Article from Sueddeutsche Zeitung 2004

[peritura]

This is my favourite Yusuf/Cat interview. I have been meaning to translate it for a while because I thought Majicatters will enjoy it just the same. Finally got round to it!

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[Chris]

Thank you Peritura. I love the interview... it's very insightful!

[suncatcher]

Thank you for all the time and effort you spent translating and typing this. I did enjoy it.

Just wondering - why is it your favorite interview?

Peace,
~Sun~

[peritura]

I think it is because it seems like a proper two way conversation. It also amuses me how all the defences had been built up before the interview-all the stipulations: no talk about religion, politics etc- only to be promptly dropped! Because of course all these topics are much dearer to Yusuf's heart then promoting a DVD. I think it shows his lovable naivity and his warm heartedness and passion. And last but not least the wonderful humour shows through-what's not to like when Yusuf discusses the act of procreation!!

[richina]

Thank you Peritura...I enjoyed the interview very much. Thanks for all your hard work in translating!

[suncatcher]

Apr 27, 2010 0:39:35 GMT -5 peritura said:

I think it is because it seems like a proper two way conversation. It also amuses me how all the defences had been built up before the interview-all the stipulations: no talk about religion, politics etc- only to be promptly dropped!

LOL! I thought that was funny, too.

I also thought that this was somewhat prophetic:

SZaW: Will there ever be another tour? Real concerts, with the old songs? And some new ones? You could support the ailing concert tour management industry!
...
Yusuf Islam: Though-how often do we say something will never happen again, then suddenly everything changes and it happens again. At the moment there is no tour planned. But who knows, one day ....

Thanks again, peritura, for all your hard work in bringing this to us.

Peace,
~Sun~

[flemmishfangent]

Yes Pertura it's really a nice interview thank you a stubborn wife LOL OH FAUSIA you don't need to be worried we just are loving him and want a happy Yusuf with a happy family around him .

[tediber]

Thank you so much for going to all this trouble for us! It was wonderful to read and absolutely fascinating!

Jo x

[downunder72]

Peritura, a very big thankyou. Translating the interview was quite a task. Greatly appreciate your effort and sharing it with us.

Love his wit, and his frankness. He was relaxed, and answered every question honestly. It was obvious he had accepted Cat Stevens and was very proud of it. Cat Stevens was just part of the very important transition, evolution, of who his today, a little older and alot wiser, with maybe a weee touch of naivety, which makes him all the more.....well you know....more loving

[peritura]

...and lovable too

[ilovemycat]

I got a kick out of his comment regarding the Majicat DVD - something to the effect of "did you hear me babbling on stage. The ramblings of a little boy." That cracked me up. But at least he acknowledged the great music they made. It was wonderful that he was willing to share his babbling with us. He is proud of himself in spite of himself!! Ah - he is so wonderful. I was thinking last night that he is such a gift from god to the world, and he doesn't realize this - what a gift he truly has. Nobody else can come close. Okay - I will stop now.

Thank you so very much for sharing that peritura.

[Sir Lorry Load]

I'd like to thank you as well, Peritura.

It was mighty generous of you to take the time and care to translate the interview (and such a lengthy one, at that!).

It was truly a great give-and-take... I really enjoyed reading this.

"One could even say that I was the King of the naive people..." -- Yusuf

All I can say is that there are worse things to be, Yusuf... many, many, many worse things to be!

-Bud