Past, Present & Future

Released in 1973, Past, Present & Future represents the pivotal moment where Al Stewart abandoned the confessional 'boyfriend/girlfriend' songs of his early career to embrace his true calling as a historical chronicler. Each track on the album corresponds to a decade of the 20th century, culminating in the nearly ten-minute 'Nostradamus' which looks toward the future. The album features a notable cast of session musicians, including Rick Wakeman and Bruce Thomas, and was produced by John Anthony. It serves as the bridge between his folk roots and the high-fidelity 'Year of the Cat' era produced by Alan Parsons. The centerpiece, 'Roads to Moscow,' is widely considered one of the greatest narrative songs in the folk-rock canon, detailing the German invasion of Russia and the subsequent betrayal of Soviet soldiers by Stalin. Critically, it is regarded as Stewart's most ambitious and cohesive work, solidifying his reputation as the premier 'history-rocker' of his generation.