe all) of the Al Stewart tracks mentioned (including Life Between the Wars) can be found on "The Best of Al Stewart" Centenary Collection (on EMI). Like you I have the originals on vinyl although how they survived the ravages of the 70's beggars belief..... If the participitants haven't seen Al on "The Old Grey Whistle Test" it's on You Tube or at http://www.bobharris.org/pages/wtyalstewart.asp and more great acts from the not forgotten must have music series.

Looking forward to meeting you all.

Cheers

Brian (Malvern, England)

I found a used copy of "Between the Wars" not too long after it came out in the 90's. We used to go over to the used record/CD shops in Berkeley, CA, USA when we were in college. Back then, you could look through places like Amoeba Music, Rasputin's and several other shops. You had to dig through boxes that were scattered all over the place, but if you were patient, you could find some great bargains. I don't know for certain, but I would imagine I picked it up for between $1.00 and $5.00. Much of my music collection came from those places. Plus, you could go grad an huge slice of pizza and a beer for $2.00 at the local pizzeria. I miss those days.... B)

Time to dust off my Al Stewart collection and spend some time re-listening to all of his tunes.

Jason

well I would say that my appetite is wet for a "Time Passages" lesson