Cat Stevens

[locster]

A topic I've never heard discussed...
the similarity of say Lightfoot's Don Quixote era work and Cat Stevens work of the same era. I can very easily imagine Lightfoot singing "Miles from Nowhere" or Cat Stevens having done Don Quixote. Any thoughts?

[Bill]

A topic I've never heard discussed...
the similarity of say Lightfoot's Don Quixote era work and Cat Stevens work of the same era. I can very easily imagine Lightfoot singing "Miles from Nowhere" or Cat Stevens having done Don Quixote. Any thoughts?

This is so BIZARRE.....I just got Gord's Gold, volumes I and II for Christmas, was listening to them today, and thought, oh yeah, makes me remember Cat Stevens, too. Now I find this post. Gives me a feeling of.....dare I say it? Dejavu? (eerie sensation of Crosby Stills Nash and Young grinning).

This is so BIZARRE.....I just got Gord's Gold, volumes I and II for Christmas, was listening to them today, and thought, oh yeah, makes me remember Cat Stevens, too. Now I find this post. Gives me a feeling of.....dare I say it? Dejavu? (eerie sensation of Crosby Stills Nash and Young grinning).

[Sylli]

Don't they both reference basically the same era? The golden age of American Folk Balladeers? In high school we had a teacher who used this kind of music to teach poetry. Kind of a unique method of showing us that poetry reaches us on a daily basis. I love the imagery in both artists, although Gord's is more alive and evolving, since Steven's quit his career to become a Buddist monk.

[thermodynamic me]

Don't they both reference basically the same era? The golden age of American Folk Balladeers? In high school we had a teacher who used this kind of music to teach poetry. Kind of a unique method of showing us that poetry reaches us on a daily basis. I love the imagery in both artists, although Gord's is more alive and evolving, since Steven's quit his career to become a Buddist monk.

[Bill]

Indeed, my creative writing classes in high school and college used these guys...Springsteen too!

[Borderstone]

Anciet thread time! I pick up on these when it seems there's more that needs to be said.

Citing the similarities between the two,I feel that they are more similar when it comes to the softer more introspective songs. Cat Stevens was more on the "pop" side but still a great singer/songwriter. A lot of his songs speak to me but some of the others just don't click. I can't say why,I don't know myself.

Now,I could go on (as most of us here could) ) about all that makes GL special for us,but I'll be brief.
Gordon Lightfoot speaks to me more because of honesty,lyrics that make you think,laugh,cry,love etc. and a voice that,I feel,you can't help but pay attention to. Especially,when seen and heard in person.

Cat was great but he bowed out in 1978 to become a man of religion. He has stated that he shall never do a comeback tour for that reason. It would be cool but he's got to do what's right for him. Been me,later!

------------------
Borderstone,gonna post some lines tonight!:D

[BILLW]

With your permission, I will take on the position of resident Cat Stevens expert. Only because I am/was a big fan of his (as well as Gord's) and I continue to appreciate what he committed to vinyl/cd before "retiring". I never really thought about a contrast between his and Gord's music, except they both have produced sophisticated, intelligent music in their careers. Steve, he only used Cat Stevens as
a business name, gave it all up in 1978 to convert to Islam and has, indeed, done much for the Islamic community in England. No, I can't imagine being so gifted musically and just chucking it all. But then again, I have never had any kind of religious epiphany to compare it to. Both Cat Stevens and Gord were accomplished guitarists, C.S.
became more advanced on keyboards than Gord ever wanted to, and wrote songs that connected with people on a basic level. Whereas Gord has kept to a similar style, C.S. really expanded his use of instruments on each successive album. Compare how far advanced the instrumentation is of "Buddah and the Choclate Box" to "Teaser and the Firecat" even tho they are just 3 years apart. Many feel C.S. lost sight of what endeared him to fans, making each successive album less accessible to the fans, but that is subjective, I guess. Yeah, I do wonder what great songs he would have made had he continued his career, but he grew to just hate the record business and found something to make him happy. I'm sure Gord has disliked how the record industry is run from time to time, but he has been able to deal with it. Both men have provided me with many, many years of entertainment, and I cherish them both. I feel lucky that I've been able to appreciate them, and feel sorry for people who couldn't care less about either man.

[Rob1956]

With your permission, I will take on the position of resident Cat Stevens expert. Only because I am/was a big fan of his (as well as Gord's) and I continue to appreciate what he committed to vinyl/cd before "retiring". I never really thought about a contrast between his and Gord's music, except they both have produced sophisticated, intelligent music in their careers. Steve, he only used Cat Stevens as
a business name, gave it all up in 1978 to convert to Islam and has, indeed, done much for the Islamic community in England. No, I can't imagine being so gifted musically and just chucking it all. But then again, I have never had any kind of religious epiphany to compare it to. Both Cat Stevens and Gord were accomplished guitarists, C.S.
became more advanced on keyboards than Gord ever wanted to, and wrote songs that connected with people on a basic level. Whereas Gord has kept to a similar style, C.S. really expanded his use of instruments on each successive album. Compare how far advanced the instrumentation is of "Buddah and the Choclate Box" to "Teaser and the Firecat" even tho they are just 3 years apart. Many feel C.S. lost sight of what endeared him to fans, making each successive album less accessible to the fans, but that is subjective, I guess. Yeah, I do wonder what great songs he would have made had he continued his career, but he grew to just hate the record business and found something to make him happy. I'm sure Gord has disliked how the record industry is run from time to time, but he has been able to deal with it. Both men have provided me with many, many years of entertainment, and I cherish them both. I feel lucky that I've been able to appreciate them, and feel sorry for people who couldn't care less about either man.

[Tyler]

Rob, I saw a biography of Cat Stevens once not too long ago. It was really interesting, he said in there that (I can't quote because I don't remember everything about it)he was swimming and was caught in an undertow and prayed to be saved, if he was he would devote himself to his religion. And that all his life he felt his name should have been (something I don't remember) but when he got his Islamic name it translated to the name he felt he always should have had. It was a very good program. He went on about how he got his wife, I don't remember though where I seen it. When I was younger I sure had a crush on him.

[brink]

Rob, I saw a biography of Cat Stevens once not too long ago. It was really interesting, he said in there that (I can't quote because I don't remember everything about it)he was swimming and was caught in an undertow and prayed to be saved, if he was he would devote himself to his religion. And that all his life he felt his name should have been (something I don't remember) but when he got his Islamic name it translated to the name he felt he always should have had. It was a very good program. He went on about how he got his wife, I don't remember though where I seen it. When I was younger I sure had a crush on him.

I think Cat and Gordon are similar in two main ways and also different in other ways. The common ground rests with the fans who like both. They are similar in:

1- Accouctical guitar

2- Unique style

Otherwise, they are very different.

Cat grew in in England from Greek origin and he then became muslim

Gordon grew up in Canada and was trained in classical music but turned to Folk.

I think Cat and Gordon are similar in two main ways and also different in other ways. The common ground rests with the fans who like both. They are similar in:

1- Accouctical guitar

2- Unique style

Otherwise, they are very different.

Cat grew in in England from Greek origin and he then became muslim

Gordon grew up in Canada and was trained in classical music but turned to Folk.

[BILLW]

Brink,
That TV show was most likely "Behind the Music" on VH1. I saw it to and it was very good. He lives a very orthodox Muslum life, therefore his marriage was arranged. He has 5 kids now. He'll be 56 this year. Gord will be 66 this year. They've both lived a lot of life for being relativly young.

[Rob1956]

Brink,
That TV show was most likely "Behind the Music" on VH1. I saw it to and it was very good. He lives a very orthodox Muslum life, therefore his marriage was arranged. He has 5 kids now. He'll be 56 this year. Gord will be 66 this year. They've both lived a lot of life for being relativly young.

[dulcimergal]

Wow, my cat in named Brink too!!

[catworms]

Wow, my cat in named Brink too!!
________
300 (ISETTA)

[Cathy]

Actually, Cat Stevens did a few concerts in the past year. In November of 2003 he did the Nelson Mandela Aids Benefit Concert and in December another performance, and if I remember right he performed Wild World and Peace Train. And I believe he's releasing a CD of songs for children this month.
In 2001, his boxed set was released, and he donated the royalties to The September 11th Fund, and his charity, Small Kindness.

Cathy http://www.cathycowette.com

[MajorSirJerryPending]

I saw a news item only about a week ago, that said Cat Stevens was considering making a "comeback" album, possibly this year!!
Watch this space

[steve gittins]

I saw a news item only about a week ago, that said Cat Stevens was considering making a "comeback" album, possibly this year!!
Watch this space

[Gaby]

I’ve often thought I would love to hear GL’s take on ‘Sweet Scarlet’. Similar poetry and ambiguous imagery.

[Steve DeRosa]

"Miles form Nowhere" is my favorite Cat Stevens song...great Piano!

[Oma]

"Miles form Nowhere" is my favorite Cat Stevens song...great Piano!

[joveski]

i prefer Oh very young - really love that one