Reviews (page 2 of 14)
5 stars, don't even need to listen to it. Cat Stevens was a household name for us back when I was a kid, many holidays were spent listening to his CDs in the car. I hadn't listened to these songs for a while but I still know all the words 🥺
4.5 Father and Son is the best song here (and one of my all time favourites) but there are a lot of other great songs too
Love this album!
Absolutely LOVED this album. Brilliant.
Got no choice but to whizz through these albums now. I like Cat Stevens a lot. Saw him play a great set at Glastonbury where he played a number of these songs. But they're not exciting are they. They're nice. Three stars seems fair.
high 3 bit disappointed by this effort for legendary elm road resident. he's not very good at singing tbh
I always thought Cat Stevens was a bit of a blind spot in my musical knowledge I knew one or two of his better known songs but didn't really know much about him, besides the fact he'd converted to Islam at some point and moved away from secular songwriting. Listening to this I was reminded that he also popularise the hymn Morning Has Broken which was actually a song I remember learning to sing at a very early age in primary school. So rather than being unknown to me, it may be that Cat's version of Morning Has Broken was actually one of the first and most foundational songs I ever listened to. This was very enjoyable to listen to. I'm only familiar with Wild World, Father and Son, and the title track which was used in the closing credits of Extras, but he's got a very calming voice and the arrangements are stellar. It can be a bit samey but it also made me feel things which isn't always the case with folk
I have many fond memories of listening to this album as a child since it was one of my mom's favorites. It's so good.
A few notes. All different songs feel similar because of the leading presence of the guitar in his melodies. Though this could have become repetitive, every song has its own tune, its own identity. Some melodies take you to older times and some to ones that are still ahead of you. Stories to be told about a long time of absence from the Western World. Although I lack understanding behind his decisions, I can tell that they had a significant effect on himself.
Shite. Songs might be promising but then the fella starts singing. He has no singing voice. It's cat. Sounds like it belongs in the Lorax in the worst way.
Solid album. Enjoyed most all of these songs. Definitely would be listened to again.
Yep, this is very good. Some absolute crackers on here
Nice, but a bit too twee for me.
Cat Stevens’ Tea for the Tillerman stands as a sonic triumph and a thoroughly solid folk-pop record, earning a well-deserved 4/5. Right from the start, "Where Do the Children Play?" showcases the album's stellar production with a rich bassline, immaculate mix, and perfect instrument placement that allows the track to build beautifully. Emotional high points like the gorgeous "Wild World," the tender "Sad Lisa," and the poignant "Father and Son"—which boasts stunning instrument separation—anchor the record's enduring appeal. "Longer Boats" brings a welcome blues-influenced groove to keep the pacing dynamic alongside nice cuts like "Hard Headed Woman." While mid-album tracks like "Miles From Nowhere" and "But I Might Die Tonight" are more functional and "Into White" stumbles a bit, the pristine recording quality, masterful mastering, and unforgettable classic singles make this a deeply satisfying listen from top to bottom.
Very unique album
Like hidden rooms in an old house, filled with stories waiting to be discovered. This album is a journey, a comfort, and a wisdom I found comfort in. Spins: 3 Playlist Additions - Where Do the Children Play? - Hard Headed Woman - Wild World - Sad Lisa - Father and Son
(Light to decent 8/10) A lovely album, Cat Stevens is a childhood fave of mine
So good. The only thing I knew about this guy is that he left the music industry when he joined a new religion. I assumed his music must have been pretty wild if he didn’t think it was compatible with religion, but his music is surprisingly mellow and sooo good. More music like this please!
Is there a more thoughtful songwriter than Cat Stevens? Maybe it's his pleasant, contemplative voice that skews his sound that way, but I just feel like when I listen to his music I am being both emotionally moved and thought provoked.
Overall: 8/10 Very chill, folksy album. I felt like I should have been sitting in a rocking chair with a glass of wine in one hand and petting an orange cat (no other colour will do) with the other. Fav Song: On the Road to Find Out
Track one feels like an SNL parody of a Cat Stevens song, which maybe says a lot about the influence of Cat Stevens on pop culture in the last 50 years. Objectively, it deserves more than 3 stars but I can't make myself pretend to care about singer-songwriter albums anymore
I am so happy that I am doing this challenge today, this is one example of a classic artist and album that I should have known before but never paid too much attention, and it ends up that I know most of songs (from covers and from Cat Stevens himself). . This album is gorgeous, the intrumentation the lyrics the voice deliveries...the piano! It is full song songwriter that I appreciate: good storytelling and gorgeous music. I can tell how this influenced modern musicians as well- I discovered Moonshadow on Mandy Moore's album Coverage and Wild World has been widely covered-I could sing it in Portuguese as it was covered in Brazil. I heard this album twice and it grew so much... I need to dig into his discography now, this is a classic to me and a well deserved spot in this list. 5/5
Yusuf Islam, better known as Cat Stevens, probably doesn't need much introduction, as one of the most prolific singer-songwriters out there. I heard the big singles "Wild World" and "Father and Son" in numerous places, and those tracks have a certain sentimentality to me. I also recognize how cathartic the release of Tea for the Tillerman must have been for Yusuf. He went through a spiritual awakening and a subsequent fruitful writing period while hospitalized for tuberculosis. He switched record labels to pursue his desire to be a folk-rock artist who isn't overshadowed by outlandish orchestration. Plus, the first release from this stripped-down direction, Mona Bone Jakon, was only a modest success. Thus, I am glad to say that Tea for the Tillerman was his commercial breakthrough, and for good reason. I think this record resonated with me because of the genuine earnestness in Yusuf's weathered life lessons, personal struggles, desires, and spiritual journey. The loss of innocence expressed through the ecological toll taken as society progresses on "Where Do the Children Play?", the yearning for a practical and uncompromising partner on "Hard Headed Woman", the retrospection on his return to music after being hospitalized for so long on "Wild World", his bouts with depression on "Sad Lisa", his hunger for spiritual balance on "Miles from Nowhere", the harsh observations on expectations imposed at a young age on "But I Might Die Tonight", the plea for unity in the face of external threats on "Longer Boats", and the search for spiritual freedom and bliss on "Into White" and "On the Road to Find Out" are all presented well, with such commandment of quiet and loud dynamics from Yusuf's own voice as the backing vocals and instrumentation match. It all culminates in the penultimate track "Father to Son", as Yusuf switches between his tenor and baritone ranges to present the father and son characters in the narrative, both providing their measured perspectives as the son heads out to start his life anew. It's a beautiful song that speaks universally to growth and generational differences, and it always tugged at my heartstrings the most from this record. Sure, the closing title track was a rather short ending, but that's the only nitpick I have, and even then it's upbeat and anthemic. At this point, I feel certain in my adoration for Tea for the Tillerman, as it is a beautiful record. Of course, Yusuf would achieve further success, starting with the very next record and its big single, "Peace Train". He also found his spiritual bliss with his conversion to Islam, which I am happy for him.
вайб альбома что какая нибудь из песен могла бы играть в концевуе серии клиники 2го сезона. нет духоты
A fine album! Fun and catchy.
I had this record long ago, but it’s one of the things that I abandoned when I got older. But ok, I remember these songs. Many of them are a little syrupy for me now, but the tunes were all instantly memorable. Lyrics on a couple of the songs got my attention: “Where do the children play” has an interesting tune and seems rather contemporary, with what seems like its critique of the modern technology of 1970 that applies even more now. “But I Might Die Tonight,” feels like it should be contemporary, since I’d rather live than work, but these days so many people I know are looking for work that it feels wrong somehow. “On the Road to Find Out” is nice - I like the drumming in the background, though I wish it were miked a little louder. He gets a little religious at the end, but that’s ok. I like the “baa, baa, baa” chorus bits. Some of them I didn’t want to listen to. “Wild World” was always a skip track when I had the record when I was 14 years old, and it still gets on my nerves. And “Father and Son” hit me emotionally from the first note, so I shut it off; I guess that means it's a good song, but I didn't want to get all emotional about it.
++: Hard Headed Woman, Miles from Nowhere, On the Road to Find Out +: Where Do the Children Play?, Wild World, Longer Boats, Tea for the Tillerman +-: Sad Lisa, But I Might Die Tonight, Into White, Father and Son 5,0/10
Lovely slice of folk rock. 4.5 bumped up to 5.
I’m a little higher than a 5. It’s just a really well done album about wanting to appreciate things. Cat / Yusuf is the figurehead centering these tracks as someone who’s appreciating those that don’t appreciate him, searching for appreciation in the abstract spiritual level, or is trying to be appreciated. It’s done with a level of care; this album largely doesn’t feel judgmental despite a concept that might garner a larger ego. Instead, he just feels like someone with all the experience in the world stewarding these stories so people don’t have to feel alone in the contemplations this album tackles with grace. Despite all of our technological achievements, are we doing things to better the world for the children who will grow up in it? Is a hard-headed woman who’ll both challenge & appreciate you truly the key to happiness? Is it worth it to trade in your vivacity & spice of life for a financially stable dead-end job? Even if you break up with someone, it’s only fair to warn them about the lesser men out there, right? If someone is clearly suffering & hurting, is it selfish to want to be the one to help them, even if they don’t need it? If your dad isn’t listening, no matter how right he might be, is it time to go? Is the devoted journey to get to Heaven, or some other form of spiritually enlightened bliss, truly worth enduring? How much guidance do you need in that spiritual search anyway? If you know you’ll find yourself someday, how fast should you pace yourself on that road? It’s an album that follows those contemplations, & while it never directly answers them, it approaches them down a generally grounded path, and one that appreciates the life experience it takes to get to those questions to begin with. It never insults the intelligence of the listener, and these are all written in a way that just feels like a gentle nudge in a good direction. Combine that with great vocals & really nice soundscapes, and you get an album that feels like an adult picture book. These are vivid, but not overwhelmingly painted. You can see the pictures, but you can likely plug in your own face to almost all of these tracks. There’s an unspoken intimacy to it, and by the end, it just feels like an appreciation of life despite the softer hardships present in it. Hence, a little higher than a 5. Not quite a 10, as I do think some tracks get a touch repetitive or a little too abstract, but it’s still a very strong album regardless. I appreciate it. I think it’s the type of calming album I’ve needed in light of a stressful week, and I’m glad it’s on the list. I really am stuck with a soft smile right now. Thanks, Yusuf.
Slightly nice songs, slightly boring album
Rate: 7.5/10.
Elton John-esque piano playing with twee lyricism and Simon-and-Garfunkel-esque musical whimsy. Overall I like it, but don’t know if it’s something I’d consistently return to. Favourite track: Miles from Nowhere
So I listened to this a few times on the day it came up, thought it was okay, read some reviews, then decided I needed to revisit. Upon a revisit, definitely better than I initially judged. I just wasn’t paying great attention & I kinda knew it. I’ve known wild world and father & son for some time. This is a very good album. However, I am not particularly struck by it. It has very thoughtful, beautifully written songs, stories, and images, set perfectly over lovely acoustic guitar and minimal “big” sound. It’s really pleasant to listen to, no doubt. Father and son truly is probably one of the greatest songs ever. There were a few other songs that caught me, like where do the children play and miles from nowhere. The full listen is certainly a peaceful vibe, and the songwriting is top notch. To me, it’s not perfection, and I’d probably prefer a different flavor of singer songwriter, but it’s good, and I’m glad I gave it another look. 3.5-.75.
Occasionally great, sometimes silly, but always warm and familiar.
Nie jest to moja ulubiona gatunkowo muzyka, ale dwa kawałki które tak mocno przebiły się na zasadzie megahitów zaskakująco nie pasują do tej minimalistycznej konwencji całego albumu. Jest to też początek przygody z tym 1001 album generator więc ostrożnie z ocenami, ale jako, że nie ma "połówek" zaokrąglam w górę.
A couple good songs save this from being a major snoozefest. Fav tracks: Father and Son, Wild World
I never cared much for Cat Stevens, probably because I had a girlfriend in highschool who was obsessed with him and made me listen to Wild World until I wanted to claw my eardrums out. It's a pity, really, because this album is actually much better than I remembered or expected. Soulful, sometimes even passionate, it avoids most of the pitfalls that often plague the singer-songwriter genre in my opinion (namely, being overly whiny, self-centered and minimalistic). Cat Stevens has a great voice, and the arrangements are powerful. There's an almost psychedelic vibe to some of the songs (and to the cover art), but it never feels as dated or forced as some late 60s / early 70s albums. In many respects, it's a surprisingly modern record. It will never really be my cup of tea - I don't love every track, and the lyrics feel a bit too conservative for my taste. But I did have a good time with this, and I could see myself coming back to it when I'm in the right mood. 6/10
Off course it's not Mona Bone Jackson but the 4 mains titles make it a great album.
I’d never really bothered to listen to a full Cat Stevens album, even though my daughter is a huge fan of Wild World. So I went into this one already mentally defeated, expecting yet another folk album to get through. Turns out it’s much more dynamic than I expected, sometimes surprisingly rock oriented, with moments that even have a bit of a Genesis feel to them. The songwriting is really strong, and I especially like how Stevens changes the tone and texture of his voice depending on the mood of each song. The production is excellent too, warm and detailed. A nice surprise for me, especially considering how little enthusiasm I had going in.
Widely regarded to be his finest work, Cat Stevens made the move from psychedelic era pop star to fully fledged singer songwriter in the Elton, Joni, Neil, Leonard and Carole, with help from the Yardbird's Paul Samwell- Smith as producer and Del Newman as string arranger. The presence of 'wild world', 'where do the children play' and 'father and son' is significant and the title track was used by Ricky Gervais in his sitcom 'Extras'. To my ears it's got half great songs and half good songs (with similar acoustic arrangements) and is well worthy of its place among the significant albums of the era.
*plays Animal Crossing on the DS* Oooh baby baby it's a Wild World. Album was decent
Meh, I enjoyed the instrumentals way more than the vocals. Also reminded me of being forced to listen to Barry Manilow as a child.
A classic
This was perfectly...fine.
Nice
Good
This one has THE song. 3/5, yay
A beautiful album with four Harold and Maude entries. This one is an absolute gem.
CLASSIC WILD WORLD. dont thin before this i ever listened to another one of Cat Stevens songs.jk ive heard father and son. sad one.
Wild World has a special place in my heart because of Skins. The rest was nice.
Good, but after all these years sounds like renfair Neil Young
I just am not a Cat Stevens fan. It sounds to me like he’s performing in a library
Such a good album
Not a whole lot to say about this one Cat Stevens has a very nice voice and there’s a very consistent sound throughout the album 3.5/5 Favorites: wild world, sad Lisa, where do the children play, father and son
3/5
Gut
Feels like nostalgia
Mostly kind of boring to me, but the stuff in the middle was pretty great. Loved the drums and piano on this whole thing, though. Stevens' voice was also great. Favorite Track: Miles From Nowhere
Highlights: Where Do The Children Play, Hard Headed Woman, Wild World, Father and Son. 4.0
Father and Son is a beautiful song.
It's fine, but he has a better album Teaser and Firecat...
Father and Son will always be one of my favourite songs. It's a great album with some smaller hits. It is just a great listening experience with soul, heart and the musicality to back it up.
Some classics, but didn't really think much of the songs I didn't already know
Cat Stevens sings like some sort of mythical woodland creature
Another case of a few really solid songs but some filler, it's good but not great in my opinion
Quite a contrast, coming from Digital Underground and headed towards an Alice In Chains album. Delightful, sophisticated, if not a little twee, pop from the late 60s/early 70s era. Wild World is one of those songs you forget about, but then when you hear it are reminded what a great tune it is. Turn it up and sing along!
Cat Stevens is exhausting. The album is good enough I guess, but look around the time and age and he simply isn't enough of anything. John Denver was alive. Neil Young. The Grateful Dead were touring. Paul Simon was writing songs that were dropping panties. This guy just didn't move the needle enough, and the worst part: His best songs all were assassinated by superior covers, including the most well known song on here.
This record really gave us some classics and I respect that.
3.4, i was lowkey shocked when wild world started playing. Id like it more if i enjoyed the others songs a lil more. Right now it was very much of the same
Definitely an underwhelming experience for me. I might’ve had too high expectations for this album knowing what massive hit song is on this album, but I was disappointed regardless. The biggest positive is the massive hit song “Wild world”. That’s an excellent song that’s easily 5 out of 5 on its own. Sadly the rest of the album holds it down. There’s just nothing on the album that pops or is memorable the same way that “wild world” is. It’s an all time great acoustic rock song. That’s being said the album as a whole didn’t do a lot for me. But I’m willing to see if this album grows on me over time.
Album parfait pour quznd tu es dans un train qui t’éloigne de chez toi
The first half is incredible. The last two similarly. The rest pretty damn good. Sad Lisa is incredibly beautiful and maudlin. Wild World, Miles from Nowhere, and Father and Son all seminal. The title track one of those songs which is ridiculously short and could go on for much longer.
Cat Stevens is amazing and this is probably his best album. Just a great collection of songs played so well, with his incredible voice. Most of these made up the soundtrack to Harold and Maude too, which is an amazing film. Just genius. The first 5 or 6 tracks are brilliant, then it drops off to just absolutely great... And to (essentially) end on father and son, which is incredible!
8/10… folk rock / singer-songwrt / *1970
Cat Stevens ist super, aber dieses album ist nicht sein bestes...
We had this album on itunes so I specifically remember listening to it while mowing the lawn. I'm not particularly attached to this one but it was really nice to listen to while driving. Bonus points because Corinne liked it. Favorite(s): Where do the children play Longer Boats Least: Wild world (not bad but not the best) 4/5
Man Cat Stevens has a great mesh going on with his singing and instrumental style and the songs in this album are pretty great and flow very well together while still being distinct enough to tell which song your listening to but you could easily not realize the individual songs if your not paying attention. My favorite will probably always be 'Father and Son'. And I'd be lying if I told you that 'Where do the Children Play?' didn't raise an eyebrow although I'm certain it's purely pure hearted it's still something that'd cause me to question people that love the song. 9/10
Fav: Hard Headed Woman, Into White L: Longer Boats, On The Road to Find Out 4 Hey Wesley, where do the children play? I listened to this like 3 times and my mood on it changes a bit each time. The first half is definitely stronger I think and falls apart a bit at Longer Boats regaining some steam at the very end. Cover: 1.5 What’s with the blue border? I don’t like it very much. Name: 4 Chicken soup for the soul type of title but I still like it.
This is the first album on the list that I already own. I've listened to this album a fair bit already. I like it, though it is a little bit yachtish. I tend to like music with an upright bass (where my regina spektor 11:11 fans at?). I like "father and son" not having much of a chorus. That's based. I'll always remember you like a child 💀 Why's bro asking where the children play 💀 W: father and son, Wild world L: Hard-headed woman 3/5
Klassikko meininkiä kuten wild world.
Nice and chill album. Lots of classics. Caught me in a sleepy time on my life unfortunately so I did nod off towards the end.
This was excellent. What I really liked about this was the acoustic nature of it and occasionally a full band or even an orchestra shows up and then they fade away and acoustic remains.
It's just not for me...
Some of these songs sound straight out of "The Hobbit" (1977). It's a good listen but half the time I'm straining to hear him sing because he's singing like it's late and he's not trying to wake up his roommate. The instrumentals are so relaxing, and every song has an air of melancholy which is a good thing. Overall, I'm going to give it an 8/10.
I expected that this would be a 3 star album. Not my thing but probably wouldn't be too onurous to listen to. But this man has stories to tell, interesting arrangements, lovely songwriting, great vocals, really nicely recorded acoustic guitar and subtle backing vocals and musicians. A real gem. Hard not to recognise and greatly respect a good decent man and album in this record. One of two albums so far that I immediately started listening to again. 5/5
this is the shit i grew up on, playing in the station wagon as i sat in the back seat staring out the window on road trips. will always hold a place in my heart.
Tender, lovely, beautifully rendered. The soundtrack of my childhood in many ways. Only giving it a 4 because I struggle to get through the entire thing - it’s almost painfully nostalgic.
First listen
More less.
Some of the songs are really nice and charming, but a lot of them are just quite boring, and whilst the overall sound is really lush, it does get a bit old, especially on tracks like Longer Boats where the vocals get quite annoying repetitive. I just found this really hit or miss to be honest, with even some of the "classics", like Wild World, being a bit boring. The acoustic guitar parts are nice but the rest of the instrumentation and the song progressions are lacking which doesn't help it from getting boring. Father and Son is really well written, but in terms of execution, I much prefer the Johnny Cash and Fiona Apple version as well as the reinterpretation on The Flaming Lips' Fight Test. Also, the line, "You're still young, that's your fault", really pisses me off, even if that's somewhat intentional. However, I do have to admit the progression of that song is really compelling and well-done. Overall, not a bad album, but there are definite highlights a lot of less interesting songs.
Fun and easy listening
Kjennskap: 20% Balsam for øra etter The Fall.
Two absolute classics = at least 4 stars. I wish the rest of the album was just a little more compelling.
Impressive in its time, though not an album or artist I can listen to now. Classic 4
Overall enjoyed this, some good tracks in here. Very chilled out easy listening
Me pareció interesante
A folk album that keeps you hooked with its calming atmosphere and lyrical bite. Cat Stevens as a vocalist adds a great layer of quality overall, and it does a whole lot sonically with mainly just a guitar and piano. Not for me, but I do appreciate it.
Son préféré wild world. Des sons remplis d'amour et d'émotion
I knew I liked this song going into this, but really its just a fantastic album. Its got a simple production, but by the end of certain songs, that song feels so big. I'll be humming to these songs for the rest of the day. 5 out of 5.
I wanna be a hater because of how overplayed the title track is on Spotify but you can’t hate this album. It’s so lovely. Great stories and great melodies. I love the passionate singing too. Gotta love cat stevens
7/10 Very nice, with some Proper songwriting. Boyzone did their best to destroy the beautiful Father and Son, and it barely survived - it's taken 30 years for me to recognise it as the quality song it is. Elsewhere, I'm unsure what was going on with Wild World - I'm a fan of the song, but I've never noticed how ridiculously loud the plectrum clicks are??! Really, really annoying. Will listen elsewhere and see if it is just the track on Spotify.
🥞 Harold, eat your beets!
Sentimental attachment. I'm not a fan but a loved one is, and during a terrible time when he was in a coma for about a week after a horrible car wreck, I would play this and another Cat Stevens cassette for him while I held his hand. I'll never forget the thrill when he finally squeezed my hand back at one point. Listening to this puts me right back into that hospital room. Beyond even the circumstance, this music has a wholesome, healing sound. If you don't listen too closely. Without that memory, however, most of this record would irritate the shit out of me, so that's how you get to three stars.
Given how many artists have far too many albums in this collection (here's looking at you, PJ Harvey, Morrissey et al, and even Nick Cave, David Bowie, etc.) it's a bit shocking that there's only one Cat Stevens album, and that it would come in at #952, but I'm very glad we got at least one of his classic albums. I doubt I've ever listened to an entire Cat Stevens album, aside from a greatest-hits compilation, so it was fun to listen to more than half of this album for the first time. Aside from the from the timeless classics that I've heard a zillion times (willingly), I also enjoyed the new-to-me tracks "Hard headed woman", "Sad Lisa" and "Into white". I know it's a pretty sentimental response to him, but I feel like his voice and guitar work alone can make almost any song sound great; what a fantastic album.
Solid album with a few hits (Wild World, Hard-Headed Woman, Father and Son) and no real duds.
A wonderful Singer/Songwriter-Album with some progressive aspects.
Now THIS is how Folk is done right... F Bob Dylan.
This rules!
Nice Album to start us off. Nice peaceful lyrics, not a western of 30 minutes. But I Might Die Today is greatly written, and even though I never heard of him, I think he completely deserves his awards.
classic album that is must listen for any audiophile. He has a certain passion and unique voice that separates him from many other singer songwriters.
You can tell why Noah Kahan loves Cat Stevens to the degree that he does. Every song seems so personal, and they're so well written. Father and Son is one of my favorite songs ever made, and everything else matched my expectations for this. What a listen!
Pues esta chistoso el album. A mi oido me sono a Country duro y puro. No me gusta ese genero porque se escucha demasiado corny para mi gusto. Se siente infantil en ratos como si fuera una cancion de granja de las antiguas que se aprendian todos como la de MacDonald. Aunque si se atreve un poco mas de los ultimos que he estado escuchando. Tiene identidad asi que por eso no se va al fondo, pero obviamente sigue sin ser mi gusto. Personalmente yo le doy un 4/10 apenitas.
Love Cat Stevens/Yusuf, but had somehow never listened to this particular album all the way through. This is an all-timer.
LINDOOOOOO
Not my usual style but loved it. Little to no filler
I love the atmosphere of the album, very folky
Great albumn great voice surprised this hasn't been sampled more
Sorry to all the kitties named Steven. This was not for me at all.
Blander folk rock than I'd remembered. Nice tunes but forgettable. 3 stars
I’d always thought that Cat Stevens was just another old hippy who struggled with the transition from the 60s into the 70s, but I’m glad that I gave this album a chance. I was also surprised how many of the tracks that I was already familiar with. There is a lot of wistful longing and introspection here, as he muses on ideas of growing and changing from childhood to adulthood, his relationship with his father, and the state of the world obsessed with materialism at the expense of everything else. It’s easy to see the roots of his spiritual journey here that lead him to Islam and changing his name to Yusef Islam. He ended leaving music for some time and was caught up in some controversies (that seem to be down to wilful misquoting out of context by tabloids), but it seems that he has returned to his music in recent years, emphasising the peaceful and moderate side of his faith.
It was below average according to me.. , some song i really liked it ..father and son and sad lisa, wild world
a classic. already knew i was a fan of yusuf/cat stevens but first time listening to this album all the way through.
Really enjoyed it. Wild World and Sad Lisa are tunes.
It's a masterpiece.
I always have a bit of a hard time with Cat Stevens - 1 part kids album, 1 part beautiful, 1 part cheesy, 1 part melodic, 1 part pure 70's. I really can never decide where i stand. Damn can he write a beautiful melody though!
I didn't really know this about myself, but I think I'm a pretty big fan of like 70s singer-songwriter stuff. This generator is really showing me a lot of stuff about what I do and don't like. I also didn't know that I knew a Cat Stevens song, but apparently that Wild World jam was a pretty big hit. It doesn't have any other major songs on it, but it's still pretty consistently enjoyable despite that. Favorites: Where Do The Children Play?, Wild World, Father and Son
2.5. Some great stuff and some I couldn’t be arsed with
Decent
Always a great listen
Once I woke up in the middle of the night with an all encompassing need to listen to "Father and Son" and I don't know why
Cat Stevens is one of the 'classic' and 'established' artists who I've never had any love for. I find his voice to be irritating, and the melody for 'Wild World' is actively grating. However, if I were to spin one of his albums, I accept that this is probably his best, and one which (Wild World aside), I actively get enjoyment out of. I do find his lyricism and musicality to be lacking compared to his singer-songwriter peers at the time, but I'll let him have this album.
Skor 100% sem, da sm že poslušala ta album (how could I not? Je right in my wheelhouse.) "Where Do the Children Play?" je super. Isto "Hard Headed Woman". "Wild World" sm nažalost iz Skins generacije, tko da sam vidim finale prve sezone k slišim ta komad. (Fak, those were the times.) "Father And Son" je kr ikoničen komad. Ta album je ful zame.
This is bit like pompous version of Elton John and Paul Simon combined and it feels almost unbearable to listen to. I'm so happy it's over, that it almost makes me wan't to give it one additional star.
#457 / 1089 Heard before? ❌ Revisit? ❌ Storytelling with a splash of music behind it. There were several songs that I thought I had heard a better version of, which turned out to be different songs or covers of Cat Stevens' tracks. This, once again, trails back to the storytelling side of Americana and US country music, which I find utterly boring and deeply uninteresting. As a sidenote, I found a track named "Hard Headed Woman" by Wanda Jackson from the 50's, which I was deligted to hear, but which wasn't a cover either way. But also noticed I'd rather listen to 70+ year old rockabilly than anything folk/country adjacent. One point for not being Bob Dylan -type dross 2/5, but it's teetering on 1/5.
Before pursuing a full-time career in music, Stevens attended Hammersmith College of Art in London to study painting and illustration, (Far out music). Although in the 1970s this type of sleeve was standard fare for this type of music, Island Records were renowned for letting artist create their own artwork with minimal interference so this would be Yusuf's vision. Fits with the music.
This is #day733 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… yeah, "Wild World" instantly rang a bell. Otherwise, a pleasant folk rock record for a rainy Tuesday morning like today. This is a 3 out of 5. Looking forward to #day734.
Great songwriting, not very involving performance.
- Banger of a first song. - second song is good too -- reminds me of a Beatles/elton John (tiny dancer-esque) mix - Ah - wild world is a song I've heard before. 10/10 (idk why I thought this was an eagles song) miles from nowhere is a banger - but I might die tonight is also great - Father and Son reminds me thematically of the Abba song slipping through my fingers but from the child's perspective Really like this album overall - 8/10
民謠搖滾的感覺？ 但感覺對我來說比Robbie Williams更容易入耳。 我目前能比較的只有Robbie，可能Robbie比較Pop吧 整張聽完覺得是順耳的民謠搖滾，但是沒有特別抓我的點（有的話也只有一兩首）覺得就是順順聽過去，但整體感覺比Robbie Williams好啦，沒那麼Pop，但感覺也不會回來重複聽或是往下挖。
some lovely tracks on here, very calming
It was a lovely and quiet album from Cat Stevens. I now some of the tracks, but appreciated the chill vibe of the album.
Not a big folk guy, but this is EXACTLY what I think of when I think of folk music. I don't think I know enough about Cat Stevens (or whatever his name is now) to judge him but I know he's quite controversial. Musically this is quite good; folk isn't my thing but it's catchy. Not sure I'd listen to this a lot.
Quite agreable album, probably the better of the week. It's a 3 but could have been a 4. Favorite songs: Where Do the Children Paly? ; Wild World
3.8/5 Like a warm hug. I’ve never listened to the whole thing but have heard a couple tracks before. Father and Son gets me every time.
En todellakaan ymmärrä miten tällä on näin paljon kuunteluja 3/5
"Tea for the Tillerman" is a well-crafted record - well written, arranged, performed, and produced. The production gives each instrument space to breathe without ever overwhelming the core acoustic performance, creating a lovely listening experience. For listeners of a certain age, Cat Stevens’ vocal tone remains one of the most instantly recognizable in 1970s popular music, carrying a warm, comforting quality. While the material is rooted in folk, it is elevated by a strong pop sensibility and delicate touches of chamber music. Ultimately, it is a subtle, introspective album that addresses weightier themes - environmental loss, spiritual searching, and generational conflict - without ever feeling heavy-handed, making for an easy and rewarding listen. Four stars. Side one 1 "Where Do the Children Play?" (5/5) 2 "Hard Headed Woman" (4/5) 3 "Wild World" (5/5) 4 "Sad Lisa" (3/5) 5 "Miles from Nowhere" (3/5) Side two 6 "But I Might Die Tonight" (3/5) 7 "Longer Boats" (4/5) 8 "Into White" (4/5) 9 "On the Road to Find Out" (4/5) 10 "Father and Son" (5/5) 11 "Tea for the Tillerman" (4/5) Total - 44 Average - 4.0 398/1001 208/398 albums reviewed were new to me.
It’s actually quite good music. Three stars…
I went on a walk on a particularly hot day, carefully trying to protect my fresh sunburns. Tea for the Tillerman sounds roughly like what I was expecting: some gentle singer-songwriter primarily built around a guitar and an emotive voice. One of the things I most respect about Cat Stevens' artistry, particularly on this album, is his ability to craft and deliver socially conscious lyrics with a very clear and explicit message, without feeling ham-fisted or clunky. However, this album does also do the lyrical thing which I don't appreciate, where a man sings a love song prominently referring to his partner as a little girl or a child. It's just a weird metaphor and framing device which throws me off of otherwise standard songs. There are certainly some great and emotionally investing highlights here, but a lot of this album leaves me feeling pretty neutral. Highlights: Where Do The Children Play?, Hard Headed Woman, Miles From Nowhere, Longer Boats, Father And Son
Fijn album
Super mooie folk liedjes. Wild World is een all-timer.
Not for me. 1/5
1. Where Do the Children Play - a very interesting song with a dichotomy between a nice, easy-listening acoustic duet that feels sweet and bouncy, and lyrics condemning the negative impacts of big machines, development, and industry on our surroundings. An interesting critique on modern development. 2. Hard Headed Woman - seems like someone who is sick of vapid, transactional relationships and wants somebody who is interested in who a person truly is, without conditions attached. Building crescendo at the end. 3. Wild World - This one is a classic. Awesome music and melody. Catchy, and pretty energetic for the vibe of the album so far. Seems like a good-bye song, but a cheery one? 4. Sad Lisa - Pretty piano intro, melancholy vibes. Gives me much less orchestral Eleanor Rigby vibes? Cool piano part, strange, short chorus. Is this Cat Stevens' version of Brick by Ben Folds or something? *Spotify ad break thoughts: Yeah, this sounds pretty much like what I assumed a Cat Stevens album would sound like. Chill guitar vibes, meaningful lyrics (though idk what's going on in Lisa's life). 5. Miles From Nowhere - Ohhhh a little vocal range. The build in the beginning is really cool. This song is really dynamic and is a fun listen. 6. But I Might Die Tonight - The music is fine, lyrics/message feel a bit cliche. Not a bad song, but not my favorite on the album. Short. Feels like "I don't want to grow up to be like you, working a job you hate and wasting my life away" and the promise of a "good job" feels like a death sentence? 7. Longer Boats - This song seems super familiar. Super catchy, sounds like an old spiritual. This song rocks. 8. Into White - Super folky. Not usually my style but I bet this would sound great on vinyl. This reminds me of Simon and Garfunkle. Feels long, and kind of keeps the same form the whole time. 9. On the Road to Find Out - Builds up a bit by the end. Fine, not a highlight, not a lowlight for me. Cool little high guitar part near the end. 10. Father and Son - By far the best song on the album, which is saying a lot! Incredible perspective on the relationship between a father and son, and the different perspectives age brings. Beautiful song, amazing build up. Obvious classic. 11. Tea for the Tillerman - Short, kind of pointless? Why not end on a certified BANGER with Father and Son? Album Highs: Father and Son Wild World Long Boats Miles from Nowhere Where Do the Children Play Album Lows: Into White But I Might Die Tonight Tea for the Tillerman Final Thoughts: Easy to see why this was included, especially for how amazing it probably was at the time. A few timeless classics on it. I'm not a HUGE fan of overly-folky tunes and this album dips into that world a few times, but I do think some of the lyrics are really poignant, and the payoff of Cat's voice turning into a loud, almost scream when singing is a fun treat throughout the album.
För gudfruktigt. Och för lite trummor! Ge mig dom bra låtarna och behåll resten.
Great little album. RYM: N Saved a song: N
3/5
3/5 Favorite Song: Hard Headed Woman
Great songwriting. Not my taste.
I'd heard of Cat Stevens before and knew this was going to be a very mellow album. I know there are lots of covers of his songs but I didn't realize he did "Wild World". I enjoyed his vocals on this as they reminded me of old Genesis and Jethro Tull although this wasn't a prog rock album. Very folksy chill music that didn't do too much for me by the end.
A very solid 3. It doesn’t really do any anything better than any other albums I’ve listened to, but it’s consistently a nice enjoyable listen.
I really enjoyed this! So many songs I recognised that I didn’t know were Cat Steven’s!?
This really is a lovely little album. Cat Stevens tells beautiful stories. It's a laid back, heart and soul kind of album.
dont like
Good album. I had never listen to Cat Stevens and I was only vaguely familiar with his music. I found this one pretty good. I especially enjoyed the lyrics. It's another album in the range of 3,5 stars for me. Some songs I particularly enjoyed: "Where do the Children Play?", "Wild World", "But I Might Die Tonight", or "Father and Son" (clearly my favourite). Overall, I think it is 3 stars for me, especially since several of the songs are very good, but I found it a bit monotonous when listening the whole album.
Now here's one to remind ME (for once) of my precocious teenage years watching Harold and Maude - definitely understanding all the themes loads - and listening to 70s folk and dressing vaguely 90s does 60s. What a mix! Also base level - it's also the skins song and I knew that version first, so yet again actually outing myself as a through-and-through basic teen. I know Yusuf / Cat Stevens has had quite the life journey, but man does he steam a smooth and sweet folky ham, and I love it. We literally all love it, right? It sounds warm! It feels cosy. I will always love this I'm sorry I'm not made of stone.
quite cheesy at times but also reminds me of being small and listening in me mum's car so it gets a pass. Very nice and pleasant and calming and tbh the songwriting holds up and boy howdy does he have a smooth and lovely voice
This is not at all my cup of tea. There wasn't really anything that spoke to me unfortunately. At first I liked that the vocals were unrestrained and he sang "unconventionally" and did what he want, but that wasn't there anymore in the later songs, where his voice was not that unique anymore. The lyrics didn't touch me and at times I was quite confused what the drummer was doing. I can understand if or why people enjoy this album, as I can't see much objectively bad things about these songs, just not for me
Yeah I like it. Probably had some profound lyrics but I want paying attention. Has a cool chill vibe, songs to the point and none of the usual 60's extra instrumental bullshit. Father and Son actually a good song, has always hated it before
some lovely acoustic guitar and songwriting 7.5/10 standout song - into white
Absolutely enchanted by this album
Love Cat Stevens
Love it. ¨Where Do The Children Play?¨ has those nostalgic, one might even say melancholic, sounds characteristic of folk. Feels like remembering something that was and will never return, but that I will always carry with me.
Nice and easy to listen to!
Maybe it's just that it's in proximity to a folk album that was rather dull and monotone, but this was such a surprise for me. I enjoyed this album thoroughly. I don't know much of Cat Stevens' work, but this was so much poppier than I expected. Surprise 5 star album
3/5 this is weird i dont hate it but im not sure i like it, def too long
Good
I was SO happy to get this since I am a big Cat Stevens fan, although I admit I’ll never listened to a full album from start to finish. This is SO. DAMN. GOOD. The man channels music and lyrics through his soul. I was extremely stressed before I put on his album and it brought me such soothing comfort. This album is medicine for the aching soul.
I like Cat Stevens and unsurprisingly I like this album.
Very nice
Miellyttävää kuunneltavaa. Myös satukirjamainen kansikuva saa hyvälle tuulelle. Wild World oli ainoa biisi, jonka tunnistin.
Pas mon style
Correct ya juste une bonne toune
Beautiful story telling and great melodies.
Fantastic album. One of the best singer-songwriters at his height.
Awesome album already new many of the songs. Feels very nostalgic.
I think this album is gorgeous. His voice is lovely, I like the contrast between the softer singing and the more intense moments. Some really beautiful songs. Teared up at Father and Son despite having heard it many times before. Fav song: Father and Son - also liked Wild World and Miles From Nowhere (and the whole album really) Least fav: But I Might Die Tonight
Absolute top tier album with a top tier cover. Great general vibe and some fantastic individual songs as welll Specific rating - 4.6 Fav song - father and son Least fav- sad Lisa
Lovely storytelling, iconic artwork and so much nostalgia for me. Father and Son is such a gorgeous song that that alone nearly gets in 5 stars. I also really loved On The Road to Find Out which I wasn't as familiar with. Favourite song: Father And Son Least: Sad Lisa
4,5
I grew up listening to my mom's copy of Cat Stevens' Greatest Hits album. There were 12 songs on the Greatest Hits album and three came from this LP. So I was ready for this to be a great album, and it mostly is. Each song is its own little gem of songwriting--subtle but significant chord changes that carry the storytelling into the necessary emotional direction. The songs that made the Greatest Hits album are indeed the best, but they're all good. I can't judge that compilation 5 stars (which it is) and give this more than 4 stars.
Another example of an artist that creates good music in a genre I don't like.
I think I've listened to this album before, but I'm not 100% certain. I don't hate this, but I have also always wondered why people love this so much. To me, it kind of feels like "What if Raffi made music for adults?" It's pleasant enough, and there's certainly a bit of comforting nostalgia around it all. But I feel like it's also too soft.
Like miles from nowhere. Felt a little bit repetitive throughout tho
not much of my thing, is like a less spicy George Harrison music
Like Nick Drake and Fleetwood Mac had a baby
This is WAY better than I expected. I'm not the biggest folky, but I love the rock and orchestral elements.
Never heard of the album but it surely got songs that I heard before so this makes it a classic - period
2.5
Classic, I like; wild world, father and son is beautiful and tea for the tillerman
Acknowledging this is the cornerstone of my taste in music - and that if it wasn't for a Cat Stevens 'Best of...' playing in the early 90s, I'd never have taken the path into indie folk and beyond. But it also strikes me just what someone could get away with in the early 70s and still have a hit record. There's always a bit of hokey jaunty filler plugging the gaps. But then he drops a song like 'Into White' or 'Father and Son'. That said, I'm not rushing to add any of this to my frequent listening rotation or anything.
so many bangers
Унылая, однообразная акустика, все скип кроме хитяры Wild World
To quote Blackadder: "as wet as a fish's wet bits". It was tuneful enough, but I need something with a bit more energy to get my attention. This washed right over me. Second UK sitcom reference: it was a pleasant surprise to hear the title track and realise it was used over the end credits of Extras.
What's with the 70s and finding children sexy? I dunno, but we see more of it here in Wild World - "I'll always remember you like a child, girl" is a creepy thing to say to someone leaving you. That said, it is a solid song that the rest of the album doesn't live up to.
My expectations based on the album art were pretty low. But it was a pretty unique sound and I definitely enjoyed my time with it. Not something I’ll ever seek out
While I was familiar with several of the classic songs on this album, I've never listened to the album as a whole before, and a lot of the songs were new to me. I've never been a big fan of some of the singer/songwriter folk musicians from the 60s and 70s. I just didn't grow up around that music and never really got into it. But, I really enjoyed this album. The songs on this album were much more complex and musical and, therefore, interesting to me. Some really beautiful songs and I find Stevens much more enjoyable to listen to then some others. Solid album!
this is tea for the tillerman, the fourth album release by british musician yusuf/cat stevens. a soft folk poppy rocky song collection, this album is a bit humble and not too long, but this album definitely seemed to make it big both in the united states and the united kingdom. plenty of tracks from this record were used in TV shows and movies. in a few words, this album seems to focus a lot on personal progress, life, and discovery. wow, what a voice! it's quite remarkable to me, this guy was in his early 20s when recording all this and yet it sounds like he's lived through decades. it's soft rock for sure, but ol' cat stevens plays and sings with such passion and gusto. he's quite the dreamer; as the album goes on i end up just sitting in an ambitious but melancholy way, thinking about what i want to do with my life and seeing everyone else live theirs. the world is an oyster, but who knows what possibilities even exist? who knows what could happen? life is funny like that. that's the energy this record has. it's lovely.
Good album, nice songs
I love Cat Stevens’s voice, and the songwriting is great. A nostalgic listen that still holds up. Favorites: Wild World Father and Son Longer Boats (mostly because it was a surprise - never heard it before and it was different from the rest) I’ll listen to this one again.
asdsa
Pretty boring, except Father and Son.
I hadn’t listened for a long time, forgotten how moving yet lively these songs are
Heartfelt, tuneful folk and effectively a Cat Steven’s greatest hits collection. Nothing monumental here but simple, well written acoustic guitar music of the highest order
One of the greatest albums by one of the greatest singer songwriters.
Cat Stevens is just all around good vibes unless you happen to have written ”the satanic verses”. ”Wild world” is great, but maybe I shouldn’t listen to the lyrics too intently
Best leuk! Sommige nummers zijn erg mooi.
(3/5) This is teetering on the verge of a '4' for me. My father must have exposed me to this when I was younger, because I recognized way more songs than I thought I would. I don't explicitly recall it, but you know that feeling like you've heard it before but can't remember when or where? That was half this album, and Cat has a distinct voice and style. "Father and Son" is amazing and a tear-jerker of a song.. in a good way. I'm not crying.. I've been cutting onions I swear..
I've always been a fan of Cat Stevens. I have this one on vinyl and have heard it many times, but I also have Teaser and the Firecat, which is the better outting, and his Greatest Hits is a 6/5 any day of the week. Hard Headed Woman and Wild World are the obvious hits, and I have never been able to listen to Father and Son without tearing up (and it's SOOO much worse now that I am one/have one.) That said, there are some downtimes and misses that keep this one out of my top tier, and prevent me from rounding this 4.5/5 up to a five..
144. Tea for the Tillerman - Cat Stevens (1970) 7.16.26 Variety: 3 Adequacy: 4 Listenability: 5 Uniqueness: 3 Emotionality: 5 = 4.0 What if the super annoying dude who brought his guitar to the party actually turned out to be pretty damned good? That's Cat Stevens for me. Leaving aside any of his interesting public relations issues over the past several decades, I've always found his brand of acoustic pop to be on the whole very pretty, sometimes moving , always well crafted, and earnest almost to a fault. It's a bit more commercially pop ready than the folkiest of folk, and a little too soft and contemplative to fall within spitting distance of being rock n roll. I heard a lot of his bigger hits as a kid and they have been peppered over a ton of movie soundtracks 9 Harold and Maude, Rushmore) over the years. It's been a while since I listened to this one, but I remember liking it a bit more than Teaser and the Fire Cat, and quite a bit more than Catch Bull at 10. "Here Comes My Baby" and "The Wind" both make regular appearances in my five star list, along with at least one of the songs from here. "But take your time, think a lot; why, think of everything you've got/ For you will still be here tomorrow, but your dreams may not" THE TRACKS Side one "Where Do the Children Play?" - A very pretty, soft and gentle piece that is one long awesome melodic hook. There's a bit of an oblique environmental reading here if one wishes, but I think it's got way more of a nostalgic, yearning for the pastoral than it does any sort of message about saving the planet. Deceptively simple, and charming stuff. "Hard Headed Woman" - I think this was a hot for him, but aside from it being capable and having a decent string melody, there's not much for me to grab on to here. The idea here is pretty damned nebulous, like enough that the quote "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means" comes to mind. Maybe Stevens means a woman who won't take any of his bullshit? I guess that works. Even the explosive ( for him anyway) bridge leaves me kind of cold. "Wild World" - Probably the track I heard the most of his growing up. Maybe even more than "Peace Train". The undeniably great, catchy sing-a-long chorus is the bedrock here, but the verses themselves are pretty danged memorable as well. Something that never really hit me til more recent listenings of the song is how it hits as just a bit more patronizing with all the infantilization in the lyrics, and even a sinister note on the last line of each verse. "Sad Lisa" - Another very pretty song with some very hummable bits, this time piano driven, with a fine violin solo that swings this way over into more elaborate, almost too ornate territory that ultimately lands just on this side of tastefulness. Again though, we get some very cloudy and possibly condescending lyrics. Instrumentally and arrangement-wise this reminded quite a bit of some similarly arty, pretty, sad sack stuff by Kate Bush. Wonder if she was a big Stevens fan. "Miles from Nowhere" - Stevens turns up the reverb on his voice, and the volume in general as we get an almost Who-lite bit of gospely piano pop rock at least for the chorus that seems miles from anything else on here so far. While I appreciate the swing, this was otherwise unmemorable, and felt more than a little off brand. Side two "But I Might Die Tonight" - We'll get a better examination of this material a bit later on the album, but this very short number seemed to touch upon the tension between between outside expectation and personal desire, and was interesting enough musically, splitting the difference between the more bombastic piano driven "Miles from Nowhere" and he softer approach on everything else, but it felt more like a warm up for what's to come than anything that can stand by itself. "Longer Boats" - A very big swing with a sort of calypso-influenced opening, and rhythm that didn't blend very well with the rest of the acoustic balladry on display here. A bit of a hot mess compared to everything we've heard previously. "Into White" - Things get back on track with a beautifully crafted ode to the simple country life. I think anyways. This seemed to touch just a bit on the historical folk tradition that we recently visited with Donovan. Would like to hear more of this from Stevens. "On the Road to Find Out" - This was a bouncy, fun little song that ( at least instrumentally) put me in mind of some of the stuff that Fleetwood Mac would do after Lindsey Buckingham joined up. This compares favorably to their "Never Going Back Again" from Rumours, though that is MUCH more of an earworm than the Stevens track. "Father and Son" - What a tearjerker, right? Maybe this one hits a lot harder having kids, but I still remember liking it quite a bit before then. I can totally see how some people might see this as the worst sort of emotionally manipulative "wisdom" songs that polluted the airwaves in the post hippy comedown days. This one sails way beyond that though in having a sort of genuine earnestness in the delivery that makes it land a lot more smoothly than some. Another beautiful track, and one that ends on an ambiguous note that adds just the right amount of bittersweet. "Tea for the Tillerman" - The title track functions more as a coda than any sort of real song, but that's mainly due to the length rather than any sort of effort as it's nice enough. HIGHLIGHTS - "Where Do the Children Play?" - "Wild World" - "Sad Lisa" - "Into White" - "On the Road to Find Out" - "Father and Son" MIDLIGHTS - "Hard Headed Woman" - "Miles from Nowhere" - "But I Might Die Tonight" - "Tea for the Tillerman" LOWLIGHTS - "Longer Boats" FINAL THOUGHTS This was a pleasant experience all told, and served as a nice reminder of how underrated Stevens is as far as the talents from the era who are still very much lauded today. I think his reputation may have taken a few hits, so that's a bit understandable, but when he's on, man is he on. I found a lot of this much more emotionally affecting than I had remembered it being, and even the lesser stuff didn't drag it down so much as add a bit of chop to the smooth sailing. This felt a lot like a musical storybook in may ways, but I wish it had just ended right after "Father and Son" to hammer that feel home, as I think it would have tied in thematically with the opener. Stevens will never be at the top of my list of musicians, but a LOT of his songs will hover up there in the mid to high range for me. A greatest hits artist for sure. PLAYLIST ALTERATIONS - All those highlights are worthy of keeping around FURTHER LISTENING - Bryter Layter by Nick Drake - Déjà Vu by Crosby, Stills & Nash - Tapestry by Carole King - Teaser and the Firecat by Cat Stevens - Sweet Baby James by James taylor
This one grew on as the day went. I was familiar with a few of the tracks, the singles “Wild World” and “Father and Son.” The remainder of the album did not disappoint, it lived up to the promise of those known tracks. At first I didn’t have much to say on this album, but it eventually revealed itself to be a solid entry of guitar strumming and singing. I know this is from 1970 but I imagine moppy haired dudes with acoustic guitars tried their hand at these tracks at many a coffee shop open mics well into the 1990s. Probably near a college campus they may or may not have been attending. The songwriting is high quality, Cat Stevens delivery is a reliable guide through it all too. The vocals are in service to the themes, which, dear lord. It amazes me that one could write “Father and Son” at age 22, but damn if Cat Stevens didn’t do just that. Yeah, this was an album that resonated with me on the folk elements. Again, I can be sucker for an acoustic guitar used effectively like this. “Into White” was a great example of that. 3.5/5
[16th of July, 2026] Fave Song: Sad Lisa Very nice, very cinematic. Definitely not my first choice but greatly appreciated nonetheless.
The first album and artist that I didn’t really have any prior knowledge about. Very nice inoffensive folky singer songwriter album. I don’t think there was a bad track.
Lots of good stuff on this one.
- It's a really lovely folk album with sentimental lyrics and melodies. - The guitar fingerpicking fits the feeling of the songs, too. The instrumentals don't really stand out, but I think that it works having them as support to the songs. - I feel like the album kind of loses steam on the second half (especially the last couple of songs), but the rest is really great. - Also appreciate that it's short and sweet.
It’s pretty. Could use a little more oomph, but after a few listens the lyrics do get into your head. I underestimated it the first time through. A good album for an autumn day looking at the pretty foliage. Pleasant, in a somber thoughtful way. At first listen in would have given it there stars and in now debating between a 4 or 5!
Another artist that I haven’t paid much attention to. This is good. He has a way with words and a melody and the musicianship is also very good. Find the dynamics slightly jarring at times. I’ll be revisiting this one, so thanks generator!
really boring.
(6 estrellas)
A thing of beauty.
Loved this, always knew the title track as the theme song from Extras, and obviously Father and Son, but loved the opening track, seems weirdly prescient for a song 50 years old
Struggling to believe this isn’t just Jack Black under a different pseudonym Really easy listening beautiful tracks, knew wild world and father and son already but this whole thing is really nice 4
Father and Son still hits, even if a bit maudlin.
One of the better Cat Stevens albums. Crazy name for a record, though.
After a very mixed week on the generator, I thankfully get some comfort music. I have this album and never tire of it. Its beautifully mellow but powerful at the same time.
This was a great listen. For some reason I was getting Cat Stevens and Elvis Costello mixed up (no idea why as they are quite different!) so I wasn't looking forward to it. But guess what, it wasn't Elvis Costello! solid 4 stars
Sad Lisa has to be one of my favourite songs of all time. This is another deeply nostalgic listen for me, another of my Dad's favourites we'd listen to together. I don't think every song is a 5, but there are some tracks on here that I love dearly.
yusuf's voice is very pleasing, the melodies are nice, but overall the album is just fine
You found me in a good mood Cat, take the first five stars I've given out
Music for weepy men. 5 stars no notes
The whole album is just a treat!
Quite liked this album
Very good. I like Cat. Strong finish with Father and Son towards the end. Big fan!!
Nice songs.
I love this album as a whole but wild world and father and son put it in a class of its own.
pretty all right singer songwriter stuff, will return to it in the future. Not mind blowing though.
I enjoyed the album. It was perfect for this rainy afternoon which was low-key and kind of melancholic.
Holy shit. This is why I chose to participate in this endeavor. I did not know this album at all. Cat Stevens was just a name to me. So glad I was assigned this album. It’s amazing.
8/10 reminded me of genesis a bit liked the instrumental experimentation
Top notch storytelling. Sad Lisa will now officially be my anthem whenever I'm faced with a minor inconvenience
This album steps away from my recent usual music territory of rap/hip hop. Not a complete 180 purely cause of the story telling lol but My lack of genre competence with folk rock makes it difficult to decide if this album is good or bad. Considering I don't have a mental map to connect this style to my rating for it is purely from artistic appreciation rather than personal preference.
mid af Would I listen again: nope. Deserves to be on this list: nope. 2.4
not my kind of music
This is surely a classic folk album and for that time it sure was a precious gem. I liked the classic find Wild World, Miles From Nowhere, Sad Lisa and Longer Boats. But I got triggered by But I Might Die Tonight and the star of the album Father And Son, so this turns it down for me, and for the time really. More like a historical listen
This album has a few of the best CS songs, and several that are pretty forgettable. I don’t know why it is but as much as I’ve always loved Cat Steven’s I can’t listen to that much of him.
Fatwa results in immediate disqualification.
Cover to cover this album is jammed full of powerful, well written folk songs that entice you to sing along. You could keep a CD of it in your car for family road trips.
Soulful and relaxing but it still has authentic intensity that holds the songs all together.
Świetne piosenki
Nice
Maybe a little twee at times..?
Really great songwriting for the most part
Great album, deeply wholesome and uplifting - well constructed through basic but well thought out instrumentals
After relisten i think i aprichiete more but still IT doesnt quite do i fór me i like few songs so 2 stars seems harsh
Heel lang getwijfeld tussen een 4 & een 5, maar ik denk dat die twijfel misschien juist bewijst dat het nog net dat beetje mist. Beetje activisme op een heel chille manier, maar daardoor juist een gemiste kans om scherper te zijn.
Extraordinario
Very good rainy morning album
assez chill et classique franchement
L'histoire du gars est hyper intéressante c'est grave marrant de revenir 30 ans après pour faire des musiques religieuses. J'ai vraiment beaucoup aimé l'album je connaissais que Wild World et sur tout le reste il a une super voix et une super guitare. Et en plus l'album est pas trop long
They work hard too, so this is a good gesture.
This is whatever, some kinda iconic stuff but also I've never really liked those songs that much
not my cup of tea lol
Usually I love folk but I did not enjoy this. May have been because I was in a bad mood but I actually really didn't like it.
it’s nice but is a little bit too boring. father and son is a good song. 3/5
despite knowing some of the songs and not hating them generally, overall it's such a creepy and sleazy record
Very nice
Enjoyed this, although I can't quite get gushing about it, maybe I have some weird Boyzone/The Office reflex. Undeniably good songs, and everything is well purposed length without giving in to the 60s album itch of being too indulgent. Really liked the production of it too, 60s stereo panning at it's best and most interesting without being gimmicky, felt like the piano was sitting at the top of my forehead. This is 7.5, maybe put half a point down for purely unknown/subconcious reasons, and then another point down for realising some of these songs now sound a tiny bit too religious or condescending, but whateves!
Classic
Really good, chill album. Some amazing songs on here.
2 songs really carry it
Pretty solid, Wild World is surely the top song here.
at first I was like lolwut but, I like the guitar and the dudes voice. its all chill but kinda impactful. Sad lisa is sad =( as we go on, I grow tired of the sound.
i like his voice but i don’t really like his songs
Really beautiful. Just a top songwriter presenting their songs in nice simple arrangements. I'll probably revise my opinion upwards with more listens
Too smooth, too simple for my taste.
3/5, enjoyable, sparked memories of the songs.
What strikes me about Tea for the Tillerman is that almost everything around the songs works, the new arrangements are warm, the playing is confident, and there's something genuinely moving about Yusuf revisiting these tracks fifty years later. But the one piece that didn't shift enough for me is his voice itself. It's not that it's worse, just that it doesn't pull me in the way the rest of the album does, and that mismatch is enough to keep this from being something I'd actually put on. I don't dislike it, I just keep wishing someone else were singing it.
Fint singer/songwriter album. Velproduceret og Stevens er i hopla.
don't like it
Fantastic. What can you say?
Beautifully mellow and my favourite of his albums. I really have no criticisms in the slightest.
Tea for the Tillerman - Cat Stevens (1970) Tea for the Tillerman stands out as one of the most thought-provoking yet beautiful folk LPs available. It offers an incredibly refreshing listening experience driven by deeply heartwarming and sincere lyricism throughout the tracklist. On "Father and Son," the writing proves to be deeply relatable, capturing the timeless tension between generations with immense emotional clarity. The absolute favorite from the record, however, is "Miles from Nowhere," which shines with its exceptional acoustic execution and brilliant overall production. The album is highly cohesive, maintaining a masterful acoustic presence from start to finish. Based on the verified listening history, the definitive highlights that complete this masterpiece include "Where Do the Children Play?," "Wild World," "Miles from Nowhere," "Longer Boats," "On the Road to Find Out," "Father and Son," and the gentle closer "Tea for the Tillerman." 5/5
Calm vibes. Cat Stevens has a way with his arrangements and melodies. I don't usually vibe with a fully-acoustic and overall chim album, but Tea for the Tillerman is soothing in a way that never gets boring. Favorite: Hard Headed Woman, Wild World, Sad Lisa, Longer Boats, Into White
Cat Stevens has a voice I didn't know I knew. Such a staple of folk music and his voice is so distinct! The album felt light and was an easy listen. Sometimes with folk I find myself wanting just a little bit more - like some type of uptempo or jazzier break (I know this is dumb but it's just how my ear is tuned). Either way this kept me interested front to back. Feels like a 3.7. Highlights: Hard Headed Woman, Wild World
Absolutely fantastic album. Tbh all his best songs. Really enjoyed this.
very pretty. i love the piano especially in sad lisa
Frábær plata hjá Kisa. Elska þessa texta hjá honum, mjög mikill snillingur.
Mjög fín og þægileg plata hjá Högna Stefáns. Ljúfur lagasmiður. 4,5
Fathers and Sons is beautiful and makes me tear up. Lovely album but not something I want to listen to
Obviously amazing
a genuinely wholesome album with bangers
music is love