Gordon Lightfoot Forums - View Single Post

The Rez · 04-22-2005, 07:52 PM

Steve Giorgio, Cat Stevens, or Yusef Islam: he continues on quite a journey. In his way, a similar search to John Stewart's.

In the Cat Stevens days, on rare occasions, I'd find myself travelling in his circles. My memory is of a very serious human being who never took things lightly.

To this day there has not been another w/ his particular style and outlook. His conversion to Islam didn't surprise me. It did disappoint me, for both personal and professional reasons.

Yes, upon his conversion, he said he'd no longer record - certainly not as Cat Stevens. People do change their minds, however.

In today's post 9/11 world, the allegiance question is valid. When he supported the Fatwah against Salmond Rushdie, I was dumbfounded. He's since explained that to my satisfaction.

We all know Muslims who are fine folks. Not at all by any definition are followers of Osama. And yet . . . there's that seed of doubt again always popping up.

Is the man of peace still inside? I figure, yes. I was as passionate, still am, of Cat Stevens music as any other.

I haven't heard Indian Ocean yet, but will visit that website. I do want to hear it - very.

One Easter Sunrise Service morning, Rick Wakeman took to the stage, sat at the piano, and did the intro (w/ variations) he'd created, as a young man still in his teens, to Morning Has Broken.

A forever-fixed moment in time - for me.

I, too, saw Majikat. Bought it. As far as I know that's the only concert captured on film. Tempos were a bit faster than he usually did them, but still captivating.

If the man inside is still the man of peace I once lightly knew, I not only give the benefit of the doubt, but wish well.

I'm anxious to learn more, but for know, "That's All I Know."

The Rez

[ April 22, 2005, 20:05: Message edited by: The Rez ]

04-22-2005, 07:52 PM	#6
The Rez Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Balboa, CA, US of A Posts: 598	Steve Giorgio, Cat Stevens, or Yusef Islam: he continues on quite a journey. In his way, a similar search to John Stewart's. In the Cat Stevens days, on rare occasions, I'd find myself travelling in his circles. My memory is of a very serious human being who never took things lightly. To this day there has not been another w/ his particular style and outlook. His conversion to Islam didn't surprise me. It did disappoint me, for both personal and professional reasons. Yes, upon his conversion, he said he'd no longer record - certainly not as Cat Stevens. People do change their minds, however. In today's post 9/11 world, the allegiance question is valid. When he supported the Fatwah against Salmond Rushdie, I was dumbfounded. He's since explained that to my satisfaction. We all know Muslims who are fine folks. Not at all by any definition are followers of Osama. And yet . . . there's that seed of doubt again always popping up. Is the man of peace still inside? I figure, yes. I was as passionate, still am, of Cat Stevens music as any other. I haven't heard Indian Ocean yet, but will visit that website. I do want to hear it - very. One Easter Sunrise Service morning, Rick Wakeman took to the stage, sat at the piano, and did the intro (w/ variations) he'd created, as a young man still in his teens, to Morning Has Broken. A forever-fixed moment in time - for me. I, too, saw Majikat. Bought it. As far as I know that's the only concert captured on film. Tempos were a bit faster than he usually did them, but still captivating. If the man inside is still the man of peace I once lightly knew, I not only give the benefit of the doubt, but wish well. I'm anxious to learn more, but for know, "That's All I Know." The Rez [ April 22, 2005, 20:05: Message edited by: The Rez ] __________________ I came to Love the Music Before I came to Be [Psalm 139:13]