An Other Cup
Oct 10
I first heard the music of Cat Stevens when I was five years old. My second oldest brother, Paul had an 8-track cassette of Cat Stevens Greatest Hits, which along with a similar collection of Harry Chapin could always be heard playing in his car. It was at that time that I fell in love with the music of Cat Stevens, in particular the song Moonshadow. It wasn't until my teens that I rediscovered his music and systematically bought all of his albums, one by one. I was such a fan of his music that many years later I created a web site about him, which ultimately became CatStevens.Com. After converting to Islam in the late 1970's, Yusuf Islam has only made a few cautious steps toward the music world. His early recordings were Islamic-themed songs without any instruments save voice and drums. So when it was finally announced that Yusuf would be releasing a secular pop album, his first in nearly 30 years I was incredibly excited, and cautiously optimistic.
Yusuf said of the new album, "I feel right about making music and singing about life in this fragile world again. It's important for me to be able to help bridge the cultural gaps others are sometimes frightened to cross." With that, I give you my review of "An Other Cup."
"An Other Cup" in many ways cannot be compared directly to any of Cat Stevens' earlier albums. Yet at the same time it has elements of each facet of his career. There are orchestral arrangements that harken back to Matthew & Son, simple and folky acoustic guitar driven tracks like those of Tea for the Tillerman, a melody and lyric from Foreigner, arrangements that would fit nicely on Numbers and all with a message that is completely compatible with the nasheeds of Yusuf Islam. While its parts may be compared to the work of Cat Stevens, as an album there is a confidence that is unique to "An Other Cup." Yusuf sounds self assured, and often seems to be having a lot of fun. It's obvious he very much believes in the words he is singing, and the music that accompanies them.
Midday
Midday is one of the albums best songs. It is a wonderful, upbeat and catchy track with a terrific arrangement. The piano, acoustic guitars and horns come together to create a song that's not really like anything he's done before, but still feels right at home with his earlier work. Yusuf's voice sounds fantastic and compliments the melody perfectly.
Heaven/Where True Love Goes
This is the first single from the album, and many of you have probably heard it by now. I find it strangely ironic that the first new "Cat Stevens" song most people will hear is actually a re-working one of his classics, a section of "The Foreigner Suite." By the careful replacement of the word "girls" with "souls" and the addition of a chorus Yusuf has changed the meaning of the song. It alludes to his fateful swim all those years ago in Malibu, when supposedly God saved him from drowning. I do like this song, it's grown on me. But I'm not entirely sure I care for the liberty he's taken in re-writing his old music.
Maybe There's A World
If you were hoping for a return of the Cat Stevens of 1970-1972 then "Maybe There's A World" is the song for you. Sadly, it's the only one like it on the album. This is far and away the best song on the record. It has a beautiful melody and soft acoustic guitar arrangement that once again Yusuf sounds great on. The lyrics touch on the same themes that defined his career. It is a fantastic, first rate "Cat Stevens" song.
I have dreamt of an open world, borderless and wide
Where the people move from place to place and nobody's taking sidesMaybe there's a world that I'm still to find
Maybe there's a world that I'm still to find
Open up a world and let me in
Then there'll be a new life to begin
One Day At A Time
This cut is also acoustic guitar driven but is a much slower and darker sounding. While not one of my favorites on the album, it's well done and works nicely here.
When Butterflies Leave
It's here at track 5 that the album changes. This is the first of the surprises I alluded to in a previous post. Butterflies is an instrumental which includes a brief spoken poem by Yusuf. Clocking in at 41 seconds, if it's not your cup of tea at least it doesn't last long. But I found it a bit jarring when I was first listening to the album.
In The End
What "In The End" lacks in subtlety it makes up for with a pretty piano and guitar arrangement with yet another excellent melody. I wouldn't have thought it would be possible to write a catchy song about how good people are going to heaven and bad people won't, but he did it. It's overly preachy, way too direct and will rub some people the wrong way. Having said that, I really like it and find myself humming it often.
You can't bargain with the truth
'Cause one day you're gonna die
And good's going high
And evil's going down
In the end
Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
It's no secret that Yusuf Islam has been at the center of controversy many times over the last 28 years. He has many talents but public relations isn't one of them. Therefore it's fitting that he decided to cover the perfectly titled "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood." It's soaked in an orchestral arrangement and slowed down significantly from the original. I would have preferred a more upbeat approach to the song, which if done well may have been an excellent single. But Yusuf had something to say here, and must have felt this was the best way to get his feelings across to the listener.
I Think I See The Light
Another surprise is the re-recording of the Cat Stevens classic "I Think I See The Light." As I said earlier I'm not really a big fan of Yusuf re-writing his old songs to fit his new message. The original was a love song, but once again with the careful removal of the word "girl" it's a religious statement. The song is saved however with a bluesy acoustic guitar arrangement. Curiously Yusuf doesn't sing the "coming through me, coming to me, giving me a second sight" part of the chorus. To my ears it leaves a hole, but it might just be my familiarity with the original. Interestingly he does sing those lines near the end, which means they weren't removed because of their meaning. Speaking of the end, that's where the song really shines. Yusuf is clearly having a lot of fun on this track and it shows. While I'd rather him not re-record his older work, and though I do prefer the original, this is a unique and interesting take on the song.
Whispers From A Spiritual Garden
Whispers is an almost middle eastern sounding, hypnotic instrumental that includes a spoken poem inspired by the 13th century Sufi mystic, Jalaluddin Rumi. I thought it was really beautiful. I'm not sure if he wrote it, as it says it was "inspired by." But in any case it's nice.
The eternal source of love is implanted in every part of existence
The desire for another
Though night and day outwardly appear as enemies
Yet both serve one purpose
Each seeking the other
The Beloved
The Beloved is an upbeat rhythmic track that musically is reminiscent of something from Numbers. This is another religious song, this time about Islamic prophet Muhammad. It features a second vocalist, who is not credited on my promo CD.
He was born to be the beloved
A will of the divine
He was born to be the beloved
He was born to guide
Green Fields, Golden Sands
The press kit that accompanied the album describes Green Fields as, "a never-released song he wrote in 1968 and which might have found its way on to Mona Bone Jakon." "Good songs never die," Yusuf says. It later compares it to John Lennon's Imagine. I'm not sure it's quite in the same league as that, but it is a lovely string drenched lullaby that is a perfect closer for the album.
A small house and an olive tree
To keep and feed my family
Let the wind blow hard I don't mindOne day we'll all realize I'm not the only one
Just raise your eyes up and you'll be gone
To those green fields and golden sands
That's all I need that's all I want
Sadly that's where the album ends for me. My copy is missing track 12, which is titled "Badmind."
"An Other Cup" is not the best album he has ever recorded. It is however filled with many wonderful songs, and as a whole really speaks to where Yusuf is in his life. Midday and Maybe There's A World are so good that they alone make the album worth owning. I've written many reviews of Yusuf's work over the years, and this is by far the best thing he has done since leaving the music business. It's better than some of his albums as Cat Stevens, not as good as others. But this is Yusuf today, and at moments he's as good as he's ever been. Overall it's an album that Cat Stevens fans will enjoy and want to own. It should also appeal to his new Muslim fans due to the religious themes of the songs. So maybe in a small way "An Other Cup" does "bridge the cultural gaps others are sometimes frightened to cross."
32 responses to An Other Cup
I may be a true Irish temper and I may have been annoyed at Yusuf lately ... but all I have listened to in the past 2 weeks was "Cat" and I cannot wait to hear this latest! ***Huge Grin*** IRIE ~Fe~
Thanks4TheReview,John!
John,
Thank you for such a thoughtful and complete review. An excellent review. And a very kind gift you have given to us all.
But as that 1980 Billy Joel song says, "there's a new band in town /but you can't get the sound/ from a story in a magazine..." I'm BUSTING to clap my ears onto An Other Cup. I will however, no doubt after listening to the album several times, come back to your review and appreciate it all over again. So really, it's a double whammy present you've given us!
And Fe, we seem to be peas of a pod. I too have been a little 'dirty' on Yusuf of late (as if he'd care *ha!*). In fact he is still not out of my bad books. But honestly, there's rarely another artist on my turntable. Maybe I'll dust off my Leonard Cohen or Bob Dylan.
Gosh, the word 'turntable' really shows my age.
Cheers JenB
Thanks for the review John, I'm a teeny bit disappointed as I was hoping there would be more tracks in the same vein as "Maybe There's a World" but maybe this will be the first of many new albums...
If the old magic is creeping through on this first album (which will obviously be under deep scrutiny) then I'm optimistic that there will be even more good things to come.
Why is November so far away!?
Great review John. Thanks!
I am really looking forward to hearing it.
Sounds brilliant, thanks for going to this effort! Although I can't wait to hear it myself!
I have heard quite a few clips from the album and so far they all sound similar to the cat of old!
The Beloved
The Beloved is an upbeat rhythmic track that musically is reminiscent of something from Numbers. This is another religious song, this time about Islamic prophet Muhammad. It features a second vocalist, who is not credited on my promo CD.
the second vocalist is youssou n'dour
John, thanks for your review! You obviously took a great deal of time and effort to write it. I appreciate and enjoy your insights (and honesty!) and will think of them often once I hear the album myself.
"the second vocalist is youssou n'dour"
thanks, Paolo.
Thanks John for your very honest review
How does it compare with Back To Earth?
It's probably better than Back To Earth.
Thanks, John...that will do me fine.
Thanks kindly for the comments john - i am interested to hear the album myself. One thing I have noticed from the copy of heaven / where true love goes i have downloaded is that his recorded voice lacks melodic form - more in line with the islamic call to prayer, working up and down in fifths and thirds of a key - it also sounds like an effect is thrown over it, which reinforces the impression. I was disappointed to hear this, I must admit. I wonder if you might comment about whether the same sort of effect and impression is left on his voice from other tracks on the album, particularly ones that you found otherwise reminiscent of older stevens - e.g. green fields & maybe there's a world.
Having thought about it, my suspicion is that this is very intentional on his part - a major aim seeming to be bridging a gap between east and west - perhaps hoping for a revived cat stevens is too much to hope for and, indeed, unfair of us? would be interested in your thoughts john, as I am a great fan of your (old) website over the years..
regards
AB
I can hear a pitch corrector on some tracks, for sure. But it's 2006 and everyone uses them. So what you're hearing on Heaven is fairly common on the rest of the album. Some songs more so than others. But I don't find it really bothers me much.
I heard Heaven/Where True Love Goes this morning on a local SF radio station! I'm so happy they're paying attention.
thanks for these reviews. just a note to tell you the missing singer on "The Beloved" is Youssou N'Dour.
As yet I have not heard the whole album but love what I have heard.It's so good to have him back. I am a Christian but feel everyone is entitled to their beliefs in religion. All should have respect for that. I grew up with Cat and love him and relate to both him and his music. He is a very unique and a special soul. There is something about his voice that makes my hairs stand on end. I'm so glad he is still producing music.
Thanks very much John, I'd been visiting you're old Cat Stevens site for a long time. Do you think that maybe the reason there are so many of Cats different styles on the new album (70 - 72 acoustic sound,numbers, Foreigner, orchestral arrengements) is because he's just returned to the music scene and he's a bit like a boy in a sweet shop, he wants a bit of everything. I have listened to 30 second clips of each track (including the UK bonus track, there is peace) and your descriptions are perfect. But do you think it's directionless? I know you said the album really speaks of where Yusuf is today but I'm talking about musically. In an interview Yusuf said he now feels IZITSO was a bit directionless, would you say the structure to An other cup is similar to that of IZITSO?
Good review. I would disagree with you on an artist remaking his earlier songs. John Martyn re-did many of his 60s folk tunes in an entirely new jazz/blues style that far surpasses the originals, with help from his friend, Phil Collins.
I do agree with Yusuf that a good song is that, despite when it was written. So Green Fields, Golden Sands works well 38 years later.
The other amazing thing about this CD is that Yusuf tapped old friends from his earlier days and new friends he's made along the way. Add to that being open to a new producer. Proof, if it's needed, that becoming a Muslim doesn't mean having to go back to the future.
i am a big fan of yusuf islam,as a converter like himself,i have yet begin to feel the beauty of islam....alhamdulilah...i am a malaysian born chinese and i married to islam..but soon much to realized that the beauty of islam is islam itself,not the people here...i wished to have yusuf islam as my mentor in the future for building a better muslim world as for people like me to feel islam is islam itself....thats the beauty!
Finaly I got my copy of CD.and I like it very much.I read your review earlyer dear John, and after listening few times all album I agree with your opinion mostly in everithing.I also think that it is not quite propriate to change meaning of the songs like with I Think I See the Light and Foreigner Suit and to make them from love songs to spiritual songs.But on the second toth,Cat did this transformation so well that the songs now sound eaven better.And of course we all change and today we have other prioritis then back in 70'thies.We don't think so much about girls but more about sence of life.
I am sorry as you are that I miss track 12. Is it posible to get it somehow?
Thank God Yusuf is writing and publishing again. He is one of the greats of modern music. His lyrics are thoughtful and spiritual, and his music joyful and hopeful. Give us more albums Yusuf! I think I see the Light coming through you!
Chris.
I was 19 when a good friend turned me on to "Tea For The Tillerman". Other then maybe "Abby Road" I can't think of an album I liked so much the first time I heard it. "An Other Cup" brings an other tear to my eye, it is so sweet.
Thanks for the review, John. I heartily agree. While not his best overall album, it sure was nice to hear him again, and I can't wait for his next release. Hopefully there will be one. "Maybe There's A World" is great, and is also my favorite.
Yusaf/Cat...if you are listening, we are waiting to hear from you again!
I like 'In The End' ..humm... :)
John, Excellent and insightful review, many many thanks.
I only became aware of this album yesterday!(Feb'07)
it was like getting an extra birthday.
"Maybe there's a world" is worth the price of the album alone. And to think, I might now have the chance to see him live at some point!
Incidently, I just read the most cynical review of the album on RollingStone and it made me realise how much his words are needed now more than ever.
As a Muslim convert myself it was so good to see Yusuf returning to music...... it is only the blinkered who see music as a sin.... and Yusuf has this great gift which for the last twenty years has been criminally lost.
It's a loveely album and hope there will be more. Interestingly enough as a Muslim I did not hear the 'preaching' going on. Is that because I didn't look for it or is it because you are looking too closely? Of course he is unlikely to sing about girls and love but it doesn't necessarily mean that he is preaching.. altho saying that he has always believed in airing his views :)
This an album that speaks from the heart and Yusuf is blazing a trail that other Muslim musicians to take... to use music to talk about the ebauty of life and show that not all Muslims are angry radicals. Yusuf has never been one of those although I think he will be the first to admit that in the early days he did not always get the best advice.
Now..... I think I'll listen to some.... Snow Patrol...:)After all, as I think Yusuf accepts, beauty can be find in any music :)
thanks for the review. i love to listen to his song as much as i love josh groban. i just hope that even though cat steven is a muslim, he will be given the same rights as he was before. as a muslim, i love music and also listen to lionel ritchie, there is nothing wrong to love music. islam do not prevent us to listen to beautiful sound and music. people like yusuf islam bring the gap between muslim and non-muslim world closer and i really hope that no more misunderstood between any religion in this world.
when i first saw him with a long beard , i thought he is a fanatic muslim.But when i listen to his music my mind was clicking and telling me that he is a man of many peoples in respectful of religion background. These tracks are sensible, educative and spritual. May God bless you.
it is simple yet beautiful as it flows from his free soul and genuine warmth. i am in love with his new album which i dicovered a few days ago as walked into Mega virgin store on oxford circus, london. i jumped of joy and thanked the good lord that Youcif is writing another chapter of his life with inspiring melody and meaningful message.
All the best and enjoy the journey of life when listening to YOUSEF.