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Majikat: Minor Epiphany
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Four years ago, my ex bought me the Majikat DVD for my birthday. I never watched it until today, and I'm halfway through it. It is magnificent.
Some history: I have been in love with Cat Stevens since I was about 14 years old. On a whim, I brought home from the library the vinyl album of Teaser and the Firecat. (Let's be truthful, that picture of him on the inside of the fold-out cover was damn fine. You mix Cypriot with Swede, and you've got a good goulash, baby. I mean, just check that out:)
Teaser and the Firecat brought me to Tea for the Tillerman, and beyond, until I owned all of the albums Cat Stevens recorded until his conversion to Islam in 1977. I also own An Other Cup, a release under his current name, Yusuf Islam. I love it, too. About the record, Yusuf said, "I feel right about making music and singing about life in this fragile world again. It is important for me to be able to help bridge the cultural gaps others are sometimes frightened to cross."
When he converted, I was saddened. When he was misunderstood by me and others for his discussion of the fatwah against Salman Rushdie, I was upset, and quit listening to his music for a while. Then I realized that the media had portrayed the remark incorrectly, doing it the injustice of sound-biting it out of context (I just made "soundbite" a transitive verb. Will you look at that). I returned to the joy of his music and was the richer for it, musically, politically, and spiritually.
Today, I listened to the Majikat DVD while I worked out. The performances were some of his last, as he converted to Islam only 6 months after the end of the Earth Tour. A few more albums were released, but then Yusuf turned away, focusing his energies toward his faith, his family, and his philanthropy.
Even knowing he is a much different person today, I watched the 33-year-old performances with a bright spirit. I was transported listening to the lyrics and seeing the pure delight he obviously had in delivering a shining performance of music that meant so much to him.
The best part is that he's still got it. His heart is open, his praise is vibrant, and his words are masterful.
My heart is open, too.
Some history: I have been in love with Cat Stevens since I was about 14 years old. On a whim, I brought home from the library the vinyl album of Teaser and the Firecat. (Let's be truthful, that picture of him on the inside of the fold-out cover was damn fine. You mix Cypriot with Swede, and you've got a good goulash, baby. I mean, just check that out:)
Teaser and the Firecat brought me to Tea for the Tillerman, and beyond, until I owned all of the albums Cat Stevens recorded until his conversion to Islam in 1977. I also own An Other Cup, a release under his current name, Yusuf Islam. I love it, too. About the record, Yusuf said, "I feel right about making music and singing about life in this fragile world again. It is important for me to be able to help bridge the cultural gaps others are sometimes frightened to cross."
When he converted, I was saddened. When he was misunderstood by me and others for his discussion of the fatwah against Salman Rushdie, I was upset, and quit listening to his music for a while. Then I realized that the media had portrayed the remark incorrectly, doing it the injustice of sound-biting it out of context (I just made "soundbite" a transitive verb. Will you look at that). I returned to the joy of his music and was the richer for it, musically, politically, and spiritually.
Today, I listened to the Majikat DVD while I worked out. The performances were some of his last, as he converted to Islam only 6 months after the end of the Earth Tour. A few more albums were released, but then Yusuf turned away, focusing his energies toward his faith, his family, and his philanthropy.
Even knowing he is a much different person today, I watched the 33-year-old performances with a bright spirit. I was transported listening to the lyrics and seeing the pure delight he obviously had in delivering a shining performance of music that meant so much to him.
The best part is that he's still got it. His heart is open, his praise is vibrant, and his words are masterful.
My heart is open, too.
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