Tea For The Tillerman²

In 1970, Yusuf/Cat Stevens released "Tea For The Tillerman", a landmark musical achievement to cast an incredible legacy. His 4th studio album to that point, the record features several of the singer songwriter‘s most cherished songs, including “Wild World”, “Father And Son” and “Where Do The Children Play?”.

2020 marks the album’s 50th anniversary, and as a means of paying tribute to his life changing record, Yusuf/CatStevens will release "Tea For The Tillerman²" on September 18th, 2020. A faithful reimagining of the original album. "Tea For The Tillerman²" was previewed earlier this week with a new take on “Where Do The Children Play?”.

The concept for "Tea For The Tillerman²" grew out of a conversation, fittingly, between Yusuf and his son about how to celebrate the album’s 50th anniversary. This gave birth to the idea of reimagining and rerecording the songs, and the results speak for themselves. Paul Samwell Smith was contacted and a week was booked at La Fabrique Studios, in the South of France in the summer of 2019, close to Saint Rémy de Provence where Van Gogh painted some of his most famous works. The studio itself carries a rich and varied history, having once been a factory for dyeing the prestigious red jackets of Napoleon’s famous Hussars and also being home to one of the largest collections of classic French cinema and vinyl records. Providentially, the whole experience was filmed.

"Tea For The Tillerman²" sees Yusuf reunite with all the key actors from the original album, producer Paul Samwell Smith and Alun Davies on guitar. They are joined by Bruce Lynch on bass, a member of Yusuf’s band from the mid 70's. Guitarist Eric Appapoulay and multi instrumentalist Kwame Yeboah on percussion and keys represent Yusuf’s current live band and they are supported by Jim Cregan on guitar and Peter Vettese on keys. The session was engineered by David Hefti who has contributed to Yusuf’s sound live and in the studio for close to 10 years.