The Wisdom of Yusuf Islam/Cat Stevens

Subject: RE: The Wisdom of Yusuf Islam/Cat Stevens
From: Folk Form # 1
Date: 30 Jun 06 - 06:03 AM

A man of Peace! Oh come on. Retire at the height of his fame! No he did not. He was on a downward slope for several years and he knew it. I hate his fey insipid songs, but worst of all, I hate his religion. Think of Cat Stevens's support for the fatwah against Rushdie or the silence of the majority of Muslims on the subject. Think of the bombings in Spain and London, not to mention the countless suicide bombers in Israel. Think of the murder of Theo van Gogh. Think of the stoning to death of adulterous in Muslim countries-or the public executions. Think how Muslims managed to intimidate this country into not showing those Belgium cartoons. Think how the left wing in this country derides the religious right and yet gives support to Muslims in this country, who often have an equally reactionary agenda.

Subject: RE: The Wisdom of Yusuf Islam/Cat Stevens
From: pavane
Date: 30 Jun 06 - 02:46 AM

I do sometimes have difficulty in working out what the songs are actually ABOUT though. Some of the lyrics don't seem to make much sense (to me, anyway) if you look carefully.

Subject: RE: The Wisdom of Yusuf Islam/Cat Stevens
From: Lizzie Cornish
Date: 29 Jun 06 - 05:15 PM

Sorry, excuse the bit about 'the Mods'..that was a BBC R2 reference which I should have removed. Max's Mudcat Mods are beautiful! xx :0)

Subject: The Wisdom of Yusuf Islam/Cat Stevens
From: Lizzie Cornish
Date: 29 Jun 06 - 05:13 PM

I've brought a thread of mine over from the Radio 2 board...hope this is OK:


I have always loved the music of Yusuf Islam. Many of his songs are as relevant today, for my children in their world, as they were for my generation way back when.

This gentle, wise man who withdrew from the music world so long ago, at the height of his fame, is now back with us all! He has a new CD due to be released shortly, no name as yet though. I can't wait to hear what he has to say in his new songs.

Here is his official website:

http://www.yusufislam.org.uk/yi2/index.html

I recently watched the Alan Yentob interview that he did with Yusuf, wonderful! You can watch it on the link below, or if it is not allowed by the Mods, just google 'Alan Yentob Yusuf Islam Interview' and you will find it easily. I very much hope the Mods will allow this link to stay, as Yusuf and Alan have important things to say that should be heard:

Yusuf Islam and Alan Yentob interivew:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-688991723998377475


I've always felt that Yusuf has an important part to play in the future peace of this world, a wise and peace-loving man. A man of great intelligence and who cares deeply about all people, as you will see in the interview. I hope that we in this country give him the acknowledgement and respect he so deserves for many reasons, apart from his music.

He tells Alan Yentob that he doesn't wish to become involved in politics because he feels that his message is in his songs. I agree with his view on that totally...and I very much hope that the BBC will be playing Yusuf Islam on every one of their programmes during the day when his new CD is released.

It was Phil Ochs who said:

"One good song with a message can bring a point more deeply to more people than a thousand rallies."

Where Do The Children Play
Wild World
Ruby Love
Old School Yard
Sad Lisa
Father And Son
Oh Very Young

So many great songs....and the one I love best of all....PEACE TRAIN:

Yusuf Islam and Alan Yentob interivew:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-688991723998377475


So...what are you memories of Cat?

And your hopes for Yusuf?


Lizzie :0)