CAT STEVENS: BACK TO EARTH (Here Comes the Darkness) Cat’s best, and most popular albums might be Teaser and the Firecat and Tea for the Tillerman, but his last three (Numbers, Izitso and Back to Earth) were and will always be my all-time favourites. Critics often praise Catch Bull at Four and Buddha and the Chocolate Box and although I agree that they are very good albums - I much prefer Back to Earth. The critics said this was a return to form, whatever that means and a kind of comeback (they just love to throw that word around). If Numbers was spring, and Izitso was summer-time then this is autumn, quite literally for it was the finale of the Cat Stevens story. Whereas Cat sounded joyous and content on Izitso, here he sounds anything but. We start with the country-tinged Just Another Night (one of Cat’s best) which sets the tone for the album. Daytime is low-key beauty, with Cat leaping in energetically as he does (“crying in the dark”). Then another rocker, Bad Breaks (sister to Killin’ Time and perhaps the only happy song on the record, even though it’s about a break-down). Then the romantic Randy with that melodramatic “70s” orchestral score (which lady inspired this I wonder). Then another of Cat’s introspective instrumentals The Artist (a farewell to the music world). And now folks, the darkness - the second half of the album. Things take a turn here as Cat becomes more melancholic and bitter (sweet?). Cat (now Yusuf) has said that Last Love Song was aimed at the music industry, though I always thought it was about a lady friend. Then the last of Cat’s wonderful instrumentals, Nascimento (a reference to Milton Nascimento perhaps?). Boy does he sound fed up here, as though he were wandering lost from one party and relationship to another. Then the sombre dirge of Father (the antithesis of Father and Son). And then Cat literally can’t keep it in any longer - he explodes with New York Times - an angry semi-comical tale of the big apple (“watch out!”) before ending up right back where he started, Never. A touching finale to one of the greatest careers, and journeys in the music industry. The Cat name was no more and Yusuf would go onto the next chapter of his life, devoting himself wholeheartedly to Islam and charitable causes. He returned almost 30 years later and we loved to have him back, but his creative peak (like with all artists) was in his youthful prime, right here on these albums. These songs truly are masterpieces for the ages. 10/10 A+
Don't need to read comments to know what Lay's beyond. Saw the Cat in concert. Best seating. Cat was at a grand piano and floated in the air and moved across the stage. Awesome!!! I might have turned into a very violent person without his music
Besides the great music on this album.....the cover art is beautiful....looking at this picture says it all......love flows through us all....my opinion....rick.
Hilda... I agree 100%. Only Cat touches my heart musically deeply. So many masterpieces. Have you heard the 2 songs from this album that were ONLY released recently? "Toy Heart" and 'Butterfly". Amazing that those 2 songs were left off the album. I'm sure Cat had reasons. Peace & Love, Dean
What a beautiful message! God bless you. I love this album. Yusuf/ Cat Stevens your voice is as good as it was in early 70-ties. I admire your creativity.
Quanti ricordi con queste canzoni magnifiche... riportano indietro nel tempo, ad una vita fa... una voce che e' velluto e delizia, ti scalda il cuore, quando e' freddo fuori... grazie per queste sensazioni!
Forse nell'insieme l'album più dolce di Cat, quasi triste in alcuni brani. Io l'ho adorato, forse più degli altri...Forse perché era l'ultimo del "mio" artista preferito. O semplicemente mi riporta ad un momento di grande nostalgia. Comunque è vero, voce di velluto che scalda il cuore
this was his last album as cat stevens before he walked away from his music career and more accurately from the music industry which was then and still is today utterly corrupt completely materialistic and mean-spirited sick with the evilness of greed... I don't blame him for quitting... I just wish that he would have had an avenue for recording and publishing his music privately and independently being able to still reach out to the world with his performances... while he was away we saw the world slide into chaos and oblivion... yusuf might have made a difference back then to at least mitigate that collapse a little bit... I think of this point often... I can't get past it... it's one of the human tragedies of our generation of the 60s and the 70s... ranking right up there with the assassinations of jfk malcolm x mlk and rfk... he said he did it because he promised G-d that he would serve Him if He rescued him from the riptide he was caught up in... ok... but moving people spiritually and reaching them thru his beautiful music of peace was definitely and would have continued to be a true service of G-d leading lost souls back to the one true Master and King of the universe... the Creator of heaven and earth. .. that's the crying shame here and irreparable damage to our world... sorry... I mean no disrespect but this is how I have felt since he left the scene in 1978... truth.out in peace...
when his voice fell silent for 25-30yrs it was a terrible blow to all of us... G-d gave him a once in several generations Divine gift of music and lyrics and he denied it and walked away from it... a tremendous crying shame to say the least if not an outright sin... again im sorry but this is how I have always felt... this matter of course is completely between him and G-d... truth.out...
I would like to thank Yusuf for bringing so much peace and love into this world.
You have my sincere gratitude.
I love you.
CAT STEVENS: BACK TO EARTH (Here Comes the Darkness)
Cat’s best, and most popular albums might be Teaser and the Firecat and Tea for the Tillerman, but his last three (Numbers, Izitso and Back to Earth) were and will always be my all-time favourites. Critics often praise Catch Bull at Four and Buddha and the Chocolate Box and although I agree that they are very good albums - I much prefer Back to Earth.
The critics said this was a return to form, whatever that means and a kind of comeback (they just love to throw that word around). If Numbers was spring, and Izitso was summer-time then this is autumn, quite literally for it was the finale of the Cat Stevens story. Whereas Cat sounded joyous and content on Izitso, here he sounds anything but.
We start with the country-tinged Just Another Night (one of Cat’s best) which sets the tone for the album. Daytime is low-key beauty, with Cat leaping in energetically as he does (“crying in the dark”). Then another rocker, Bad Breaks (sister to Killin’ Time and perhaps the only happy song on the record, even though it’s about a break-down). Then the romantic Randy with that melodramatic “70s” orchestral score (which lady inspired this I wonder). Then another of Cat’s introspective instrumentals The Artist (a farewell to the music world).
And now folks, the darkness - the second half of the album. Things take a turn here as Cat becomes more melancholic and bitter (sweet?). Cat (now Yusuf) has said that Last Love Song was aimed at the music industry, though I always thought it was about a lady friend. Then the last of Cat’s wonderful instrumentals, Nascimento (a reference to Milton Nascimento perhaps?). Boy does he sound fed up here, as though he were wandering lost from one party and relationship to another. Then the sombre dirge of Father (the antithesis of Father and Son). And then Cat literally can’t keep it in any longer - he explodes with New York Times - an angry semi-comical tale of the big apple (“watch out!”) before ending up right back where he started, Never.
A touching finale to one of the greatest careers, and journeys in the music industry. The Cat name was no more and Yusuf would go onto the next chapter of his life, devoting himself wholeheartedly to Islam and charitable causes. He returned almost 30 years later and we loved to have him back, but his creative peak (like with all artists) was in his youthful prime, right here on these albums. These songs truly are masterpieces for the ages.
10/10 A+
While I was listening to this drivel wrapped up in my own selfishness...my best friends hung themselves.
The best album of Cat is "Foreigner"... Very misunderstood in 1973...
Jazz-rock... Progresive rock influences...
Is a masterpiece
@@manuel2106 Yep it was awesome..I still listen to it...theres like 4 songs in one on the suite
Numbers & Izitso were throw away fulfill the record contract releases. Back To Earth actually superb as was Catch Bull at Four.
Simple sweet, beautiful and human.
Thanks for share. Thanks from Brasil.
Don't need to read comments to know what Lay's beyond. Saw the Cat in concert. Best seating. Cat was at a grand piano and floated in the air and moved across the stage. Awesome!!! I might have turned into a very violent person without his music
I just discovered this album, and it is so impressive! Like someone said, a MASTERPIECE! Thank you, Yusuf!
Una vita fa...
Una bella vita fa...
Un album che non dimenticherò mai!
Great work Yusuf/Cat Stevens
Daytime...One of the Cat's masterpieces...
Love you man since 1971...you are my best.
Besides the great music on this album.....the cover art is beautiful....looking at this picture says it all......love flows through us all....my opinion....rick.
great long exposure of flowing water. sands of time eroded by the river of constant change.
This album is a masterpiece !!!!! I love Cat/Yusuf and all his songs. Each one has a special message!!!! God bless you!!!
Amen.
Hilda... I agree 100%. Only Cat touches my heart musically deeply. So many masterpieces. Have you heard the 2 songs from this album that were ONLY released recently? "Toy Heart" and 'Butterfly". Amazing that those 2 songs were left off the album. I'm sure Cat had reasons. Peace & Love, Dean
Just bought my ticket to your concert in Portugal next July 4th... can't wait to finally see you on stage!
An album I love , Thank you Yusuf , I cant wait to get my box set !
I loved this album. Cat was always be my alltime favorite!!!!
I loved this album. Cat was always be my alltime favorite!!!!
bought this album in the late 90s along with Buddha and the chocolat bar, absolutely top albums
Last Love Song always breaks my heart, even after decades :(
Cet album fait parti des grands moments de ma jeunesse, ça fait du bien de réentendre ces airs
@Nathalie. Prekrasna pjesma, uživala sam je slušati i drago mi je da se i vama sviđa. Kako si? U nadi da ćemo se čuti. Čuvaj se
Looks like you have been hard at work. I like all the offers for Back To Earth on your website I will be getting the colored LP. Much love as always.
Love the trilogy "Numbers" "Iz it so" and "Down to earth"
The photo looks like a small river near Quebec city. Sault à la Puce, with plenty of waterfalls and canyons.
Salaam
Love you for the sake of Allah
So true and beautifully sang!!! Lessons of life. ❤️🌺
What a beautiful message! God bless you. I love this album. Yusuf/ Cat Stevens your voice is as good as it was in early 70-ties. I admire your creativity.
@Barbara. Beautiful song, I enjoyed listening to it and glad you like it too. How are you? Hoping to hear from you.
Quanti ricordi con queste canzoni magnifiche... riportano indietro nel tempo, ad una vita fa... una voce che e' velluto e delizia, ti scalda il cuore, quando e' freddo fuori... grazie per queste sensazioni!
Forse nell'insieme l'album più dolce di Cat, quasi triste in alcuni brani. Io l'ho adorato, forse più degli altri...Forse perché era l'ultimo del "mio" artista preferito. O semplicemente mi riporta ad un momento di grande nostalgia. Comunque è vero, voce di velluto che scalda il cuore
I absolutely love The Box Set. I spent many hours browsing through the beautiful hardcover book, telling the fascinating story behind BTE 🌹
🌹Thank you Yusuf.. Allah bless you brother🌹
Anyone else sees 4 faces on the rocks in the artwork?.
I've been watching them since I was a child!
Yes!!! I see them!!!!!
The Artist & Nascimento my favorites on this release. Back To Earth by far one of his most polished productions. Love it !
Just another night was a really beautiful song !
this was his last album as cat stevens before he walked away from his music career and more accurately from the music industry which was then and still is today utterly corrupt completely materialistic and mean-spirited sick with the evilness of greed... I don't blame him for quitting... I just wish that he would have had an avenue for recording and publishing his music privately and independently being able to still reach out to the world with his performances... while he was away we saw the world slide into chaos and oblivion... yusuf might have made a difference back then to at least mitigate that collapse a little bit... I think of this point often... I can't get past it... it's one of the human tragedies of our generation of the 60s and the 70s... ranking right up there with the assassinations of jfk malcolm x mlk and rfk... he said he did it because he promised G-d that he would serve Him if He rescued him from the riptide he was caught up in... ok... but moving people spiritually and reaching them thru his beautiful music of peace was definitely and would have continued to be a true service of G-d leading lost souls back to the one true Master and King of the universe... the Creator of heaven and earth. .. that's the crying shame here and irreparable damage to our world... sorry... I mean no disrespect but this is how I have felt since he left the scene in 1978... truth.out in peace...
when his voice fell silent for 25-30yrs it was a terrible blow to all of us... G-d gave him a once in several generations Divine gift of music and lyrics and he denied it and walked away from it... a tremendous crying shame to say the least if not an outright sin... again im sorry but this is how I have always felt... this matter of course is completely between him and G-d... truth.out...
Maybe the best Cat's album. Sweetness, inspiration and majestic voice. What else? Listening this since ever, and always will be
@Claudio. Beautiful song, I enjoyed listening to it and glad you like it too. How are you? Hoping to hear from you. Take care
I can't tell, Is this the new remastered version? ...This has always been one of fav Cat albums. It's not perfect but dang close.
Another beautiful album,I listened to.❤️❤️❤️❤️💜❤️❤️❤️
This is first album .ı d met cat stevens.ı was 14 yrs old .now 57.this album unıque in my life
La voz más linda del mundo,❤
Songs so genuine and true
Alhamdolillah 🕊️🕊️🕊️
Thank you...
Excelente Trabalho. 😃💙🌻
@Analia. Prekrasna pjesma, uživala sam je slušati i drago mi je da se i vama sviđa. Kako si? U nadi da ćemo se čuti.
Nice, nice, nice. Love this album.
Hannah what have you done with your hair? You look lovely.
@@thejonegcle7759 Well, thank you, lol.
great!!
Welcome back.
👏 amazing 🙌
HELLO YUSUF/ CAT ,CAN YOU TELL ME WHEN YOUR ULTIMATE COLLECTION WAS RELEASED ?? ✌✌✌❤❤❤🎼🎼🎼😇😃😉
Awesome music Yusif
Mark really... well done for me hearing this love..
cool whole album in one always a good thang
I've always loved who he is