New CD for artist formerly known as Cat Stevens

[KiwiCoromandel]

The artist formerly known as Cat Stevens will release his first pop album in 28 years this fall.

Stevens, who changed his name to Yusuf Islam after converting to Islam in the late 1970s, has signed with Atlantic Records in conjunction with his Ya Records label, it was announced Thursday.

"I feel right about making music and singing about life in this fragile world again," the 58-year-old singer-songwriter said in a statement. "It is important for me to be able to help bridge the cultural gaps others are sometimes frightened to cross."

The album, "An Other Cup," is set for release in November. His last studio album was 1978's "Back to Earth."

"Yusuf's new songs are as moving and timeless as the classics that inspired a generation," Atlantic Chairman/CEO Craig Kallman said in a statement. "His spiritual quest is one of the most extraordinary stories of our time -- a life journey marked by courage, devotion and transformation."

The London-born singer had a string of pop hits in the 1960s and '70s including "Here Comes My Baby," "Wild World," "Peace Train" and Moonshadow." After converting to Islam, he changed his name and left the music world.

His charity, Small Kindness, provides aid to orphans and families in Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq, among other regions.

source:CNN

image:catstevens.com:CAT STEVENS/YUSUF ISLAM...."the cat that got the koran"..

[DudeAsInCool]

I like his music. Word is that he hasnt changed musicially, but that the album also has some talky cuts

[rainbowdemon]

Wasn't he somehow funding The Taliban or something like that?

[DudeAsInCool]

Wasn't he somehow funding The Taliban or something like that?

No. i dont know the details, but I think the charges have been grossly exaggerated

[rainbowdemon]

Maybe. But I just have a vague memory of hearing something about that.

[KiwiCoromandel]

Cat Stevens......

Born: 21-Jul-1948

Birthplace: London, England

Gender: Male

Religion: Muslim

Ethnicity: White

Sexual orientation: Straight

Occupation: Musician

Nationality: England...

In February 1989, Stevens drew some flak from the press for condoning a fatwa issued by Ayatollah Khomeini against Salman Rushdie for his book The Satanic Verses. He has since backpedalled somewhat, claiming that he had only stated the punishment for blasphemers required under Islamic law, which was then twisted into by the press into approval for the death sentence. At the same time, he has not made a statement directly opposing the fatwa, saying only that Muslims must respect the laws of the country they inhabit. Stevens claims that his statement reflected his naivety as a "new Muslim"; at the time, he had only been practicing it for 11 years:

"I was simply a new Muslim who had stated something which I considered quite plain and obvious and if you were to ask a bible student you know what the Ten Commandments were you would expect him to repeat them honestly, you wouldn't blame him for doing so; the Bible is full of similar headlines if you’re looking for them."

Father: Stavros

Mother: Ingrid

Brother: David

Sister: Anita

Wife: (arranged marriage, 5 children)

Son: Muhammad

Girlfriend: Patti D'arbanville (actress)

Girlfriend: Fauzia Mubarak Ali (1979)

Cat Stevens

Converted to Islam 23-Dec-1977

Deported from the United States, attempting to enter via air

Swedish Ancestry Maternal side

Greek Ancestry Paternal side

Official Website:

http://www.catstevens.com/

image:www.nndb.com:Cat Stevens AKA Stephen Demetre Georgiou

[DudeAsInCool]

Not good...Cat Steven's explanation sounds very vague. I believe in complete artistic freedom for artists. Still like his music, though

[rainbowdemon]

I liked him too, back in the 70's. I'll have to check the new one out!!

[method77]

Redneck4sure is a big fan of Yusuf

[Redneck4sure]

Cat Stevens hates Jews.

He’ll apparently ride the “Peace Train” only if there aren’t any Jews or other “infidels” anywhere near the tracks. Yes, in 1988, the singer of “Peace Train” authored an “informational pamphlet,” called “Eyewitness,” containing these peaceful words:

“The Jews seem neither to respect God nor his creation. Their own holy books contain the curse of God brought upon them by their prophets on account of their disobedience to Him and mischief in the earth. We have seen the disrespect for religion displayed by those who consider themselves to be 'God's chosen people.'...There will be no justice until all the land is given back to its rightful owners... Only Islam can bring peace back to the Holy Land.”

Taken from here

There's a lot more on that page. It makes an interesting read but I don't know how much of it is true if any.

I won't buy his cd but so what?

[rainbowdemon]

I won't buy his cd but so what?

Well, I don't buy any cd's.

[Redneck4sure]

I don't either but that's beside the point.