Search - Al Stewart :: Rhymes in Rooms

Al Stewart "Unplugged": Timeless and Terrific Acoustic Live

Peter Walenta | Long Island, New York USA | 07/01/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Only because the car I was driving at the time, had no compact disc player, I bought the original 1992 Mesa/Bluemoon release of "Rhymes in Rooms" in cassette format. After acquiring an auto which had an in dash compact disc player, and when I was upgrading my cassettes to compact discs, I was dismayed to no end that "Rhymes in Rooms" was out of print and that it was, as of 2003, fetching outrageously high "collectible" prices even for 'good' used copies. When I read earlier this year that Collectors' Choice Music (a subsidiary of Rhino Entertainment Company) was re-issuing essentially the entire Al Stewart catalogue, I eagerly purchased "Rhymes in Rooms". This is one of the finest live acoustic records I have ever heard. This re-issue contains all eleven songs on the original Mesa/Bluemoon release plus two interesting bonus tracks; a studio outtake, "Warm California Night" and a cover of Elvis Costello's 1994 song, "London's Brilliant Parade". "Rhymes in Rooms" contains inspired and sprightly live performances gathered from a tour that featured Al Stewart teamed up with jazz guitarist Peter White. No stranger to these tunes, White has collaborated with Stewart on both song writing and he has played guitar on many of Al's records dating back to Stewart's 1976 break out hit, "Year of the Cat". Together Pete and Al make musical magic on many of Stewart's best known songs, as their guitars weave in and out of the hauntingly melodic "On the Border", "Soho (Needless to Say)", and "Broadway Hotel". They achieve hypnotic transcendence on the epic "Nostradamus", a ten minute tour de force that captures the mystical essence of Stewart's ode to the medieval prognosticator.



Nicely balanced between hits and concert favorites, "Rhymes in Rooms" is how an "unplugged" album should sound like; an artist's songs that,

stripped of their studio production and ornamentation, are left to reveal their rich melodies and great lyrics (the re-working of "Year of the Cat" is stunningly beautiful). The liner notes on the making of "Rhymes in Rooms" are well written and add context to these excellent live recordings. In short, this is essential Al Stewart, a true high point in his recording career."

I don't give "5"s out like candy, baby!

Bogus Exception | Norwich, Connecticut United States | 07/13/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

""_Thats_ what I'm talkin' 'bout!" Use "An acoustic evening with Al Stewart" as a coaster. I am.



Flying Sorcery - Sticks to the original format/structure of the studio release, but with just 2 guitars. I hear it like this and think the studio release, with all the extra instruments, is less effective.

Soho - Chills. Sorry, but that is a good song, and it was too smooth and clamped (for you audiophiles out there) originally. It sounds liek the compressors were turned off for this album, and it was done "old school" like I do with live acts (only practical to try on non-percussion and bass elements).

Time Passages - Again, with just 2 guitars the song has so much more impact, and sounds a lot less glossy that it's "made for radio" counterpart.

Josephine Baker - What is an accordion doing in there?

On the Border - Superb. The recordings on the album are done accoustically very well. Al and the 2 guitars are all distinctly and equally mixed. This version also has Al giving a nod to Peter White at the end for his solo(s) in the piece, just liek on the previous live release of the song. Also, the song "gets to it" faster than the studio version

Nostradamus - The lyrics are a lot more legible. Imagine that! It seems to go by quickly, even though it is over 10 minutes.



etc...



You get the point!





"

Reissue vs. Original

eurocrank | Ketchikan, Alaska | 05/24/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Thank you, Collectors' Choice, for making available yet another out-of-print album. And not only this Al Stewart CD, but several others.



I just wish reviewers would provide more comparative details concerning reissues, more concrete differences, so previous purchasers would know if another buy be worthwhile.



In this case, I don't think it is. I have the Mesa version and prefer its packaging and the original set list.



All of the Collectors' Choice reissues have four-page inserts (a single folded sheet) with informative liner notes but without pictures. The Mesa edition has an eight-page insert without liner notes but with nine pictures. I prefer the pictures; the information I can get elsewhere.



This Collectors' Choice reissue has two bonus tracks, neither of which is contemporary with the "Rhymes in Rooms" tour. The first is an "embryonic version" of 'Timeless Skies,' which appeared on "Time Passages"--a kind of demo, if you will. I only like demos if they are particularly moving or interesting; this one is neither.



The second is a cover of Elvis Costello's 'London's Brilliant Parade' (from "Brutal Youth" 1994). There's a lot of Elvis Costello to like, but not when the words get in the way of the melody--or if there isn't much of a melody for the words to hang onto. Al Stewart's strength has always been to make sure his lyrics aren't there for their own sake. The title track to "Love Chronicles," for example, is fantastic because the riff and Jimmy Page's fills are great all by themselves, not to mention the great lyrics. On 'London's Brilliant Parade' Al becomes Elvis with a few words too many.



As far as the sound quality goes, the original CD was well-recorded: vibrant and clear, while still being live (and not having a battery of microphones around the musicians). According to the liner notes, the "album was recorded entirely live in concert to a multi track tape machine. All processing was done during the mixing of the album. No overdubs or edits were employed during the making of this album." It was mastered by John Golden at K-Disc. Bill Inglot and Dave Schultz at Digiprep could not have done much to improve the sound for the reissue.



There's nothing at all wrong with the new "Rhymes in Rooms," but those of you who have the original may not want to bother."