Love Chronicles


Love Chronicles is the second studio album by the British folk artist Al Stewart, released in September 1969. It was his first album to be released in the US. Among the supporting musicians were Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin along with four members of Fairport Convention: bassist Ashley Hutchings, guitarist Simon Nicol, drummer Martin Lamble and guitarist Richard Thompson.
Melody Maker named the record "Folk Album of the Year" for 1969. The American critic Robert Christgau called it "a landmark: the first rock record to use the word 'fuck' ", referring to the 18-minute title track.
In 1993, select tracks from Love Chronicles were released in the UK as part of the double CD To Whom It May Concern, an anthology of Stewart's first three albums. In 2007, Love Chronicles was reissued with three bonus tracks by the Collector's Choice label.

Track listing

All tracks composed and arranged by Al Stewart

Original LP release

  1. "In Brooklyn" – 3:42
  2. "Old Compton Street Blues" – 4:25
  3. "The Ballad of Mary Foster" – 8:01
  4. "Life and Life Only" – 5:47
  5. "You Should Have Listened to Al" – 3:01
  6. "Love Chronicles" – 18:06

    Cassette release

  7. "You Should Have Listened to Al"
  8. "Old Compton Street Blues"
  9. "The Ballad of Mary Foster"
  10. "Life and Life Only"
  11. "In Brooklyn"
  12. "Love Chronicles"

    2007 Collectors' Choice Music edition

  13. "In Brooklyn" – 3:43
  14. "Old Compton Street Blues" – 4:26
  15. "The Ballad of Mary Foster" – 8:02
  16. "Life and Life Only" – 5:49
  17. "You Should Have Listened to Al" – 3:02
  18. "Love Chronicles" – 18:04
Bonus tracks
  1. "Jackdaw" – 3:20
  2. "She Follows Her Own Rules" – 3:18
  3. "Fantasy" – 2:15

    Personnel

  • Al Stewart – vocals, guitar
  • Jimmy Page – guitar on "Love Chronicles"
  • Simon Breckenridge – guitar
  • Marvyn Prestwyck – guitar
  • Brian Brocklehurst – bass
  • Harvey Burns – drums
  • Martyn Francis – drums
  • Brian Odgers – bass
  • John Paul Jones – bass on "Love Chronicles"
  • Ashley Hutchings – bass
  • Steve Gray – organ
  • Phil Phillips – organ
  • Krysia Kristianne, Robin Lamble – backing vocals on "Jackdaw"

    Technical

  • Ron Pender, John Wood – engineer
  • Sophie Litchfield – photography