Chart music today in my opinion has become very commercialised and very stale. It feels to have hit a massive stand still with nothing original really coming out. Many people may disagree with that statement and fair enough everyone is entitled to an opinion. I don’t know if it is just because I’m getting old before my time but I can't believe I‘m here saying about how bad music has got. Without music I wouldn’t have got through a massive portion of my life.

I used to be a mad follower of great trance music because it to me had great emotion where I could close my eyes and imagine I was flying. Long gone them days because now there is so much cheese its unbelievable.

This is why I find myself turning to some older music which now I don’t regret turning to because it is just as inspirational.

** Who is Cat Stevens?? **

Cat Stevens was one the 1970's most popular musical artists. With a string of hit records and sold-out concerts he rocketed to superstardom. His album "Tea For The Tillerman" is considered to be one of the best of its genre and his name is still a household word. So what happened to him?

On Dec 23, 1977 Steven Georgiou a.k.a. Cat Stevens reverted to the Islamic faith and adopted the name Yusuf Islam. Since his retirement from the music business in 1978, he has been busy raising a family. He has also opened and operates the Islamia School System in London. He works with a variety of Muslim Charities and also operating the Mountain of Light production for Islamic Resources.

The very best of Cat Stevens: -

1: Moon shadow (2:50)

This is the first ever song I heard from Cat Stevens. It has an amazing good feel starting with the nice guitar beat then starting with the amazing vocals which don’t fail to deliver. This is a great album opener and I love this song.

5 out of 5

* Choice of lyrics *

Oh, I’m bein’ followed by a moonshadow, moonshadow, moonshadow
Leapin and hoppin’ on a moonshadow, moonshadow, moonshadow

And if I ever lose my hands, lose my plough, lose my land,
Oh if I ever lose my hands, oh if.... I won’t have to work no more.
And if I ever lose my eyes, if my colours all run dry,
Yes if I ever lose my eyes, oh if.... I won’t have to cry no more.

2: Father and son (3:41)

I put this song on and recognised it because it was done by Boyzone.This is the original by cat Stevens and boy does it sound great. This has great beat and melody to it guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

* Choice of lyrics*

It’s not time to make a change,
Just relax, take it easy.
You’re still young, that’s your fault,
There’s so much you have to know.
Find a girl, settle down,
If you want you can marry.
Look at me, I am old, but I’m happy.

I was once like you are now, and I know that it’s not easy,
To be calm when you’ve found something going on.
But take your time, think a lot,
Why, think of everything you’ve got.
For you will still be here tomorrow, but your dreams may not.

5 out of 5

3: Morning has broken (3:20)

I used to have to sing this song at school for assembly and this was always one of my favourites to sing. Little did I know how good it actually sounded by Cat Stevens with excellent guitar rifts and vocals to produce warm feeling in any room. Nice tune with nice lyrics. An absolute winner!

Morning has broken, like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for the springing fresh from the world

4 out 5

4: Wild World (3:21)

A nice slow start with luscious vocals. This is a sad song about letting go of a partner and telling them to take good care of themselves. People who like sad songs will like the style of this.

* Choice of lyrics*

Now that I've lost everything to you
You say you wanna start something new
And it's breakin' my heart you're leavin'
Baby, I'm grievin'
But if you wanna leave, take good care
I hope you have a lot of nice things to wear
But then a lot of nice things turn bad out there

3 out of 5

5: The first cut is the deepest (3:01)

This song starts off with just the guitar beat on his own with the vocals then all the sudden it unleashes an upbeat tempo for the chorus before slowing down for the rest of the vocals. It’s a tipsy turvey kind of song with plenty of variables and a range of melodies to give this song some variety. This won’t be everyone’s cup of tea and in my opinion isn’t up there with the best ones on the cd. Never the less this is still nice.

*Choice of lyrics*

I would have given you all of my heart
but there's someone who's torn it apart
and she's taking almost all that I've got
but if you want, I'll try to love again
baby I'll try to love again but I know

The first cut is the deepest, baby I know
The first cut is the deepest
'cause when it comes to being lucky she's cursed
when it comes to lovin' me she's worst
but when it comes to being loved she's first
that's how I know

3 out of 5

6: lady D’arbanville (03:41)

Slow song to start with the lyrics taken over. It has very nice variation of guitar synths half way through which keep changing. This is yet again another sad song. I get the impression Cat Stevens writes a lot of sad songs but he puts a lot of emotion into the song.This one is about the death of a lady.

* Choice of lyrics*

My lady d’arbanville, why do you sleep so still?
I’ll wake you tomorrow
And you will be my fill, yes, you will be my fill.

My lady d’arbanville why does it grieve me so?
But your heart seems so silent.
Why do you breathe so low, why do you breathe so low,

4 out of 5

7: Oh very young (2:36)

A fresh start with a piano and the lyrics are not as sad as his previous songs but its about not living forever. It is an upbeat song with not synths and vocals producing a good feel song.

* Choice of lyrics *

Oh very young
What will you leave us this time
You’re only dancing on this earth for a short while
And though your dreams may toss and turn you now
They will vanish away like your daddy’s best jeans
Denim blue fading up to the sky
And though you want them to last forever

4 out of 5

8: Matthew and son (02:44)

A tinny kind of feel to the start then a high guitar beat sounding monotonous before kicking into life. Very chirpy and upbeat. I really like this one.

* Choice of lyrics *

Up at eight, you can’t be late
For matthew & son, he won’t wait.
Watch them run down to platform one
And the eight-thirty train to matthew & son.
Matthew & son, the work’s never done, there’s always something new.
The files in your head, you take them to bed, you’re never ever through.
And they’ve been working all day, all day, all day!

5 out of 5

9: Sitting (3:14)

A piano starts the song off very nicely and carries on throughout the song.This is different to the other songs on the album yet is still upbeat and posseses the same amount of charisma and has a different style of class making this a great song to listen to.

Oh I'm on my way, I know I am, somewhere not so far from here
All I know is all I feel right now, I feel the power growing in my hair
Sitting on my own not by myself, everybody's here with me
I don't need to touch your face to know, and I don't need to use my eyes to see
I keep on wondering if I sleep too long, will I always wake up the same (or so)?

5 out of 5

10: Hard headed woman (3:49)

A typical guitar song set in the early 70’s with a Lennon kind of style and feel but with Cat Stevens own style making this a good song. Not the best on the cd by a long shot though.

I'm looking for a hard headed woman,
One who will take me for myself,
And if I find my hard headed woman,
I will need nobody else, no, no.

I'm looking for a hard headed woman,
One who will make me do my best,
And if I find my hard headed woman
I know the rest of my life will be blessed -- yes, yes, yes.

3 out of 5

11: I love my dog (2:19)

A bass-ey type of guitar beat erupts throughout this song but I feel this one is a bit of a let down.It is one of the few weak links on the cd but every great artists has a bad day so we will let him off with this one.

I love my dog as much as I love you
But you may fade, my dog will always come through.

All he asks from me is the food to give him strength
All he ever needs is love and that he knows he’ll get

1 out of 5

12: Ruby love (2:38)

The synths have a greek and Indian type of a rift throughout making this yet another original and different song on the album .It is refreshing and nice.

3 out of 5

13: Don’t be shy (2:51)

A slow song throughout full of pure emotion.A nice guitar beat and luscious vocals.A good song to chill out to.

Don't be shy just let your feelings roll on by
Don't wear fear or nobody will know you're there
Just lift your head, and let your feelings out instead
And don't be shy, just let your feeling roll on by
On by

You know love is better than a song
Love is where all of us belong
So don't be shy just let your feelings roll on by
Don't wear fear or nobody will know you're there
You're there

3 out of 5

14: Can’t keep it in (3:01)

It starts off with a butlins stye beat then quickly fade as the guitar takes over and you hear a piano and electric guitar in some places.The beats change frequently so this is a very good song because of it. The song is about not keeping anything in and showing it to the world.

Oh I can't keep it in, I can't keep it in, I've gotta let it out.
I've got to show the world, world's got to see, see all the love
love that's in me. I said, why walk alone, why worry when it's
warm over here. You've got so much to say, say what you mean,
mean what you're thinking, and think anything.
Oh why, why must you waste you're life away,
you've got to live for today, then let it go
Oh, lover, I want to spend this time with you,

4 out of 5

15: Here comes my baby (2:55)

A groovy little number with great variations of tempo and interesting vocals.

* choice of lyrics *

In the midnight moonlight I'll be walking a long and lonely mile.
And every time I do, I keep seeing this picture of you.

3 out of 5

16: Into White (3:25)

The guitar beat starts this song off with cat stevens soft voice in this slow song. It is one of them chill out tunes with a good feel to it and the lyrics are great.

* choice of lyrics *

I built my house from barley rice
Green pepper walls and water ice
Tables of paper wood, windows of light
And everything emptying into white.

A simple garden, with acres of sky
A Brown-haired dogmouse
If one dropped by
Yellow Delanie would sleep well at night
With everything emptying into white.

4 out of 5

17: Remember the days of the old schoolyard (2:43)

A cheesey electro beat starts the song off and sounds like a entry for the euro vision song contest to start with but clams down.This is a beaty song but you wouldn’t think it was by cat stevens if you heard his other songs.It shares the vocals of a female singer in this one but it doesn’t have any sparkle or appeal to it.I don’t like this one.I think it may have been better without the choice of beats and synthns used.

* Choice of lyrics *

Remember the days of the old schoolyard
We used to laugh a lot, oh don't you
Remember the days of the old schoolyard
When we had imaginings and we had
All kinds of things and we laughed
And needed love... yes, I do
Oh and I remember you
Remember the days of the old schoolyard
We used to cry a lot, oh don't you

1 out of 5

18: Where do the children play? (3:52)

Following the disappointing previous song this is a mellow track with great guitar rifts and sounds and excellent vocals and with the soft voice.Nice , nice song!

* Choice of lyrics *

Well I think it’s fine, building jumbo planes.
Or taking a ride on a cosmic train.
Switch on summer from a slot machine.
Yes, get what you want to if you want, ’cause you can get anything.

I know we’ve come a long way,
We’re changing day to day,
But tell me, where do the children play?

3 out of 5

19: How can I tell you (4:29)

A simple guitar stroke and soft singing. This is a plain song that could do slightly better. The song is about trying to find a way to tell someone you love them but you cant think of the words to say.

* Choice of lyrics*

How can I tell you that I love you, I love you
but I can't think of right words to say
I long to tell you that I'm always thinking of you
I'm always thinking of you, but my words
just blow away, just blow away
It always ends up to one thing, honey
and I can't think of right words to say
Wherever I am girl, I'm always walking with you

2 out of 5

20: Another Saturday night (2:28)

After using this style of cheesey electro styled music this works slightly better than remember the days of the old schoolyard but it is still disappointing. This song isn’t my cup of tea and I didn’t enjoy it.

* Choice of lyrics *

Another Saturday night and I ain't got nobody
I've got some money 'cause I just got paid
Now, how I wish I had someone to talk to
I'm in an awful way

I got in town a month ago
I seen a lot of girls since then
If I could meet 'em I could get 'em
But as yet I haven't met 'em
That's how I'm in the state I'm in

2out of 5

21: Sad Lisa (3:42)

A slow start with the piano and soft voice throughout. A nice song to listen to in the car driving through country roads.

She hangs her head and cries on my shirt.
She must be hurt very badly.
Tell me what’s making you sadly?
Open your door, don’t hide in the dark.
You’re lost in the dark, you can trust me.
’cause you know that’s how it must be.

4 out of 5

22: Just another night (3:51)

This is a nice folk song with a great guitar symphony and great vocals.This song really gives us its all and sounds absolute great.

* Choice of lyrics *

I remember standing here
right on this very same site
I was dying but for you
it was just another night
you once rocked me in your world
you bought me my first shoes
I was just another lonely child
oh and you were much amused

4 out of 5

23: Peace Train (4:12)

A happy and chirpy feel good song with nice vocals and guitar rifts. I like this song.

* Choice of lyrics *

Now I’ve been happy lately, thinking about the good things to come
And I believe it could be, something good has begun
Oh I’ve been smiling lately, dreaming about the world as one
And I believe it could be, some day it’s going to come
Cause out on the edge of darkness, there rides a peace train
Oh peace train take this country, come take me home again

4 out of 5

24: If you want to sing out sing out (2:46)

This is a good song with good feel to it.A nice song to listen to.

* Choice of lyrics*

You can do what you want
The opportunity’s on
And if you can find a new way
You can do it today
You can make it all true
And you can make it undo
You see ah ah ah
Its easy ah ah ah
You only need to know

3 out of 5

*Review of album*

This is an excellent value compilation, extending to 24 songs over 77 minutes, which pretty much lives up to its title. Four pop hits from 1967-68 are included for the sake of completeness, but their overblown arrangements are grating and only serve emphasise the appealing simplicity and restraint of much of Cat Stevens' Island Records work from 1970-78. The weakest track in the collection is 'remember the days of the old school yard' and certainly does not rank with among Stevens' best work. The hits have been remastered to give it some extra punch and includes a bonus DVD disc with performance footage which is unreleased from the Majikat tour as well as “Teaser and the fire cat” cartoon and some classic promos. All in all an excellent package that serves as a tasteful appetizer to the upcoming boxed set.

If you are a fan of Cat Stevens then this brings back some great memories of his classics. I am absolutely in love with this album.

Thanks for reading

Take care

Stevo!!