Out of Exile
By 1985, Islam/Stevens was ready to stick a toe back into the public spotlight. He was booked to perform at Live Aid, and even wrote a song just for the occasion. At the last minute, he was bumped when Elton John’s performance ran long. In 2003 he performed with Peter Gabriel at an AIDS benefit concert, Islam’s first performance in English in 25 years.In 1994, Yusuf Islam released the first of ten Islamic-themed albums. In 2003 Islam re-recorded the Stevens classic "Peace Train" for a compilation CD. In 2004, he recorded a new version of "Father and Son," with proceeds going to the Band Aid charity.
The most attention he has received since his 1978 withdrawal from the public eye came in 2004 when he was flying into the U.S. and was detained by the FBI, then deported back to Britain for allegedly having ties to terrorists.
Cat Back Again?
Gold contains 31 of Stevens’ most popular and most familiar songs, plus “Indian Ocean” which he recorded and released in 2005, with proceeds going to southeast Asia tsunami victims.
“Indian Ocean” provides a good answer to the question of how Stevens/Islam probably would have sounded today – both vocally and lyrically -- if he hadn’t pulled the plug on his career 37 years ago. The remaining tracks serve as a vivid reminder that the artist formerly known as Cat Stevens was a significant force in Folk Rock music during its heyday, a card-carrying superstar. But one has to wonder how long an artist can have commercial success exclusively with decades-old material.
Today, there are "official" Yusuf Islam and Cat Stevens websites where you can learn about Yusuf Islam’s humanitarian work even as you purchase old Cat Stevens CDs. Gold is another indication that Cat-turned-Yusuf seems to have lost his aversion to the commercial side of the music business.
Track List - Disc 1
1. Matthew & Son
2. Here Comes My Baby
3. First Cut Is the Deepest
4. Lady d'Arbanville
5. Trouble
6. Where Do the Children Play?
7. Hard Headed Woman
8. Wild World
9. Sad Lisa
10. Father and Son
11. Don't Be Shy
12. If You Want to Sing Out Sing Out
13. Wind
14. Moonshadow
15. Morning Has Broken
16. Bitterblue
17. Peace Train[/link]
Track List - Disc 2
1. Sitting
2. Silent Sunlight
3. Angelsea
4. Can't Keep It In
5. 18th Avenue (Kansas City Nightmare)
6. Hurt
7. Foreigner Suite
8. Oh Very Young
9. King of Trees
10. Another Saturday Night
11. Drywood
12. (Remember the Days of The) Old Schoolyard
13. (I Never Wanted) To Be a Star
14. Last Love Song
15. Indian Ocean
See Also:
Yusuf Islam - An Other Cup
