Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs 1983 Year of the Cat - This, Stewart's first platinum album, was the one that cemented Stewart in the annals of pop-music history (the album hit Billboard's Top 5) and made him a huge international star. Producer Alan Parsons' formula from Modern Times, mixing Stewart's historically themed folk-rock pieces with jazz conventions (like the unforgettable Phil Kenzie saxophone break in the title song) and absolute gorgeousness (Peter Wood's heartstoppingly lovely "YOTC" piano intro), worked like the proverbial charm when it came to electrifying music listeners and encouraging them to part with their dollars and pounds. Why? Yes, the combination of the sophisticated Parsons touch with Stewart's folk-rock foundation piqued interest, but in the end, Stewart won appreciators through his unforgettable stories and songs: the arousing title track, the sad "Broadway Hotel," and "Flying Sorcery," the first of Stewart's songs to focus on the exploits of pilots. At the time, Billboard hailed YOTC for its "exceptionally well-arranged songs that are progressive without being pretentious. ... This set was recorded at the Abbey Road Studios in London, and through heavy use of strings has a symphonic, almost classical beauty." Extremely noteworthy is the first appearance of guitarist Peter White, then a secessionist hired to play Spanish style guitar for the swirling, intriguing Top 20 hit "On the Border"; his long, fruitful collaboration with Stewart began on Year of the Cat. Side 1. 1. "Lord Grenville" (5:02) 2. "On The Border" (3:23) 3. "Midas Shadow" (3:16) 4. "Sand In Your Shoes" (3:04) 5. "If It Doesn't Come Naturally, Leave It" (4:30) Side 2. 6. "Flying Sorcery" (4:22) 7. "Broadway Hotel" (3:58) 8. "One Stage Before" (4:41) 9. "Year Of The Cat" (6:37)
