Redoing a classic album after 50 years doesn't necessarily have to be a good idea. Not even if the artist in question does this himself. In the case of British singer-songwriter Cat Stevens, it is remarkable and interesting to say the least. 50 years ago he was one of the most successful artists of his time, which he did in 1970 with once more firmly consolidated. An album (with hits like Wild World
… and Father And Son) that still effortlessly ranks among timeless pop classics. Now Cat Stevens is the devout Muslim Yusuf Islam who has hardly been heard since his conversion in 1977. He gave Tea For The Tillerman a strikingly contemporary and therefore somewhat smooth production, including a reggae version of Wild World. He left Father And Son practically untouched in terms of arrangement and, this time with Stevens at the age of the purified father instead of the desperate son, he still manages to move. Unfortunately, this does not apply to the entire, somewhat over-produced new version of the album. But then there is still nothing wrong with the original. (MR)more
