OK, when I was growing up Cat Stevens' songs were a staple of any music diet. I realize music isn't such a part of everyone's life as it was and is mine...however, I can remember many, many nights when everyone in the bar would sing in harmony if the band started playing a Cat Stevens song. I remember a particular night spent at a bar or two in Faneuil Hall in Boston and when leaving there was a guy playing acoustic guitar and had a small, albeit drunken, crowd gathered around him...he broke into a wonderful version of "Cats in the Cradle" and the crowd tripled and everyone sang along with him.
So tonight I happened to be watching the Steve Colbert show - I've never seen it before - and who the hell does he have as his guest? Yusuf! Uh, Karen, we're not following you here? Yes, because Cat Stevens dropped off the face of the earth back in the late 70's and converted to Islam...and changed his name to Yusuf. For 30 some odd years he has deprived music fans around the world of his talent so he could pursue "educational and philanthropic causes in the Muslim community"...during which time we have had some major events leading the US to feel quite poorly towards Muslims...so apparently Yusuf realized he really sucked at trying to do good for the Muslims and decided to go back to what he suddenly realized he does best...create music. The Roadsinger is his new album, and the name of the song that I have included a clip of in this blog. I read he spends half the year in London and the other half in Dubai...so it's safe to say he's not returning to music...anyone who can afford to spend half the year in Dubai doesn't need money! Part of me wants to be happy he has returned to making music and the other half wants to tell him....well use your imagination...for leaving us hanging when we could have used more of his feel-good songs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilWPkgvDyNc
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