Past, Present and Future
Encyclopedia
Past, Present and Future is Al Stewart
's fifth studio album, released in October 1973 in the UK and in May 1974 in the US. This album is considered Stewart's first "major album" and it reached #133 on the Billboard
Rock Album chart in 1974. He had taken on a different approach from his previous, folkier work, an approach that would stay with him for most of his career. All songs on this record have historical themes, each song representing a decade of the 20th century. The final song, "Nostradamus
," is about the famous supposed prophet and his prophecies.
In the programme for the U.K. concert tour that promoted the album, Stewart is quoted as saying "My first four albums have been, for me, an apprenticeship. The new album.....is my thesis". It states that the album "is set for release on CBS in early October. 'Terminal Eyes' is released as a single on September 28th."
and George Hardie
, is a photography-like rendition of the Marvel Comics
character Doctor Strange
using his Cloak of Levitation
to travel through a hole created in the air into an alternative universe.
Al Stewart
Al Stewart is a Scottish singer-songwriter and folk-rock musician.Stewart came to stardom as part of the British folk revival in the 1960s and 1970s, and developed his own unique style of combining folk-rock songs with delicately woven tales of the great characters and events from history.He is...
's fifth studio album, released in October 1973 in the UK and in May 1974 in the US. This album is considered Stewart's first "major album" and it reached #133 on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Rock Album chart in 1974. He had taken on a different approach from his previous, folkier work, an approach that would stay with him for most of his career. All songs on this record have historical themes, each song representing a decade of the 20th century. The final song, "Nostradamus
Nostradamus
Michel de Nostredame , usually Latinised to Nostradamus, was a French apothecary and reputed seer who published collections of prophecies that have since become famous worldwide. He is best known for his book Les Propheties , the first edition of which appeared in 1555...
," is about the famous supposed prophet and his prophecies.
In the programme for the U.K. concert tour that promoted the album, Stewart is quoted as saying "My first four albums have been, for me, an apprenticeship. The new album.....is my thesis". It states that the album "is set for release on CBS in early October. 'Terminal Eyes' is released as a single on September 28th."
Track listing
All tracks composed by Al Stewart- "Old Admirals" – 5:54
- "Warren Harding" – 2:39
- "Soho (Needless to Say)" – 3:55
- "The Last Day of June 1934" – 4:45
- "Post World War Two Blues" – 4:17
- "Roads to Moscow" – 8:00
- "Terminal Eyes" – 3:22
- "Nostradamus" – 9:43
Charts
Album – Billboard (North America)| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Albums | 133 |
Personnel
- Al Stewart: Guitar, Vocal
- Tim RenwickTim RenwickTimothy John Pearson 'Tim' Renwick is an English guitarist.-Career:Renwick started playing guitar in the 1960s. He performed with many bands, including Little Women, Wages of Sin, Junior's Eyes, The Hype, Quiver and Lazy Racer...
: Guitar - Peter Berryman: Guitar
- Isaac GuilloryIsaac GuilloryIsaac Guillory was an American folk guitarist. He wrote over 70 songs during a career that spanned 30 years.-Personal life:...
: Guitar - B.J. Cole: Steel Guitar
- Bruce ThomasBruce ThomasBruce Thomas is best known as bassist for The Attractions; the band formed in 1977 to back Elvis Costello in concert and on record....
: Bass - Brian Odgers: Bass
- John Wilson: Drums
- Peter Wood: Keyboards, Piano accordion
- Rick WakemanRick WakemanRichard Christopher Wakeman is an English keyboard player, composer and songwriter best known for being the former keyboardist in the progressive rock band Yes...
: Keyboards - Tim Hinkley: Keyboards
- Bob AndrewsBob Andrews (keyboardist)Robert Charles "Bob" Andrews is an English keyboardist and saxophonist. He played with Brinsley Schwarz and Graham Parker's backing band, The Rumour, which he left in 1980.-References:...
: Keyboards - Bob Sargeant: Keyboards
- Alistair Anderson: English concertina
- Haim Romano: Mandolin
- Dave SwarbrickDave SwarbrickDave Swarbrick is an English folk musician and singer-songwriter. He has been described by Ashley Hutchings as 'the most influential [British] fiddle player bar none' and his style has been copied or developed by almost every British, and many World folk violin players that have followed him...
: Mandolin - Luciano Bravo: Steel band
- Lennox James: Steel band
- Michael Oliver: Steel band
- Frank RicottiFrank RicottiFrank Ricotti is an English jazz vibraphonist and percussionist.Ricotti played in the National Youth Jazz Orchestra while a teenager, then attended Trinity College of Music...
: Percussion - Roger TaylorRoger Meddows-TaylorRoger Meddows Taylor , known as Roger Taylor, is a British musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He is best known as the drummer, backing vocalist and occasional lead vocalist of British rock band Queen. As a drummer he is known for his "big" unique sound and is considered one of...
: Percussion - Francis MonkmanFrancis MonkmanFrancis Monkman is an English rock, classical and film score composer, and a founding member of the progressive rock band Curved Air.-Career:...
: Moog synthesizer - Krysia Kocjan: Backing vocal
- John Donelly: Backing vocal
- Mick Welton: Backing vocal
- Kevin Powers: Backing vocal
- Richard Hewson: String arrangements
- Mike "Clay" Stone - Engineer
Cover Art
The U.K. cover (CBS) is a gatefold affair, with a simple photo of Stewart leaning on a mantelpiece. The U.S. album cover (Janus Records), by HipgnosisHipgnosis
Hipgnosis was a British art design group that specialized in creating cover art for the albums of rock musicians and bands, most notably Pink Floyd, T.Rex, The Pretty Things, UFO, 10cc, Bad Company, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Scorpions, Yes, The Alan Parsons Project, Genesis, Peter Gabriel, ELO and XTC...
and George Hardie
George Hardie (artist)
George Hardie is a graphic designer, illustrator and educator, best known for his work producing cover art for the albums of rock musicians and bands with the British art design group Hipgnosis....
, is a photography-like rendition of the Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
character Doctor Strange
Doctor Strange
Doctor Stephen Strange is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was co-created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in Strange Tales #110 ....
using his Cloak of Levitation
Cloak of Levitation
The Cloak of Levitation is a potent mystical item worn by Doctor Strange, a character in the Marvel Comics universe. The primary purpose of the Cloak is to give its wearer the ability to levitate and fly. The first appearance of the first Cloak was in "Strange Tales" #110, produced in 1963...
to travel through a hole created in the air into an alternative universe.