I saw the great folk- rock artist Al Stewart at the Colonial Theater in downtown Phoenixville on Saturday night. It was the 10th he played the Colonial, which he stated during the evening "one of my favorite venues in America." He was there to do the entire album "The Year of the Cat", this time with a full back-up band called The Empty Pockets.
It was a wonderful night of music, stories and surprises, one that would be especially memorable for yours truly.
The night started unexpectedly. As we were walking along Bridge Street, approaching the Colonial on a balmy Autumn evening, two guys passed us on the left. I couldn't see their faces. One carried a small pink bag white the other toted a white shopping bag as they brisked walked toward the theater.
To my and my friends' surprise, as we entered the lobby of the Colonial, which was just beginning to get busy, the smell of popcorn in the air and the soft conversation of the growing crowd, someone said "There he is!" The guy carrying the pink bag was Al Stewart himself.
When I met Al after a show in Phoenixville last year, I casually told him two of my favorite Al Stewart songs were obscure, classic songs called "Like William McKinley" and "Katherine of Oregon." He never sings them anymore, but I wanted him to know I loved those tunes. Very simple yet perfect little songs.
Al was surprised-and delighted- remarking that most fans pick one of the hits as their favorite. "Next time I'll have to do those for you." he stated as he signed my vinyl copy of the "Year of the Cat" album.
I was thinking of that meeting this week, and decided to be bold and write Al a brief note, reminding him of our meeting What the hell? Sometimes you gotta take a chance.....
A sold-out crowd enjoyed the Empty Pockets 6-song opening set of folk-pop-country music A Chicago band,t hey are joining Al for this tour and received a warm reception.
Before launching into the entire "Year of the Cat" album, Al came out with three blistering songs: "Sirens of Titan", "Antarctica" and "Time Passages". the latter especially strong with the sax. Right form the start, the audience knew this was going to be a special night. Last year Al played the Colonial and did "Year of the Cat", but did the album acoustically. It was good, but the full band recreated the sound better.
The highlights of the 0-song main set were the final, title song, an eerie "One Stage Before", and "Broadway Hotel."
In between songs Al told stories and talked about each song. No, he wasn't talking too much, as he asked the crowd. "Some artists don't say anything," he remarked. "I like to know how each song is created." So, it was both fun and educational to hear how the songs came to be, and about Al's musical past.
A standing ovation was awaiting Al and the band at the end, but two encores remained. "Valentina's Way" was the first, with the Empty Pockets. When Al bid the band farewell he said "We're not done yet." What came next was magical.
He mentioned he got a note from "a guy I met last year who liked two of my obscure songs, one I don't do anymore. I rashly promised I would do these next time Here is one..."
Al breezily went into the pretty and rare "Katherine of Oregon", a song about growing old. It's not a historical masterpiece, like "Roads to Moscow" or a well-known hit. It's simply a nice song.
So, acoustically Al sang my favorite Al Stewart song,I was amazed he did it, and even more amazed he remembered the words after so long.
At the end, he added a cute finishing line of "Living in a house on a hill..in Phoenixville", or something like that. It was magic and the crowd ate it up.
I can't wait to see him again next year. I wanted to thank him for keeping his promise, but he wasn't signing or doing a meet and greet after the concert.Still, it was an unforgettable night, thanks to one of the best singer-songwriters around.
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