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'Underneath the Covers' has been placed together by the hard work and dedication of George Brown, and I'd like to thank him for allowing Majicat to publish it on the site.

I've never realized there have been so many musicians who have performed Cat Stevens music. We all know about the more commonly known cover songs by such artist as Rod Stewert, The Tremeloes, and Jimmy Cliff. But to read this article and actually see how many cover songs there have been over the years, make one realize how highly regarded Cats' music is by the many men and women who are his contemporaries. To see so many musicians lovingly performing Cats music, is a real tribute to the man and his music. And proves to us in a whole knew light that Cats music will continue to live on, even if Cat/Yusuf  never performs it live again.

gold stargold stargold stargold stargold star

 

UNDERNEATH THE COVERS
A look at the many cover versions of songs by Cat Stevens
by
George Brown

CAT BY PROXY – AN INTRODUCTION

Underneath the Cat Covers

Hopefully, the following essay is of interest as it contains information concerning the many Cat Stevens cover versions that have appeared over the years. It should make a nice companion book to Cat Stevens – The Complete Illustrated Biography & Discography.

Right from the outset of Cat’s career, his contemporaries were queuing up for pages of his songbook. I first decided to write this article after reading an interesting thread on the UK’s "Remember Cat Stevens" website. I found that being a sad individual and wearing my Cat Stevens anorak at the time – I was not content with collecting just Cat Stevens songs alone. My interests had veered towards the many cover versions recorded by the well known and not so well known artists who had used Cat’s songs.

For me, the best interpretation of any of Cat’s songs is by the man himself. However, it’s always good to hear other artists' reworking of the songs. Cover versions in general have always fascinated me especially in the way that a singer/arranger can reinvent someone else’s work. Two songs that immediately spring to mind are Joe Cocker’s version of "With A Little Help From My Friends" and Jimi Hendrix’s majestic "Hey Joe". It’s best forgotten that William Shatner tackled "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds"! Led Zeppelin based most of their early material on old Blues singers' work - bringing the genre into the mainstream. Where would the Beatles and Rolling Stones have been without people like Arthur Alexander, Chuck Berry, Carl Perkins, Little Richard, Willie Dixon et al?

Without wishing to go off on too much of a tangent - this account focuses on how the songs of Cat Stevens were developed, stroke murdered! I have tried to stay as non-judgemental about these as my conscience allows me! The original working title of this essay was in fact called, "The Good, The Bad & The Ugly"! As far as quality reworking goes, the best in my opinion are P.P. Arnold’s "The First Cut Is the Deepest" and Double Feature’s "Baby Get Your Head Screwed On". "Portobello Road" by Alun Davies and "The Wind" by Mary Hopkin are very closely behind. For innovation, it’s E-Real’s "Wild World"! Let’s keep the thread going - over to you!

George Brown
December 2001

 

OTHER ARTIST SONGS PERFORMED BY CAT STEVENS

     ANOTHER SATURDAY NIGHTAli aand Sam Cooke

Let’s start with two songs by other artists that Cat covered himself! "Another Saturday Night" was of course the great Sam Cooke favourite.

 

Cassius Clay before he embraced Islam, pictured with Sam Cooke after the Liston vs. Clay fight February 1964

 

Fats Domino

BLUE MONDAY

"Blue Monday" was written by Dave Bartholomew and made famous by Antoine "Fats" Domino, a childhood favourite of Steven Georgiou’s.

Fats was the king of pre-Elvis rock and is still going strong to this day. Smiley Lewis recorded the song exquisitely too, three years before Fats' version, in ’54. Favoured by Cat during his Majikat concerts in the mid ’70’s - Cat has only recently officially released the song on the Cat Stevens box set.

The Legendary Fats Domino

 

CAT STEVENS SONGS BY OTHER ARTISTS

BABY GET YOUR HEAD SCREWED ON

Cat’s first producer, Mike Hurst, produced a fine version of this song with the Deram band Double Feature. It has an almost psychedelic feel with soulful vocals and cello. Well worth checking out.

BITTERBLUE

melanie

 

- has been covered in recent years by ’70’s singer-songwriter Melanie.

 

Flowerchild of the '70's Melanie sings the Bitterblue's

Linda Lewis

BONFIRE

Linda Lewis released the song as a smouldering single, produced by its writer. She was a successful solo artist and provided backing vocals for Cat, notably on "How Can I Tell You" and "Angelsea." She also supported Cat on tour.

Linda Lewis covers Cat

CAN’T KEEP IT IN

Sweden’s Kari Fall released the song as "En Pida’a’tt’a’a’ M’a’ Voi"!

CHANGES IV

The jubilant New Seekers released this on album. Santana and Martyn Kaye issued it on 7" platters to an unappreciative public.

FATHER & SON

It’s hard to believe that this song has been around for over 30 years. In recent times, UK boy band Boyzone had a massive hit with it. The most recent cover has been by the delightfully named Me First & The Gime firstmme Gimmes. They released it with "Wild World" onyusuf & boyzone the flip side and affectionately entitled their single "Stevens". The picture cover features a concert photo of a youthful Ravi Shankar and colleagues. The song lends itself more to the style of late ’70’s new-wave "power-pop". Not a single sitar is heard!

Homage to Stevens

Yusuf and Boyzone, proudly displaying their Life Of The Last Prophet CD’s

 

Other paternal celebrities who’ve seen the worth of the song include: Berni Flint,barron knights Johnny Cash & Rosey Nix – the father and daughter team called it just that. They handled the sentiment impeccably. Richie Havens recorded it as "Fathers & Sons". Sandie Shaw released it as a single in ’72 – from a "mother and daughter" perspective. Production was by Herbie Flowers, of Blue Mink and the bassist on Cat’s "How Many Times". There’s quite a strong rumour that The Smiths recorded a version too, as both Morrisey & Marr were huge Sandie Shaw fans – although this was said to have got no further than rehearsals. The Barron Knights, the ’60’s comedy band that used to send up pop hits of the era, sang it straight – using Cat’s trick of having two different pitched voices

                                                                                                      

Another bad hair day for the Barron Knights!

FILL MY EYES

Linda RondstadtLinda Rondstadt recorded this in country style with banjo accompaniment, as a guest on Cat’s ABC Moon & Star concert in ’73.

Linda Rondstadt belts out Cat on 'ABC In Concert'

THE FIRST CUT IS THE DEEPEST

Consistently good cover versions abound for "The First Cut Is The Deepest". Cat’s song sat modestly on his second Deram album. Andrew Loog Oldham, Rolling Stones’ manager and Immediate label boss, liked the song and passed it to P.P. Arnold. Pat was the petite American ex-Ikette with P.P1.Arnoldthe huge voice. She sang on some classic tracks such as "Tin Soldier" by The Small Faces. She had her debut top 20 chart success with the song - which was also produced by Cat’s first producer, Mike Hurst. The combination of Pat’s breathtaking vocal and Small Faces’ Ian MacLagan’s piano work, makes this the finest Cat cover moment. A true ’60’s pop classic. The Koobas (formerly Kubas), handled the song in a very raw manner. Rod Stewart took the song to number 1. The ’60’s band Love Affair, fronted by Steve Ellis, also cut a version. The Dutch band called Danish Lost & Found, Keith Hampshire, David Essex, Gene Pitney, I-Roy, (with a reggae version) and Martin Simpson, all had a bash at it. Terence Trent D’Arby confined his recording of the song to a concert video. There’s a very dubious handling of the song on a CD by The Sweet! Linda Rondstadt sang it as her second Cat song, on the ABC Moon & Star Concert.

P.P. Arnold - small in stature but huge voice and talent

HARD HEADED WOMAN

Another talented Island artist, Mike Harrison, recorded a cover of this after disbanding Spooky Tooth to pursue a solo career.

HERE COMES MY BABY

In swinging London – during ’66, Cat wrote the bitter-sweet "Here Comes My Baby". The Tremeloes had a ball on their number 4 hit version, prior to Cat’s release. It was almost Cat’s first single, but "I Love My Dog" watremeloess thought to be stronger and it couldn’t fail – although on both songs you only have to hear the melody once and you’re humming them for the rest of your life! Cat’s jazzy original of "Baby" sounded sombre by comparison to the Trems’ cut – with their whistling and jollity. Their live take in cabaret was hysterical; when they sang the line "…I try to call you names", they inserted the phrase "parrot-face"!

Joe Loss & His Orchestra released it the same year as a "Quick-step" along with other ’67 hits, sanitised as dance arrangements. The veteran Phil Spector - produced band, Bob B. Soxx & The Blue Jeans did a version too. During the ’70’s, new-wave bands such as The Jags and The Smith (not the plural, with no relation to the Morrisey & Marr band) picked up on the merits of the song with their jerky treatment. Dottie West and later, The Mavericks issued country arrangements.

Fashion note: Chesney’s dad Chip Hawkes, sports fetching polo neck and military jacket

cabaret tremeloes

The cabaret Tremeloes prove that bad hair and appalling dress sense are de rigueur for Cat cover artists

mavericks

 

 

Unfocussed Mavericks cover

 

 

 

HONEY MAN

This song was never officially released until the 4 CD box set release by Cat in 2001! Elton John & Cat Stevens first recorded it in ’70, but record company politics prevented its release then. Two cover versions did get released as singles to a complacent record-buying public – the first by Sweet Salvation in ’70 and then by Brotherly Love in ’72. Cat had co-written the song with his friend Ken Cumberbatch, who had contributed the piano-based riff. Lani Hall

 

HOW CAN I TELL YOU

Recorded sensitively by Herb Alpert’s Mrs. - Lani Hall in ’72, on her debut album. Prior to this, she was lead singer with Brazil ’66 for almost six years.

 

Mrs. Alpert photographed by Mr. Alpert in ’72

HUMMINGBIRD

Jackie Trent issued this early Cat song, about the demise of a young girl, as a single in March ’67.

I LOVE MY DOG

   Cat models expensive Hush Puppies

Cat & Dog                                                                                                                           

There’s some canine affection by way of cover versions for Cat’s first single, "I Love My Dog". One Carolyn Hester has recorded the tune. Theo Bikel, folk singer, theatre, film and television actor, radio presenter, political activist, Jewish spokesperson and guest murderer on Columbo, also lays claim to covering the song. Funky soul diva, Sweet Linda Divine (Linda Tillery), recorded her version in ’69 on her self-titled album. Mike Batt, famous for those furry children’s TV chTheo Bikelaracters, The Wombles, recorded a version too. In fact, he produced, arranged and conducted a whole album worth of Cat covers in ’71. He also pilfered the back catalogues of The Rolling Stones, Elton John, Simon & Garfunkel, Bob Dylan and George Harrison in his "Portrait Of…" series of budget priced instrumental lp’s. Only for the most dedicated Cat junkies.ayshea1

 

The American singer/entertainer Theo Bikel surprisingly covered the song

I LOVE THEM ALL

Ayshea Brough was once married to Cat’s ’60’s co-manager, Chris Brough. She presented a children’s TV pop show called "Lift Off With Ayshea". She’d introduce hit-makers of the time and also had her own singing slot. She made several singles and a couple of albums. Her version of "I Love Them All" is poppy and sweet, with some giggles at the end!

Ayshea, as photographed by David Bailey

 

David Garrick

I’VE FOUND A LOVE

Operatically trained Liverpudlian, David Garrick recorded this song with Cat’s arranger/conductor Alan Tew. It deviates only very slightly from Cat’s original arrangement.

The photogenic Philip Darryl Core, aka David Garrick

 

LADY

During ’67, everyone who was anyone wanted to dip into Cat’s box of songs. Wayne Thomas recorded Lady as "I’ve Never Known A Lady" in April ’67. Dave Walton was another contender in the same year.

LADY D’ARBANVILLE

There’s an overstated gothic version by the cult band And Also The Trees. One Reg Dwight, aka Elton John – recorded the song during his pre-fame days. He recorded anonymous sessions just prior to hitting the big time – his work cagigliola!!n be found on a number of budget priced "Hits" lp’s. The record sleeves tried to entice buyers with pictures of scantily clad women, plus the challenge – "can you tell the difference between these cover versions and the original artists?" Usually in very small print!

In 1970,

Gigliola Cinquetti, Italian 1964 Eurovision Song Contest winner - released an Italian language version of "Oh Lady D’Arbanville".

Gigliola Cinquetti says "ciao" to Patti

 

MATTHEW & SON

The first known cover of the song was by Mike Vickers (of Manfred Mann) - on his solo album in ’67, entitled "I Wish I Were A Group Again". He was also Cat’s musical director on his last couple of Deram 45 sides. Some obscure artists have also covered the song. It was recorded in ’82 by a band called Hey You. ’60’s producer Miki Dallon recorded a version with a band called Apollo 100 in the same year. Another chaterover exists by The Cuban Heels! The popular ’60’s band Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich, recorded the song too.

MONA BONE JAKON

A&M stable-mates Hater, recorded this track with additional lyrics by Ben Shepherd. They tagged on quips like "I’ve got no songs in my heart – they’ve all gone away."

Hater’s self-titled CD release from ’83

MOONSHADOW

labelleRoger WhittakerCat was flattered to hear that "Moonshadow" was re-worked into a lengthy soul version by Labelle. Their live 9:24 minute cut was recorded live at the Record Plant in L.A. and included on their "Moonshadow" album. Cat went to see them in concert to check out their performance of his song. British "folkie"/entertainer Roger Whittaker whistled his way through the song too!

Patti Labelle, Nona Hendryx & Sarah Dash – as photographed on the cover of their "Moon Shadow" album

 

Roger Whittaker whistles "Moonshadow" and loves dogs too

 

MORNING HAS BROKEN

The song depicts God’s creation - life, awakening and growth are celebrated in its verses. Probably the best-known cover version of this song was by the Cat himself! It was originally a poem by Eleanor Farjeon (1881-1965). The lovely Eleanor was a writer of tales and light verses for young children. She was commissioned to write "Morning Has Broken" for Songs Of Praise editor Percy Dearmer to an old melody. She was paid Three Guineas for it (£3.15/$4.50)! The tune came from a Gaelic melody from the 1880’s, called "Bunessen". It had first been used on a Christmas Carol. On numerous post 1971 vinyl releases, credits range from; Stevens/Farjeon, Stevens/Trad. Arr., or Trad. Arr./Farjeon. "Traditional Arrangement" usually means borrowed/stolen! Cat certainly was responsible for its arrangement but the tune and words are from someone else. He’d never heard of the song when he discovered it while flicking through a hymn-book in a London bookshop! Alun Davies, his guitarist, recognised it from morning assembly at school. Rick Wakeman, majestically caressed the ivories on Cat’s "hit hymn". The single was released in earnest and not a gimmick, coming from someone set on a spiritual search. Maybe Cat was impressed with Judy Collins’ update of "Amazing Grace", issued a little earlier. Judy Collins herself has covered "Morning Has Broken"!

To this day, people would not be requesting the song at weddings and funerals if not for Cat’s version. It reintroduced the song to the Christian and agnostic masses. Out of Cat’s entire repertoire, it’s the one that has attracted the most cover versions. It’s also the one possibly most played on the radio, largely on Sunday mornings.

Another contender was Mike Sedgwick. His version gallops along with harpsichord and determined vocals. He was once a member of George Mitchell’s Singers and had honed a recording career alongside ’60’s novelty releases from singing nuns, postmen and three legged men. As a presenter on the Five To Ten Show on BBC radio, he’d play devout popular hits every day. The New Seekers, released the song in typically twee fashion. Irish singer Dana, who won the Eurovision song contest in ’70 with "All Kinds Of Everything", interpreted the song when her career blossomed. Ex-Goon and religious TV presenter, the late Sir Harry Secombe released it with hearty operatic tones. As kids in England, we always hoped he’d lapse into his Neddy Seagoon guise and blow a raspberry during his "serious siNew Seekers1.JPG (10748 bytes)nging" on TV - it would’ve helped! Actor turned singer, Edward Woodward – TV’s "The Equaliser", gave it similar treatment. A falsetto rendition came from the Welsh schoolboy, Aled Jones. The Beverley Sisters, one of Britain’s most famous sister acts, absolutely adored the song. They sang it regularly on TV’s Stars On Sunday programme and also committed it to vinyl. In ’92, Neil Diamond covered the song as a single release (produced by Peter Asher) with a vocal choir, lifted from his Christmas album. You can imagine him singing it by the Christmas tree, seated in a rocking chair, roasting chestnuts on a huge log fire! Vinyl releases are abundant by ten thousand grizzly elderly gentlemen with the sweetest voices, with Cat aspirations - sung by male voice choirs the world over!

The New Seekers – another ’70’s fashion statement, the decade that taste forgot!

The above is just the tip of the iceberg, completists should look out for the following "Morning Has Broken" cover artists at their next charity shop or flea market excursion; Tommy Darky, Valerie Dunbar, Mary O’Hara, The King Singers, Val Doonican, Acker Bilk, Roger Whittaker, Bert Weedon, Kenneth McKeller, Ralph McTell, Mark Robson, Jimmy Shand Jnr., Ann Williamson, Harold Winkler, Nana Mouskouri, Art Garfunkel, not to mention a Moog SynAled Jonesthesizer version by The Elektronic Cokonut…and there’s even more! The most recent version is by the stellar Celtic band, The Chieftans (also aided by Art Garfunkel and Diane Krall). Their chilling version was recorded on an Antarctic cruise with the seals and penguins of Deception Island as audience.

On "Teaser & The Firecat", "Morning Has Broken" nestled unusually between "Tuesday’s Dead" and "Bitterblue". It was so refreshing and remains timeless by Cat Stevens, the song is now an institution…and if you own just a fraction of the above releases you should be living in one!

The delicate cheep of the young Aled Jones

 

PEACE TRAIN

10,000 Maniacs released the song to the masses as a single and on their "In My Tribe" album in ’87. Peter Asher produced the10000 Maniacs1.JPG (7138 bytes) recording with Natalie Merchant’s strikingly evocative vocals. Dolly Parton also had a soft spot for the song and its sentiments. Her rendition was recorded with the South African group Ladysmith Black Mambazo. All manner of "Holy Roller" mixes and radio edits of the song were issued on the CD single. Yusuf supported their version with an interview that was run on a TV show that featured Dolly’s favourite songs, called "Treasures". Johnny Hammond, the soul-jazz organist, also issued the song on album. Richie Havens covered it too which was featured in an episode of TV's "The Wonder Years".   He was very much a covers artist, his soulful renditions added a whole new dimension to other artist’s rock, folk and country tunes. A fine example is his cover of George Harrison’s "Here Comes The Sun".

The moon and star-studded 10,000 Maniacs coverDr. John

POP STAR

The Louisiana high priest of "Gris Gris" music, Dr. John guested with Linda Rondstadt on the ABC Moon & Star concert in ’73. The song was largely re-worked into his unique mystical voodoo style!

The good Dr. from all that remains on a bad video recording

PORTOBELLO ROAD

Cat’s right hand man, Alun Davies recorded the song on his solo album - produced by Cat and Paul Samwell-Smith. It’s a gem - with nice banjo by Charlie Gaisford.

REMEMBER THE DAYS OF) THE OLD SCHOOLYARD

Linda Lewis had a minor hit with the song in ’74. Like her version of "Bonfire", it doesn’t differ greatly in arrangement.

SAD LISA

Female vocalists seem to like this song. Once covered by Angels Of Venice. Marianne Faithful recorded a version. Sarah McLaughlin, who as a teenager used to shut herself in her bedroom listening to Cat’s music, also favours the song.

TROUBLE

Never committed officially to CD or vinyl – both Pearl Jam and The Red Hot Chili Peppers have used this song in concert! Kristin Hersh, from the Indie band Throwing Muses, tackled the song on her solo CD "Sunny Border Blue". A poignant, minimalist version – Kristin exorcised some of her personal mental health demons using Cat’s fine song.

WAS DOG A DOUGHNUT

John "Jellybean" Benitez released a hypnotic version on the rear of his version of the Madonna song, "Sidewalk Talk", the writer credits going to Yusuf Islam.

WHERE ARE YOU

Craig Scott (who?) recorded this on the b-side of his single called "Smiley" - a couple of years after Cat’s release. Obscure, but not essential!

WHERE DO THE CHILDREN PLAY

Ireland’s Jakoma and Leona Daly recorded this as a fundraiser for the Children’s Hour charity. Tim Russ, who plays the Vulkan in Star Trek Voyager, has recorded "Where Do The Children Play". He issued a CD of his own original songs and a few favourites. Horace Andy, a highly rated Jamaican ska/reggae artist, recorded the song with some amended Kingston Town lyrics. More recently recorded by Big Mountain.

WHISTLESTAR

Herb Alpert puckered up for this instrumental quasi-Latin rhythm and re-titled it "Whistle Song". Possibly approved by Cat through his US association with Alpert & Moss (Trivia note: A&M Records’ founders - they had developed their famed record label from Herb Alpert’s converted garage! Not unlike the UK Island Records equivalent, where Chris Blackwell would sell discs from the boot of his Mini Cooper!)

WILD WORLD

Now, "Wild World" is an interesting one. Cat said that at the song’s induction that it was "just another song, in with all the others." It was a big hit for him in the US. At its outset in England, it was given to Chris Simmons. His was a polite cat'n'jimmybut unexciting interpretation, which sounded more like one of those cheap "sound-alike" albums. Jimmy Cliff, on the other hand, understood the song perfectly. Jimmy and Cat got together a small band, which included Doris Troy on backing vocals. Cat played piano and produced it quickly and simply. The song's spirited vocals and spontaneity ensured a top 10 hit – quite different from Cat’s strummed version.

Maxi Priest continued the reggae tradition with his "long and saxy" version of the song. Recorded also by; Mr. Big, Tito Simon, Steve Young and Sacre Bleu, Sacha Distel!                          

Jimmy Cliff and Cat Stevens Wild World

Pet Shop Boys - It's a sin

The Pet Shop Boys were accused of plagiarising the song when their single "It’s A Sin" was released. Strongly denied by Messrs Tennant & Lowe, Cat was flattered whether it was a coincidence or not. Jonathan King engineered the controversy in his tabloid newspaper column and The Pet Shop Boys tried to sue him. King courted publicity further - capitalising on both versions merged into one with his own single, "Wild World/Ways To Be Wicked". Both the interpretation and sleeve illustration by the ex-celebrity are totally bizarre!

Horrific X-rated cover art-work

José Feliciano recorded the song too in ’71, on his "That The Spirit Needs" album. Coincidentally, this had an equally strange gatefold cover painting, later withdrawn and replaced with a moE-Real1re appropriate image! José’s album contained a few originals with Cat’s tune and a couple of Elton John/Bernie Taupin numbers.

The most recent and radical version of the song is by an unsigned, independent US Rap artist - E-Real of Cleveland, Ohio. He uses the lyrics of the song in what most Cat fans would probably view as a taboo medium. The song is refreshing, however. It brings Cat’s legacy right up to date and makes his words accessible to a totally different audience – from the CD entitled "In My Mind", which is highly recommended.

Great sounds from Rap artist E-Real

THE WINDMary Hopkins

An exquisite version of "The Wind" appears on Mary Hopkin’s "Earth Song, Ocean Song" album, with a string quartet. The song turned full circle when Yusuf Islam covered it too!

 

Paul McCartney’s protégé, Mary Hopkin - listens to "The Wind"

 

 

 

CAT STEVENS SONGS RECORDED BY OTHER ARTISTS BUT NEVER BY CAT

To finish off, some Cat Stevens songs only issued by other artists. These are for the Cat completist and are extremely hard to track down:

DEAR - MIKE STUART SPAN

An early rudimentary Cat song, released in June ’67.The gifted Brighton-based psychedelic band had little success and later became Leviathan. EMI dropped the band after the Cat cover flopped.

GONE GONE GONE - CHRIS SIMMONS

A Howard, Blaikley, Cat Stevens number, produced by Mike Leander on the poppy b-side of "Soraya", in ’69. Another flop, the obscure Cat collaboration is likely to contain some of Cat’s words and melody. It’s opening line is "When I was a child, everything was crystal clear…" which is typical of Cat’s outlook. As mentioned earlier, Simmons had released the earliest known cover of "Wild World", just before Jimmy Cliff.Paul and Barry Ryan

KEEP IT OUT OF SIGHT - PAUL & BARRY RYAN

The identical twin sons of ’50’s singer, Marion Ryan, released the song in February ’67. It was a hit achieving  a number 30 UK chart placing. The Ryan brothers had been given some dreadful songs to cover previously - fortunately this was not one of them. It’s a great piece of pop in the same style as "Matthew & Son".

Marion Ryan's twins - Paul & Barry on their debut l.p in '67

LONDON AT NIGHT - PETER & GORDONPeter & Gordon

 

The obscure US only album "In London For Tea", by the "British Invasion" duo of Peter Asher and Gordon Waller – contained the very pleasing sounding "London At Night". This was a "lost" Cat song, never etched onto vinyl by its composer. It was written about searching for love in the beautiful city.

Note: There are two other Peter & Gordon songs with a "Stevens" credit. "Brown, Black and Gold" (Lease/Stevens) & "Sally Go Round The Roses" (Sanders/Stevens). No Cat connection is likely on these - the former was a US R&B hit, previously recorded by the Jaynettes and produced by Phil Spector. Milton

The Brits invade with Peter Asher & Gordon Waller!

 

MOUNTAIN - MILTON NASCIMENTO

This co-written Nascimento/Stevens track appeared on Milton Nascimento’s CD/album "Yauaretê" in ’87. The spiritual song is sung jointly in English and Brazilian.

Milton Nascimento gig at the London Royal Alberet Hall in '96

NEVER PLAY A B SIDE - SASHA CAROSasha Caro and Cat

 

Sasha Caro (real name: Caro Minas) was one of two artists that Cat had produced and supported during ’67 and ’68. The other was Peter Janes. "Never Play A B-Side" was the novelty flip of "Molotov Molotov". Cat is featured on the a-side and "introduces" the song with a Russian accent! The Cat-written b-side is an off the cuff piece of humorous word play.

Cat Stevens (left) Sasha Caro (right)

 

TIU RU RU - CHICO BATERA

Chico Batera’s name may sound familiar to Cat fans as he was the percussionist on Cat’s "Numbers" album. He also toured with Cat during the mid ’70’s which is how this collaboration came about. It was co-written with Gilberto Gil and was released in Brazil only, both as a single and on the compilation album "Cuca Legal".

© George L. Brown May 2002

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