Roadsinger To Warm You Through The Night

Ok, so I haven't heard this yet, so I am giving it 5 stars, giving it the benefit of the doubt. This artist deserves that.I absolutely adored Cat Stevens. Enough about that. I actually did not know he had started to write and sing popular music again, although hearing his voice in the song used in a cell-phone TV commercial made me wonder.Since he 'retired' in the '70s, I thought he had embraced fundamentalist, radical Islam. He was dead to me as an artist. It broke my heart.However, just yesterday, in my regular internet exploring to see what my favorite artist, Paul Simon, is currently doing, I ended up on YouTube and spent many hours listening to and watching videos of Cat Stevens from the 1970's. I was, of course, blown away, never having seen him perform live. What is there not to love about the man? It was a small step to see that he is performing again, which instigated another couple of hours of internet exploration.Here are my thoughts on the matter:The man, previously and obviously, believed in loving others and hoping for a world of peace and goodness. His music was suffused with those themes. He was a passionate soul. A brilliant songwriter. His outer beauty reflected his inner beauty. So, I was thinking yesterday, is it such a stretch to realize that he is the same now as he was then?? Just older and farther along his spiritual journey. The old Cat Stevens didn't disappear, he just grew up. Hopefully, that will happen to all of us. I am delighted to learn that he did not become a hate-monger.I am sad, however, that he aborted his musical career in the mistaken belief that it was somehow displeasing to Allah. When I heard that he had not held a guitar for 27 years, I almost cried. Stevens had and has a God-given gift, just as I believe Paul Simon has. Simon, however, learned through therapy that his music, imperfect as it seemed to him at the time, is a strong instrument of good and having been given the gift, it was his job to use it. If you compared Paul's music from the 70s to his recent work, it would be pretty jarring of a difference. But we have been listening to Simon over the decades and have seen his development over time. Simon's current music is much, much deeper and richer and altogether more wonderful than it was before--AND it must be listened to repeatedly in order to realize this. No hooks anymore, no catchy top-10 hits. Just the seminal work of a brilliant poet and musician. I think the same thing is going on with Leonard Cohen, though I'm not sure.I have to take umbrage with any religion that leads people to think that making music is, in and of itself, a sin. But, as Paul Simon sings, "When speech becomes a crime, silence leads the spirit over the bridge of time." Those years of Yusuf's musical silence are a real loss to the world. How he could have grown as a musician over those many years. Especially since they have been pretty dark years, and we all could have really been encouraged, uplifted, and supported in our attempts to uphold loving-kindness and peacefulness by the music he would have made.I welcome Yusuf, or whatever it is he wants to be called, back to the world stage.I will be sure to listen to this new music for many hours before commenting on it.

This is a great album. Not sure why some have referred to it as "depressing." It is not any more so than standard singer-songwriter fare. Actually, it is less so here: Thinkin' About You is energetic and reminiscent of our beloved Cat. To Be What You Must is intelligent, inspiring and reaffirming. I think its an anthem of positive thinking. All Kinds of Roses is signature Cat style, mellow, but hardly depressing. Roadsinger would have perhaps been better titled as "Where do you go?", and it is a somewhat sober song, but happier than many popular singer-songwriter songs for sure. The spiritual themes easily cross denominations in essence and meaning. It showcases the Cat of the 1970s well, though it's still a Cat that has evolved in his own, intimate and private way. It's an enjoyable album for any Cat fan.

Smooth, easy listening as though a favorite uncle or best friend dropped in to share a few tunes, to sing a few songs. I have 7 or 8 Cat Stevens albums and just keep buying more.

Great album with superb flow. I meant to write a review earlier, it took reading the last review to actually do it. No one whose opinion can be taken seriously can honestly give this album 1 star. Yusuf as he is now called (so respect it if you in turn want respect for your opinions), delivers a knockout here. thought provoking lyrics as you come to expect with any of his earlier records. shimmering acoustics and cascading pianos. the last track called Shamsia appears throughout the album, tying it all together in a film theme like way. Free from his Cat persona, Yusuf does what few of his contemporaries are able to do, deliver a refreshing honest album of high art. Almost like a beginner, a new artist, but with the skill, wisdom and history that gives this work great depth. People will continue to hate this man, but what they really hate is the fact they couldn't be more like him.

Yusuf has allowed "Cat" and his wonderful spirit back into his life and merged into a singer I can continue to grow old with. I was ashamed when he was sent back to London by agencies unfamiliar with his life, words and works. I am grateful he is forgiving and as open to the universe as ever. "Thinking 'Bout You" is one of my favorites and is a song I now sing to my Grandson with Cat Stevens' songs. If you ever loved Cat Stevens, you will be so happy to have him back within Yusuf and these new and wonder-filled songs. I am grateful also to his kids who apparently (according to Yusuf) let him know they liked "Cat's" music and led him back to ALL of us.

This is VERY Cat Stevens. As soon as he starts singing it brings you back to the old days. The first song is great. The rest of the songs sound alike. Very mellow. One has the exact beginning of Sitting and then it's a completely different song. I bought this cd for nostalgic reasons.I still prefer hearing the old songs, those will never lose their appeal, but I'm glad he's back on the scene. I missed him and always felt a little cheated when he abandoned his music for religion.

it's amazing that after all these years Yusuf (Cat Stevens) voice hasnot changed. This is a more stripped down sound than his previous effort"An Other Cup". These songs are more like the Cat Stevens that we allknow and love. After listening to this album a few times, I really gotinto it. The songs are well written and crafted. The guitar playing is byYusuf and you would never know he hasn't played in thirty years. It'snice to see this "Cat" has more than one life.

Road Singer is definately a departure from the "old" Cat Stevens. Familiar but totally new. Much has changed since the old days. Cat's voice has mellowed and aged, the energy and pace is slower and softer but has a weightiness now that can only come with age and life experience. Yusuf's spirituality also comes through and I like it. I especially love "All Kinds of Roses". I've played this CD several times now and it's like getting to know an old friend who's been gone a long time all over again.

An excellent album of Cat Stevens vintage. Better than his early music but I guess forty years have gone by. His voice hasn't changed.

Good album

Back to his very best

I do prefer the older albums under Cat Stevens but this has some nice tracks on it and is well worth buying if you're a fan of Cat Stevens.

Cat Stevens was unceremoniously killed off over 25 years ago and came back as Yusuf, and for close to 3 decades did not play the guitar. This is his second formal release in his shall we say, revised career. Voice is still Cat's and his sound still his as well, but the catchy folk from Tea for the Tillerman sadly will likely never return. If you like a welcome calm voice and storytelling style than roadsinger will take you there.