SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Top40 Charts/ Universal
Music Enterprises) - With his reintroduction to the pop world behind him, renowned singer-songwriter
Yusuf (the artist known as Cat Stevens) is ready to once again strike up an intimate relationship with his audience. After retreating from the pop stage following classic '70s multi-platinum albums such as Tea For The Tillerman and Teaser And The Firecat and acclaimed hits such as "Wild World," "Peace Train," "Moonshadow," "
Morning Has Broken" and "Father And Son,"
Yusuf returned in late 2006 with his first pop album in 28 years. Now a second album, roadsinger (to warm you through the night), in stores May 5, 2009 (UMe).
"I was absent from my audience for so long," Yusuf says, "people thought another album would never come. The 2006 album, An Other Cup, was a surprise. With this new album, the distance is much less. I'm back to doing what I do best - painting pictures with music and storytelling on a very human, personal, intuitive level through lyrics and song, so I can help people feel good again. I guess in some ways the new album picks up where the Cat Stevens the public knows left off."
The album, roadsinger, was produced by the now singularly named Yusuf with help from Martin Terefe (James Morrison, Jason Mraz, Martha Wainwright), and recorded around the world. Guests include Morrison, Michelle Branch, and Holly Williams (granddaughter of Hank Williams, Sr.).
"The new album is a response to the way An Other Cup was received," Yusuf explains. "Fans said they wanted to hear more of me with a guitar. So, this album is much more folk-tale oriented. Also, apart from one track, all of it was recorded live. I listened to a lot of '70s L.A. music, such as Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Carole King, and it inspired me to go back into that intimate style of recording. The songs are somewhat autobiographical but abstract enough so everyone can relate to them and connect them to their own lives."
The forthcoming album also showcases some songs from his upcoming musical "Moonshadow." The story takes place on a planet of perpetual night where only the moon's shine lights the darkness; it is about a boy's meeting with his Moonshadow and the adventures they share in search for the a world of the sunlight and happiness. As well as having many new songs, the surrealistic musical, "Moonshadow" also weaves classic songs from his past, including 'Morning Has Broken,' 'Wild World' and 'The First Cut Is The Deepest.' The show debuts in the UK in the Fall.
Yusuf's return to his guitar came about when his teenage artist-musician son, Muhammad (aka Yoriyos), brought one home again. One morning, Yusuf was alone in the lounge when he looked over and felt a draw of curiosity overtake him. He slowly picked it up. "I put my fingers on the fretboard to make a 'C' chord," he remembers, "and surprised myself, 'It's still there!' It felt right. So I started playing again. It was my son who sparked the next step. He said, 'Isn't it time to start recording a new album?' And it was."
For one of music's most extraordinary artists, the journey continues.
