Wow. This album title entered my head yesterday as the result of the death of a once close friend. In fact, I’ve got a draft "What Fresh" post started with that very title.
I feel like I could have written this wonderful piece, Jackie. Even though I listen to the yacht rock channel on SiriusXM regularly, it’s been a while since this song has graced my eardrums. I think it’s for sure part of the genre. What qualifies is up for debate, but this meets all my criteria - horn solo, wistful lyrics, lush, gorgeous vocals. HBO/MAX just released a yacht rock “dockumentary” (yachtumentary?), which I haven’t seen yet, but am excitedly wary to check it out. It seems to be focusing on the supposed big five - Toto, Steely Dan, Kenny Loggins, and Hall & Oates and Christopher Cross - but I would argue all of them are yacht-adjacent at best. I’d put Little River Band, Ambrosia, Seals & Croft and Atlanta Rhythm Section ahead of all of those in terms of true yachtiness.
I saw a “top 50 yacht rock songs” page online and “Time Passages” was #31 (ahead of “Rosanna” even!).
Your piece is a great reminder to revisit this album and check out the many Al Stewart records I’ve never listened to.
Al Stewart is an artist I haven’t thought about in decades. I’ll have to revisit now.
Wow. This album title entered my head yesterday as the result of the death of a once close friend. In fact, I’ve got a draft "What Fresh" post started with that very title.
I'm sorry for your loss, Al.
Remember this song so well. And what an intriguing album cover.
“Life in Dark Water” and “Timeless Skies” are two favs here. Al just keeps going like the Energizer Bunny! Bless him!
Every now and then I have a Year of the Cat moment.
I feel like I could have written this wonderful piece, Jackie. Even though I listen to the yacht rock channel on SiriusXM regularly, it’s been a while since this song has graced my eardrums. I think it’s for sure part of the genre. What qualifies is up for debate, but this meets all my criteria - horn solo, wistful lyrics, lush, gorgeous vocals. HBO/MAX just released a yacht rock “dockumentary” (yachtumentary?), which I haven’t seen yet, but am excitedly wary to check it out. It seems to be focusing on the supposed big five - Toto, Steely Dan, Kenny Loggins, and Hall & Oates and Christopher Cross - but I would argue all of them are yacht-adjacent at best. I’d put Little River Band, Ambrosia, Seals & Croft and Atlanta Rhythm Section ahead of all of those in terms of true yachtiness.
I saw a “top 50 yacht rock songs” page online and “Time Passages” was #31 (ahead of “Rosanna” even!).
Your piece is a great reminder to revisit this album and check out the many Al Stewart records I’ve never listened to.