My first college roommate was a guy named Ron. We got along okay. I didn't realize until after he was not longer my roommate that I owed him a debt of gratitude. He introduced me to the music of John Prine and Al Stewart. Many years have passed since that first year of college but I still listen to John and Al. And, now, thanks to the Internet I can find many music videos of them and many others.
Al Stewart is amazing. Not only a great musician but an absolutely amazing songwriter. You may recall his song "The Year of the Cat." Which has great lyrics: "She comes out of the sun in a silk dress running like a watercolor in the rain . . .:" Or you may remember his song "Like a Song on the Radio." But likely that is all you remember of him.
In part I know why he isn't more famous. His songs tend to run eight minutes or more and are about history, war, and trains. You aren't going to hit the Top Ten writing songs about the prophesies of Nostradamus or the Nazi Invasion of Russia, even if your songs have better lyrics and better musical arrangements than Top 40 songs.
John Prine is better known but doesn't get a lot of air time either. His songs are simpler and shorter than Stewart's but nonetheless also remarkable - some poignant, some funny. Amazing lyrics.
Cyburbians, do you have a favorite musician you are amazed are more popular?
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Originally posted by Cardinal
