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Post by suncatcher on Aug 31, 2007 13:00:33 GMT -5
‘People Say’ / ‘Stage Door’ are nothing to do with me, some sort of error in books and on web-sites, I think. This reminds me of how Harry Chapin's Cat's in the Cradle is often attributed to Cat Stevens. |
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Post by suncatcher on Aug 31, 2007 13:18:09 GMT -5
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Post by Daddy-o on Aug 31, 2007 15:07:26 GMT -5
Thanks Chris :-) Sun, great to see that Monkees video again. The film, Head was not typical Monkees!  |
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Post by Daddy-o on Aug 31, 2007 15:18:11 GMT -5
Another extract from the interview:
Your fine single ‘Do You Believe (Love Is Built A Dream)’ must have coincided with Cat becoming ill? It was a rapid rise to fame for him. Can you tell us about the recording sessions?
Everything was going splendidly for Steve but he was very lonely amongst all the "showbiz" set. He kept a brave face on it but it was obvious that he was hurting inside. It was his brother, David Gordon, who asked me to spend as much time with Steve as I could. He was on the Walker Brothers’ tour and he needed someone who he could relate to (feet on the ground sort of stuff). Anyway I accompanied him when I could and where I could. I remember driving up to Stockton on Tees where he was appearing at the Fiesta. It was his birthday and we had a great night. You are probably asking what this has to do with ‘Do You Believe’, I'm getting there! The Walker Brothers tour was a great time but totally bizarre! Who in his right mind would seriously have put the Walker Brothers and Engelbert Humperdink on the same bill as the Jimi Hendrix Experience? Mitch Mitchell, of The Experience, told me once, "We don’t go down very well on the matinee performances but they love us in the evenings!!"
(Note: In spite of a fairly critical New Musical Express review, 'Do You Believe' and its B-Side, 'For The Sake Of Time' are really strong numbers. Materially, there's a mint copy on a rare records website at present, priced at £85 UK pounds or $170 US dollars. So it's time it was re-released on a rarities compilation with other CBS acts; Dylan, Johnny Cash, The Tremeloes, Simon & Garfunkel...)
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Post by Lucy13 on Aug 31, 2007 18:52:23 GMT -5
Thanks for that link, Sun! Psychedelic it is! I love the blue/yellow combo at about 2:33. And Mickey Dolenz must've been a pretty confident swimmer! Awesome video and song -- it was all new to me.  Now I'm Monkee-ish! |
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Post by Lucy13 on Aug 31, 2007 18:56:00 GMT -5
George... you're a goldmine.
I also always wondered about c/w. And b/w -- I always assumed meant "backed with" -- is that correct?
Thanks!
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Post by Lucy13 on Aug 31, 2007 19:05:49 GMT -5
I think I'm gonna buy a Monkees album! (believe it or not, I've never owned one)
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Post by Daddy-o on Sept 1, 2007 2:46:11 GMT -5
"...Hey hey we are the Monkees, you know we love to please, a manufactured image, with no philosophies..." (from Head)
All the original Monkees albums have been reissued on CD with Mono/Stereo versions of the albums AND bonus tracks. CD heaven! They played with Hendrix too, like the Cat, in '67! Another mismatch, like Humperdinck, Walkers, Hendrix and Cat, but what an event! There's a TV special on video called '33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee' which is highly recommended. Filmed in late '68: "A psychedelic salute to the evolution of man and his music". Stellar guest list including some rock'n'roll legends, such as Jerry Lee lewis, Little Richard and the great Fats Domino. He does 'Blue Monday', a tenuous Cat link here in fact! It's ages since I've seen it but I do recall Peter Tork doing a classical piece (Bach??) and there's a wonderful finale of 'Listen to the Band'. The world could never be the same again.
But I digress! More extracts from Peter's interview later.
Oh, B/W... backed with, sounds right. Cheers Lucy :-)
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Post by Lucy13 on Sept 1, 2007 10:20:43 GMT -5
thanks as always for your wealth of info, George... and isn't it fun when one runs across tenuous links?
we are all one.....
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Post by Daddy-o on Sept 1, 2007 14:10:26 GMT -5
Absolutely Lucy and thank you, tenuous I like... all part of the same tapestry...
From the pages of Melody Maker, Folk Gig Guide - August '65, appearing at Les Cousins, 49 Greek Street, in Soho W.1:
7:30-11.30 PAUL SIMON
... and April 1970, at the same time Mona Bone Jakon was released:
7:30-11.00 THE THIRD EAR BAND + NICK DRAKE
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Post by Daddy-o on Sept 1, 2007 15:37:20 GMT -5
Peter visited Cat in hospital when he was very poorly with T.B. and had the following to say. Peter had said that a Deram executive had been in the day before him and given Cat an album, which Cat gave to Peter:
...It was difficult to gauge quite what Steve was doing at that time. I think that he was determined to get his head straight and get the world into perspective. I think that his time in that hospital was the start of a quest that has led him to be who he is today. I think it was his own 40 days and 40 nights in some sort of desert and he was much older when he came out of hospital.
What was the album he gave you?
‘Days Of Future Passed’ by the Moody Blues. It was the reason why much later, I insisted on the mellotron on ‘Do You Believe’.
I love the electric guitar on that, it sounds like the sort of thing Caleb Quaye was doing on the early Elton John albums.
It was a young South African band that played with us. I played acoustic guitar, Steve played mellotron and I am sorry but I don't remember the name of the guy on electric guitar. But, at the end of the middle 8, I asked him to use "fuzz" and play a bit of the 1812 overture. So that is how that came about! An interesting thing is that Steve sang on it at the end – I repeat the line "Do you believe, do you believe" twice, I then go up to the harmony and Steve takes over the main voice. It is often true in recording that people hear what they think they are hearing!
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Post by suncatcher on Sept 3, 2007 0:15:37 GMT -5
Stellar guest list including some rock'n'roll legends, such as Jerry Lee lewis, Little Richard and the great Fats Domino. He does 'Blue Monday', a tenuous Cat link here in fact! . . . But I digress! But this is such a wonderful digression! Blue Monday how I hate Blue Monday
Got to work like a slave all dayAnd Hang on Sloopy!
Sloopy hang on!This is all explained at this Majicat location: Sink in the CanAnd are these the actual recordings, George? I think if anyone would know, you would: Ringo Starr with Cat Stevens - Go Cat Go!~Sun~ |
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Post by suncatcher on Sept 3, 2007 0:57:53 GMT -5
Peter visited Cat in hospital when he was very poorly with T.B. and had the following to say. Peter had said that a Deram executive had been in the day before him and given Cat an album, which Cat gave to Peter: What was the album he gave you? ‘Days Of Future Passed’ by the Moody Blues. It was the reason why much later, I insisted on the mellotron on ‘Do You Believe’. Hi, George! Is that a mellotron in the back left corner in this video (I think Nights in White Satin is from Days of Future Past.) So, I guess the idea is that it sounds like there's a full orchestra when there isn't? Is it the same as a synthesizer? Is this why Peter says, "It is often true in recording that people hear what they think they are hearing!" Or, is he referring to people thinking it's his (Peter's) voice, when in fact, Cat takes over the "main voice"? This fits well with the idea of the Do You Believe newspaper clipping you posted: "This youngster has many of the qualities of Cat Stevens - his vocal timbre is similar . . ." (italics mine) This also echoes in my mind with "Just what you want to be, you'll be in the end . . ." ~Sun~ |
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Post by suncatcher on Sept 3, 2007 1:15:17 GMT -5
Thanks for the spelling, Lucy! |
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Post by Daddy-o on Sept 3, 2007 13:46:52 GMT -5
Sun, I always have Friday On My Mind on Blue Monday! The bootleg of Cat & Ringo is for real. Ringo mentions the recordings very briefly in his book 'Postcards From The Boys'. Ringo says he was really out of it and Cat wiped his contribution from the Izitso sessions. It's Gerry's drums on the box set recording of Blue Monday I believe. Mellotron is not unlike a synthesizer, each key has real samples of recorded instruments. So you can have strings, a choir, flutes. A lot of new bands use them to get the retro sound, e.g. Oasis. A wonderful sound (e.g. Strawberry Fields Forever). Many musicians took to kicking them however, not for going out of tune, but temperamental playback heads! I've read it as you've read Peter's comment about Cat's vocal on Do You Believe. Certainly their voices are similar, probably working so much together, I notice it the most on 'Go Home Ulla'. Back to the Mellotron, check this out: www.ifilm.com/video/2763866:-) |
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Post by Daddy-o on Sept 3, 2007 15:19:05 GMT -5
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Post by Daddy-o on Sept 3, 2007 17:07:37 GMT -5
Were there any further releases or an album?
I had a song called ‘Stand And Deliver’ which Bernie Lewis of Nems Enterprises was interested in. Strange that you mentioned Caleb – he was the engineer on the demo of this and quite a few of my other songs which were recorded at the funny little studio at Dick James Music in New Oxford Street. At this time I had split with Steve because of some business wrangles. I recorded one of Steve’s songs called ‘The Rain Is Coming’. I remember leaving the studio with Steve after a hard night’s work in the studio and we went back to Steve’s flat and started writing from scratch a song for the B-side. It was briefly like old times, him at the baby grand, me sitting next to him with my acoustic guitar and the tape running. The intensity at those times was electric! There was nothing in the room except him, the “muse” and me. It was the last time we wrote together. The song was finished by mid-afternoon and we went back to the studio and recorded it. It was a strange kind of choral affair with lots of vocal over-dubs, psychedelic I suppose! It was called ‘A Thousand Times’. Unfortunately it was never released.
Hope you've enjoyed the excerpts, some really fine music from Peter here and some recollections from a little known period in Cat Stevens' development.
Peace,
George
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Post by suncatcher on Sept 4, 2007 13:29:49 GMT -5
Sun, I always have Friday On My Mind on Blue Monday! Hi, George! So, the Easybeats must be those "moptops from Australia!" Anyway, it's Tuesday, so I feel better! ~Sun~ |
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Post by suncatcher on Sept 4, 2007 13:36:50 GMT -5
The bootleg of Cat & Ringo is for real. Ringo mentions the recordings very briefly in his book 'Postcards From The Boys'. Ringo says he was really out of it and Cat wiped his contribution from the Izitso sessions. It's Gerry's drums on the box set recording of Blue Monday I believe. Ringo's "contribution" must have been something to hear! Thank you for the info, George. ~Sun~ |
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Post by suncatcher on Sept 4, 2007 13:46:30 GMT -5
That "Mellotron Demo" video had me smiling the whole time! Thank you! ~Sun~ |
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Post by Daddy-o on Sept 4, 2007 14:04:46 GMT -5
You're most welcome, so glad you enjoyed the 'Mellotron Demo', it had me smiling too. The Moodies and co. used the instrument to good effect.
:-)
Best,
George
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Post by suncatcher on Sept 4, 2007 14:19:46 GMT -5
I recorded one of Steve’s songs called ‘The Rain Is Coming’. I remember leaving the studio with Steve after a hard night’s work in the studio and we went back to Steve’s flat and started writing from scratch a song for the B-side. It was briefly like old times, him at the baby grand, me sitting next to him with my acoustic guitar and the tape running. The intensity at those times was electric! There was nothing in the room except him, the “muse” and me. It was the last time we wrote together. The song was finished by mid-afternoon and we went back to the studio and recorded it. It was a strange kind of choral affair with lots of vocal over-dubs, psychedelic I suppose! It was called ‘A Thousand Times’. Unfortunately it was never released. Hope you've enjoyed the excerpts, some really fine music from Peter here and some recollections from a little known period in Cat Stevens' development. Peace, George Hey, George! The thread is ending???  The Rain Is Coming?  But this is a sweet way to end the chapter, excerpt, and thread. It still seems that Cat and Peter were like brothers. I couldn't help but notice these two parts from the previous posts. They really seemed to look out for eachother: "Note: Cat’s first independent production work was on Peter’s first disc, ‘Emperors And Armies’. At the time, he was “being groomed for stardom” by Cat, who was using his own experience of his first year in the business to school Peter in the art of stagecraft and presentation. “I found myself in at the deep end and I don’t want to see the same thing happen to Peter,” said Cat. “As it happens, he seems to have a natural gift for holding the attention of the audience when he is singing and I want to develop this.” "Everything was going splendidly for Steve but he was very lonely amongst all the "showbiz" set. He kept a brave face on it but it was obvious that he was hurting inside. It was his brother, David Gordon, who asked me to spend as much time with Steve as I could. He was on the Walker Brothers’ tour and he needed someone who he could relate to (feet on the ground sort of stuff). Anyway I accompanied him when I could and where I could. I remember driving up to Stockton on Tees where he was appearing at the Fiesta. It was his birthday and we had a great night. Thank you so much, George. Thank you for CAT STEVENS: THE COMPLETE ILLUSTRATED BIOGRAPHY & DISCOGRAPHY, thank you for your patience with our comments and questions, and thank you for having the marvelous, magical gift of a great storyteller. ~Sun~ |
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Post by Daddy-o on Sept 4, 2007 15:01:28 GMT -5
Only too pleased and really thanks for such lovely feedback. Peter is a truly great artist and one of the best. Here's a photo that Peter sent me that I didn't include in the book. I think it was from a concert at a venue called the Blue Boar during the 70s. This was a pub that was just next to where I used to work which is a bit of a coincidence! He did a folk gig with with one of the Dransfield brothers, possibly Barry. Robin & Barry Dransfield are legendary folk artists. Great pic.  |
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Post by suncatcher on Sept 5, 2007 12:15:35 GMT -5
Only too pleased and really thanks for such lovely feedback. Peter is a truly great artist and one of the best. Here's a photo that Peter sent me that I didn't include in the book. I think it was from a concert at a venue called the Blue Boar during the 70s. This was a pub that was just next to where I used to work which is a bit of a coincidence! He did a folk gig with with one of the Dransfield brothers, possibly Barry. Robin & Barry Dransfield are legendary folk artists. Great pic. Hi, George! A few final questions - This is a picture of Peter, not Cat, right? If it is Peter, then it looks like his top front teeth are like Cat's, which I always thought was very distinctive . . . And I was wondering, why did you decide not to include the photo in your book? From your interview with him, it appears that Peter is a very professional, generous person. He has only good things to say, and seems at peace with himself, much like Yusuf. He is quite impressive. Did Peter get married and raise a family as well? How does he make a living now? Thank you, as always. "Cheers!" ~Sun~ |
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Post by Daddy-o on Sept 5, 2007 16:24:06 GMT -5
Hi Sun,
It's Peter, not the Cat - we all had hair, beards and wonky teeth in the 70s. I can't really see much of a resemblance other than the folkie beard.
What I'd give to have my hair permed again like Robert Plant!
I didn't use this photo purely because of the cost of using high grade pictures. I was limited.
I never asked Peter about his personal details only professional, but I do know he's retired.
Best wishes and keep rocking in the USA,
George
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Post by Lucy13 on Sept 5, 2007 18:21:46 GMT -5
Nice pic of Peter, George...
Also, lovely pic of your 45 up there..... :-)
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Post by Lucy13 on Sept 5, 2007 18:29:40 GMT -5
Loved the mellotron clip too.... wasn't there some mellotron on Izitso (my hazy memory seems to tell me so....) (I haven't actually bothered to check...)
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