There is an edited version of
Year Of The Cat on YouTube, recorded on December 17. Although this is unarguably one of his finest compositions - co-written with keyboard player Peter Wood (1950-93) - it is rather sad that for many people of a certain generation it is about the only of his tracks to which they can put a name.
Al actually started out playing in a beat group with Tony Blackburn of all people, something he catalogued in his epic song
Love Chronicles along with his first kindergarten love Stephanie - who also appears in a
song of her own - and much else besides. Epic it may be, but it was one word that caused his record company consternation.
Back in 1969-70, the dreaded F word was a lot more potent than it is today, having fallen into disrepute sometime after 1571 when it appeared in a poem satirising the clergy. There was no profanity on December 17 though, and a good time was had by all in what was a family event, literally, with Al's daughter Daisy making her debut on the cello. His other daughter is called Violet, which says a lot about the man himself, an incurable romantic at heart as on record.
Since
November 20, further dates next year have been confirmed for what is shaping up to be a
mini US tour, though it is not clear if Daisy will be joining Dad on stage with his regular partner Dave Nachmanoff.
