Customer Reviews

An Other Cup

5 star:		(114)
4 star:		(38)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(12)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

Like many diehard Cat Stevens fans, I have eagerly devoured his Islamic recordings over the past twenty-eight years, all of which are superb, if somewhat difficult to find. "An Other Cup," is something else entirely.

Although still recording under his Muslim name, ("Yusuf Islam" now shortened to simply "Yusuf"), the former Cat Stevens has made a triumphant return to the spiritual folk-pop of his youth, and--by any name--he IS still very much Cat Stevens. Every track here is heartfelt, beautifully written, and gorgeously produced.

The whole range of his remarkable career is represented: a new recording of "I Think I See The Light," originally from 1970's MONA BONE JAKON; a horn-powered "Midday" which, although it is a new song, wouldn't have sounded out of place on his very first album, 1966's MATTHEW AND SON; "Heaven/Where True Love Goes," which expands on the final section of 1973's "Foreigner Suite." The album even closes with "Greenfields And Golden Sands," a previously-unrecorded early song dating from 1968! From start to finish, all are superb; there is a maturity in these tracks which in some ways surpasses his classic 1970s work.

This album is not for everyone. In the age of hard-edged, angry rap, some people will undoubtedly find Yusuf's folky spiritualism out-moded and passe. For those of us who loved Cat Stevens thirty years ago, however, this CD represents a long-awaited return to a magical world we feared we had lost forever. Bravo, Yusuf! And welcome back!

I had never heard anything by Cat Stevens, I wasn't even interested, but my girlfriend came in with his new CD the other day and I was blown away. I don't think I have heard such a good and strong album for a very long time. I haven't been able to stop listening to it over and over again, even when the CD wasn't playing the music was still there in my head. That music, so delicate, so beautiful, so heartfelt, so genuine, so exquisite and moving... I just haven't got words. It reminds me a bit of George Harrison. I'm not a religious person, but it's anquestionable that their respective faiths have elevated this two musicians to an amazing state of artistic grace.
This record will stay with me.

Thank you Yusuf for sharing yourself with us again. You were greatly missed! Please consider us again when you are moved to share more of your gifted self.

I found his voice more mature, deeper, older, which for me works well. I adore the variety on this mellow cd. I love the flavor of Islam in some of the music and the open-ended spirituality that allows for us ALL to listen or sing along from our own unique perspectives, whatever our beliefs. "Greenfields and golden sands are all I need, are all I want...A small house and an olive tree, to keep and feed my family." "If only you all could rely on God with absolute trust ..." "I have dreamt of an open world, borderless and wide, where the people move from place to place, and nobody's taking sides..." "One day at a time, we can learn to fly ... Those who worked for tomorrow, will not miss the dreams of yesterday." Thank you, Yusuf. More please. I wish you a long, healthy, fruitful life.

I never expected this CD to be this good. I bought this and "The Very Best of Cat Stevens" together. Honestly, several of the songs on "An Other Cup" are even better than the Very Best. The two albums are sharply contrasted though. In the Very Best, he is clearly a man searching everywhere to find his peace, and often in the wrong places. "Hard Headed Woman" really speaks to that. But in An Other Cup, you see a man who has finally found his place, and reaches spiritual enlightenment. This CD communicates so well his journey. It is sincere and uplifting, and makes me feel that there is hope in the world. 5 stars, hands down.

This is an absolutely gorgeous compilation of music, performed by an old favorite. Yusuf's life experiences and emotions come through clearly, along with "that voice". This CD went into my IPOD right away. I listened to it recently when feeling a bit low, and my spirits were lifted by Yusuf's voice and songs. God bless this gentle soul!

I have been reading the reviews here and want to give my honest feedback on Yusef's first new pop album in 28 years. By far, this is the best music he has done since he quit music. With that said though, it is not up there with his best 3 albums: Tea For The Tillerman, Teaser & the Firecat & Catch Bull at Four. It is just not as strong lyrically or musically and does not have the mass appeal(as a whole). That doesn't mean it isn't good; it is, but not everyone will be drawn to some of religious songs that appear.

Anyway here is a song by song breakdown:

1) Midday - 8.5/10

Though it lacks a chorus, the wonderful instrumentals make this song. I agree the production is like his very early stuff - very lush, but this time not overdone. I like this song very much.

2) Heaven/Where True Love Goes - 8/10

We have all heard it. This song is inspiring, uplifting & one of the few really upbeat songs. It is a love song I think for his wife or son with a spiritual message.

3) Maybe There's a World - 10/10

This is the best song far and away. It sounds like a lost song from Tea for Tillerman. His vocal is very strong and I love the backing harmony of the chorus.

4) One Day At a Time - 6/10.

This song is not one of my favourites. It is very mellow and the vocal is very quiet. The style is similar to the songs on Numbers. Musically it is kinda weak & it almost lulls me to sleep to be honest.

5) When Butterflies Leave - 7/10

It is so short it is hard to rate. How can you complain about a 40 second song? Even if you don't like it, it ends so fast. So what if it is a poem? Nothing fantastic, but it is decent enough.

6) In the End - 8/10

This song will turn some off, for it does sound a bit preachy. Yet unlike Dylan's Gotta Serve Somebody it is not in your face. Yusef expresses a heartfelt viewpoint of following a path that is good, not evil. It may sound a bit preachy, but this song is very strong and being a spiritual, but not religious person, I connect with his message and don't feel he is trying to convert you.

7) Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood - 7.5/10

This seems to be Yusef's theme song now. If you do a cover, you have to expect one to compare it to the original and in doing that it is not as good as the Animals version. The main problem I have is that Yusef slowed down the song so much, that it loses its appeal. He does a decent version, but the song sounds better at a faster tempo and Yusef still has the voice to do it that way. It could have been the second single, but it is too slow to work.

8) I Think I See The Light - 8/10

I am not a big fan of redoing old songs. Yusef takes out the word girl and turns this old love song into a song about God. Yet despite that, it is a very good remake and backing instrumentation is great. This version may be better than the original.

9) Whispers of a Spiritual Garden - 6/10

Another poem set to music. Not my cup of tea, but have no problem with it.

10) The Beloved - 7/10

This song is most the religious of them all. It is a song about the prophet Muhhamed. It is a nice song, but the song has limited appeal. Muslims will love it, but most would have preferred a more secular song. Considering this album is meant to appeal to the Western World, this song will turn more people off. I don't have a problem with him writing it and singing it, but feel this album was not the place for it. He could have included on one of his more religious releases. Then again maybe Yusef wanted to do a record where there is something for everyone and this song is not the one for me. I like this the least.

11) Greenfields, Golden Sands - 8.5/10

They are calling this Yusef's Imagine. It is not. John Lennon's Imagine was his masterpiece and this song is not that good or as good as Cat's best peace song - Peace Train. Yet it is a very good song. It has a very strong melody and I think more than any other song, this song will grow on you. Its style is similar to early work 1966-1968, and it was written in 68, so it falls more into that category than his 1970-72 style. It is a strong song to end the album.

I do wish they listed the musicians that played on each song like they did in the old days. I wanted to know what songs Alun Davies & the rest of his old band played on. But I guess I can live without knowing.

In conclusion, giving this 1 star is absurd. The album has moments of greatness, but I wouldn't give it 5 stars either, for it has some weaker moments and giving it 5 stars would say it is up there with his best work and I don't think it is. But it is a good album and it is great to hear the ol' Cat back after so many years.

And the production is great and his voice sounds as good as ever. And who said he lost his skill as a musician? After 28 years, he is going to be rusty, but amazingly he is very strong on the guitar again and I am a musician so I can hear his skill shining through again.

Go buy this album if you liked Cat Stevens. It is better than 95% of the music out there.

Yusuf is a genius and a very kind man of faith. I believe his body of work is brilliant and An Other Cup is yet another addition to a string of sensational albums. It is as if there has been no gap in time whatsoever.

I believe it is high time radio wakes up and starts playing quality music like this. The plastic barbie doll, sugar coated crap passed off as talent today is shameful.

To quote Dear Prudence by the Beatles, "It's Beautiful and so are you"

Long Live and God Bless Yusuf!

I was a little skeptical when people were saying that this cd reminded them of his earlier work as Cat Stevens but I must say after listening to it several times that from the first song to the last everyone is brilliant. The lyrics are soulful and hit home. The first time I listened to the cd it felt like a subliminal experience but I didn't quite know what I got out of it but I knew it was something good. The second time I listened to it I knew what it was. It was the message of hope and peace. I have listened to it a few times now and I am still getting something more after every time I listen to it. The songs become a little deeper and richer in context and meaning. You have to sit and listen to this cd and give it undivided attention to truly grasp the songs and what the song is about. Listening to each of the songs is an amazing experience. One of the more interesting songs is Don't let me be misunderstood, thats right the Animals song a completely different sound and style but very good.

While the softer vocal stylings aren't there that accompanied what we heard on his earlier material this is still one the best if not the best collections of songs that Yusuf/Cat Stevens has put out. Will any of these songs reach the anthemic levels and get mass radio play that Morning has broken or Peace train did I doubt it but that was a different time and place. These songs are however as good or better then those.

The musicians of this cd are great. Musically the songs are almost transcendental in feeling in their way lending the music to some higher spiritual meaning. Yes Morning had broken but Midday has arrived.

If you have missed the old Cat Stevens this is the cd to get. If you are at all interested in what Yusuf Islam has to say then this is the cd to get in either case you wont be disappointed.

My high school students love this CD. And when they ask who it's by, I love telling them Yusuf Islam. Invariably they say, "I don't know who that is." "Yes, you do," I reply. "Your parents [sometimes grandparents] knew him as Cat Stevens." The kids who know music definitely recognize that name. There are few artists in the music industry I respect as much as Yusuf. Those things he sang to us about in the '60's and '70's, well, he really meant them. This man pours his heart into his music, and that is what I love the most about it. If you have always loved him, buy the CD. You'll love what you hear.

The Yusuf is unlikely to attract a new audience with his first effort in nearly three decades but his faithful is guaranteed to be pleased. Absent the manic, caffinated vocal style that readily defined him, Yusuf delivers these 11 tracks with the somewhat drowsy quality of a man at best at peace with himself, at worst casually indifferent to topics and issues that may have inspired him at a younger age.

Regardless, An Other Cup is a welcomed offering that borrows liberally from the Cat's impressive body of work. From brass accompaniment reminiscent of the sometimes smaltzy overdubs on Matthew and Son and New Masters to the naive optimism of Mona Bone Jakon to the tone and feel of Numbers, Yusuf barely deviates from his introspective minstrel style.

Although lyrically banal at times, they are, in many cases, as they should be; the pleasant, peaceful musings of a man approaching 60. Suggesting that this man of some means, notoriety and advancing years should be the same tormented soul of over 30 years ago does a disservice to Yusuf and would call into questions his integrity as an artist.

Although An Other Cup will certainly not displace is best work, it is, nevertheless, a solid effort. Let's hope our next helping is not another 30 year wait.