Tea for the Tillerman

over 50 years and we still haven’t found where the children play yet

86/100

Fantastic album full of hits. All time chill music. 4.6 stars

It’s the Cat and a really well produced album

Wild Word and Father and Son are all time greats

strophic country music mid

I've never been big on the singer/songwriter sound and tend to prefer music with a little more energy to it. That said, hard to argue with the staying power of songs like Wild World and Father and Son. Cat Stevens is a legit tour de force when it comes to songwriting and has a buttery delivery of said songs. Tea for the Tillerman is nice, tight little package of songs barely over 35 minutes, and makes the most of that short runtime. Notable songs: Wild World, Miles From Nowhere, Father and Son

not for me i listened to half of it and thought it was okay

I knew of Car Stevens and had heard some of his songs previously (including father and son) but I must apologize for not being familiar with this man's game. This album is a masterpiece of song writing. Every song tells a story and just flows beautifully. He never tries to step outside of the box he can perform within but pushes his abilities to maximize their effects. I can see some people finding this album slower and potentially "boring" but I think those people are wrong.

Wow this was great. Really good song writing and his voice adds so much to their meanings. I wasn't expecting to like this one so much!

This is Cat Stevens at his best. Love Wild World. But for me it’s too much of the same and not many hits for a great album! But I do like Cat Stevens and appreciate his style.

Cat Stevens is one of those artists I like, but just don't love.

Ok.

Some excellent songwriting here

I liked the music...didn't really care for his voice though. 3/5

It's like a nice man at a communal bonfire is taking my hand and telling me things are going to be alright, that there is still wonder in the world, and there still much to do. Life affirming, sincere, and sweet; occasionally feather-light. Highlights: Where Do The Children Play?, Hard Headed Woman, Miles From Nowhere, On The Road To Find Out, Father And Son

Songs were short and nice melodies. Probably would not listen to it again though.

There was something about that which screamed greatness. It felt old timey and just fun to be around. He made it feel like we all knew it and a couple had the makings of camp songs

I actually quite liked this album a lot. The simple tunes were great, the storytelling equally great, I really, really liked this. His voice sounded great. The songs were simple without getting super repetitive and devolving into just some dude and an acoustic guitar around a campfire. Would recommend.

He’s a good singer-songwriter & can tell story w his lyrics.

07/10/24 S Tier————————— A Tier—————————4 Wild World Longer Boats Miles From Nowhere But I Might Die Tonight B Tier—————————3 Where Do The Children Play Hard Headed Woman Father and Son On The Road To Find Out Tea for the Tillerman Into White C Tier—————————2 Sad Lisa D Tier—————————1

Tea for the Tillerman by Cat Stevens Tuesday 7/9/24 1:32 S Tier————————— Wild World B Tier————————— On The Road To Find Out Sad Lisa Where Do the Children Play Longer Boats Father and Son Tea for the Tillerman Miles From Nowhere Into White But I Might Die Tonight C Tier————————— Hard Headed Woman

A joyful album that has aged so well.

A first impression: if this had been my first exposure to Cat Stevens, I'd probably love this, but over time I've grown to find his music a bit... too ~obliging? Or something about his voice? I might regret this, but I'll stick to my rating system, which mostly takes into account how much I enjoyed listening to or discovering an album on that particular day, and today, this is not quite one of the 5s.

I like the slight darkness and layers

This is a great album full of wonderful little songs. Plus, it has one of the best songs ever on here: Father and Son

Very good very nice

great melodies great writing good album

Amazing beautiful album.

Love it. Yusuf/Cat Stevens is brilliant. Loved this album for a long time and will continue to do so.

Didn’t think I would like it at first. Has grown on me. Not usually something I listen too but appreciate the art. Added a few songs

Love this album, beautiful and melancholic! 4/5

Wild World. I love how it transported me to a different place that too with a wild sense of nostalgia for a life I have never lived. First official venture into Cat Stevens, and I'm sure he will forever be in my rotation. 4/5

youd look so powerless covered in bandages one more sleepless night i know you know im right please just stay all things must all things must hide away cool album i guess

A lot of songs I had heard before, but the flow of the album makes them all roll together nicely.

I like it!

Ok sound.

Always loved Cat Stevens. This was one of his best.

My first Cat Stevens! He's a great songwriter, and this album is really charming. Will visit again.

pretty good honestly

Wild world

Not as good as I remembered

This album is pretty good. I like Yusuf's voice and some of the songs were really great (Where Do the Children Play?, Longer Boats, Father and Son). Others were pretty forgettable. 3/5.

Great album, always have loved Cat Stevens

Aw. This album is real nostalgia for me. It immediately makes me think of my uncle and listening to this on vinyl with him as a kid. Warm happiness.

Awesome tracks

Gorgeous album. The melodies are simple but so effective, and his vocals are simply heavenly. The lyrics are powerful as well.

Enjoyable album with two huge hite. Rest is kinda mid. 3/5

it’s ight it’s ight

5/10

Started this record on the way to drop the kid off at daycare, toying with a joke around Cat Stevens singing “where do the children play”; ended it half a day later driving back with the kid listening to “Father and Son” wondering what portion of my eyes’ moistness I could ascribe to hayfever. One of our group’s silent members loves Cat Stevens and will shake his head for my finding the man’s records too earnest for my taste, taking me back to misty recollections of weird, late 70’s children’s’ tv optimism, but the sheer commitment, the smart production, and the ear worms put him up there regardless of my never-trust-a-hippy reflexes.

Cat Stevens was also a regular on the potty training playlist, but my interest didn't make it past childhood even in a Greatest Hits style. Listening to this, I am reminded of why - songs are pretty but simple, with my overall impression on the nursery rhyme side of things. Still, "Father And Son" offers good mystical advice, "Miles From Nowhere" would make a neat cremation epitaph, and the title track is odd and majestic.

4/5

Hey, this wasn’t terrible! I was expecting … what’s that song by Harry Chapin that everyone thinks is by Cat Stevens but isn’t? Obviously this isn’t that, which I knew, but still. Thanks for reading! Hope this review helped :)

3/5 - meh

Pleasant enough, I guess

Anther artist I had previously enjoyed through their greatest hits release, and more than a few appear on here. This felt absolutely stripped back, just one man and his guitar, everything else melts away. Every song hits just right, warm feelings, even in the sad songs.

*Sentiment*. As a French speaker, I've always found the possible undertones of that English word interesting--undertones that are absent in the equivalent of said word in my native language, i.e. the cognate word "sentiment", which is a rather "neutral" noun compared to its English version. The latter indeed *either* seems to point to an emphatic understanding of how noble feelings can be expressed--with somewhat positive connotations--*or conversely*, it is quite a derisive word to mock slush, mawkishness and oversensitivity (in a second meaning here close to "sensiblerie" in French). It's as if the Brits and Americans couldn't decide what to do with the word. Which, from my vantage point, is quite a weird situation. Of course, and you've probably guessed it by now, this ambiguous impression is exactly what I feel about this album, and about Cat Stevens in general. On the one hand I can't help admiring the simple (yet effective and heartfelt) nature of the British folkman's signature songs, three of which, "Where Do The Children Play?", "Hard-Headed Woman" and the absolutely stellar hit "Wild World", are obviously standing out as the first three cuts of this record. On the other hand, such constant display of sentimentality risks becoming a little annoying at some point. The gentler cuts are a little too gentle. And in the somewhat livelier numbers, Stevens' vocal performance switches to a borderline "overkill" mode that wears my patience thin. To put it in a nutshell, there's something a little too quaint, "safe" or even bland in those songs. They're admittedly well-written tunes, but they're also streamlined to a fault, and devoid of any risky moments instrumentally speaking. "Going Folk" doesn't necessarily imply you can't get a little rough and dirty once in a while. Ask Neil Young, Fairport Convention or The Incredible String Band. Well, maybe not the latter act. Feels like they would be too leftfiled and "out there" for fans of this record anyway... Don't want to ruffle any feathers here. So, more tea? Well the first cups were fine. But if I drink too many of those, I might just end up peeing on myself. Compilation *The Very Best Of Cat Stevens* serves all my needs whenever the British folkster is concerned, think you very much. Don't think I need this more specific brand of Roibos on my shelves. At least as of now. Thanks for asking, though. One can still be polite when talking about a "talent" that's so instantly recognizable. Who said French dudes like me couldn't try to be gracious once in a while? 😉 3/5 for the purposes of this list of "essential albums". 8/10 for more general purposes (5+3) Number of albums left to review: 167 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 361 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 211 (including this one) Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 266

A real banger, from start to finish.

This one was ok, maybe I was expecting more and to be completely blown away. I would give it a 3.5 if I could.

This was a great morning listen. Very relaxing

Sigh. I want to be the sort of person who can enjoy the earnestness of something like this, but in my ear it's just saccharine. Wholesomeness is just no respite for me.

Way worse than I thought it was going to be.

Good story telling. Very calm but feel good

Niet echt mijn ding, maar ik hoor wel waarom mensen het goed vinden

Great memories!!

One of my favorites from the 70's. His obviously spiritual search led him places that mainstream culture really don't understand... but that spirit of openness and seeking is what makes his albums special.

Didn't like it one bit

didn't like at all he sings like I had to sing in front if people and I was insecure about my singing and thus would sing bad and goofy on purpose to cope that I was just pretending to be bad

A very natural, soft & beautiful sounding album with some great lyrics. Standouts include Wild World for the melody & Father And Son for the lyrics.

Musica tipo folk inglesa. Tmbm n me interessa muito. Apesar de ser até q legalzinho.

Fantastic short little pop/folky album

Easy listening. Title track is unexpected

Such a good album. Going into rotation. Had forgotten about miles from nowhere which I love. And also tea for the tiller man was my alarm for year. Still love it which is unusual for an alarm song

The songwriting is excellent and so is the production. The longer boats came and won me

inoffensive. a bit stale for my liking, but nothing i wouldn’t listen to if it came on my shuffle.

Worn out long ago. I was never a fan of Jim Croce, James Taylor, or the Cat. But he is the best of the three.

A pleasant album (and my first on this journey) whose earnestness is refreshing given the changes to adult contemporary music in the past 50-odd years. Very much rooted in its time and scene, which isn't a bad thing. Definitely in that 3-3.5 star range for the first half but Miles from Nowhere, On The Road To Find Out elevated it beyond that for me. Longer Boats is a standout, with fun instrumentation.

Really good, should check out more of his stuff

One of my favs

Tea for the Tillerman ‘The Red legged chicken stands ready to strike’ One of those ‘Oh yeah he’s great’ artists that I don’t listen to as much as I should. And I really should because this is an excellent album. I love the little piano answering melody thing on Where Do the Children Play. A little bit of that bit and anger with the ‘tell us when to die’ line. Hard Headed Woman is a cousin of Peace Train, but is a great song, love the melody and the strings as it’s builds a slight sense of desperation. Wide World, absolute classic, and rightly so. Miles From Nowhere is easy to overlook, but is a great track, the piano and acoustic guitars and the gospel touches are lovely. But I Might Die Tonight. Love the feel of this one, as I do with Longer Boats, with its great harmonies. Into White may be not as good as the other songs, but is still great. On the Road to Find Out I love, a lot of conviction to the vocals and lyrics. Father and Son, it really is a very lovely song, its slight saccharine undertones have been exaggerated to death by subsequent cover versions but the original is such a beautiful and melancholic delight, shifting between viewpoints and oscillating between tenderness, regret, love and frustration. One thing I’ve always wondered, when he sings ‘You’re still young, that’s your fault’, does he mean he’s to blame for being young, or that it’s it’s just a feature of being young. It really is a great album. Musically and melodically superb, he really has a gift for melodies and hooks. And despite his hippy vibes and reputation there is a lot more to it thematically and emotionally than that, touching on happiness, sadness, despair, fatherhood, wonder and regret. Add it all together and it’s a fantastically satisfying 35 minutes. Another easy 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Good Cat Stevens. Exactly what it's supposed to be.

Easy listening- then Father and Son.. powerful!

gorg album made better listening w ma watching roland garros at the beach :)

Such a soft, gorgeous album. Brother Yusuf does no wrong

Original. Iconic hippy voice with some cool and out there lyrics!

Чай для Тиллермана. Сегодня первый жаркий день, лето, самое настоящее. И что-то этот мегачилл заходит

If you like 70’s long drawn out depressing songs you’ll like this

Smooth, folksy

I just adore many of the songs from this album- "Where Will the Children Play?" will always have a special place in my heart.

When I go through an album for the first time and immediately like over half of the songs, you’d better believe that’s a five. Definitely gonna have to come back to this

This album was really great. I remember my dad playing a bunch of Cat Stevens, so there may be some nostalgia there,but nevertheless. Great song writing, great song structures. The production is very solid and makes this an easy listen.

I gotta say, if I'm pulling out a Cat Stevens record to listen to, 95% of the time it's going to be Teaser and the Firecat, but this album is pretty good as well.

Always nice to listen to

I loved Cat Stevens early music. These weren’t necessarily among my favourites but still good to hear. 3*

Esta cinta de casete estaba por casa, era de mi hermano mayor. Recuerdo la portada y que me aburría profundamente escucharla. Ya ves tú, ahora tiene dos canciones vitales, una es "Wild world" y la otra la escucho a menudo y es "Father and son".

No, only wild world.

Pretty boring

Lots of childhood memories

Just fantastic. So many just fun catchy songs. Love me some Cat Stevens

This one took me by surprise a little. Although I was already a fan of a few Cat Stevens songs, I’m not very fond of 70s folk. But he’s a great songwriter.

This is probably the album I would tell most people to start with is they wanted to know about Cat Stevens. I mean, it probably has the two biggest songs of his on it. And the second one I probably wouldn't have known if it weren't for the movie "Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2" (ok, to be fair I have probably heard it before.) Most of the others have that acoustic folk-y fare, but it's done so WELL. There are a couple of clunkers, trying to be more blues-y which doesn't seem to work as well ("Hard Headed Woman", "Longer Boats"). And I would have liked the title track to have gone on longer. But the opener really connects, which is always important. "Sad For Lisa" and "But I Might Die Tonight" are ok. So all in all it's a decent effort, something I might come back to, and that relistenability for me brings it to a 3.6, which rounds up to a 4. Top tracks: "Wild World," "Where Do The Children Play?" "Father and Son"

I have a lot of respect for Cat Stevens. This album is soft and sweet and it completely captures the folk rock genre of the 60s and 70s. He really nails that breezy (sometimes upbeat) vibe in the instruments combined with somber motifs in the lyrics. But I don't know if this album really does it better than some of his contemporaries like Harry Nilsson, Simon & Garfunkel, Joni Mitchell, Gordon Lightfoot, James Taylor, Jim Croce, Carly Simon, Bill Withers, etc. I immediately thought it's a 3 but wasn't sure if I could go higher. That said, it gets better and better on every listen, and songs like Where Do the Children Play?, Hard Headed Woman, Sad Lisa, But I Might Die Tonight, Longer Boats, On the Road to Find Out, and Father and Son really stick on multiple listens. Wild World already stuck (I feel like it gets way more airplay than the others and I knew it intimately already). I guess that's 8 out of 11 songs that really stuck with me so maybe I need to give the album an upward nod for how infectious it is. If 3.5 stars was an option, I'd go with that.

There's a certain level of cheesiness to Cat Stevens' music - when he gets intense in his singing I often think of Jack Black singing instead, which is definitely not a good thing for a serious musician. But, under the cheesiness is some really good songwriting. I'd listen again. Favorite tracks: Wild World (great song and a classic), Sad Lisa, Into White (somewhat cheesy lyrics, but I really like the guitar part), Father and Son (very poignant - I've loved this track for years. Check out the re-recording in 2020 when he sang the father part now as a 72 year old. The video hits the heartstrings pretty hard).

Wild World bien merece un 5. Una de mis canciones favoritas de siempre.

A great mellow album with some up tempo stuff in there. I already had "Wild World" in my library but I added "Where Do The Children Play?" and "Father and Son" which are the other two big ones on here

Estupendas canciones en un gran album.

I love Cat Stevens. His music always puts me in a peaceful mood. This album is great. For better or worse, "Father and Son" will always make me think of Guardians of the Galaxy 2 and make me emotional. But truly all the songs here are excellent.

Where Do The Children Play? is such an excellent song, one of Stevens’ best. Of course Father And Son is also great. I love Sad Lisa and the strings on that track. Hard Headed Woman is solid. Wild World is fine but overrated.

really good shit time passed by while listening good vocals good tunes 4.4/5

Favorite was Father and Son.

Not terribly familiar with Cat Stevens' discography, but I do like some of his songs, including 'Wild World,' which is on this album. A lot of this album is pretty sleepy, but has moments of higher energy, like in 'Miles From Nowhere.' Not sure I'll revisit this one, but I do want to listen to more Cat Stevens now. 2/5

A lil more antsy than I recall but loved it all the same.

"Sad Lisa?" Because Lisa needs braces?

Always thought I hated Cat Stevens. Turns out, this wasn't bad. It wasn't good either, but I didn't mind listening to it. Probably never will again though.

Cool album!

Hittilevy! Ei ollenkaan hullumpi. 3/5

Tää oli mulle vain nimeltä tuttu tähän asti. Ihan symppistä, mutten sen erityisemmin lämmennyt. 3/5

Aurinkoinen ja tasapainoinen levy. Erinomaista 4/5

2/5 kinda boring

i can tell why it was popular! i like the energy, but i don’t love his voice. the band doesn’t feel super locked in either—kind of loose feeling, not always positively.

good album! already knew a couple of tracks but was a nice experience as a whole

Other than Bowie, it’s about as my-mum-coded as an album gets.

A good album, I liked Where Do The Children Play and Wild World the most.

Not really my cup of tea.

Simple, honest, vulnerable, emotional... the perfectionist in me sees the perfectionist in him. Four albums in one year at age 22 as a solo artist is a wild feat. It makes sense that this is the album that broke through. Somehow both nostalgic and prescient at the same time

A very confusing time for me, thinking Cat Stephen's was an artist similar to that of Shania Twain... And also thinking they were a woman.. but also recognising a lot of songs and everyone telling me how legendary they are. Regardless, I enjoyed the album a lot, once I got over my shock!

A phenomenal album. So many great tracks. Where do the children play? is so good, Wild World is excellent. Father and Son is brilliant. And the Tea for the Tillerman has no right to be that good and only one minute five seconds long. Then all the tracks inbetween are a blast. I bloody love Cat Stevens.

Absolute classic. Nothing short of pure genius.

Enjoyed this. Must rewatch harold and maude

Dull.

Least shocking hot take ever said: Father and Son is still a brilliant song. The rest was fine but don’t ask me to recall anything about it. 2.5

Good album. I've been a long-time Cat Stevens fan with plenty of fond memories listening to "Wild World" and others off of a Greatest Hits CD on family road trips. I don't think I've ever actually sat and listened to Tea for the Tillerman as an album, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. "Father & Son" is one of the all-time great songs; it's simply beautiful. Overall, this didn't move my opinion one way or another. I'm a Cat Stevens fan and will listen to any album of his and enjoy it. ****

Things were easier when he was just a cat.

don't like this at all

I have this album! Love it!

💙 4.5

The songs are fine but this doesn't hit for me. Apart from a couple stand outs, I found the album as a whole pretty bland.

Accidentally listened to the rework but I still enjoyed it!

A classic that definitely makes me think of my teenage years. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Like a lame Bob Dylan

"Tea for the Tillerman" is a folk pop album by the singer-songwriter Yusef / Cat Stevens, who is also known as Steven Demetre Georgiou, Steve Adams, Cat Stevens, Yusuf Islam, and mononymously as Yusuf. This artist received critical acclaim for his work as a musician and activism. This album gave us hits including "Wild World" and "Father and Son."

light 8 It had some beautiful moments, and the vibe of the album is just right for me. No negatives, but I am personally not the biggest fan of folk music so I can't rate this any higher or I would be lying to myself.

I was not expecting to like this as much as I did! Cat Stevens’ voice pairs so well with the folk sound. The songs are short and seem simple, but they turn out to be surprising rich. “Wild World” and “Father and Son” are classics, and I also really liked “Sad Lisa”. The whole album was a very pleasant surprise. As a bonus, “Tea for the Tillerman 2” is a really interesting re-work of the album from 2020.

Si se trata de folk, Yusuf Islam es insuperable, más aún en este disco. Con tan solo 36 minutos, el ex Cat Stevens, logra emocionar a quien sea que escuche sus canciones, con interpretaciones desgarradoras que reflexionan sobre el paso del tiempo y las relaciones dulces, pero conflictivas que uno puede tener con su familia. Una experiencia imperdible, diría.

Excelente! Es el tipo de música que me gusta!

A good album for Cat. This is long before he converted to Islam, his mother's religion, and stopped making secular music.

This is a great Cat Stevens album. His lyrics are fantastic, the instruments are on point. There's nothing I would really change here.

This album, surprisingly, doesn't quite do it for me. Although Father And Son is the Standout.

- good spring/summer album - fav song: wild world - 4/5 stars

The songs of my childhood. Love this album

Perfect.

On relisten, Stevens’ folk classic still holds up as a… folk classic. You simply cannot go wrong with a collection of short folk songs with a soothing voice at the helm.

I enjoyed this album. It has a lot of interesting themes of growing up and going through life’s challenges. It definitely wasn’t something that I would usually listen to but Cat Steven’s voice is so soothing and powerful throughout the entire album. For me the highlight of the album is “Sad Lisa”. The first time I heard it I almost cried, it’s such a beautiful and touching song with a wonderful instrumentation.

I have heard of this artist. Never listened to their stuff. So far not really my type but I respect it.

Mostly meh. A couple of ok tunes.

Nice vibe, some fun lyrics (I'm looking at you, "Into White"), and a delightfully whimsical cover image. What's not to love?

folk rock, s.s., 1970 -> 5

I have previously listened to this album before. It's a good album overall and has some truly fantastic songs. Wild World is truly magical, and Father And Son is also notable. While I do enjoy the full album, it is not something I come back to frequently.

This album had quite some songs I knew, but didnt know were from him. Wild world, father and son. Really like this album and its songs

not my swag

Very nice album. There are many hits inside!

WHATEVER

really chill, feels like it's missing something though mayb 7/10

A very sweet and endearing listen throughout. Stevens' voice is so sincere and soothing to listen to, and there's an almost nostalgic feel to this record's sound in general. "Father and Son" is simple yet beautiful track in particular. "I am old, but I'm happy I was once like you are now And I know that it's not easy"

This album is like a warm hug!

Standout Tracks- All

Cat is so much more than his hippie radio hits. His melodic lines are gorgeous, and his introspective lyrics are relatable. This isn't my favorite album of his, but it's an easy listen regardless.

Kat Seaton more like. Good album. Really immaculate vibes here - and the production is really fantastic on this. Late 60s and early 70s are such a golden era for singer-songwriter music and Stevens' is no exception in making his mark. His voice is gentle when it needs to be but possesses this strong earthy power at times too. Best Song: Father And Son Worst Song: Longer Boats Score: 8/10

Best Song: Where do all the children play? Worst Song: Into White Feel like they are all bangers though

Songs to sing by the campfire with a guitar.

Delightful. I recognized a few songs and happily listened to the album a few times today.

Enjoyed 8/10

Weak sauce.

Not something i'm used to listen, it's actually one of the music genres i dislike, but this album is kind of great and also is really easy to listen 'cause is not very long lasting. Personally i don't think this is really great, but it has some good songs in it.

I don't know exactly why, but I liked this one. It's calm and peaceful

This one defined a 3 star for me. It was nice to have on, but didn't grip me. Nice music that was pleasant to listen to. Nothing more, nothing less. B+ album cover (apparently Cat Stevens drew it himself, which moves it from a B to B+ for me)

I have always loved Cat Stevens, had never listened to the full album but I loved it.

kinda whatever about this one, didn't really grab me

This is such a nice and peaceful album. I hadn't listened to it before but knew Wild World. The songs are relaxing, the theme is enjoyable and I really like the album cover. His voice is a little hard for me to get used to, but it definitely isn't unpleasant. I added Wild World, Miles From Nowhere, Longer Boats, On The Road To Find Out, and Father and Son to my liked songs playlist. 8/10

Very nice folk pop record with excellent songwriting and storytelling by Cat Stevens. My favorite songs are Sad Lisa, Into White and But I Might Die Tonight (which was the opening theme of the great movie 'Deep End' for which a more psychedelic rock version of the song was recorded).

I thought it would be a standard album of a single known song and that's it. My mistake. It's a great folk piece.

Didn't expect to like it as much as I did, Wild world is an absolute BANGER, the middle of the album got very boring and same-same for me however

Pleasant for the years but no masterpiece

The first two tracks lie somewhere between a kids’ movie score and a musical. For me, they feel a bit too soft. I enjoy slow-paced music, but they didn’t catch my interest. After his famous ‘Wild World’ I started slowly getting into the record though. I can hear some David Bowie and Bob Dylan in it. It is a peaceful record that can fit the mood and is worth playing occasionally.

i know it's good but i think i'm just not in the state of mind to appreciate it

Akin to Leonard Cohen, Cat Stevens made slacker music with woozy guitar but surprisingly versatile vocals. His music wasn't particularly exciting, but "Tea for the Tillerman" was a perfectly fine folk album. Truth be told, I'm more-so a fan of quick, upbeat music like The Smiths, but I can imagine enjoying Cat Stevens if I'm in the right mood. Favourite songs are "Where Do The Children Play?" and "Sad Lisa." The sudden change of dynamics in "Where Do The Children Play?" was a pleasant surprise.

Another album that I know I’m supposed to like much more than I do, but I still do like regardless. 3.5/5

i'm sure i'd connect with it further on in life, when i reach proper adulthood but for now, just a sweet collection of folky tunes

Listened to the 2020 Mix in the Super Deluxe version and enjoyed it better on headphones. A great poetic album, classic.. Father And Son is my fav song all the record.

This album was a pleasant way to end the week. Mild and mellow, beautifully written and performed songs that don't overstay their welcome.

After a dismal vocal offering from the first track, this album settled right into 70's easy listening. The album was OK, but a far cry from the polish of someone like James Taylor.

You're breaking my heart, Cat.

At first, I really thought I was going to hate this, but as soon as the drums kicked in on “Where Do The Children Play?,” I was sold. This man knows how to use dynamics, he knows how to write a chorus, and he knows how to write very poetic lyrics that make you contemplate life that never distract from his pop sensibilities. Maybe I’m just old now, but this really is a warm blanket of an album, and I don’t see how anyone could hate it. My Dad is also a huge fan of this era of ‘70s soft rock from his teens and early 20s, and growing up hearing him play records by Bread and Harry Chapin, it’s funny to realize now how quickly influential Tea for the Tillerman was to a subgenre that basically defined the sound of an entire decade of music. Like, when you imagine ‘70s pop music that was actually on the charts, you’re imagining this folk-rock style that is explicitly drawing from this album. And while I think its copycats added a lot more piano and orchestration, which eventually morphed into Yacht Rock, it’s clear that this album is the progenitor of it all. More importantly, it was the high water mark for the sound, and actually holds up today, unlike those copycats. Glad I finally listened to this, truly a gem. *EDIT*: The more I've sat with this record, the more I've discovered. There are a lot of details on Tea for the Tillerman that I just didn't appreciate initially. It's also one of those records that is just so powerful and positive and almost feels healing to listen to, and that has really made me re-evaluate this and appreciate it much, much more than I did on first listen. Especially because I probably crammed this in on a day when I was passively listening between tasks because I was playing album catch-up after the Fitzgerald listen. So, yeah, Cat Stevens kills this record. I've also learned that I also love Teaser and the Firecat, so getting more comfortable with Stevens overall helped too. Just a record that sends good vibes ✨✨✨ (Re-rated from 4/5 to 5/5 on June 2nd, 2025)

its v classic. good, bet for some reason i can’t remember it very much 3.5/7

For what it us, not bad, but I can't get past the singer songwriter style.

Loved it, nostalgic

I don’t like how much I enjoyed this album. 3.5/5

Solid

This brings me back! Love this

Who knew that half of Jack Black's vocal stylings in Tenacious D were just aping Cat Stevens?

folky, calking peaceful voice. reminds me of being a kid and hearing this as I was trying to go to sleep. it sorta made me feel weird, and I can't shake that feeling.

i have listened to this album prior ngl it was pretty boring but sweet 3

Not very compelling overall. I am just not a fan of his voice and style. Still, better than I thought it would be, and I enjoy "Wild World".

2/5

Correcto.

The album that broke him in America. Solid folky stuff in his unique voice.

Tea for the Tillerman starts with the promise of a sentimental journey with "Where Do The Children Play?" coupled with the cover art, and although I did get lost at times within the overall arrangement of the album, I found the ride pleasant. I would be unlikely to listen to this album front-to-back often, but I will be listening to the hard hitters again, of which there are several... "Miles From Nowhere" "But I Might Die Tonight" and "Tea For The Tillerman"

Melodies amazing, and what a voice. Great acoustic guitar/piano work too. It really has everything.

It is a very enjoyable album, I love the layering of his own vocals. The writing, particularly on Father and Son, is very evocative.

I enjoyed this album

Stunning. Having never really given Yusuf a serious listen before I was surprised at how deep and touching this project was. The production is minimal and crisp - guitar which sounds as though the man is in the room playing just for you. Serious ponderings about faith, love and death - the whole thing reads almost like the cycle of life, with the tillerman's tea a cup of burgundy at the end. A heart-swelling listen.

Folk rock lento de Cat Stevens... Dos megahits. Un 4.

Wild World bien merece un 5. Una de mis canciones favoritas de siempre.

Beautiful!

Some albums were just meant to be the way they are.

I wore this album out freshman year in college, which was over 30 years ago. Perhaps the reason why it's been so long since I've listen to it. Just a fantastic record.

I love this record as a nostalgic throwback that always brings a flood of memories from youth but it’s just a great listen. The vocals and lyrics are wistful and the production is clean and rich. Several classics that have deserved staying power.

Some really classic songs on this album.

I've been listening to Cat Stevens since I was a kid. And while he's always been pleasant, and maybe the very embodiment of soft rock, he didn't speak to me as a kid or even a teenager. But as I got older, and started revisiting him in my early 20s and into my 30s, I found that there was depth to the seemingly simple melodies. And now that I'm in my 40s with two kids, I'm starting to realize my parents might have had pretty good taste in music.

Enjoyable nostalgia trip.

This was one of the first albums I bought with my lunch money when I was in high school. Seeing him live was my first concert. His music really spoke to me at that time. It's still a good album, but feels dated to me now. Still, 3 stars for the memories

3.5/5

There were several well known songs. It was relatively short. The other songs were just there.

- where do the children play: very early 70s, I like the swap between single and double tracked vocals for verse and chorus. - hard headed woman: classic ballad, I love the strings, the minor changes as well. - wild world: ok, i didn’t think I’d heard any Cat Stevens but I’ve heard this - screamer. - sad lisa: it’s a good follower album wise from wild world - it’s very broken in its parts and sparse. The violin part is spot on. - miles from nowhere: I like the tempo change in between verse and chorus, I like how it ramps up in intensity as well. - but I might die tonight: the double bass is sick and I love the stabs and the higher bvs as well - longer boats: the acapella start is cool and the acoustic guitar panned right then stereo super attacky then filling out when main box come in - super cool. It feels warm and simple - the drum fill coming in and the beat In general towards the end feels a bit off - into white: I love the run on the lyric into white, and the violin. - on the road to find out: I like the escalation of the backing vocals and the overall accompaniment towards the choruses - I like how it melts away to give space to the guitar as well - father & son: i feel like I’ve listened to this before, there’s a reminiscent feel about it. I think the story in the lyrics is the strongest in this song. - tea for the tillerman: cool way to end an album Overall notes I thought some of the songs were stronger than others - wild world and father & son stood out. It really reminded me of steely dan’s first album, and I love the storytelling era from that time period. Overall rating 7.8 / 10 - it’s not my favourite style of music but the songwriting is brilliant and a lot of the arrangement really impressed me.

Solid Cat Stevens album

Great music. Enjoyed the earnestness and honesty of the lyrics.

Great album, lay back and let it go. It has a twinge of the era it was made in, but as much as many others. It’s a classic album for a reason.

Hell yes. This is an amazing album. Great sounding recording, classic songs with touching lyrics. Especially Father and Song, but first few tracks all hit hard. Might be a bit cliche but I like it a lot. Love his voice and the guitar playing. 9/10

Pretty great

Котик стивенс, ты неплох, но я устал

Sweet lil jams. Father and Son always hits deep. “Take your time, think a lot. Think of everything you’ve got. For you’ll still be here tomorrow, but your dreams may not.”

Great acoustic folk album. "Wild world", and "father and son" are classics tracks off this album. Great music overall.

Lovely…. Surprised by how much I enjoyed this one! 6.8/10. Just pretty and relaxing and nice.

This may be a 5/5 but I have to spend more time with the songs I don't know. This album is like sinking into a warm bean bag chair. Whereas when I was much younger I'd write Stevens off as "effective songwriter but often cheesy", now this album is landing just right. One can criticize all they want, but it IS a wild world, dammit. And it IS rather difficult to get by just upon a smile. The man has a point.

Introspective folk pop. It's remarkable how expressive you can be with so little. The first track really showcases this in the beginning, and then opens up with more energy later. Steven's voice is at the perfect soft-but-forceful level most of the time, and then occasionally he belts out with strong vocals. Who needs drums when you can keep the beat with a guitar? Strings and piano come in sometimes as well, all the accentuate Steven. Lovely lovely album. Will need to revisit, I'm sure I'll appreciate it even more. 4/5

A solid album front to back, nothing too remarkable but a nice listen

Es un disco bonito y relajante, pero no me transmitió demasiado.

Fun album with a recognizable song or two.

Not my gig sorry cat

I wasn't very familiar going into this album. "Wild World" was the only song I knew. It's a lovely album to have on as background music but not one that I would revisit often.

Beautiful songwriting

soothing and beautiful guitar melodies with deep and thoughtful lyricism - I really like this album.

Though not overly appealing to me, this was a good album based on voice, and musicality (seems like it's a word). Overall too slow for my liking.

7/10

Tea for the Tillerman is the Album that made Cat Stevens a global star. "Wild World" was issued as a single before the album's release, and the song found substantial commercial success. The album includes some of Stevens' most famous songs, like "Father and Son" and "Where do the Children Play." Stevens tells dramatic stories and adds catchy melodies in his folk rock songs. His distinct, expressive voice complements his memorable story telling. Tea for the Tillerman may be his strongest album, but there are other contenders in his extensive catalog.

Easy listening, but the recording is superb and the songwriting is really nice too.

Cat Stevens, the epitome of sweet and serene

Overall, good. Some bangers

Actually really nice

-good instrumentation and recording, nice warm sound -some ok songs, a couple of stinkers, and a few slaps

It was just okay. I expected a little better. 2.5 gets the bump to 3 for Father & Son

I hate Cat Stevens' voice, find much of his music to be overly sentimental, and I refused to listen to this album. I'll give it a 3 because I recognize his cultural significance and I know he's done a lot of great work beyond just music, but I don't love the music.

Loved it

This is a lovely album. Not all the tracks are amazing, but a lot of them are.

Nice sound. I think it was exactly what i was in the mood for

Not what I was expecting, but ok

Wonderful and meaningful - I’m a huge fan

A bit twee, I admit. But Cat Stevens holds a special place in my heart. There's something to the mythology of his songs, and a fairy-tale-ness to his albums—see the cover art—where his songs play like children's stories set in the much deeper, darker present. Okay, maybe not "darker," but still there is undeniable life buried between the simplicity of his lyrics. And when those songs work, they really work. Like listening to Bob Marley when I need a shot of optimism, these are songs I return too when I'm feeling a bit of despair. Here's how much I like these songs: this week I listened to Electric Ladyland, Purple Rain, Led Zeppelin's IV, and now Tea for the Tillerman. Of all the songs on all those albums, "Father and Son" is the best song I heard all week. I also love the film Harold and Maude which bumps this album up onto a-whole-nother tier via its use of Cat's music in its soundtrack. Going to give a 5 where I probably have no right too.

This is suuuuuuuch a good album. All my favorite things in one album. Great songwriting, fresh writer and perspective, peppered with a mix of 60’s psychedelic folk and this new sound, very energetic, very fun. It’s kind of like a psych folk album, in that it comes clearly from the same stock, but somehow catapults beyond the restrictions of that scene to reach new heights. And the songs!! They’re so beautiful, precious. Same kind of beautiful, wide-eyed timelessness of a Pete Seeger song, somehow takes a hazy feeling and puts a finger on it. Oh man I love this album. Perfect period of Cat Stevens for me! 5/5

The old head who works mornings at the corner market I buy my coffee beans from is always bumping some Cat Stevens and 70's folk first thing in the morning, singing along, having a grand time. It makes me wish I felt so strongly about this sort of music, pleasant as it may be. This is really nice singer-songwriter stuff, pleasing like a cup of chamomile tea with just the right amount of honey. There's just enough of a spiteful edge, and some cliche dynamics give a hard-nosed bent to what is mostly paper soft folk music. Catch me on the right springtime morning like today, or settling in to a nice road trip and these soft dulcet tones'll sound so nice.

Nice chill record. Great melodies - Wild World is a classic. Father and Son is beautiful. This is the first time I ever sat down and listened to Cat Stevens. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

One of my family's favorite albums. My wife introduced me to Cat Stevens with this record when we took my Mother in Law's vinyl collection. Tea for Tillerman, Wild World and Father and Son are obvious standouts but Miles from Nowhere is one of my favorite lesser known Yusuf/Stevens tracks.

hij s wel schattig wild world included

Great Album

great little singer/songwriter album, plus it has father and son which is an all timer song. probably deserves a relisten because i didn't listen to the lyrics as much as i should've. 7/10 fav tracks: tea for the tillerman, father and son, into white

Pleasant enough acoustic album, with Father and Son and Wild World (of course) being the standout tracks. 3/5

A wonderful group of songs. Beautifully written and performed. The hits and the other songs alike. Truly a classic acoustic listen, great for easy mornings and chill times.

An all time classic for this style of music. I bought this record a long time ago. The days of lying on the floor and spinning albums, listening thru headphones. Good memories.

3.5

I don't know that I've ever listened to this album in it's entirety before, but I associate several of these songs strongly with my freshman year at Cornell. That's when I was introduced to Cat Steven's Greatest Hits. The song "Father and Son" is a favorite of mine that I had forgotten about. I don't know if I've listened to it as a father. I used to listen to it on repeat though. It's my favorite song on the album.

Et sted mellem 3-4 stjerner. Kunne måske godt finde på at høre igen.

First time listening it’s all right. Solid song writing I don’t understand stand all the fuss.

Great album overall. Enjoyed every song. Standout Songs: Miles from Nowhere On the Road to Find out From Father to Son

This was a really nice album. I could totally listen to this any time.

Nice music to vibe to. Road trip music.

not saying this album is bad, because it’s not, just saying that isn’t for me.

Quality Cat Stevens.

That's ok, no more, no less

Favorite was "Father and Son"

Outside of "Wild World," I actually didn't care for a lot of the songs on this album as much as I expected to?

Sorry I don't have anything interesting to say except I <3 Cat Stevens

Man. Father & Son is a great song. Hard to top that ending Father & Son > Tea for the Tillerman - great for a Sunday night.

I have recently bought a turntable to play my handful of high school and university vinyls. It's a bluetooth turntable so that I can listen to surviving 7 record albums on my speakers. Somewhere along the way, I suppose it was "on the road to find out", this much played & beloved album disappeared. Cat Stevens music is unique in both sound and lyrics.

Jesus, he was 22 when this album came out.... Anyway, a couple more listens over the weekend convinced me to round up from 4.5...

This was very enjoyable, my favorites were “Wild World,” “Sad Lisa,” and “Longer Boats.”

Quite amazing + nostalgia for me

i liked the songs and the sound but I didn’t like the singers voice

Beautiful.

Enjoyable folk-pop with two huge hits amongst other pleasant and well written songs.

Beautiful album and Father and Son is such a standout. Hard to say much else to describe how good this is.

Such a unique voice and memorable sound. The compositions are so good. Doesn't feel repetitive. The length of the album leaves you wanting more. Wild World and Father and Son of course. A song I liked a lot on this listen was Miles From Nowhere. Longer Boats is the one song that kind of feels like it doesn't fit in with the rest of this album. I'm going to go with a 5 still. This album feels like a gift.

really liked tea for the tillerman and wild world. pretty good album!!

does not contain his most popular songs but a good album start to end

Yes, I listened twice!!!

Lovely music!

It was a great listen. Wild World and longer boats were my favorites.

not my genre

This is a legendary album. Cat Stevens’ voice is smooth and calm as butter, and the entire album feels like some long-lost nostalgic memory I never knew I had. 5/5 Fav: “Into White”, “On The Road To Find Out”, “Wild World” Least Fav: None.

Great album. Doesn't get much better than Cat Stevens!