''Modern Times'' is Al Stewart's sixth studio album, released in 1975. The album was re-released in 2007 with bonus tracks. A further remastered (by Paschal Byrne) edition was released by Esoteric Recordings in 2015.

Track listing

All tracks composed by Al Stewart except as indicated.

1975 original LP edition

Side 1 #"Carol" – 4:24 #"Sirens of Titan" – 2:50 #"What's Going On?" – 3:34 #"Not the One" – 4:34 #"Next Time" – 4:19 Side 2 #"Apple Cider Re-Constitution" – 5:19 #"The Dark and the Rolling Sea" – 5:21 #"Modern Times" (Dave Mudge, Stewart) – 8:21

2000 Beat Goes On edition bonus tracks

#"News from Spain" - 6:03 #"Elvaston Place" - 2:53 #"Swallow Wind" - 3:21

2007 Collector's Choice Music edition bonus tracks

#"Swallow Wind" - 3:23 #"A Sense of Deja Vu" - 4:50 #"Willie the King" - 4:01

Personnel

*Al Stewart - vocals, acoustic guitar *Brian Bennett - backing vocals *David Ellis - acoustic guitar *

Isaac Guillory Isaac Guillory (February 27, 1947 – December 31, 2000) was an American folk guitarist. Career Guillory first began performing in 1965, while still attending St. Johns River State College where he became a member of The Illusions, eventually ...

- guitar *

Simon Nicol Simon John Breckenridge Nicol (born 13 October 1950) is an English guitarist, singer, multi-instrumentalist and record producer. He was a founding member of British folk rock group Fairport Convention and is the only founding member still in the ...

- acoustic guitar *

Tim Renwick Timothy John Pearson Renwick (born 7 August 1949) is an English guitarist. He is best known for his association with Al Stewart in his early career and for his long-standing role as lead guitarist for the Sutherland Brothers & Quiver. His single ...

- electric guitar * Andrew Powell - orchestral arrangement on "Modern Times" *Tony Carr - percussion *

Gerry Conway Gerard Francis Conway Thomas, Roy. "Roy's Rostrum" ("Bullpen Bulletins") in '' Marvel Super-Heroes'' #43 and other Marvel Comics cover-dated May 1974. (born September 10, 1952) is an American comic book writer, comic book editor, screenwriter, t ...

- drums *Stuart Cowell - dobro, electric guitar *Barry De Souza - drums *George Ford - bass *Neil Lancaster - backing vocals *Chas Mills - backing vocals *Peter Moss - bass, fuzz bass *Graham Smith - harmonica *

Pete Wingfield William Peter Wingfield (born 7 May 1948) is an English record producer, keyboard player, songwriter, singer and music journalist. Career Whilst at Sussex University Wingfield and three other students formed the group Jellybread. In 1969, he ...

- keyboards * Peter Wood - keyboards, accordion ;Technical *

Alan Parsons Alan Parsons (born 20 December 1948) is an English audio engineer, songwriter, musician and record producer. Parsons was involved with the production of several notable albums, including the Beatles' ''Abbey Road'' (1969) and '' Let It Be'' ...

- engineer, string arrangement on "Apple Cider Re-Constitution" *Peter James - engineer *

Hipgnosis Hipgnosis were an English art design group based in London, that specialised in creating album cover artwork for rock musicians and bands. Their commissions included work for Pink Floyd, T. Rex, the Pretty Things, Black Sabbath, UFO, 10c ...

- sleeve design, photography

Charts

Album – Billboard (United States)

Notes

* "Sirens of Titan" is based on the novel of the same name by

Kurt Vonnegut Kurt Vonnegut Jr. (November 11, 1922 – April 11, 2007) was an American writer known for his satirical and darkly humorous novels. In a career spanning over 50 years, he published fourteen novels, three short-story collections, five plays, and ...

. * The original enigmatic album cover photograph was taken in the grounds of Stone House, Rushlake Green, near Heathfield in Sussex. In Britain this cover photo was superseded in 1977 by a portrait photo of Al Stewart, presumably in order to capitalise on his enhanced popularity as a result of the '' Year of the Cat'' album. * The blonde woman on the album cover is Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour's first wife, Ginger. The

Cord Cord or CORD may refer to: People * Alex Cord (1933–2021), American actor and writer * Chris Cord (born 1940), American racing driver * Errett Lobban Cord (1894–1974) American industrialist * Ronnie Cord (1943–1986), Brazilian singer * Co ...

automobile Stewart is sitting in belonged to

Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin were an English rock band formed in London in 1968. The group comprised vocalist Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham. With a heavy, guitar-driven sound, they are ci ...

guitarist Jimmy Page. * Centered in the cover, holding a mirror reflecting a bright light toward the viewer, as on Stewart's previous album, '' Past, Present and Future'', the U. S. version of the album features the

Marvel Comics Marvel Comics is an American comic book publishing, publisher and the flagship property of Marvel Entertainment, a divsion of The Walt Disney Company since September 1, 2009. Evolving from Timely Comics in 1939, ''Magazine Management/Atlas Co ...

character Doctor Strange.

References

Al Stewart albums 1975 albums Albums with cover art by Hipgnosis Albums produced by Alan Parsons CBS Records albums Janus Records albums {{1970s-rock-album-stub