Al Stewart

Al Stewart is a Scottish singer-songwriter and folk rock musician who is a big name on the British Folk scene. He walks on stage with his acoustic guitar over his shoulder ready to deliver his biggest songs to this beer inhaling audience. He is due to give performances of some of his biggest hits to date. Before we get to the live performance I have to get some random Al Steward Trivia off my chest. He played at the first-ever Glastonbury Festival in 1970, he knew Yoko Ono before she met John Lennon, shared a London flat with a young Paul Simon and hosted at the Les Cousins folk club in London in the 1960’s. Not a bad few things to bring up at a dinner party hey?! This singer songwriter launches into each song, one song after the next. “Song on the Radio” is the biggest song so far this evening that everyone sings along to knowing every single word. The biggest song of course is “Time Passages” which of course went to number 7 in the US and number 1 in the US AC chart.

I see Al Stewart every time he comes to town, starting with his Year of the Cat tour back in the 70's. He puts on the most fun shows. Especially last nights show. He played with a band called Empty Pockets whom I had never heard of before. They were really good, great guitar player and vocals. What came across to the audience was here is these "kids" possibly in their 30's just a fraction of Al's age, playing music he wrote over the years and really playing it well. It showed he was at his best and having such a good time. He is a great story teller and I really enjoy his little tidbits he share between songs. He had a saxophone/flute player whom I cannot recall his name but he was great! He came out while playing the sax walking through the audience. Oh I must also mention the venue. The Triple Door has to be my favorite venue by far, it has a capacity of 299 people so you get a good seat no matter where you are sitting, with good food great wait staff one can't go wrong!

First time attending his concert, second time to The Ark. I sat center of the House in reserved seating, row G with a clear view of the stage at a very reasonably priced $47 + fees.
I found Al to be very engaging with the audience and a delightful storyteller before many of his songs. He performed his platinum classic album, "Year of the Cat", in its entirety for the last part of the show.
His band consisted of highly energetic and hard working musicians, "Empty Pockets", Chicago natives, who were able to produce the music with quite a "credible" authenticity to the original sound.
I would rate the overall performance in my top 10 shows of all time as I have attended many shows over my 40+ years as a concert fan and would not hesitate to recommend the performers or the venue in the future.
Thanks to Spotify to alerting me to this venue and performer!
Daryl Rollins
Farmington Hills, MI

Al Stewart revisited his hugely successful Album, Year of the Cat in what was a concert that hit all the high notes. Backed by his, now legendary guitarist, Dave Nachmanoff, and with a superb contribution from early musical partner, Tim Renwick the concert started with Nachmanoff, who showed us his solo talents until Stewart came on to take us back with such former gems as Time Passages. After the break it was Year of the Cat time - with the 1976 album revealing exactly why it went platinum. Classic tracks such as On the Border and If it Doesn't Come Naturally, Leave it; alternated with forgotten gems such as Sand in my Shoes.
Great concert. Nostalgia yes, but also clear that he is still a talent for today. Havent seen him in his home town (he was born in Glasgow - but left when 3) since 1991. I won't wait that long again!

First, the warm-up band and his back-up band (the same) the Empty Pockets were great. I was expecting an acoustic evening - Al and his guitar, but instead he did the year of the cat album all the way through with the Empty Pockets backing him with the attention of a great horn player (forget his name). Best part was that he introduced each song giving a history of its source and explaining the lyrics many of which I never understood. Al is 72, if you want to catch this British folk rock legend before he decides to hang it up, better get tickets now.

No pyrotechnics or fancy frills, just a few hours of favourite songs spanning 40 years
Al was amazing
Saw him live for the first time in 1984 when I first moved to London.
Last year I saw him on the Isle of Wight, I was expecting to be disappointed I wasnt.
On the strength of that show I booked for the RAH
Again I wasn't disappointed
Attending a concert there was on my bucket list, so glad it was Al, Tim & Peter who made this one happen.

Ok, Great intimate venue. Great sound. Al can actually play the guitar quite well. Had Mark assist him on percussion,flute,harp,etc.
Song selection....eclectic...like Al. NO songs from Modern Times - Past, Present, Future - 24 Carrots. Y.O.T.Cat had 2. So...voice still good, signed autograph after show of 93 minutes.
Rating 75/100....decent but needed to play a few more (again) of the songs that we noomers grew up on.
Britisheh

I was impressed most by Stewart's intellect. While the back up band addressed some equipment issues he told an interesting historic story. He has an amazing mind and interacted well with the audience. May favorite part of his musical session was when he cleared the stage and played an acoustical version of on the border. His guitar skills are still impressive. I am so glad I got to see him.

The show was good: Al was on good form and in fine voice. Didn't allow a small technical hitch at the beginning to throw him off, in fact his good humoured response brought the audience onside. The band were good and the songs really sounded great. But I did think that approx 75 minutes was a little on the light side given the extent of the back catalogue available.

I didn't like the show of Al Stewart. Nobody told me it was going to be acoustic. I think that if He plays the year of the cat, must have a piano to play it. He's a symphatic guy but he's concert wasn't good. I repeat, he should play with more instruments than his guitar and eventually a flaute, a harmonic or a saxo. I waited for more than that.