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Post by crobarbie on Jun 29, 2010 10:28:28 GMT -5
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Post by ilovemycat on Jun 29, 2010 11:38:41 GMT -5
Thanks Crobarbie.
Bruce Lynch! That must have been cool!
And the hair and beard may be gray - but the wrinkles are hardly many!!! I should look that great at 62...
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Post by suncatcher on Jun 29, 2010 11:41:54 GMT -5
Really nice review - very positive. I seem to recall that someone wondered if Bruce Lynch would appear. Well, here's the quote: "They even brought out their New Zealand connection for one song - Bruce Lynch who played bass with Stevens in London in the heart of the 70s. " They don't mention what song. Thanks again, Barney.  |
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Post by richina on Jun 29, 2010 11:44:48 GMT -5
FANTASTIC!!!!! ;D ;D ;D Could this have been any better? I'm so pleased for all involved (but not a bit surprised)!  Another slam dunk Yusuf!  Wrinkles  I don't think so!  And he's not quite 62 yet...gosh, don't rush it!  |
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Post by suncatcher on Jun 29, 2010 11:45:47 GMT -5
Thanks Crobarbie. Bruce Lynch! That must have been cool! And the hair and beard may be gray - but the wrinkles are hardly many!!! I should look that great at 62... I was posting about Bruce Lynch the same time as you, lol. I agree with you, ilovemycat. Not so many wrinkles - and actually, when he dyes his hair, he looks much, much younger than 62. He wasn't sitting next to Dolly Parton, either, but the article is so positive, I didn't mind the little mistakes. Have a nice day. ~Sun~ |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2010 15:26:23 GMT -5
Really nice review - very positive. I seem to recall that someone wondered if Bruce Lynch would appear. Yep, that was me! I had a feeling they would reconnect! |
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Post by crobarbie on Jun 29, 2010 17:15:34 GMT -5
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Post by JaneB on Jun 29, 2010 18:13:16 GMT -5
Really nice review - very positive. I seem to recall that someone wondered if Bruce Lynch would appear. Yep, that was me! I had a feeling they would reconnect! Good call, Glaucus! Yes, great review! Sometimes it still seems not real that we are all here talking about and reading about his being back on the stage. This is just one of those moments when it seems particularly surreal to me. |
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Post by ilovemycat on Jun 29, 2010 20:48:01 GMT -5
well based on the majority of comments from the concert attendees, they did not agree with that second review one bit thankfully...
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Post by peritura on Jun 30, 2010 1:39:57 GMT -5
I particularly think the comment 'too much idle chat' is missing the mark: people go to concerts to connect with the performer. Of course most of that connection has already been made through the music, but the chat with the audience makes it a truely personal experience.
Last time I went to see Bob Dylan I am not sure he even said hello, and although I adore his music the concert experience lacked a vital element.
Yusuf's chat was personable, interesting and amusing and it made the concert extra special.
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Post by suncatcher on Jun 30, 2010 2:06:59 GMT -5
This is so awesome! Yusuf (himself!) responded to someone who commented at yusufislam.com. Here's the whole quote from Auckland Gig Review: Yusuf,what can I say, reading the comments its all there, an absolutely brilliant concert, you even managed to bring my husband to tears. As for myself such an emotional trip to see you again, I can still see the twinkle in your eyes and how much you love your music, and so contended with life. Your a wonderful man giving so many people so much much pleasure, and all the good you are doing in the world, trying to make a difference. I wish I had asked you for an autograph all those years ago at King Edward V11, it never corsed my mind,(my loss). Im not sure if you do read these coments, maybe when you have time from your busy life, I hope so. God bless, keep up the good work, and thankyou for an amazing night to remember. Irene
Yusuf's Reply: Yes I do get to read some of the comments and I remember yours about being a nurse during my stay at King Edward VII Hospital. Thanks for your lovely sentiments. The story started with an earlier post under Roadsinger: Australia/NZ Special Edition: Hello Yusuf, I know you wont remember me, though I am sure you will your time spent at King Edward VII in 1968. I was a student nurse on your ward, when introduced by Sister Tutor you said"you know who I am don't you" I replied I hadn't a clue, you didn't believe me, but it was true. I must have had my head in the sand, though I was very much into Modern Jazz then. I have loved and enjoyed your music ever since for over 40 years. I now live in Auckland NZ,and as a treat have managed to get tickets to see you at Vetor Arena. I never thought I would get the chance to mend the error of my ways of the past by seeing you in concert.By the way the orange you threw at me to practice my needle skills didnt really help, I never did finish my nurses training,something I regret.I am so looking forward to the concert and seeing you again , if only from a distance, writing this to you has brought back to me so many memories of that time so long ago, I do hope you see this little message. Irene
08 Jun 2010
Irene Keech I remember this because I thought it was interesting and I responded to Irene with this: Irene, I really hope Yusuf sees your "little message." What a wonderful story. You were with him during one of the most creative times of his life. And I hope you get to meet him back stage and remind him of who you are. There is a picture of him at King Edward VII Hospital here (http://www.yusufislam.com/lifeline/10/324b11745313609e51df399c16ebe1c1/)..... and there are a couple of oranges in the background - I wonder if it was one of those that he tossed at you (I suppose you had to give him a shot, and he didn't like it, but hopefully the orange throwing was all in fun)...Peace and smiles
08 Jun 2010
Sunny Peace, ~Sun~
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Post by suncatcher on Jun 30, 2010 2:27:35 GMT -5
Really nice review - very positive. I seem to recall that someone wondered if Bruce Lynch would appear. Yep, that was me! I had a feeling they would reconnect! Oh, it was you, Glaucus! Well, as Jane said, "Good call!" I wonder what song they brought Bruce Lynch on for. Here's the setlist from yusufislam.com News from New Zealand...Auckland Set List:Act 1 Lilywhite The Wind Midday Where Do The Children Play Cat Medley (I Love My Dog / Here Comes My Baby / First Cut ) Fill My Eyes Boots and Sand Miles From Nowhere Act 2 World of Darkness Maybe There’s a World Matthew & Son I Might Die Tonight Remember the Days Doors Road to Find Out Act 3 Road Singer Don’t’ Be Shy Just Another Night Waltzing Matilda Bad Brakes Sitting Morning Has Broken Wild World Father & Son Encore Ruby Love All Kind of Roses Moonshadow Encore 2 Tuesday’s Dead Lilywhite (New Version) Peace Train (Blues version) Peace Train Hey, Regi, they didn't play "King of Trees", but there's still Christchurch. I hope they manage to squeeze it in, since they did practice it. I'm rooting for you - and you never know... Peace, ~Sun~ |
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Post by suncatcher on Jun 30, 2010 2:49:14 GMT -5
Sometimes it still seems not real that we are all here talking about and reading about his being back on the stage. This is just one of those moments when it seems particularly surreal to me. I know exactly what you mean, Jane. And the other unbelievable thing is that the last concert is this Friday. God-willing, it'll be a fantastic finale and celebration, and we'll savor every moment. All things must pass, but there will be wonderful memories, a DVD to look forward to, and friendships renewed as well as newly forged. I pray that God will accept all of this as a good deed for Yusuf and everyone involved - may it make a real difference in the world and may the memories and recordings become (and always remain) a million lights of hope, goodwill and peace. ~Sun~ |
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Post by G-One on Jun 30, 2010 2:56:35 GMT -5
...and no flying glasses so far :-(
The new ones seem to fit tight...
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Post by JaneB on Jun 30, 2010 8:03:59 GMT -5
...and no flying glasses so far :-( The new ones seem to fit tight... Maybe we didn't have front-row seats, or get to have pictures shown on a screen or get top-notch photographs or videos, but we will always have "I was there when his glasses flew off at RAH!" Hey, I take what I can get |
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Post by JaneB on Jun 30, 2010 8:09:14 GMT -5
I particularly think the comment 'too much idle chat' is missing the mark: people go to concerts to connect with the performer. Of course most of that connection has already been made through the music, but the chat with the audience makes it a truely personal experience. Last time I went to see Bob Dylan I am not sure he even said hello, and although I adore his music the concert experience lacked a vital element. Yusuf's chat was personable, interesting and amusing and it made the concert extra special. I couldn't agree with you more, peritura. Even though we are there to hear a performer sing, we have already heard him sing on his albums and CDs. I really want a performer to talk to the audience between songs, whether it is "idle chit-chat" or giving background on a how he came to write a particular song. That is the kind of stuff you don't get on a CD and the stuff that makes him not just a performer, but a person. |
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Post by flemmishfangent on Jun 30, 2010 11:13:32 GMT -5
...and no flying glasses so far :-( The new ones seem to fit tight... THAT'S UNFAIR LOL i like that so much it's so suprising |
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Post by flemmishfangent on Jun 30, 2010 11:15:48 GMT -5
This is so awesome! Yusuf (himself!) responded to someone who commented at yusufislam.com. Here's the whole quote from Auckland Gig Review: Yusuf,what can I say, reading the comments its all there, an absolutely brilliant concert, you even managed to bring my husband to tears. As for myself such an emotional trip to see you again, I can still see the twinkle in your eyes and how much you love your music, and so contended with life. Your a wonderful man giving so many people so much much pleasure, and all the good you are doing in the world, trying to make a difference. I wish I had asked you for an autograph all those years ago at King Edward V11, it never corsed my mind,(my loss). Im not sure if you do read these coments, maybe when you have time from your busy life, I hope so. God bless, keep up the good work, and thankyou for an amazing night to remember. Irene
Yusuf's Reply: Yes I do get to read some of the comments and I remember yours about being a nurse during my stay at King Edward VII Hospital. Thanks for your lovely sentiments. The story started with an earlier post under Roadsinger: Australia/NZ Special Edition: Hello Yusuf, I know you wont remember me, though I am sure you will your time spent at King Edward VII in 1968. I was a student nurse on your ward, when introduced by Sister Tutor you said"you know who I am don't you" I replied I hadn't a clue, you didn't believe me, but it was true. I must have had my head in the sand, though I was very much into Modern Jazz then. I have loved and enjoyed your music ever since for over 40 years. I now live in Auckland NZ,and as a treat have managed to get tickets to see you at Vetor Arena. I never thought I would get the chance to mend the error of my ways of the past by seeing you in concert.By the way the orange you threw at me to practice my needle skills didnt really help, I never did finish my nurses training,something I regret.I am so looking forward to the concert and seeing you again , if only from a distance, writing this to you has brought back to me so many memories of that time so long ago, I do hope you see this little message. Irene
08 Jun 2010
Irene Keech I remember this because I thought it was interesting and I responded to Irene with this: Irene, I really hope Yusuf sees your "little message." What a wonderful story. You were with him during one of the most creative times of his life. And I hope you get to meet him back stage and remind him of who you are. There is a picture of him at King Edward VII Hospital here (http://www.yusufislam.com/lifeline/10/324b11745313609e51df399c16ebe1c1/)..... and there are a couple of oranges in the background - I wonder if it was one of those that he tossed at you (I suppose you had to give him a shot, and he didn't like it, but hopefully the orange throwing was all in fun)...Peace and smiles
08 Jun 2010
Sunny Peace, ~Sun~ so nice to read this our Yusuf has a wonderfull memory more then 40 years ago i like it |
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Post by flemmishfangent on Jun 30, 2010 11:17:02 GMT -5
Maybe i ask it again on his website
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Post by flemmishfangent on Jun 30, 2010 11:39:16 GMT -5
I ASKED ON YUSUF'S SITE AND ON TEASER UNDER THE LONGER BOATS BLOG SO WE WILL SEE REGII
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Post by suncatcher on Jun 30, 2010 12:21:54 GMT -5
I ASKED ON YUSUF'S SITE AND ON TEASER UNDER THE LONGER BOATS BLOG SO WE WILL SEE REGII I saw your posts, Regi, and I hope they do play "King of Trees" - there are a lot of "tree huggers" where I live, and I suspect, everywhere in the world. Add the green movement and all the interest in carbon footprints and forest preservation, and this song is as valid today as ever. I double-checked the lyrics, and I'm not totally sure, but I think he could still sing them. And like you said before, he doesn't have to play the piano - just sing! King of Trees - Cat Stevens King of TreesHe was the King of trees Keeper of the leaves A deep green god of young Love stained memory We used to meet by him Far from the hustling town I loved you, Now they’ve come to cut you down …Down He was the guardian of Days we held the same Beneath the shade he gave Shelter from the rain Oh Lord how it’s empty now With nothing save the breeze I loved you, Now they’ve come to burn the leaves Don’t burn the leaves And if my mind breaks up In all so many ways I know the meaning of The words, “I love you” And if my body falls inside An early grave The forest and the evergreens Are coming to take me back So slowly, as I roll down the track The forest and the evergreens Are coming to take me back The forest and the evergreens Are coming to take me back Please take me back He was the King of trees Keeper of the glades The way he brightened my life Makes me so amazed We used to meet by him Many years ago I loved you Now they’ve come to lay the road Don’t lay the road! |
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Post by SuzieQ on Jun 30, 2010 13:25:07 GMT -5
Stargazer BlogYusuf. it turns out that i've been motivated to write sooner than i thought. the inspiration is the wonderful yusuf islam (or the artist formerly known as cat stevens). what follows is going to be a gushing fangirl review of the concert i attended in auckland last night. if you're not interested in that kind of thing, now would be a good time to find something else to read! i've never been to a concert in my life - at least not one i've paid for. i've been to things like the sunset symphony at the hamilton gardens, and part of the free concert that stan walker put on in garden place. but i have never paid out my hard earned cash to go to see a recording artist perform in a stadium. yet the minute i heard that yusuf islam was playing in auckland, i couldn't wait to get my hands on tickets. i've known his music since childhood, being one of those forced to sing "morning is broken" at school, and seeing "remember the days of the old school yard" endlessly on tv when i was little. other songs i'd not associated with him until later, like "first cut is the deepest", "another saturday night" and "wild world", because they had also been made famous by other artists covering them. it was more in my later teenage years and my early twenties that i became a fan. of course his conversion to islam was a major factor in that. i'd seen video documentaries and several speeches by him so came to know him more as a person (at least in terms of what he was prepared to share publicly) before i was really interested in his music. everything i've heard from him and of him pointed to him being a pretty amazing person. so of course i didn't think twice about going to the concert. i took the girls as well, cos his "best of" cd is the one they listen to the most in the car, and they love his music just as much as i do. i felt safe about taking them, because i knew the values he espouses are so close to our own that i wouldn't have to worry about any material that would be objectionable to, say, a 12 year old. and it was brilliant, one of the best experiences of my life. i really can't rave about it enough. the music was beautiful, the stories and the sharing really special, the gentle humour just added to the magic. there was a great mix of old and new songs, and he has definitely hasn't lost his touch. his voice was as sweet as it always was, the songs as relevant today as they were when they first came out. the most poignant moment of the concert for me was watching him sing father and son. because now he is 62 years old, with grey hair and beard, and of course he fits the role of father now rather than the role of the son which was more suited to him when the song first came out. it marked the passage of time so clearly, and brought home to me what an incredible journey his life has been (and will hopefully continue to be for many, many years yet inshaAllah). i'm not sure if many people know, but he stopped taking money from royalties of his commercial music pretty soon after he became a muslim. all of that money goes to charity. i also know that he put a lot of money and effort into helping victims of the serbian/bosnian conflict. even the proceeds of his concert last night are "going to a good cause", in his words last night, though he didn't tell us what the cause was. which is natural, as charity should be given in the quietest way possible. well, there wasn't an empty seat in vector arena last night. and the noise, the singing and cheering were absolutely awesome. i had a sore throat and and very sore hands and arms myself, and i sure wasn't the loudest person there! i'm really not a musical person, so i can't really give any kind of decent review of the music itself - for that, you can read this. i did think that last night's version of "tuesday's dead" was better than the recorded version. but it all sounded great to me. his namesake, the original yusuf (the prophet Joseph) was especially known for two things: his great physical beauty and the purity of his character. this yusuf has both in abundance, and i feel privileged to have shared two hours of his life last night. peace be with you, yusuf islam. Posted by stargazer
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hatidje
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Post by hatidje on Jun 30, 2010 13:37:18 GMT -5
Thanks, Sue, for this story! Really nice and somehow very genuine and sincere...
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Post by crobarbie on Jun 30, 2010 16:52:58 GMT -5
A first video from Auckland, uncomplete and not so good quality, but... for the archive And Yusuf's is wearing his "roadsinger" coat during the song... |
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Post by G-One on Jul 1, 2010 9:17:39 GMT -5
I ASKED ON YUSUF'S SITE AND ON TEASER UNDER THE LONGER BOATS BLOG SO WE WILL SEE REGII Did you see, Regii, you've got a reply  |
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Post by JaneB on Jul 1, 2010 9:41:50 GMT -5
I ASKED ON YUSUF'S SITE AND ON TEASER UNDER THE LONGER BOATS BLOG SO WE WILL SEE REGII Did you see, Regii, you've got a reply Regii - I actually hope he waits until you are there to hear him sing it. You have wanted him to sing it for so long. Maybe he'll do a UK concert just so he can sing that for you |
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Post by suncatcher on Jul 1, 2010 10:43:30 GMT -5
It seems everyone is rooting for you, Regi - if Yusuf sings "King of Trees" it'll be a special moment for you especially, but for all of us majicatters as well. I hope, hope, hope...but...I won't get my hopes up too far...we'll see...
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Post by suncatcher on Jul 1, 2010 11:19:25 GMT -5
Yusuf's is wearing his "roadsinger" coat during the song... Thank you for this, Barney. Someone mentioned that this might be a "Driza-Bone" coat. (Australian names are so colorful!) According to this website that sells Driza-Bone coats:Driza-Bone is an Australian icon in riding coats...recognized not only in Australia but also throughout the world for quality, practicality and the Australian flair. The name Driza-Bone (Stryne for "Dry as a Bone") was registered in 1933, around the time the waxed cotton cloth was developed in Britain to replace the old cloth coated with linseed oil. And here's a picture of a Driza_Bone from Best Australian Outerwear next to one of Yusuf in his "Roadsinger" coat:   The shoulders and collar on the Driza-Bone are different than those on Yusuf's coat, so I'm not sure... Vicky, can you help? Do you know if Yusuf's coat is a "Driza-Bone"? And do you know what "Stryne" means? (BTW, I've missed you and your posts these last couple of days, Vicky. I hope all is well.) Peace, ~Sun~ |
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Post by flemmishfangent on Jul 2, 2010 14:42:02 GMT -5
i SAW THE ASWER OF THE WEBMASTER SO I HOPE ONE DAY HE SINGS IT MAYBE IT DID NOT FIT INTO THE EVENING OR THEY WERE NOT READY FOR IT BUT ONE DAY IT WILL COME I AM SURE ;hope Yusuf can enjoy New Zealand for some time but i think he will love to see his two little granddaughters to take them in his arms ,he and Fauzia will have missed them very much after that long time Regii
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Post by Monty Python on Jul 2, 2010 22:05:00 GMT -5
Vicky, can you help? Do you know if Yusuf's coat is a "Driza-Bone"? And do you know what "Stryne" means? Peace, ~Sun~ [/quote] I'm not Vicky, but I can help! ;D. Not sure whether Yusuf's coat is a Drizabone, but it certainly resembles one. The word "Strine" refers to the English "language" spoken by Australians where it appears we run several letters/words together as one - "Drizabone" a good example (Dry as a bone). Us Australians often appear to be saying "Straya" instead of "Australia" due to this tendency to speak quickly. There are many humorous examples, and we often poke fun at our own for doing this - new Prime Minister Julia Gillard is a popular target. Here endeth the lesson. ;D |
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I don't think so! 
