Charlie Chaplin,Harpo Marx,Metropolis and this song is the spirit for my modern times ! What counts is timeless. Thank' for posting this fitting song,uploader !!
This song has not only led me to being an even greater Al Stewart fan but also a big Andrew Powell fan. His powerful orchestratral arrangement is perfect!! Powell's work on this song, "Year of the Cat", and "Time Passages" led me to his work with Cockney Rebel, The Alan Parsons Project, Kate Bush, and John Miles.
Fabulous song - I've always thought that the hopeful traveller from the "Dark And The Rolling Sea" is the bitter, disillusioned man in New York who has no need for the tricks of "Modern Times". I echo all the opinions of Tim Renwick's guitar playing - how it lifts this song at the end is really majestic.
Great song. Is that a record player needle sound at 5:09? That brings back memories - I wore out my friends "Year of the Cat" album. I have probably bought most of Al's albumns once or twice - records, tapes, and CDs.
Side two of this album is just brilliant. Apple Cider Reconstitution, Dark and the Rolling Sea and the great Modern Times. The lead guitar at the end with the string backing is just the most awesome piece of modern music ever. I remember as a teenager in the '70's just playing that side over and over again.
As a teenageboy (in the seventies) somewhere in Holland in my room i translated the songs of Al Stewart. This song Modern Times had a strange attraction because of the story of two old friends meeting in a pub after a long time and than having to understand that two lives can seperate painfully. Like a movie in front of my eyes. These where lessons for een growing up boy, somewhere in a Dutch room.
As a teenageboy (in the seventies) somewhere in Holland in my room i translated the songs of Al Stewart. This song Modern Times had a strange attraction because of the story of two old friends meeting in a pub after a long time and than having to understand that two lives can seperate painfully. Like a movie in front of my eyes. These where lessons for een growing up boy, somewhere in a Dutch room under the roof. O how nice to hear it again now i'm 50!
When I hear anywhere about Modern Times, I only think Al Stewart and Charly Chaplin ! Where the red light girls are coming after me ....fourty dollar show ! Only these2 facts are "Modern Times" for me. By the way the times are changing in every second ! Thanks for posting this masterpiece,uploader!
Truly one of the most stunning instrumental passages in the world at 6:00, and one of the greatest guitar solos ever courtesy of Tim Renwick - no flash, just a tremendous lyrical quality.
@yesand2005 Big YES to your comment. Indeed, Modern Times is a stunningly fabulous album. Great for the mind and soul, and that finale instrumental piece w/ Renwick's guitar solo is, in itself, worth the price. Quality and brilliance ooze throughout the tracks, start to finish. (The newer issued Collector's Choice CD w/ 3 wonderful bonus tracks is an even better, truly rare gem for your listening pleasure!)
Back in '97 or so, Al was playing encores and for the very last he said, "Ok, I've played everything you want to hear and now I'm going to play what I want". And he played this song. I almost cried.
@jatras Really?! Soo wish he'd do it again. On 3/3/11 (Annapolis MD) show, they did Carol as encore, w/ remark about being "bugged" to do something from MT album. But they ALWAYS do Carol! Always great, but would love considerably more MT songs--like this, the title track! :) A good folksy tale, long and involved but nonetheless guaranteed highly pleasing to live audiences. Soulful, unforgettable stuff. None too easy to execute, though. Likely bit of a challenge on several levels.
Charlie Chaplin,Harpo Marx,Metropolis and this song is the spirit for my modern times ! What counts is timeless. Thank' for posting this fitting song,uploader !!
TheBodghaya108 2 days ago
Listened to this hundreds of times in the seventies lying on the floor with my headphones on over and over. Tim Renwick kicks ass!!!
markho3002 3 weeks ago 2
that's not the cover I remember from this album.
zengalileo 3 months ago
This song has not only led me to being an even greater Al Stewart fan but also a big Andrew Powell fan. His powerful orchestratral arrangement is perfect!! Powell's work on this song, "Year of the Cat", and "Time Passages" led me to his work with Cockney Rebel, The Alan Parsons Project, Kate Bush, and John Miles.
madderfoulard 3 months ago
The one dislike is from the string Tim broke @ 6:31
092AC 3 months ago
Best song ever written.
japinvt 4 months ago 2
Fabulous song - I've always thought that the hopeful traveller from the "Dark And The Rolling Sea" is the bitter, disillusioned man in New York who has no need for the tricks of "Modern Times". I echo all the opinions of Tim Renwick's guitar playing - how it lifts this song at the end is really majestic.
chrisharro 4 months ago 5
I have lissent to his songs in more than 20years and i still love Them
kennelmanden 5 months ago
Im reading that this track sounds alittle quick..from the album.. Im not sure.. either way it is still magic..
jrwest11 7 months ago
Great song. Is that a record player needle sound at 5:09? That brings back memories - I wore out my friends "Year of the Cat" album. I have probably bought most of Al's albumns once or twice - records, tapes, and CDs.
goginetTV 7 months ago
Cool song! I just learned this to do as a solo cover:) Thanks Al! btw this stream is a wee bit fast, slightly higher in pitch.
AudioWeapon 7 months ago
Al's songs transcend space and time. When he sings this, he is already in his own future. Al Stewart fans are feeling, intelligent people :-)
goginetTV 7 months ago
@goginetTV
Thank you !
rolynstone48 5 months ago
Love this song. Forever.
SWANNROIG 8 months ago
My favorite Al Stewart song, but this track is WAY too fast--about 10-15 beats per minute faster than the original album.
Transterra55 8 months ago
Side two of this album is just brilliant. Apple Cider Reconstitution, Dark and the Rolling Sea and the great Modern Times. The lead guitar at the end with the string backing is just the most awesome piece of modern music ever. I remember as a teenager in the '70's just playing that side over and over again.
theread59 8 months ago
As a teenageboy (in the seventies) somewhere in Holland in my room i translated the songs of Al Stewart. This song Modern Times had a strange attraction because of the story of two old friends meeting in a pub after a long time and than having to understand that two lives can seperate painfully. Like a movie in front of my eyes. These where lessons for een growing up boy, somewhere in a Dutch room.
TheBloemink 8 months ago
As a teenageboy (in the seventies) somewhere in Holland in my room i translated the songs of Al Stewart. This song Modern Times had a strange attraction because of the story of two old friends meeting in a pub after a long time and than having to understand that two lives can seperate painfully. Like a movie in front of my eyes. These where lessons for een growing up boy, somewhere in a Dutch room under the roof. O how nice to hear it again now i'm 50!
TheBloemink 8 months ago
Love this piece. The lyrics are brilliant, the music is great. and I agree with others about the incredible guitar work at 6:00.
lorm999 9 months ago
a song for friendships, growing up, and the ages.
skatefun12 10 months ago
Arguably his greatest album
wornpick1 10 months ago
When I hear anywhere about Modern Times, I only think Al Stewart and Charly Chaplin ! Where the red light girls are coming after me ....fourty dollar show ! Only these2 facts are "Modern Times" for me. By the way the times are changing in every second ! Thanks for posting this masterpiece,uploader!
bodghaya108 1 year ago
Truly one of the most stunning instrumental passages in the world at 6:00, and one of the greatest guitar solos ever courtesy of Tim Renwick - no flash, just a tremendous lyrical quality.
yesand2005 1 year ago 10
@yesand2005 Big YES to your comment. Indeed, Modern Times is a stunningly fabulous album. Great for the mind and soul, and that finale instrumental piece w/ Renwick's guitar solo is, in itself, worth the price. Quality and brilliance ooze throughout the tracks, start to finish. (The newer issued Collector's Choice CD w/ 3 wonderful bonus tracks is an even better, truly rare gem for your listening pleasure!)
cherimelodie 9 months ago 2
amazing that this album (nominated for a grammy) is not on Itunes?
aquagroove 1 year ago 2
I think Tim Renwick played on lead guitar,,thanks for posting!
myryckyz 1 year ago
Starting at 6:00 is some of the best instrumental work in music.
jatras 1 year ago 15
@jatras
definitely! I'm on total agreement with you on that...!
ariellevonglitz 1 year ago
Back in '97 or so, Al was playing encores and for the very last he said, "Ok, I've played everything you want to hear and now I'm going to play what I want". And he played this song. I almost cried.
jatras 1 year ago
@jatras Really?! Soo wish he'd do it again. On 3/3/11 (Annapolis MD) show, they did Carol as encore, w/ remark about being "bugged" to do something from MT album. But they ALWAYS do Carol! Always great, but would love considerably more MT songs--like this, the title track! :) A good folksy tale, long and involved but nonetheless guaranteed highly pleasing to live audiences. Soulful, unforgettable stuff. None too easy to execute, though. Likely bit of a challenge on several levels.
cherimelodie 11 months ago
Great song and a very good album.
eli10az 1 year ago
I've been waiting for the studio version of this song on here...thank you for posting!
ariellevonglitz 1 year ago