A Beach Full of Shells by Al Stewart - DeepRiffs

ALBUM

Al Stewart has always had a distinctive vocal style -- making his radio hits like "Year of the Cat" immediately recognizable -- while also possessing a knack for writing tuneful pop songs. A Beach Full of Shells qualifies as his first U.S. release since 1995, and while it's been some time since the singer conquered the pop charts, both his vocal style and craftsmanship remains intact. It would be a mistake, however, to view Stewart as no more than the maker of pop confections specially designed for a mass radio audience. The cover of A Beach Full of Shells offers the first clue of a playful mind that enjoys the weight of words: there are two types of shells on the beach, one from the sea, the other for use in a gun. The complexity of his approach is best experienced on "Somewhere in England 1915," a lengthy song (nearly seven minutes) with shifting dream imagery. Weaving fantasy with brief references to World War I, the narrator eventually wakes up 90 years later to find himself on the edge -- the song seems to suggest -- of yet another war. Stewart accomplishes all of this without ever being obvious, giving the song a subtle quality as it reveals its surprises to the listener. This, however, is only one of many moods on A Beach Full of Shells. "Katherine of Oregon" is as light as air, a pleasant, flowing ballad with nice acoustic guitar and light percussion, while "Mona Lisa Talking" shifts through a number of intriguing chord changes to offer a little common sense advice. A Beach Full of Shells probably doesn't spell Stewart's return to the Top 40, but it is a solid effort that will certainly please fans.
© Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr. /TiVo

1. The Immelman Turn

Primary Artist: Al Stewart; Main Performer
Bass: Domenic Genova; Performer
Mixing: Greg Townley; Production
Bass Guitar: Domenic Genova; Performer
Bass Guitar: Domenic Genova; Performer
Producer: Laurence Juber; Production
Bodhrán: Steve Forman; Performer
Cello: Richard Dodd; Performer
Arranger: Laurence Juber; Composer
Drums: Michael Jochum; Performer
Guitar: Al Stewart
Laurence Juber; Performer
Keyboard: Al Stewart; Performer
Percussion: Michael Jochum
Steve Forman
Laurence Juber; Performer
Mastering: Joe Gastwirt; Production
Mastering Engineer: Joe Gastwirt; Production
Piano: Jim Cox; Performer
Programmer: Laurence Juber; Production
Recorder: Greg Townley; Performer
Strings: Laurence Juber
The Section String Quartet; Performer
Engineer: Greg Townley; Production
Viola: Novi Novog
Leah Katz; Performer
Violin: Daphne Chen
Eric Gorfain; Performer
Vocals: Robin Kirmsee
Al Stewart
Steve Lively; Performer
Recording: Laurence Juber
Steve Genewick
Jimmy Hoyson; Production

2. Mr. Lear

Bass: Domenic Genova; Performer
Primary Artist: Al Stewart; Main Performer
Arranger: Laurence Juber; Composer
Mixing: Greg Townley; Production
Bass Guitar: Domenic Genova; Performer
Bass Guitar: Domenic Genova; Performer
Producer: Laurence Juber; Production
Cello: Richard Dodd; Performer
Drums: Michael Jochum; Performer
Keyboard: Al Stewart; Performer
Composer: Al Stewart; Composer
Engineer: Greg Townley; Production
Guitar: Al Stewart
Laurence Juber; Performer
Percussion: Laurence Juber
Michael Jochum; Performer
Piano: Jim Cox; Performer
Strings: Laurence Juber
The Section String Quartet; Performer
Viola: Leah Katz; Performer
Violin: Daphne Chen
Eric Gorfain; Performer
Vocals: Steve Lively
Al Stewart
Robin Kirmsee; Performer
Mastering: Joe Gastwirt; Production
Mastering Engineer: Joe Gastwirt; Production
Programmer: Laurence Juber; Production
Recorder: Greg Townley; Performer
Recording: Jimmy Hoyson
Steve Genewick
Laurence Juber; Production

3. Royal Courtship

Bass: Domenic Genova; Performer
Arranger: Laurence Juber; Composer
Bass Guitar: Domenic Genova; Performer
Bass Guitar: Domenic Genova; Performer
Cello: Richard Dodd; Performer
Drums: Michael Jochum; Performer
Guitar: Al Stewart
Laurence Juber; Performer
Keyboard: Al Stewart; Performer
Engineer: Greg Townley; Production
Mastering: Joe Gastwirt; Production
Mastering Engineer: Joe Gastwirt; Production
Mixing: Greg Townley; Production
Percussion: Laurence Juber
Michael Jochum; Performer
Primary Artist: Al Stewart; Main Performer
Piano: Jim Cox; Performer
Recorder: Greg Townley; Performer
Strings: The Section String Quartet
Laurence Juber; Performer
Viola: Leah Katz; Performer
Violin: Daphne Chen
Eric Gorfain; Performer
Vocals: Robin Kirmsee
Steve Lively
Al Stewart; Performer
Producer: Laurence Juber; Production
Programmer: Laurence Juber; Production
Recording: Jimmy Hoyson
Laurence Juber
Steve Genewick; Production

4. Rain Barrel

Bass: Domenic Genova; Performer
Arranger: Laurence Juber; Composer
Bass Guitar: Domenic Genova; Performer
Bass Guitar: Domenic Genova; Performer
Cello: Richard Dodd; Performer
Drums: Michael Jochum; Performer
Guitar: David Nachmanoff
Laurence Juber
Al Stewart; Performer
Keyboard: Al Stewart; Performer
Engineer: Greg Townley; Production
Mastering: Joe Gastwirt; Production
Mastering Engineer: Joe Gastwirt; Production
Mixing: Greg Townley; Production
Percussion: Michael Jochum
Laurence Juber; Performer
Primary Artist: Al Stewart; Main Performer
Piano: Jim Cox; Performer
Recorder: Greg Townley; Performer
Strings: Laurence Juber
The Section String Quartet; Performer
Viola: Leah Katz; Performer
Violin: Eric Gorfain
Daphne Chen; Performer
Vocals: Al Stewart
Steve Lively
Robin Kirmsee; Performer
Producer: Laurence Juber; Production
Programmer: Laurence Juber; Production
Recording: Jimmy Hoyson
Laurence Juber
Steve Genewick; Production

5. Somewhere in England 1915

Bass: Domenic Genova; Performer
Primary Artist: Al Stewart; Main Performer
Arranger: Laurence Juber; Composer
Mixing: Greg Townley; Production
Bass Guitar: Domenic Genova; Performer
Bass Guitar: Domenic Genova; Performer
Producer: Laurence Juber; Production
Cello: Richard Dodd; Performer
Drums: Michael Jochum; Performer
Keyboard: Al Stewart; Performer
Composer: Al Stewart; Composer
Engineer: Greg Townley; Production
Guitar: Al Stewart
Laurence Juber; Performer
Percussion: Laurence Juber
Michael Jochum; Performer
Piano: Jim Cox; Performer
Strings: Laurence Juber
The Section String Quartet; Performer
Viola: Leah Katz; Performer
Violin: Daphne Chen
Eric Gorfain; Performer
Vocals: Steve Lively
Al Stewart
Robin Kirmsee; Performer
Mastering: Joe Gastwirt; Production
Mastering Engineer: Joe Gastwirt; Production
Programmer: Laurence Juber; Production
Recorder: Greg Townley; Performer
Recording: Jimmy Hoyson
Steve Genewick
Laurence Juber; Production

6. Katherine of Oregon

Bass: Domenic Genova; Performer
Primary Artist: Al Stewart; Main Performer
Arranger: Laurence Juber; Composer
Mixing: Greg Townley; Production
Bass Guitar: Domenic Genova; Performer
Bass Guitar: Domenic Genova; Performer
Producer: Laurence Juber; Production
Cello: Richard Dodd; Performer
Drums: Michael Jochum; Performer
Keyboard: Al Stewart; Performer
Composer: Al Stewart; Composer
Engineer: Greg Townley; Production
Guitar: Al Stewart
Laurence Juber; Performer
Percussion: Laurence Juber
Michael Jochum; Performer
Piano: Jim Cox; Performer
Strings: Laurence Juber
The Section String Quartet; Performer
Viola: Leah Katz; Performer
Violin: Daphne Chen
Eric Gorfain; Performer
Vocals: Steve Lively
Al Stewart
Robin Kirmsee; Performer
Mastering: Joe Gastwirt; Production
Mastering Engineer: Joe Gastwirt; Production
Programmer: Laurence Juber; Production
Recorder: Greg Townley; Performer
Recording: Jimmy Hoyson
Steve Genewick
Laurence Juber; Production

7. Mona Lisa

Bass: Domenic Genova; Performer
Arranger: Laurence Juber; Composer
Bass Guitar: Domenic Genova; Performer
Bass Guitar: Domenic Genova; Performer
Cello: Richard Dodd; Performer
Drums: Michael Jochum; Performer
Guitar: Al Stewart
Laurence Juber; Performer
Keyboard: Al Stewart; Performer
Engineer: Greg Townley; Production
Mastering: Joe Gastwirt; Production
Mastering Engineer: Joe Gastwirt; Production
Mixing: Greg Townley; Production
Percussion: Laurence Juber
Michael Jochum; Performer
Primary Artist: Al Stewart; Main Performer
Piano: Jim Cox; Performer
Recorder: Greg Townley; Performer
Strings: The Section String Quartet
Laurence Juber; Performer
Viola: Leah Katz; Performer
Violin: Daphne Chen
Eric Gorfain; Performer
Vocals: Robin Kirmsee
Steve Lively
Al Stewart; Performer
Producer: Laurence Juber; Production
Programmer: Laurence Juber; Production
Recording: Jimmy Hoyson
Laurence Juber
Steve Genewick; Production

8. Class of '58

Bass: Domenic Genova; Performer
Bass Guitar: Domenic Genova; Performer
Cello: Richard Dodd; Performer
Drums: Michael Jochum; Performer
Guitar: Laurence Juber
Al Stewart; Performer
Keyboard: Al Stewart; Performer
Engineer: Greg Townley; Production
Mastering: Joe Gastwirt; Production
Mastering Engineer: Joe Gastwirt; Production
Mixing: Greg Townley; Production
Primary Artist: Al Stewart; Main Performer
Percussion: Laurence Juber
Michael Jochum; Performer
Arranger: Laurence Juber; Composer
Bass Guitar: Domenic Genova; Performer
Piano: Jim Cox; Performer
Recorder: Greg Townley; Performer
Strings: Laurence Juber
The Section String Quartet; Performer
Viola: Leah Katz; Performer
Violin: Daphne Chen
Eric Gorfain; Performer
Vocals: David Nachmanoff
Steve Lively
Al Stewart
Robin Kirmsee; Performer
Programmer: Laurence Juber; Production
Recording: Jimmy Hoyson
Laurence Juber
Steve Genewick; Production
Composer: Al Stewart; Composer
Producer: Laurence Juber; Production

9. Walked out in the Snow

Bass: Domenic Genova; Performer
Arranger: Laurence Juber; Composer
Bass Guitar: Domenic Genova; Performer
Bass Guitar: Domenic Genova; Performer
Cello: Richard Dodd; Performer
Drums: Michael Jochum; Performer
Guitar: Al Stewart
Laurence Juber; Performer
Keyboard: Al Stewart; Performer
Engineer: Greg Townley; Production
Mastering: Joe Gastwirt; Production
Mastering Engineer: Joe Gastwirt; Production
Mixing: Greg Townley; Production
Percussion: Laurence Juber
Michael Jochum; Performer
Primary Artist: Al Stewart; Main Performer
Piano: Jim Cox; Performer
Recorder: Greg Townley; Performer
Strings: The Section String Quartet
Laurence Juber; Performer
Viola: Leah Katz; Performer
Violin: Daphne Chen
Eric Gorfain; Performer
Vocals: Robin Kirmsee
Steve Lively
Al Stewart; Performer
Producer: Laurence Juber; Production
Programmer: Laurence Juber; Production
Recording: Jimmy Hoyson
Laurence Juber
Steve Genewick; Production

10. My Egyptian Couch

Bass: Domenic Genova; Performer
Bass Guitar: Domenic Genova; Performer
Cello: Richard Dodd; Performer
Drums: Michael Jochum; Performer
Guitar: Al Stewart
Laurence Juber; Performer
Keyboard: Al Stewart; Performer
Engineer: Greg Townley; Production
Mastering: Joe Gastwirt; Production
Mastering Engineer: Joe Gastwirt; Production
Mixing: Greg Townley; Production
Primary Artist: Al Stewart; Main Performer
Percussion: Laurence Juber
Michael Jochum; Performer
Arranger: Laurence Juber; Composer
Bass Guitar: Domenic Genova; Performer
Piano: Jim Cox; Performer
Recorder: Greg Townley; Performer
Strings: The Section String Quartet
Laurence Juber; Performer
Viola: Leah Katz; Performer
Violin: Daphne Chen
Eric Gorfain; Performer
Vocals: Robin Kirmsee
Steve Lively
Al Stewart; Performer
Programmer: Laurence Juber; Production
Recording: Jimmy Hoyson
Laurence Juber
Steve Genewick; Production
Composer: Al Stewart; Composer
Producer: Laurence Juber; Production

11. Gina

Bass: Domenic Genova; Performer
Arranger: Laurence Juber; Composer
Bass Guitar: Domenic Genova; Performer
Bass Guitar: Domenic Genova; Performer
Cello: Richard Dodd; Performer
Drums: Michael Jochum; Performer
Guitar: Al Stewart
Laurence Juber; Performer
Keyboard: Al Stewart; Performer
Engineer: Greg Townley; Production
Mastering: Joe Gastwirt; Production
Mastering Engineer: Joe Gastwirt; Production
Mixing: Greg Townley; Production
Percussion: Laurence Juber
Michael Jochum; Performer
Primary Artist: Al Stewart; Main Performer
Piano: Jim Cox; Performer
Recorder: Greg Townley; Performer
Strings: The Section String Quartet
Laurence Juber; Performer
Viola: Leah Katz; Performer
Violin: Daphne Chen
Eric Gorfain; Performer
Vocals: Robin Kirmsee
Steve Lively
Al Stewart; Performer
Producer: Laurence Juber; Production
Programmer: Laurence Juber; Production
Recording: Jimmy Hoyson
Laurence Juber
Steve Genewick; Production

12. Beacon Street

Bass: Domenic Genova; Performer
Bass Guitar: Domenic Genova; Performer
Cello: Richard Dodd; Performer
Drums: Michael Jochum; Performer
Guitar: Al Stewart
Laurence Juber; Performer
Keyboard: Al Stewart; Performer
Engineer: Greg Townley; Production
Mastering: Joe Gastwirt; Production
Mastering Engineer: Joe Gastwirt; Production
Mixing: Greg Townley; Production
Primary Artist: Al Stewart; Main Performer
Percussion: Laurence Juber
Michael Jochum; Performer
Arranger: Laurence Juber; Composer
Bass Guitar: Domenic Genova; Performer
Piano: Jim Cox; Performer
Recorder: Greg Townley; Performer
Strings: The Section String Quartet
Laurence Juber; Performer
Viola: Leah Katz; Performer
Violin: Daphne Chen
Eric Gorfain; Performer
Vocals: Robin Kirmsee
Steve Lively
Al Stewart; Performer
Programmer: Laurence Juber; Production
Recording: Jimmy Hoyson
Laurence Juber
Steve Genewick; Production
Composer: Al Stewart; Composer
Producer: Laurence Juber; Production

13. Anniversary

Bass: Domenic Genova; Performer
Arranger: Laurence Juber; Composer
Bass Guitar: Domenic Genova; Performer
Bass Guitar: Domenic Genova; Performer
Cello: Richard Dodd; Performer
Drums: Michael Jochum; Performer
Guitar: Al Stewart
Laurence Juber; Performer
Keyboard: Al Stewart; Performer
Engineer: Greg Townley; Production
Mastering: Joe Gastwirt; Production
Mastering Engineer: Joe Gastwirt; Production
Mixing: Greg Townley; Production
Percussion: Laurence Juber
Michael Jochum; Performer
Primary Artist: Al Stewart; Main Performer
Piano: Jim Cox; Performer
Recorder: Greg Townley; Performer
Strings: The Section String Quartet
Laurence Juber; Performer
Viola: Leah Katz; Performer
Violin: Daphne Chen
Eric Gorfain; Performer
Vocals: Robin Kirmsee
Steve Lively
Al Stewart; Performer
Producer: Laurence Juber; Production
Programmer: Laurence Juber; Production
Recording: Jimmy Hoyson
Laurence Juber
Steve Genewick; Production

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

13 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

48 minutes and 43 seconds

Explicit

None

Coverart

Available and up to 1400x1400 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

CD Quality (Lossless)

16bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

All tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

7/13 tracks have synced lyrics

Genres

Pop/Rock, Singer & Songwriter, Soft Rock, Singer-Songwriter, Lite Rock

Label

Parlophone UK

Music Distribution Service

Warner

Country

United Kingdom

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Jun 20, 2005

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

94631134456