Old Admirals/Warren Harding/Soho (Needless To Say)/The Last Day Of June 1934/Post World War Two Blues/ Roads To Moscow/Terminal Eyes/Nostradamus
Al Stewart found fame as a folk influenced singer songwriter for the bed-sit generation. Past Present & Future was an ambitious concept album in which he tackles issues from 20th Century history. (US:133)
“Al Stewart's concept to write a song representing each decade of the century couldn't help but fail. It's quite a good effort, though Stewart pretty much abandons the idea toward the end. Old Admirals is quite lovely; its portrait of the melancholy of old men is very poignant.”
“Easily my favourite Al Stewart album. He has a slightly weak and whiny voice which puts some people off, but he sometimes tells wonderful stories in song. The best one is Roads To Moscow about the Eastern front in the second world war seen through the eyes of a Russian soldier. Nostradamus is regarded as an Al Stewart classic but it does tend to drag on too long.”
“You've got to admire him, he's the only guy I know that did popular songs about the German retreat from Moscow, and a retired Admiral wishing for his days at sea. Nonetheless, Al's lonely furrow is cut smooth and straight, and here are a set of songs that still sound fine in the right listening environment.”
“Time is a constant theme in Al Stewart's music. This album finds us going back in time for the most part, with the exception of the albums best known cut, Nostradamus which is of course about a man who predicted the future. To say this album rocks just wouldn't be true, but it does offer nice melodies and thoughtful lyrics.”
“Past Present & Future is a memorable album in many respects. Stewart is an accomplished songwriter and every one of these tracks is well written, some are, and remain, brilliant. His voice works well for the music and he put together a set of studio musicians that provided excellent backing and a strong rhythm section. Stewart is at his best in Roads To Moscow. He sings it as a ballad with an excellent orchestral arrangement that creates a very Russian mood.”
“Past Present & Future is one of the most impressive and amazing albums ever to emerge out of the 1970s. Each track is a mini masterpiece. His music is timeless, his melodies beautiful and well crafted, and his lyrics intelligent and thought provoking.”
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