Sparks of Ancient Light

Sparks of Ancient Light is the sixteenth studio album by Al Stewart, released on 15 September 2008. The album features songs about important historical figures, including British prime minister Lord Salisbury, the former Shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, and the 34th U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

In his songs, Stewart explores the ideas of "certainty and uncertainty," showing how history can be clear in some ways but mysterious in others. One of the songs, "Elvis at the Wheel," even has a music video that was filmed in Arizona and shared with fans in December 2013.

Critical reception

A reviewer from Allmusic liked the way the album was made. He said that Al Stewart's good points, like his nice melodies, smooth singing, skilled guitar playing, and thoughtful songs about history, were clear and strong in this album.

Track listing

Here are the songs on the album Sparks of Ancient Light:

1. "Lord Salisbury" - 3:26
2. "(A Child's View Of) The Eisenhower Years" - 3:11
3. "The Ear of the Night" - 3:06
4. "Hanno the Navigator" - 4:17
5. "Shah of Shahs" - 5:03
6. "Angry Bird" - 2:42
7. "The Loneliest Place on the Map" - 3:31
8. "Sleepwalking" - 4:31
9. "Football Hero" - 5:38
10. "Elvis at the Wheel" - 3:10
11. "Silver Kettle" - 3:56
12. "Like William McKinley" - 4:15

Personnel

Musicians

The album features talented musicians such as Laurence Juber on acoustic and electric guitar, Jim Cox on organ and piano, and John "Hot Fat Reynolds" Ferraro on percussion and drums. There are also string players like Eric Gorfain on violin, Daphne Chen on violin, Leah Katz on viola, and Richard Dodd on cello. Rick Baptist plays the trumpet.

Production

Laurence Juber took on roles as arranger, producer, and engineer. Greg Townley helped with engineering and mixing, while Joe Gastwirt handled the mastering. Buzz Person provided photography, Aaron Walk assisted, and Steve Chapman managed the project.

Allusions and historical references

The album includes songs that mention important historical figures and events. Lord Salisbury refers to Robert Cecil, who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1895 to 1902. Hanno the Navigator is about Hanno the Navigator, an explorer from the 5th century BCE who sailed along the coast of Africa. Elvis at the Wheel tells of a time when Elvis Presley saw a cloud that looked like Joseph Stalin turning into Jesus, which inspired him to change his life. Shah Of Shahs describes the end of the Pahlavi dynasty and Mohammad Reza Pahlavi’s escape from Iran in 1979 after the Islamic revolution.