Tea for the Tillerman Live
Artist:  Cat Stevens
Label:  Wienerworld
Length: 35 minutes 

Despite the title, this is not a live rendition of the eponymous triple-platinum album, but what must be a TV gig from the tour – which is good news, because it means that “Moonshadow,” which is not on the album, gets an airing alongside an animated short, narrated by Spike Milligan. This release is timed to coincide with the singer’s 60th birthday, and reminds us not to underestimate him: not only has he scored several top ten hits, but some of his biggest successes were as covers by others, such as the Tremeloes’ version of “Here Comes my Baby” and “The First Cut is the Deepest,” covered by P.P. Arnold and Rod Stewart.
 
For the time – a year after Sabbath, Cream, Purple and Zeppelin had all had top ten albums – this was a highly introspective and somewhat subdued concert, the lyrics evidently reflecting the spiritual search that led to Stevens’ conversion to Islam in 1977 and taking on the name Yusuf Islam. This search shows up mostly in discontent with the present and glimpses of other possibilities, and on a track he introduces as being written “Before my second life as a pop star,” he sings,:

                                       So much left to know and I’m on the way to find out.
                                       The answer lies within, so why not take a look now
                                       Kick out the devil’s sin and pick up the good book now.

In “Miles From Nowhere” he changes to piano (it adds diversity, but sounds clunky compared to the intricacies of the twin guitar work) and sings, “My body’s been a good friend, but I won’t need it when I reach the end.” There are also odd lyrics that he claims have cryptic meaning, but they verge on pretention.
 
Two of the striking things about this virtually acoustic show are how unique and rich Stevens’ voice sounded, and how naturally he seems to create melody. Other than an electric bass tucked away in the background, this is just Stevens and his regular partner Alun Davies, who resembles a cross between Larry Norman and the Sweet’s lead singer. His guitar work blends beautifully into Cat Stevens’ and most of his vocal harmonies are complementary. 
 
It was the five-minute animated short of Teaser and the Firecat – simple toddler fare – that made me realise that Stevens was the artist behind these two album covers. He had been an art student before the music took over, and he has a very distinctive style that displays simplicity and innocence – a little like his music. 
 
This very watchable DVD also includes the hit “Father and Son” in its rather short 35 minutes. It is good, but if paying full price, I would want a bit more footage than is offered.
 
Derek Walker

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Cat Stevens, before his conversation to Islam and the subsequent change of his name to Yusuf Islam, was always a seeker.  The two themes that ran through his best work were the search for truth and the longing for beauty and passion.  Of all of the singer-songwriters of his day, he seemed to be the one most directly operating from a Christian base albeit in a pre-Christian way.  Its hard to argue with lyrics like this: 

So on and on you go, the seconds tick the time out
There's so much left to know, and I'm on the road to find out

Then I found my head one day when I wasn't even trying
And here I have to say, 'cause there is no use in lying, lying

Yes the answer lies within, so why not take a look now?
Kick out the devil's sin, pick up, pick up a good book now. 

"On The Road To Find Out,"  is just one of many lyrics penned by Steven in the late 60's and early 70's that symbolize this search.  
He found his journey complete after a near fatal surfing accident left him questioning his mortality and morality.  He found his way to the Muslim faith and has raised his family and steered his life according to its precepts.  He's misspoke, been embroiled in controversy, he's even been called a terrorist.  But, in the end, he's stayed true to his form from back in the days when this DVD was first filmed for PBS.  
 
To get an idea of his worldview today check his website... http://www.catstevens.com/    He released an album of new material called, An Other Cup, which seems to be his own Slow Train Comin.    
 
But, this DVD highlights an all too short intimate concert of songs mostly from Tea for the Tillerman.  To the faithful, who still remember, titles like, "Father and Son,"  "Moonshadow," and "Wild World," this will bring back memories of sweet melodies all wrapped in his fine, warm voice.  He was so young.  Well, it was 37 years ago.  At times, during the performance, he seems to be praying rather than just singing these songs.  It is so easy for those of us, who lived with him during these times, to remember how artists like this gave us the yearning for something more, something beyond ourselves and the drug culture we had been initiated in to.  In this way, Stevens was like a John the Baptist figure, giving us a foretaste of a real spirituality.  His songs certainly pointed in this direction.  Seeing his performance here is a reminder of how sincere he was and how strangely innocent we all were.  
 
For the uninitiated, the younger people, this DVD and his first three or four albums, may also illicit such a response.  Christians and non-Christians alike can be easily swept away by the timelessness of the songs on this DVD and the simple straightforward way they are delivered during this early performance.    
 
Even though time has changed all of us, including Stevens, these songs are strong reminders of the hunger for things of the spirit, beauty and truth that is still embedded within us all. Stevens himself, like a seeking pilgrim, was a worthy vessel for this search.   And if we go in the direction he was pointing, we will end up at the feet of our Creator, the final destination 'on the road to find out.'   

Terry Roland