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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk
Cat Stevens tends to be lumped in with the early-1970s singer/songwriter school led by James Taylor and Carole King but he actually fits in rather neatly with such wistful contemporaries as Nick Drake, Syd Barrett and Donovan. Tea for the Tillerman's "Wild World", "Into White" and "Longer Boats" indicate that he may have been a more gifted tunesmith than the lot of them. As with the best of the Brit folk-rockers, Stevens mixed melancholy with whimsy. Yes, he was prone to airy platitudes but when he harnessed his eccentricities, as he did throughout this 1970's masterwork, you had something truly distinctive. Stevens' greatest drawback was that he was a natural cult artist, à la Tim Buckley and Leonard Cohen. But that's a tough role to play when you're selling 25 million records, as Stevens did before he changed his name to Yusef Islam, established an Islamic school, and raised a ruckus by supporting Ayatollah Khomeini's death decree against author Salman Rushdie. --Steven Stolder
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CD =Remastered=
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
51 of 52 people found the following review helpful
By Dave Leeke
Format:Audio CD
This album is a high watermark for early 1970s singer/songwriters. Always a popular one with the cheesecloth wearing fraternity - and not just the ladies - Cat Stevens seemed to hold many of us in his spell for a few years. This is technically better than "Mona Bone Jakon" but the songs on that previous album, for me, are superior. It must have been the (first) near-death experience. However, having bought this recently on CD has allowed me to drive along singing along happily. There are not that many albums from 1970 that I can more-or-less remember all the words to! Maybe that shows how strong the songs are. I don't actually think that the songs are too airy-fairy or hippy. Some of the songs such as the opener "Where Do The children Play?" stand up well today with its anti-pollution lyrics. I was also struck by the amount of mentions of the "Good Book" (sic) and the lyrics to "Miles From Nowhere" mention, "Lord my body has been a good friend, but I won't need it when I reach the end", I guess he wasn't quite so convinced as the seventh wave approached.
It's great to have an absolute classic on CD all sparky bright and sounding great (lending vinyl out in the early 70s was a dangerous hobby)and songs like "Father and Son" and "Wild World" are worth a lot in these days of trite Beatles rehashes. However, I think that if you enjoy this you should explore "Moan Bone Jakon" too.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Deven Gadula
Format:Audio CD
This was Cat Steven's masterpiece and a lot of us had this album recorded on tape with his Teaser And The Firecat on side B. That is how we used to listen to music many years ago so we would not damage our albums (just some extra info you can shock your parents with). Cat Stevens had a huge following because the music of his songs was as powerful as the meaning of his lyrics. Both were simple and beautiful. It all seemed to flow straight out of Cat's heart and the inspiration had started after a serious illness tied him down to a London hospital for a period of many months. Success followed Cat Stevens and showered him and many around him with riches. However, Cat Stevens seemed not strong enough to be able to live the life of stardom and not let the emptiness which comes with it to affect his balanced core (as is often the case).The balance had broken, like the morning has broken and one day, while drowning in the Pacific Ocean he asked God for help, and promised to work towards God's glory if saved. Apparently a huge wave came out of nowhere and carried our singer to shore. That was the beginning of the end, because Cat Stevens meant his promise quite literally, unfortunately for the millions of fans who could have used the perfect way of transmission of his simple golden words. On the other hand, quite frankly, rare are these humans (and it very well may have a lot to do with how unaffected by their so called success they become) whose power of creation doesn't fade away. Personally I find a lot of his later albums without the spirit of Tea For The Tillerman. Perhaps it was time for him to focus on other things in life. I have purchased his music under the Yusuf Islam name and did not find much in it, either. Perhaps I was not able to come up to its level.... Read more ›
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By "iiredeye"
Format:Audio CD
I was introduced to cat stevens in the 70's by my Father. As a young child i jollied away to them while he listened. Later I became embroiled in the new romantic scene in the eighties while i was a teenager, Cat stevens seemed so uncool. About ten years ago i rediscovered him and introduced him to my young family. They have all fallen in love with him including my wife who had never heard of him. This album in particular is a masterpiece to anyone who hasn'nt listened to Cat try this first. It is a sublime collection of beautiful songs that will stay in your heart for your entire life.
25 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I bought the album in vinyl when it was first released and I thought it was wonderful. That was around 30 years ago. Now I have bought it on REMASTERED CD and it sounds fresher now than when he first baked it.
This song (Father and Son) is so evocative for anyone who loved their father and realises now that he knew you better than you imagined back then. It also comes home when you are a father yourself and realise that generation gaps exist, but mean very little if the real foundations of the relationship are solid.
Yes, this is very deep. But Cat Stevens was a deep thinker and he wrote some of the best lyrics ever.
He was good enough to have cover versions of his songs (from this album) to be sung by todays artists this century! And the originals are still better.
This song moves me as surely as it ever did.
This song (Father and Son) is so evocative for anyone who loved their father and realises now that he knew you better than you imagined back then. It also comes home when you are a father yourself and realise that generation gaps exist, but mean very little if the real foundations of the relationship are solid.
Yes, this is very deep. But Cat Stevens was a deep thinker and he wrote some of the best lyrics ever.
He was good enough to have cover versions of his songs (from this album) to be sung by todays artists this century! And the originals are still better.
This song moves me as surely as it ever did.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Cat Stevens made a fresh start in 1970, reinventing himself as a folksy singer songwriter after an uncomfortable early career as a pop singer. Tea for the Tillerman was part of an artistic outpouring in 1970 and 71. It is definately up there with some of his best albums, and I'd say runs a close second after his next album Teaser and the Firecat. The music shows how simple acoustic music can be beautiful and enchanting. Opening with a succession of Cat Steven greats, there are many gems, but my favourite has got to be the penultimate song Father and Son. A must have in every collection. Cat Stevens was a great singer songwriter, his songs are so moving and beautiful, he cannot be trumped. If you've never heard of Cat Stevens you're missing out.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tea for the Tillerman
I have this on LP, but I wanted to play it over and over because it is like a spoonful of honey to the ears. I love it and love the voice of Cat Stevens. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Sally T
5.0 out of 5 stars
An ageless album
I grew up listening to Cat Stevens and love all his music. I am slowly buying all his albums on cd to enable me to play them in the car etc.
Published 2 months ago by president
5.0 out of 5 stars
pleased to have a copy
Have been looking for this Album for a while, as i haven't heard the tracks since i wore out my vinyl copy.
Published 2 months ago by Mr. Leslie C. Edwards
1.0 out of 5 stars
rating
Poor quality, scratched and jumping all the time. consisdered sending it back but haven't done so as it was so cheap.
Published 3 months ago by durncourt
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tea for the Tillerman
Lovely albumn for any fan of Cat Stevens. Each old song brings back happy memories from my youth. I like his voice.
Published 3 months ago by J. F. Fletcher
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cat's Greatest
My personal favourite Cat Stevens/ Yusuf Islam album. truly magical, if you do not own this i urge you to buy it now
Published 3 months ago by Neil Brannelly
5.0 out of 5 stars
My youth revisited
Timeless classic - forgot how good the music and lyrics are (and the art work!) If you don't know his work, give this CD a try
Published 6 months ago by Bristol girl
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great to have this CD at last!
Had the vinyl album years ago. Loved every track and still do. A long overdue purchase, glad I treated myself.
Published 6 months ago by Mrs V, Manchester
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great
A wonderful album full of well known hits and a great starting place for anyone wanting to get into Cat Stevens.
Published 8 months ago by jeff
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cat Stevens - Tea For The Tillerman
This album makes me want to build a little hut in the middle of the woods and live the rest of my life there being all humble and kind to the animals. Read more
Published 16 months ago by rodgersviews
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