Roadsinger (To Warm You Through The Night)

Yusuf/Cat Stevens | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 5, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: UMe
• ASIN: B001TN1EDO
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (102 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #22,219 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2009 album from the singer/songwriter formerly known as Cat Stevens. Yusuf is ready to once again strike up an intimate relationship with his audience. The album, Roadsinger, was produced by the now singularly named Yusuf with help from Martin Terefe (James Morrison, Jason Mraz, Martha Wainwright), and recorded in London, Los Angeles, and Nashville. Guests include Morrison, Michelle Branch, and Holly Williams (granddaughter of Hank Williams, Sr.).

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

91 of 94 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Cat / Yusuf's very finest efforts EVER! May 5, 2009

By Robert L. Smith

Format:Audio CD

I was pleasantly surprised by 2006's "An Other Cup," which is a superb album by any standard, but--to my astonishment--"Roadsinger" easily surpasses it, making this new album one of the very finest in Cat Stevens/Yusuf's remarkable canon. At first glance, the musical and cultural range here is not as broad at that of the earlier disc, and the overt references to Yusuf's Islamic faith are certainly considerably toned down, but, in this case, neither of these is a bad thing. What emerges instead is a much more focused and accessible record, whose folky gentility recaptures the Seventies glory days of "Tea For The Tillerman," and "Teaser and the Firecat." Yusuf's acoustic guitar playing, intricate, teasing, and gentle, is sweetly haunting, recalling (and maybe even outdoing) his work on his classic records thirty years ago. This is the true return of the Cat Stevens we knew in our youth, a re-emergence so startling and complete that not even the considerable charms of "An Other Cup" could have prepared us for it. Every single track here is a gem, and "Roadsinger" is nothing short of a full-blown masterpiece. The title track alone, with its beautifully-told tale of an outcast seeker, is well worth the price of the disc.

50 of 54 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Searching Cat Stevens returns May 5, 2009

By Captdoherty

Format:Audio CD

I was very pleasantly surprised when I heard about this album and even more so when I listened to it.

Its existence shows that the return of Cat Stevens (in his new Yusuf persona) in 2006's "An Other Cup" was no fluke. Listening to it proves something even more wonderful- That the gentle searching and storytelling that was the essence of Cat Stevens' best work is back with a vengeance.

Top Songs on the album are "Welcome Home", "RoadSinger", "All Kinds of Roses" and especially "Everytime I Dream". Listen to it and feel the joy of a master songwriter and performer rediscovering himself and the world around him once again.

Welcome back Peace Train...and please tour in the USA!

45 of 52 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars I prefer vintage Cat but this is still good May 6, 2009

By Sandy Kay VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

I have a strong bias toward Cat Stevens of the Teaser and the Firecat and Tea for the Tillerman era. That music was part of my growing up soundtrack, especially "Morning Has Broken," "Moonshadow," and "Peacetrain."

Listening to this new album made me wish once again that he had not given up popular music after his conversion to Islam. The decades have been kinder to his voice than if he had spent them singing in smoky clubs; his voice is much better than most of the old rockers of his era but is still darker and raspier and doesn't have the effortless ease it used to have. But there are moments on this CD when I hear the old Cat come out to sing.

I have slightly mixed feelings about the CD (do I love it or just like it?): I really like some songs, don't care for a couple, and generally like the rest but am not wild about them (though this could change with extended exposure). My favorite track on this CD is the title track "Roadsinger;" I liked it the first time I heard it. For me it is the closest to what I have always loved about Yusuf's songs, both musically and emotionally. His voice is not the best in "Welcome Home" and this song could have benefitted from another take (I read that this one was done in one take). The message of "All Kinds of Roses" feels a bit ham handed and the music isn't catchy or appealing enough to carry it. The final track is instrumental only and quite lovely. There are some references to Yusuf's faith but they are fairly limited. Overall, I don't like it as much as my oldies but it is good to hear him making music like this again. It had been way too long....

The liner notes are heavy on photos (especially photos that point to his earlier work, I guess for people who don't make the connection) and way too light on content. There are lyrics for only a few of the songs. Given that Yusuf's song often tell stories, the lack of lyrics or commentary on what inspired the songs is unfortunate. This may not be a big deal in the downloading era, but I still like to have liner notes at hand while listening to the music.

If you are a big fan of Yusuf/Cat Stevens (but not as nostalgic as I am for a particular couple of albums), you will probably enjoy this CD. If you aren't sure if you want the whole CD, I definitely recommend you buy the download of the title song "Roadsinger." Read more ›

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding. Just Outstanding. May 11, 2009

By AlexJouJou TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

I absolutely adore this CD. There isn't a song I don't like--all feel to me like coming home. They are warm, intimate, soulful, and take you on a journey to a peaceful place.

This compilation is one of the best I've ever heard from any artist. He seems very at peace with himself-someone mentioned serene and that's a good way to put it. Like coming home. Listening to his music fills me with this sense of calmness. In particular the title track and Thinking of You are noteworthy. All Kinds of Roses is haunting in its beauty.

I hear blues, jazz, folk, rock, and country all in this album. I read it was recorded live for the most part and it has that feel. This is not the mixed electronic techno tune that you hear today-this is the type of music you would share with your closest friend over a jup of java or just sit back and relax to on a vacation in the mountains. It feels really personal--and I can't say that about much of today's music.

It doesn't sound particularly religous but I did find it spiritual. He is a true artist. This is different than the majority of musicians today who seem more like performers and less like artists (with some exceptions).

Highly highly recommended.

25 of 30 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This CD is filled with reflective songs May 5, 2009

By Robert G Yokoyama VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

Yusuf, or Cat Stevens as he is formerly known, has always been a thoughtful songwriter. He delivers on this disc of eleven songs that are meant to warm the heart. I really like the lead track "Thinking bout You". It is a pretty love song. "Welcome Home" is a song that makes me good. I love his guitar playing here. The other highlight is the track "Roadsinger". This is a story song about how the power of music can bring people together. "The Rain" is a track about Noah's Ark and the flood. This is a beautiful song. I love the violin playing here. "To Be What You Must" is a song with very deep moving lyrics. This is a very spiritual song. I love piano playing by Martin Terefe on this track. "All Kinds Of Roses" is a song about the beauty of nature and the world around us. "In This Glass World" is a short but lovely song about peace. "World of Darkness" is a pretty bleak sounding song, but I like Yusuf's vocals here. This CD is filled with good reflective songs.