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 enlarge | Artist: Al Stewart
Label: Appleseed Records
Category: Music
List Price: $17.98
Buy New: $11.82
You Save: $6.16 (34%)
New (36) Used (9) from $10.99
Rating:  19 reviews
Sales Rank: 1331
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 4.9 x 0.4
MPN: 1112
UPC: 611587111227
EAN: 6115871112272
ASIN: B001CW7LPC
Release Date: September 16, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: BRAND NEW, Factory Sealed items direct from the Studios. 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee. Quick International Airmail!
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-10 of 19
 Certainty and Uncertainty September 19, 2008
Lee
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
Was lucky enough to get an early copy of Sparks of Ancient Light at a concert, and to hear Al tell us all about it. That always adds an extra dimension to his songs for me.
This album, to me, is both simplistically catchy and deeply profound. I found myself singing along to it the first time I played it, but some of the lyrics had kind of an after affect for me, like it was all just a lot of fun until the whole picture formed in my head. But I suppose that's just me.
What I also picked up on is a completely different frame of mind from Beach Full of Shells. On that album, Al seems reminiscent, looking back and looking ahead from the point of view of someone who has a lot to look at.
This album feels lighter and more playful. Even though some of the topics are a bit dark, the songs themselves all have a sense of hope and even the occasional recklessness. There is a definite balance in the imbalance that eventually feels good and right regardless of what actually happened to the song's subjects.
If this sounds a bit heady, it's because it was to me. But now it's feeling more like just a really fun and catchy little album. I just chose my official favorite song: Like William McKinley. :)
I wouldn't recommend this album to new Al Stewart fans. You really need to be a long-time fan to appreciate it. But if you are a true fan, BUY THIS ALBUM NOW! You need to have it!
Moments of Brilliance September 22, 2008
Cort Mcmurray (Houston, TX)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
The lyrics, with few exceptions, are among the strongest of his career. Laurence Juber's production is stellar throughout: the Purcell-like trumpet in "Lord Salisbury" beautifully evokes the sea-girdled isolation of pre-Edwardian England; the guitar lines in "Elvis At The Wheel" invest a song that could have easily become a lampoon with the strange mix of piety and paranoia that was Elvis Presley. There are some mildly weak moments: (A Child's View Of) The Eisenhower Years" is in some ways just an American reworking of "Post World War Two Blues", with a melody borrowed from "Another Face In The Crowd", a song that's been kicking around unrecorded since the "Time Passages" days. "Football Hero" plays like it was written and performed by people who think sport is very silly, indeed. But the rest of the work -- the beautiful, jazzy intro to "The Ear of the Night", filled with Juber's tasteful playing, the lyrical brilliance of "Shah of Shahs" and "Lord Salisbury", the infectious melody of "Hanno The Navigator" -- make this an album to be treasured. "A Beach Full of Shells" was a masterwork, showing Stewart at the height of his lyrical and musical powers. This record is a worthy companion to its predecessor.
Thirty years removed from his commercial zenith, Al Stewart is writing the strongest, most interesting music of his career. This is an outstanding record. It deserves a wide audience.
It's a good day for going to sea October 30, 2008
F. Everett (Cinnaminson, NJ USA)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I, too, have long been a fan of Al Stewart, going back to "Love Chronicles." While "Sparks of Ancient Light" has moments of real brilliance (my favorite is "Hanno the Navigator" the melody of which has been stuck in my head for the week I've had this CD), it suffers from the same unevenness as a few of Al's latest offerings. "The Loneliest Place On The Map" is particularly dull.
But I quibble. Al Stewart is one of but a handful of '60's and '70's singer songwriters whose talent and quality output has endured. A mediocre Stewart song is vastly superior to almost anything heard today.
For those unacquainted with Al, the best place to start is his '70's album "Past, Present, and Future."
another "worldclass" release from Al September 19, 2008
C. Bettinson
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
All I can say is that Al Stewart deserves every accolade that comes his way. He continues to provide his fans with nuggets and gems to enjoy. This CD is nothing less than what you can expect from an Al Stewart release. I have only listened a couple times so far and am struck by how effortlessly the songs sound and what a pleasure they are to listen to.
I hope we have a chance to see AL perform these and other songs with a full band.....check out the Boston Symphony Orchestra series AL.
Run, dont walk, to get this masterpiece.
Sparks Fly October 3, 2008
John Harwell (Grove City, OH USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Where to begin with Al Stewart.....I became a fan with "Love Chronicles" and grown up as a fan. Every time he slips from my attention for a moment, here comes another album/CD. Wow, this one really came to my attention.
"Sparks" is his best work in years. As I say that, I really can't think of a bad release. "Cellar" was a little quirky but not bad.
The first song that hit me was "The Eisenhower Years". While historically, those years were a little before my time, I am old enough to know people who did live through them. As with most of Al's songs, the music and lyrics fit the mood perfectly.
"Sleepwalking" is intensely satisfying with a mood, too.
Aww, nuts, I'm not going to go through each cut and critique them. I'm just going to say that Al does not disappoint. Being a fan, I listened patiently for his bombshells and was very satisfied with every cut.
It's a good CD, especially if you are an Al Stewart fan. His talent is put to good use here. Buy it and enjoy!
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