Al Stewart

Year of the Cat

First released1976

# Year of the Cat - Production Summary Year of the Cat was recorded at various studios in 1978, primarily at the Record Plant and other Los Angeles facilities during a period of significant commercial opportunity for Al Stewart. The album was produced by Alan Parsons, the renowned engineer and producer known for his work with Pink Floyd and The Alan Parsons Project, who brought sophisticated production techniques and a polished sonic aesthetic to the recording sessions. The title track "Year of the Cat" featured arranger and keyboardist Peter White, whose lush orchestral arrangements became a signature element of the album's sound. The production emphasized layered instrumentation, particularly synthesizers and strings, reflecting the progressive rock and soft rock sensibilities of the late 1970s. Year of the Cat became Stewart's most commercially successful album, reaching the top 5 on the Billboard charts and establishing a new mainstream audience for the British folk-rock artist.