Can't believe no one has mentioned Oh Very Young, its up there with Peace Train, Moonshadow, and Morning has Broken. Anytime I'm out walking in moon shadows, the song pops in my head.
Oh, Cat Stevens has many, many wonderful songs! Just some beautiful stuff, and much of it with wonderful orchestration too. He was/is a seeker really and much of his music and lyrics asked those questions and shared those thoughts. His 1971 Tea For The Tillerman album is still one of my absolute favorites. You might enjoy hearing more of his vocal range in Miles From Nowhere, or maybe Where Do The Children Play? And his song Peace Train is a lot hythmic / percussive fun. Thanks for sharing this one, Amy.
I am a big Cat Stevens fan, so I'm glad you enjoyed this so much. I used to listen to his "Tea for the Tillerman" album all the time in the 70s, all of the songs are excellent. It was one of my most played albums during my youth. I also had the "Teaser and the Firecat" album that this is from, which was also an excellent album. This was perfect for the harp. It sounded great with just the little bit you were doing. I think you have the misimpression from the background info that this is contemporary. It is not since it was released in 1971, which was contemporary with me way back then.😉 I think you were going off the more recent interview date when he was reflecting back on the song. This explains why you are hearing a natural voice not altered in the studio, other than the basics of reverb and EQ adjustments. You hear the clean natural vocal which is characteristics of this time. I think you would absolutely love these original 1970s albums, and you will hear a lot more variety in his vocals, including some strong and powerful vocals, even though most of his songs have this gentle folk quality you are experiencing here. Loved your reaction and I am really looking forward to tomorrows reaction.
This is the music of my youth - Cat Stevens, James Taylor, Carole King. The zenith of the singer-songwriter. Father and Son is maybe his greatest song, with an amazing vocal range and great storytelling.
Cat Stevens is a hughly talented singer songwriter and in my opinion rather underated. His melodies are beautiful. Definately worth a deep dive into more of his work.
Cat Stevens had the talent of telling mystical stories of long ago in his songs. There's a beautiful one called "Boy with the moon and star on his head" or the beautiful "Into white". The art on his albums cover was also a talent of his.
He would be an interesting artist to listen to several songs from throughout his career. His early albums were going for pretty much just pop, although his subjects were often unusual. What stood out on those albums was his arrangements. If there was a place where a guitar/bass/keyboard/drum pop song could be made a lot better with a penny-whistle or horn or something he'd find it and get someone to play it on that track. Later, he contracted tuberculosis and spent months hospitalized. That changed his perspective on life and he started writing deeper songs. This was the singer/songwriter stage of his career. The albums "Teaser and the Firecat" and "Tea for the Tillerman" and "Catch Bull at Four" are the heart of this phase. After that he got more experimental. Still a lot of songs that fit into the singer/songwriter category, but also songs that are "busier" than singer/songwriter types of songs. "Foreigner" would be the first album in this phase. After that he did a concept album, "Numbers", the story of the inhabitants of a planet that manufactures numbers for the rest of the universe. Yes, it is a weird concept.
'Childlike' does not mean the same as 'childish'. For me, there is an element of wonder, curiosity and sensitivity to his songwriting, which is anything but childish but is very childlike in the directness of its gaze, honest questioning, unaffected spiritual searching and unspoilt celebration of life.
I love this track, but only discovered it a few years ago on a compilation CD. I bought the CD because it had If You Wanna Sing Out, which is a lesser known Cat Stevens song. It featured in the film Harold and Maude and those memories are among my dearest. I'm fortunate to have a similar voice to Yusef and love singing his songs at Karaoke. My karaoke guy even got If You Wanna Sing Out for me. It's an almost perfect song. Cat at his best, with just him and the guitar. There are great songs of his that feature strings and other musical ensembles, but the simple stuff is his strength.
If you want to sing out is the very memorable finale of this very memorable movie. I think the entire soundtrack of this gem of a movie is from Cat Stevens.
Cat Stevens "Morning has Broken" is my favorite. Whenever i come out of the house and the warmth of a new day hits my face, I sing this tune to myself. A tiny prayer or song of joy. Other songs you should consider: "Father and Son", "Peace Train".
Father and Son would make a great reaction video. It's all Cat Stevens, and he changes his voice to indicate each person's point of view in the song; from father's low calm voice to son's high emotional voice. Lots to explore there.
This actually came out in 1971. I remember the album well, I listened to it a lot when it came out. Teaser and the Firecat had a lot of good songs like this, and I also listened a lot to Catch Bull at Four, the album he released the next year. Him and Simon & Garfunkel were sort of the one side of my music listening at that time with Uriah Heep and Deep Purple where the other side.
I love me some Cat Stevens. From this small and simple song to some epic, complex and very long songs, his lyrics come from the heart and that comes through in his voice. He is one of my biggest influences in my song writing.
Great idea to do a Cat Stevens weekend! You won't be disappointed. He was born in London to a Greek Cypriot father and a Swedish mother, so he's very cosmopolitan and multicultural. There are lots of lovely Greek rhythms in his earlier material, for example. He does indeed have greater range, vocally and musically, than this sweet little piece (one of the first songs I learned on the guitar) but he always retains that slightly childlike quality and deep sincerity.
Oh, Amy - you've stepped in it now! Yes: Father and Son (the original and the remake where he sings with his 50-years-younger self), Wild World, Sad Lisa, and his take on Morning has Broken with Rick Wakeman's piano.
Serendipitously I randomly picked up "Teaser and the Firecat" from the dollar bin at my local record shop a few weeks ago. The best dollar I ever spent. It's a light weight 80 gram pressing but it plays almost like brand new. I know everyone loves Morning Has Broken, but my favorite song is currently Rubylove.
So many great songs listed by users below. All I can say is ditto. As a man, "Father and Son" reaches a place deep inside me that no other song has. It probably wouldn't reach a woman's soul the same way, but who knows. Although I love Cat Stevens' rendition of "Morning has Broken", he didn't write it. As a song writer, I tend to rate his original material higher.
In keeping with the "wind" theme Amy, I hope Vlad will cue-up the British progressive rock band King Crimson's timeless classic "I Talk To The Wind" from their 1969 debut album 'In The Court Of The Crimson King" -- the beautiful flute musicianship in that piece is something I know you would appreciate and enjoy given your classically-trained background. So glad I discovered your channel!
Glad you loved this! Cat Stevens is such a wonderful and unique artist. I'd recommend a listen to his album "Tea for Tillerman" followed by a viewing of quirky comedy Harold and Maude with the great Hal Ashby directing and Cat Stevens soundtracking. Tons of other great Cat Stevens content out there too for your weekend entertainment :D
I've been waiting for this for a while, I'm sure a lot of other people will say this but I would love a reaction to 'Father and Son'. I've listened to a lot of his contemporary pieces with friends from the middle east including his call to prayer which is beautiful but 'Father and Son' hits me in the gut every time I hear it.
Love your take and appreciation on Cat Stevens. I would suggest Where Do The Children Play from the fourth album Tea For The Tillerman. Cat!Islam does the cover art for some of his albums and also has written children's books. Ty
Thanks for that reaction to one of my Cat Stevens favorite Songs 🥰. Please have a look at "Sad Lisa", "Boy with the moon and star on his head", "Lady D’Arbanville" or "Father and son"". All very distinct but really worth a listening.👍
He's a lovely and earnest singer-songwriter, not as contemporary as you might think with his debut album in 1967 and this from 1971, though he's still active, now in his mid 70s. He is unique in his ability to combine solemnity and joy, secularism and religiosity, that makes him stand out from other folk acts. Harry Chapin approached his style but never quite got so authentic IMO (still very good). Definitely do more, and I hope you might also touch on artists like Nick Drake who released 3 brilliant albums 1969-72 and died young, or from the 21st century José Gonzalez is a beautiful modern folk guitarist as well.
Beware, you are brushing up against pure, sweet spirituality with this artist, and it will have it's effect. Much like with Pink Floyd, a tuning of the soul will start to happen and you may find yourself playing the sweetest game. May He bless you with much receptivity.
This song reminds me in style very much of the older works before he changed name and fully embaced islam. Nevertheless he has some of the most beautiful songs ever written. I think he is on par with Simon and Garfunkle in this respect. It is however not really rock, but more folk songs. But anyway very influential and relevant and timeless beauty. Others have already suggested some songs to check out. Moon shadow, morning had broken or faterr and son immediately come to my mind. I think he is such a beautiful soul and has made songs thet are so uplifting and leave you with a smile and and positve feeling.
Remembering your reaction to Genesis "Firth of Fifth" I think you would like "Morning Has Broken". If you're going to tackle Cat Stevens' relation to "peace", you can't miss "Peace Train" though, and both songs are arranged much less "minimalistic" than "The Wind". (My personal favourite would be the much quieter "Sad Lisa" which I played on piano when I was young.)
Moonshadow. It has all of the qualities of this song - sort of its aural sibling. But it expands to feature the aspects of Stevens' voice in the way you are hoping to hear. But, really? "Father and Son", "Trouble", and "Where do The Children Play?" are the best for me.
Stevens is now an international superstar. But the search for meaning continued: like George Harrison and other contemporaries, he looked to the East for spiritual inspiration. But while the former Beatle, who died in 2001, found his salvation in Hinduism, Stevens ultimately found it in Islam. Thank you.
‘Trouble’ from Mona Bone Jakon is the first one I’d recommend. Also love ‘Don’t Be Shy’ and ‘Miles From Nowhere’. I’m probably in the minority, but I find ‘Father and Son’ to be terribly overrated. He is an incredible songwriter and singer, tho.
Even to us in our early 60's now this is OLD STUFF. There was no voice manipulation back then. You might want to overlay some information/self-study of voice manipulation onto your wide studies here: when it started, types used and what eras. LOTS/MOST music through the 80's at least didn't have voice manipulation. (Others who know: feel free to jump in here, to help.)
"Miles From Nowhere" is a great example of his vocal range. Great song, too!
Can't believe no one has mentioned Oh Very Young, its up there with Peace Train, Moonshadow, and Morning has Broken. Anytime I'm out walking in moon shadows, the song pops in my head.
His third album from 1971. So I don't know if I would call it contemporary. But he had a number of hits from all three albums.
Oh, Cat Stevens has many, many wonderful songs! Just some beautiful stuff, and much of it with wonderful orchestration too. He was/is a seeker really and much of his music and lyrics asked those questions and shared those thoughts. His 1971 Tea For The Tillerman album is still one of my absolute favorites. You might enjoy hearing more of his vocal range in Miles From Nowhere, or maybe Where Do The Children Play? And his song Peace Train is a lot hythmic / percussive fun. Thanks for sharing this one, Amy.
A weekend with Cat Stevens - great! I wouldn't describe him as that 'contemporary'...his career started in the 1960s and he is now 76.
It’s his childlike sense of melody and adult mature lyricism that make his canon so authentic and relatable.
I am a big Cat Stevens fan, so I'm glad you enjoyed this so much. I used to listen to his "Tea for the Tillerman" album all the time in the 70s, all of the songs are excellent. It was one of my most played albums during my youth. I also had the "Teaser and the Firecat" album that this is from, which was also an excellent album. This was perfect for the harp. It sounded great with just the little bit you were doing.
I think you have the misimpression from the background info that this is contemporary. It is not since it was released in 1971, which was contemporary with me way back then.😉 I think you were going off the more recent interview date when he was reflecting back on the song. This explains why you are hearing a natural voice not altered in the studio, other than the basics of reverb and EQ adjustments. You hear the clean natural vocal which is characteristics of this time. I think you would absolutely love these original 1970s albums, and you will hear a lot more variety in his vocals, including some strong and powerful vocals, even though most of his songs have this gentle folk quality you are experiencing here. Loved your reaction and I am really looking forward to tomorrows reaction.
Cat Stevens is anything but a contemporary artist
This is the music of my youth
- Cat Stevens, James Taylor, Carole King. The zenith of the singer-songwriter. Father and Son is maybe his greatest song, with an amazing vocal range and great storytelling.
Carole King
Morning Has Broken by Cat Steven.
Stevens*
But it's not a Cat Stevens' composition. I't's a 19th century religious hymn and the iconic piano introduction by the talented Rick Wakeman.
@@edgardobravo7351 Rick Wakeman of YES! I can't believe I've listened to Morning Has Broken all my life and only recently learned that.
Morning has broken is amazing, and the super fast, complicated piano is played by Rick Wakeman, from the band YES!
Father and son by Cat Stevens is really good
There's a great video to go with Father and Son
A minute and 40 seconds and Cat has my eyes streaming with tears.
My sister saw Cat Steven in concert literally 50 years apart.
Cat Stevens is a hughly talented singer songwriter and in my opinion rather underated. His melodies are beautiful. Definately worth a deep dive into more of his work.
That was a "charming and sweet" take on a song I've loved all my life. Thanks!
Cat Stevens had the talent of telling mystical stories of long ago in his songs. There's a beautiful one called "Boy with the moon and star on his head" or the beautiful "Into white". The art on his albums cover was also a talent of his.
He would be an interesting artist to listen to several songs from throughout his career. His early albums were going for pretty much just pop, although his subjects were often unusual. What stood out on those albums was his arrangements. If there was a place where a guitar/bass/keyboard/drum pop song could be made a lot better with a penny-whistle or horn or something he'd find it and get someone to play it on that track.
Later, he contracted tuberculosis and spent months hospitalized. That changed his perspective on life and he started writing deeper songs. This was the singer/songwriter stage of his career. The albums "Teaser and the Firecat" and "Tea for the Tillerman" and "Catch Bull at Four" are the heart of this phase.
After that he got more experimental. Still a lot of songs that fit into the singer/songwriter category, but also songs that are "busier" than singer/songwriter types of songs. "Foreigner" would be the first album in this phase.
After that he did a concept album, "Numbers", the story of the inhabitants of a planet that manufactures numbers for the rest of the universe. Yes, it is a weird concept.
Thank you Amy. Me dad turned me on to Cat Stevens. Every time I hear his voice and music, it brings back memories of my 'ol man. I miss him.
Cat was on fire from '67 to '75. Those early albums were produced by ex Yardbird bassist Paul Samwelll Smith. Cheers.
I never reacted to a Cat Stevens song thinking it was childlike, he's one of the most talented and authentic singer songwriters in my opinion.
'Childlike' does not mean the same as 'childish'. For me, there is an element of wonder, curiosity and sensitivity to his songwriting, which is anything but childish but is very childlike in the directness of its gaze, honest questioning, unaffected spiritual searching and unspoilt celebration of life.
"Into White" / "Tea for the Tillerman" are truly a pair of gems from him!
Peace train is a good song to hear his vocal range and color.
BEAUTIFUL.....it has (to me and only to me) something of "Here Comes the Sun" by The Beatles.
One of his forgotten masterpieces
And probably my favourite song!
Enjoyed that. I used to listen to Cats Stevens in my bunk, when I was out at sea. Back in the day.
This little song is so cute, so pure, so innocent!
I love this track, but only discovered it a few years ago on a compilation CD. I bought the CD because it had If You Wanna Sing Out, which is a lesser known Cat Stevens song. It featured in the film Harold and Maude and those memories are among my dearest.
I'm fortunate to have a similar voice to Yusef and love singing his songs at Karaoke. My karaoke guy even got If You Wanna Sing Out for me. It's an almost perfect song.
Cat at his best, with just him and the guitar. There are great songs of his that feature strings and other musical ensembles, but the simple stuff is his strength.
If you want to sing out is the very memorable finale of this very memorable movie. I think the entire soundtrack of this gem of a movie is from Cat Stevens.
Cat Stevens "Morning has Broken" is my favorite. Whenever i come out of the house and the warmth of a new day hits my face, I sing this tune to myself. A tiny prayer or song of joy. Other songs you should consider: "Father and Son", "Peace Train".
Cat Stevens' most well known songs: 'Morning Has Broken', 'Father and Son', 'Peace Train', and 'Wild World' all from 1970 and 1971, 'Moonshadow' 1975.
i think moonshadow is from 70 or 71 too. a great song.
@@kimbozw1808 No Moonshadow was from 1975, it seems like it would fit right in with 70 - 71 songs, but it's not.
Father and Son would make a great reaction video. It's all Cat Stevens, and he changes his voice to indicate each person's point of view in the song; from father's low calm voice to son's high emotional voice. Lots to explore there.
This actually came out in 1971. I remember the album well, I listened to it a lot when it came out. Teaser and the Firecat had a lot of good songs like this, and I also listened a lot to Catch Bull at Four, the album he released the next year. Him and Simon & Garfunkel were sort of the one side of my music listening at that time with Uriah Heep and Deep Purple where the other side.
This'll be quick. You should have done a double feature, this and Tea for the Tillerman.
I have never agreed with a first time reaction review more than this one. Your enthusiasm keeps me coming back for more. ❤❤❤❤❤
I’ve been hoping Amy reacts to Cat Steven’s music. This should be good!
My favorite rabbit hole love it love you
He says I let my music take me where my heart wants to go which he literally does in this song🎶🎶🎶
So excited for you. Cat Steven's, Ysuf Islam, is just unique and deep. Such a beautiful catalogue of music. Enjoy!
Fancy çutting into such a short song. I love his early stuff particularly Father And Son ! 🤡
I love me some Cat Stevens. From this small and simple song to some epic, complex and very long songs, his lyrics come from the heart and that comes through in his voice. He is one of my biggest influences in my song writing.
Great idea to do a Cat Stevens weekend! You won't be disappointed. He was born in London to a Greek Cypriot father and a Swedish mother, so he's very cosmopolitan and multicultural. There are lots of lovely Greek rhythms in his earlier material, for example. He does indeed have greater range, vocally and musically, than this sweet little piece (one of the first songs I learned on the guitar) but he always retains that slightly childlike quality and deep sincerity.
I love when you listen to things more than once
Ghoul- As your casket closes
This song accompanies my favorite scene from my favorite film.
is amy going 2 watch Harold & Maude?
That was so enjoyable thank you so much. I'm in for that weekend oh my goodness thank you so much for considering that
I would love to see you react to "Where do the Children Play"
YES! One of a dozen Cat / Yusuf songs Amy should hear.
All his music is great
Oh, Amy - you've stepped in it now! Yes: Father and Son (the original and the remake where he sings with his 50-years-younger self), Wild World, Sad Lisa, and his take on Morning has Broken with Rick Wakeman's piano.
Serendipitously I randomly picked up "Teaser and the Firecat" from the dollar bin at my local record shop a few weeks ago. The best dollar I ever spent. It's a light weight 80 gram pressing but it plays almost like brand new. I know everyone loves Morning Has Broken, but my favorite song is currently Rubylove.
You should take a ride on the Peace Train (by Cat Stevens)
This song makes me cry I play it on guitar
So many great songs listed by users below. All I can say is ditto. As a man, "Father and Son" reaches a place deep inside me that no other song has. It probably wouldn't reach a woman's soul the same way, but who knows. Although I love Cat Stevens' rendition of "Morning has Broken", he didn't write it. As a song writer, I tend to rate his original material higher.
It's nice to see a reaction to something other than the predicted hits.
Your critiques are so natural and thorough. Try Cat Steven's "Oh Very Young"!
In keeping with the "wind" theme Amy, I hope Vlad will cue-up the British progressive rock band King Crimson's timeless classic "I Talk To The Wind" from their 1969 debut album 'In The Court Of The Crimson King" -- the beautiful flute musicianship in that piece is something I know you would appreciate and enjoy given your classically-trained background. So glad I discovered your channel!
Or "Epitaph", my favorite and very relevant given the international relationship malpractice currently being conducted by Blinkin.
This only scratches the surface, no pun intended
Whenever I need to recharge my musical appreciation batteries you are there - so there's that to thank you for 😊
Delightful reaction. Try "Matthew and Son" and a treasure from NZ is "Six months in a leaky boat" by Split Enz. Truly one of the greatest songs ever.
Great reaction, Amy! I really enjoyed Cat's music throughout the 70s. This is a new song for me, though.
Early 70’s Cat Stevens dominated the charts🎶🎶🎶 I think you would like Sad Lisa one of his more obscure pieces like this one🎶🎶🎶
White Zombie- Blood, Milk and Sky
Glad you loved this! Cat Stevens is such a wonderful and unique artist. I'd recommend a listen to his album "Tea for Tillerman" followed by a viewing of quirky comedy Harold and Maude with the great Hal Ashby directing and Cat Stevens soundtracking. Tons of other great Cat Stevens content out there too for your weekend entertainment :D
I've been waiting for this for a while, I'm sure a lot of other people will say this but I would love a reaction to 'Father and Son'. I've listened to a lot of his contemporary pieces with friends from the middle east including his call to prayer which is beautiful but 'Father and Son' hits me in the gut every time I hear it.
Thank you Amy, please do Morning Has Broken
A delicate masterpiece.
I love this song…and no one reacts to it. Great choice
Try his song "Where Do The Children Play". You'll get a better sense of the dynamics of his voice.
Acid Witch- Trick or Treat
Cat Stevens
✨️✨️❤️✨️✨️
Please keep up this journey there's a lot here to enjoy thanks so much for sharing
Oh Very Young
Peace Train shows of Cat’s voice well.
Love your take and appreciation on Cat Stevens. I would suggest Where Do The Children Play from the fourth album Tea For The Tillerman. Cat!Islam does the cover art for some of his albums and also has written children's books. Ty
Thanks for that reaction to one of my Cat Stevens favorite Songs 🥰. Please have a look at "Sad Lisa", "Boy with the moon and star on his head", "Lady D’Arbanville" or "Father and son"". All very distinct but really worth a listening.👍
He's a lovely and earnest singer-songwriter, not as contemporary as you might think with his debut album in 1967 and this from 1971, though he's still active, now in his mid 70s. He is unique in his ability to combine solemnity and joy, secularism and religiosity, that makes him stand out from other folk acts. Harry Chapin approached his style but never quite got so authentic IMO (still very good). Definitely do more, and I hope you might also touch on artists like Nick Drake who released 3 brilliant albums 1969-72 and died young, or from the 21st century José Gonzalez is a beautiful modern folk guitarist as well.
A cat Stevens weekend will be wonderful. Hope you listen to lady d'arbanville
I would recommend for a start: Father and Son, Where Do the Children Play, Morning Has Broken. Also he is NOT contemporary. Debut 1967. Born 1948...
your harp added to his song sounds very nice.
Johnny Cash- Hurt
Beware, you are brushing up against pure, sweet spirituality with this artist, and it will have it's effect. Much like with Pink Floyd, a tuning of the soul will start to happen and you may find yourself playing the sweetest game. May He bless you with much receptivity.
This is over 50 years old from 1971, but you spoke about it as if it was a contemporary piece. I don't see how this is childlike.
This song reminds me in style very much of the older works before he changed name and fully embaced islam. Nevertheless he has some of the most beautiful songs ever written. I think he is on par with Simon and Garfunkle in this respect. It is however not really rock, but more folk songs. But anyway very influential and relevant and timeless beauty. Others have already suggested some songs to check out. Moon shadow, morning had broken or faterr and son immediately come to my mind. I think he is such a beautiful soul and has made songs thet are so uplifting and leave you with a smile and and positve feeling.
Peace Train next!
Remembering your reaction to Genesis "Firth of Fifth" I think you would like "Morning Has Broken". If you're going to tackle Cat Stevens' relation to "peace", you can't miss "Peace Train" though, and both songs are arranged much less "minimalistic" than "The Wind". (My personal favourite would be the much quieter "Sad Lisa" which I played on piano when I was young.)
Moonshadow. It has all of the qualities of this song - sort of its aural sibling. But it expands to feature the aspects of Stevens' voice in the way you are hoping to hear. But, really? "Father and Son", "Trouble", and "Where do The Children Play?" are the best for me.
I think Cat Stevens's music would be very interesting to someone from a classical background
Stevens is now an international superstar. But the search for meaning continued: like George Harrison and other contemporaries, he looked to the East for spiritual inspiration. But while the former Beatle, who died in 2001, found his salvation in Hinduism, Stevens ultimately found it in Islam.
Thank you.
Don’t Be Shy.
This is the opening song on the cult film “Harold & Maude.”
‘Trouble’ from Mona Bone Jakon is the first one I’d recommend. Also love ‘Don’t Be Shy’ and ‘Miles From Nowhere’. I’m probably in the minority, but I find ‘Father and Son’ to be terribly overrated. He is an incredible songwriter and singer, tho.
I hadn't heard this one. The guitar was kind of giving me madrigal vibes.
And Nick Drake of course !!!!!!
Listen to the cleverlys baby
He would be good for a new series, start with early things like first cut is the deepest 👍
Watch the movie "Harold and Maude". It's a kind of fun or not fun film, but full of music by Cat Stevens.
“Father and son “ next
To add variety to the Cat Stevens suggestions, how about "Banapple Gas"
Jim Croce told some pretty good stories. Cheers.
Metallica- Orion
Even to us in our early 60's now this is OLD STUFF. There was no voice manipulation back then. You might want to overlay some information/self-study of voice manipulation onto your wide studies here: when it started, types used and what eras. LOTS/MOST music through the 80's at least didn't have voice manipulation. (Others who know: feel free to jump in here, to help.)
How about Cat Stevens week instead of weekend?
A suggestion to you: Angra is a band from Brazil. Nova Era, or Carry On, or Rebirth. Please, I would love to hear your first impression of them!
If Cat Stevens is within the genre you will react to, I'd love to see you react to "Dimming of The Day" by Richard and Linda Thompson.