Yusuf's (formerly Cat Stevens) first album of modern pop songs since 1978's Back to Earth. On his return to music, Yusuf says "I feel right about making music and singing about life in this fragile world again. It is impor... more »tant for me to help bridge the cultural gaps others are sometimes frightened to cross." More Yusuf
Yusuf's (formerly Cat Stevens) first album of modern pop songs since 1978's Back to Earth. On his return to music, Yusuf says "I feel right about making music and singing about life in this fragile world again. It is important for me to help bridge the cultural gaps others are sometimes frightened to cross." More Yusuf
The Very Best of Cat Stevens
Majikat
Mona Bone Jakon
Tea for the Tillerman
Teaser and the Firecat
Catch Bull at Four
Robert L. Smith | San Francisco, CA United States | 11/15/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Like many diehard Cat Stevens fans, I have eagerly devoured his Islamic recordings over the past twenty-eight years, all of which are superb, if somewhat difficult to find. "An Other Cup," is something else entirely.
Although still recording under his Muslim name, ("Yusuf Islam" now shortened to simply "Yusuf"), the former Cat Stevens has made a triumphant return to the spiritual folk-pop of his youth, and--by any name--he IS still very much Cat Stevens. Every track here is heartfelt, beautifully written, and gorgeously produced.
The whole range of his remarkable career is represented: a new recording of "I Think I See The Light," originally from 1970's MONA BONE JAKON; a horn-powered "Midday" which, although it is a new song, wouldn't have sounded out of place on his very first album, 1966's MATTHEW AND SON; "Heaven/Where True Love Goes," which expands on the final section of 1973's "Foreigner Suite." The album even closes with "Greenfields And Golden Sands," a previously-unrecorded early song dating from 1968! From start to finish, all are superb; there is a maturity in these tracks which in some ways surpasses his classic 1970s work.
This album is not for everyone. In the age of hard-edged, angry rap, some people will undoubtedly find Yusuf's folky spiritualism out-moded and passe. For those of us who loved Cat Stevens thirty years ago, however, this CD represents a long-awaited return to a magical world we feared we had lost forever. Bravo, Yusuf! And welcome back!"
FOREVER A FAN
James T. Mott | O'Fallon, MO USA | 11/14/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Yusuf is a genius and a very kind man of faith. I believe his body of work is brilliant and An Other Cup is yet another addition to a string of sensational albums. It is as if there has been no gap in time whatsoever.
I believe it is high time radio wakes up and starts playing quality music like this. The plastic barbie doll, sugar coated crap passed off as talent today is shameful.
To quote Dear Prudence by the Beatles, "It's Beautiful and so are you"
Long Live and God Bless Yusuf!"
The Cat is back and he is Yusuf now
Kathleen S. Goode | Niwot, Boulder County, CO | 02/17/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Thank you Yusuf for sharing yourself with us again. You were greatly missed! Please consider us again when you are moved to share more of your gifted self.
I found his voice more mature, deeper, older, which for me works well. I adore the variety on this mellow cd. I love the flavor of Islam in some of the music and the open-ended spirituality that allows for us ALL to listen or sing along from our own unique perspectives, whatever our beliefs. "Greenfields and golden sands are all I need, are all I want...A small house and an olive tree, to keep and feed my family." "If only you all could rely on God with absolute trust ..." "I have dreamt of an open world, borderless and wide, where the people move from place to place, and nobody's taking sides..." "One day at a time, we can learn to fly ... Those who worked for tomorrow, will not miss the dreams of yesterday." Thank you, Yusuf. More please. I wish you a long, healthy, fruitful life."
Great album,
Perpetua | 05/09/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I had never heard anything by Cat Stevens, I wasn't even interested, but my girlfriend came in with his new CD the other day and I was blown away. I don't think I have heard such a good and strong album for a very long time. I haven't been able to stop listening to it over and over again, even when the CD wasn't playing the music was still there in my head. That music, so delicate, so beautiful, so heartfelt, so genuine, so exquisite and moving... I just haven't got words. It reminds me a bit of George Harrison. I'm not a religious person, but it's anquestionable that their respective faiths have elevated this two musicians to an amazing state of artistic grace.
This record will stay with me."
Real music communicates
R. Rahmani | Ohio, USA | 02/16/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I never expected this CD to be this good. I bought this and "The Very Best of Cat Stevens" together. Honestly, several of the songs on "An Other Cup" are even better than the Very Best. The two albums are sharply contrasted though. In the Very Best, he is clearly a man searching everywhere to find his peace, and often in the wrong places. "Hard Headed Woman" really speaks to that. But in An Other Cup, you see a man who has finally found his place, and reaches spiritual enlightenment. This CD communicates so well his journey. It is sincere and uplifting, and makes me feel that there is hope in the world. 5 stars, hands down."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1
