Gt Hits - Cat Stevens

As the 1960's drew to a close, with such bands as the Beatles finally parted, many wondered exactly who would be the next big stars in the music industry. Alongside the endless tirades of new bands came Cat Stevens, a young Londoner. Starting in 1970, Cat Stevens built upon his early successes from the late 1960's with a series of distinctive albums, all with an outstanding rock edge, nearly always backed by Stevens' brilliant acoustic playing.
...life Cat Stevens (born Steven Demetre Georgiou) developed a love for music and art. After acquiring his first guitar, Cat began writing his own tunes. During his late teens, Cat attended Hammersmith Art College. He was eventually auditioned by Mike Hurst, a record producer.
Cat's first single was released in November 1966, and impressively rose to Number 28 on the UK music charts, heavily supported by radio stations playing his track. Stevens ... more

As the 1960's drew to a close, with such bands as the Beatles finally parted, many wondered exactly who would be the next big stars in the music industry. Alongside the endless tirades of new bands came Cat Stevens, a young Londoner. Starting in 1970, Cat Stevens built upon his early successes from the late 1960's with a series of distinctive albums, all with an outstanding rock edge, nearly always backed by Stevens' brilliant acoustic playing.

Introduction

Early in his life Cat Stevens (born Steven Demetre Georgiou) developed a love for music and art. After acquiring his first guitar, Cat began writing his own tunes. During his late teens, Cat attended Hammersmith Art College. He was eventually auditioned by Mike Hurst, a record producer.
Cat's first single was released in November 1966, and impressively rose to Number 28 on the UK music charts, heavily supported by radio stations playing his track. Stevens released several supporting singles, each more successful than the last "Here comes my baby" peaking at Number 4 on the UK charts. His eagerly anticipated first album was named Matthew and Son, it climbed to No. 7 on the charts.

The real separation between Cat Stevens 1960's work and his later songs were that his earlier works each carry a memorable theme, with odd lyrics, and even a trace of folky elements.
Upon falling ill in 1968, Cat fell into a period of personal reflection. He was struck by the fact he went from being an up and coming showbusiness star to a hospital patient. After over a year meditating on his own person, he was discharged a different man, sporting a beard. A far cry from the velvet suit donning. overworked man he was previously.
It was then that Cat Stevens began to write in a completely different style, his songs become imbued with emotion, evolving a distinctive and unique Folk-pop theme. Up until 1970 Cat experimented with this new found style of his. Finally, In April 1970, his golden age of musical composition began. He acquired a new producer, who did all he could to nurture this intesely emotional and meaningful new creative stage in Cat's career.

It was around this time that he began to garner attentions from the US. His next album "Tea for the Tillerman" went gold. It exhibited such memorable classics as "Wild World" and "Father and Son". He didn't run out of steam then though, and in September of 1971 Cat Stevens released his breakthrough album. "Teaser and the Firecat" was an instant hit on both sides of the Atlantic, featuring such hits as "Moonshadow" and the prolific, peace-imploring tune "Peace Train".
Cat's physical appearance had changed around this point too, favouring casual dress such as T-shirts and jeans to the expensive suits he wore during the 60's. His written lyrics grew more and more personal, often conveying a message to listeners.

As the 1970's wore on, Cat become interested in many different subjects, Buddhism, Astrology and Numerology to name but a few. His skill as a musician increased massively, becoming adept at several instruments, guitar, piano, organs, drums, even synthesizers, not to mention his consistant, gentle and melodious singing.
He continually strove to acheive spirituality, further investigating Buddhism. One time he travelled to Morocco, upon hearing singing in the distance, he asked a man what kind of music it was. "Thats music for God" replied the man. This was Cat's first encounter with Islam.
He exclaimed "I've heard of music for praise, applause, for money - but this music seeks no reward except from God. What a wonderful statement." After releasing two more albums : "Foreigner" and "Buddha And The Chocolate Box". Cat moved to Rio de Janiero for taxation reasons.

Towards the end of his successful music career Cat became increasingly antipathic towards show business in general. Saying "One of the most dominant views of man is material. The motto of this concept is "Eat, drink and be merry." The problem was that I had eaten, I had drank - I wasn't merry." His very last rock album under the name Cat Stevens was called "Back to Earth". Cat, having received a copy of the Qur'an, observed the timeless nature of the religious text. He finally converted to Muslim, saying "As soon as I became a muslim, I found peace." He changed his producing named to Yusuf Islam.
He had made millions, and could have spent the rest of his life in luxury. Instead he decided to pursue humanitarian causes, founding an international relief organization called "Muslim Aid" which he establishing during the famine in Africa during 1984. To this very day Yusuf donates over half his royalties to charity.

His greatest hits album is titled "The Very Best of Cat Stevens" and as advertised it chronicles all his finest works from 1966 through until the mid 1970's. The compilation stands at just under two hours in length.

==Track Listing

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1. The album opens to the beautifully composed "Moonshadow". The carefree lyrics and beautiful acoustic backing make this a truly memorable hit, further reinforced by the memorable chorus lyrics, the tune is fantastic opening to an outstanding collection.

2. Second up is the hugely emotional "Father and Son" in which a elderly man confides in his son, telling him he had so much ahead in life. This song is again backed up by some wonderfully played chords.

3. Next is one of Cat's most famous singles. "Morning Has Broken" is an adeptly done adaptation of a hymn Stevens found written in a book. The sweet, gentle lyrics and soothing vocal and acoustic backing make this a unique, beautiful song.

4. Fourth is "Wild World" a more lively, energetic track again sung exceptionally by Cat. The chorus features some more cutting acoustic chords and piano backing. The song establishs an instantly recognisable theme which makes this the first of Cat's more rock-orientated works on the CD.

5. "The First Cut Is The Deepest" begins with some more excellent acoustic work. This song is perhaps one of the most 1960's-sounding on the entire album, with recognisable drums backing we've all come to associate with the 60's. This isn't to say its a lacklustre song, Cat's exceptional vocal work make this a distinct and memorable early theme.

6. The sixth track is called "Lady D'arbanville" possesses a more Spanish theme. The song commences with a Spanish acoustic guitar as backing, plus extremely soothing vocals make this a catchy and strangely mystical track.

7. The Seventh track "Oh Very Young" contrasts with previous songs in that it begins in a rather folky, bordering on country & western style. Then progresses to feature some female vocal backing, in addition to great acoustic playing and of course, Cat's beautiful vocals. It comes together to form a jumpy and quite cheery song.

8. Next is "Matthew and Son" , yet another trademark 1960's track. This is the first track that lacks any acoustic backing, just a very 1960's sounding brass/violins/bass outfit for the entire tune. Cat's vocals also sound different to the style we're used to. Though in contrast to practically every other song on the disc, it remains a very good song in its own right.

9. Ninth is "Sitting" , For this tune Cat changes his singing style to a rather deep, husky style. The lyrics are sharp and loud as opposed to soothing, this being one of the most rock-orientated songs on the entire collection. The backing is outstanding, with some brilliant piano and drums complimenting what is definately one of the harder tracks on the disc.

10. For the tenth song "Hard headed Woman" , we're taken back to the usual acoustic backed style that is so familiar throughout the entire disc. This song is impressive in that the vocals constantly change in pitch and speed.

11. "I Love My Dog" was Cat's first ever hit. This sentimental song is backed by the usual 1960's fanfare. Brass, violins, etc. It is much improved by Cat's excellent work on his acoustic guitar. Its chorus is exceedingly memorable and

12. Twelth up is "Rubylove", while perhaps the least vocally enforced track on the CD, the Spanish theme and excellent backing make this yet another classic, and unlike many of Cat's other hits it ends rather abruptly.

13. "Don't Be Shy" is a very emotional track, with rather sentimental vocal work. As with so many of Cat's hits it is backed solely by an acoustic guitar, with some slight piano in the chorus and the outtro, this enforces the overall mood of the song brilliantly, making this a high standard track.

14. "Can't Keep It In" Is another loud and jumpy track, the building rhythm enforced with heavy backing and louder vocals. Though not very hummable or memorable, it remains a good addition to the CD.

15. "Here Comes my Baby" bares little resemblance to most of Cat's other songs. His vocals are almost unrecognizable, especially closer to the start of the track. The song sounds quite dated, and somewhat crooner-like, with its saxaphone and cymbal backed theme, also the lyrics are a little lackluster. Nonetheless its a good song.

16. "Into White" Returns to the familiar acoustic theme. The lyrics are distinctively folky, the song is made much better by some beautiful violin backing. As with "Morning Has Broken" the song is very soothing and calming effect makies this song brilliant in owns right.

17. "(Remember The Days of the) Old Schoolyard" is the first song on the CD to use a synthesized backing intro sequence. Cat's vocals are backed up by some schoolyard sounds aswell some excellent synthed drums, also the song becomes a duet of sorts later on . This sog is a definate pop highlight on the disk.

18. "Where do the Children Play?" is another acoustically themed track, it features a lengthy, impressive acoustic introduction. Cat's vocals maintain his usual style. This song also exhibits a distinct chorus, the lyrical style is different from his other hits, even bordering on popular 70's rock artist Neil Young's style.

19. "How can I tell You?" is an emotional song, solely featuring backing from an acoustic guitar. This tune is very slow in tempo, featuring some expertly synthesized midway through. Its resembles a love song, and is perhaps the closest song Cat created to a true love ballad.

20. "Another Saturday Night" is in contrast to many other of the songs on the CD. Its reminescent of a Spanish party track. Its cutting drum backing, and loud vocals make it an awfully lively and dancable song. A welcome difference from Cat's usual format of tunes.

21. "Sad Lisa" begins with a short piano score. Cat's vocals revert back to his usual quiet and emotional style. Though the song possesses a synthized backing as opposed to the usual guitar, it manages to set itself up as a fine emotional tune nonetheless, further helped by the beautiful violin backing later in the song.

22. "Just Another Night" is another song that possesses a synthesized intro. A constant rhythm is established early on, with a fixed drum beat and more acoustic backing. Vocals-wise the song is the usual slow style, and while neither memorable not distinctive in any way, the song is quite decent overall.

23. "Peace Train" is perhaps the most politically alligned song on the entire CD, created in 1971 it immediately implies peace with the symbolic "Peace Train." the heavily acoustic backing make this one of the memorable and unique songs on the disc. Its also features an extremely appealing outtro.

24. The concluding track in this awesome collection is "If you Want to Sing Out, Sing Out." This is a fantastic jumpy song, that conveys a simple message. If you want to do it, do it! Cat's soft and gentle vocals in this tune make this a beautiful, meaningful conclusion to this collection.

==Conclusion

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The Very Best of Cat Stevens represents not just a soulful compilation full of varied yet outstandingly beautiful songs, but an instrumental and meaningful masterpiece from a hugely talented artist. Whether or not your a great fan of Cat Stevens work I highly recommend purchasing this totally flawless collection. 

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