purplemoon
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Post by purplemoon on Feb 9, 2011 16:33:38 GMT -5
For those who have seen the previews:
What did you think? Honestly?
I fear this will not be well-received as a stage production
for a variety of reasons. One reason (which he has already
correctly identified) is that much of his older music is so intensely
personal that for fans of yore, it loses meaning if sung by someone
else. (Except for Rod Stewart's cover of "The First Cut." )
Worse, you know what the critics will say: "Aging pop star
attempts to regain tattered laurels by recycling dust-encrusted
compositions ......... " Wince.
I wish he would abandon the idea of putting it on the stage and
opt instead for doing it as currently conceived, but as an
animation, with new artwork by HIM and with singing by HIM.
If he still wants to do a musical for the stage, why not reframe
his old ideas for a musical about the Russian revolution to
something close and current: The Egyptian Uprising.
Don't forget to copywrite!
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Post by Wambaugh on Feb 9, 2011 17:25:20 GMT -5
I'm not sure about it being set on another planet. I think what made Cat/Yusuf's music so popular was that people could relate to it. "But I Might Die Tonight", "On the Road to Find Out" and "Matthew and Son" are songs relevant to people's lives here, today. The story of Moonshadow could be about people on this earth. I don't know why it's in some far away galaxy.
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Post by aurarisma on Feb 9, 2011 17:31:38 GMT -5
I love his Musical "Moonshadow" idea .. and I see it coming to fruition ... I so wish I could speak to him or get a message to him bout' set design.. I had this amazing vision of it!! I love the idea of the planet lit by only Moonlight .. it can be tres dark and light at same time .... love it!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well He could do Musicals and an Animate Cartoon in future.. Is there nothing that Yusuf cannot do ?!!!  God Bless Him and I look forward to opening night and many more opening nights of musicals He envisions ..X
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purplemoon
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Post by purplemoon on Feb 9, 2011 18:21:19 GMT -5
I'm not sure about it being set on another planet. I think what made Cat/Yusuf's music so popular was that people could relate to it. "But I Might Die Tonight", "On the Road to Find Out" and "Matthew and Son" are songs relevant to people's lives here, today. The story of Moonshadow could be about people on this earth. I don't know why it's in some far away galaxy. My son, the blossoming Astro-physicist, has always been a trekkie (Star Trek, Star Trek Next Generation, Star Trek Voyager ...) and sci-fi whatever fan: "Well, duh, Mom" (there's nothing like an intelligent 21 year old child to remind you of your age and failings) "don't you know that all of the most revolutionary political ideas are being explored in science fiction ....." |
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Post by mjwestha on Feb 9, 2011 22:11:36 GMT -5
Pretty sure Yusuf has always been a space fanatic. The musical makes perfect sense.
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Post by sabina on Feb 10, 2011 0:47:19 GMT -5
:)an interesting discussion purplemoon ! Unfortunately I cant add much this being totally out of my sphere so to speak...  Great to hear ideas though  aurarisma Your concept seems very inspired :)Wow!! I guess I am holding out with excitement to see how Yusuf will pull this one off....and he will...never ceases to intrigue and amaze me Can't wait!! |
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purplemoon
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Post by purplemoon on Feb 10, 2011 1:05:28 GMT -5
Pretty sure Yusuf has always been a space fanatic. The musical makes perfect sense. Space fanatic in what sense? Astronomy, astrology, science fiction? I've been wondering about the instrument (in the pic) which he used on -- was it the recent Greatest Hits release? It looks like an ancient astronomical gadget. Does anyone know what it is? I noticed that the album cover artwork for "Footsteps in the Light" contains a faint circular diagram. It looks like an astrological chart diagram. I was somewhat surprised because even though Astronomy/Astrology was one of the important classical sciences of the Golden Age of Islam, today many Muslims regard Astrology as haram. A science fiction musical is a great concept. I have been a huge fan of Carl Sagan ever since I met him in person, in Berkeley, in 1976. Through his short films and involvement in SETI, he did more than anyone for demonstrating the high probability of extraterrestrial intelligence . When I teach my seminar on the Golden Ratio, I always try to include a showing of the film of Sagan's novel "Contact." Someone could turn that novel into a great stage musical. Attachments:
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soitis
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Post by soitis on Feb 10, 2011 1:45:42 GMT -5
What I saw in Dublin musical was very interesting . music,choreography and scenography were very nice.Singers too.Mathew and Son version is perfect.Not worse or better than any musical in London or Zagreb.(I saw them quite a lot) But musicals I think they are out of the time especially for the young people.In Dublin Yusuf made mistake for showing musical too long- Audience did not like it. They wonted to hear old Cat songs after so many years.Yusuf as I read after reallied that and made it much shorter on his next shows-
If I would be in London and Moomshadow would be performing in theater I would sorely go to see it and enjoy in it. It would be nice evening to remember I suppose.But I like his concerts much more.
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purplemoon
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Post by purplemoon on Feb 10, 2011 2:37:32 GMT -5
If I would be in London and Moomshadow would be performing in theater I would sorely go to see it and enjoy in it. It would be nice evening to remember I suppose.But I like his concerts much more. Yes, I would want to see it as well. But like you, I fear that he is investing a great deal of time and money in something that will not be well-received. Soitis: Hey! You're from Croatia! Have you ever heard of a writer/painter/poet named Dusan Pajin ? I'm a huge fan of his artwork. I met him during the war and made a computer database of all of his paintings for the sake of preserving them. And then, I lost track of him.  |
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Post by earthshadow on Feb 10, 2011 4:14:51 GMT -5
My son, the blossoming Astro-physicist, has always been a trekkie (Star Trek, Star Trek Next Generation, Star Trek Voyager ...) and sci-fi whatever fan Does your son have "a moon and a star on his head"? ;D |
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majikman
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Post by majikman on Feb 10, 2011 5:45:46 GMT -5
Cat Stevens was always talking about wanting to write
a musical. During the late 60s, he said he wanted to
write a stage musical about Mexico. Will Moonshadow
feature Mexican astronauts?
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purplemoon
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Post by purplemoon on Feb 10, 2011 6:11:25 GMT -5
My son, the blossoming Astro-physicist, has always been a trekkie (Star Trek, Star Trek Next Generation, Star Trek Voyager ...) and sci-fi whatever fan Does your son have "a moon and a star on his head"? ;D LOLOLLOL Yes, he does, in many ways! Last night, he phoned from Oberlin College to tell me what courses he has decided to take: Astrophysics Quantum Mechanics Islamic Art & Architecture Magic & Mysticism in Ancient Cultures Isn't that a hoot? One always hopes to influence one's children. Occasionally one realizes, in shocking ways, how MUCH one has influenced them. Plus, he's Aquarius with Cancer rising. But no, he's definitely mine --- no one dropped him on a doorstep. LOL |
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purplemoon
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Post by purplemoon on Feb 10, 2011 6:59:42 GMT -5
Cat Stevens was always talking about wanting to write a musical. During the late 60s, he said he wanted to write a stage musical about Mexico. Will Moonshadow feature Mexican astronauts? Mexico! I can definitely see him loving the Mariachi music, flamenco music and colorful culture. I wonder why he never wrote it. Perhaps the realities of modern Mexico were too depressing. I'll never forget the first times, in '68-69, that I drove with my parents through the slums of Tijuana. So many people living in tin and plywood huts. " . . . Let me take YOU by the hand and lead you through the streets of Tijuana . . ." My Mexican travels did inspire a few cheerful lyrics: BOUGANVILLA Driving down to Ensenada, there was a small inn by the sea, crowned with a garland of fire, singing softly still to me. Bouganvilla, bouganvilla. Bouganvilla, bouganvilla. A stone terrace tight and winding, high on the cliffs perched happily. Raise tequila to the sunset tonight! More quesadillas please for me. Bouganvilla, bouganvilla Bouganvilla, bouganvilla. |
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majikman
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Post by majikman on Feb 10, 2011 7:53:11 GMT -5
Purplemoon: Cool lyric. Are you a song-writer?
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majikman
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Post by majikman on Feb 10, 2011 8:14:57 GMT -5
When I teach my seminar on the Golden Ratio, I always try to include a showing of the film of Sagan's novel "Contact." When I was in art school, we learned about the Golden Ratio. It was used in the Renaissance for creating beauty in paintings and architecture, right? Does it also have something to do with astronomy? |
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Post by ilovemycat on Feb 10, 2011 14:03:47 GMT -5
I don't know -I trust Yusuf's instincts. They never seem to steer him wrong. And let's face it - the revival of Disney pics on Broadway is pretty boring... and remakes of movies for the stage. Seems to me they could use a burst of something truly creative. I hope it makes it to NY...
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soitis
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Post by soitis on Feb 10, 2011 14:39:31 GMT -5
Soitis: Hey! You're from Croatia! Have you ever heard of a writer/painter/poet named
Dusan Pajin ? I'm a huge fan of his artwork. I met him during the war and
made a computer database of all of his paintings for the sake of preserving them.
And then, I lost track of him.
I haven't heard about him.Is he Croat? Maybe he is Serb.Painter and poet?!What were occasions of your meeting?Where he lives now?Is he really so good.I would like to see some of his work.
Soitis
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purplemoon
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Post by purplemoon on Feb 10, 2011 21:43:34 GMT -5
Soitis: Hey! You're from Croatia! Have you ever heard of a writer/painter/poet named
Dusan Pajin ? I haven't heard about him.Is he Croat? Maybe he is Serb.Painter and poet?!What were occasions of your meeting?Where he lives now?Is he really so good.I would like to see some of his work. Soitis He must be Serb --- but one of the good ones. I first learned about him by reading a lecture he presented at The International Conference on Religious Tolerance. It turned out that he was a practicing Buddhist and taught at at The Belgrade Art University -- not art, but Buddhist philosophy / Buddhist poetry / Buddhist art. I read some of his essays on Buddhism. Then I began corresponding with him via email. As so often happens when one is following "the wind of one's soul" we had yet another point of commonality in the work and teachings of Rudolf Steiner. His paintings are very asian looking, but with exhuberant colors and a certain Georgia O'Keeffe quality. He liked to paint the moon. Here's a sample: Attachments:
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Post by ilovemycat on Feb 10, 2011 22:04:50 GMT -5
That painting is so serene - beautiful.
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purplemoon
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Post by purplemoon on Feb 10, 2011 22:53:28 GMT -5
That painting is so serene - beautiful. He did a series of serene moonlit nights. But most of his paintings are more like this one with yellow sky, as if to say "snow on a wind-blown pine makes me yellow-happy?" Attachments:
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purplemoon
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Post by purplemoon on Feb 11, 2011 11:15:26 GMT -5
When I was in art school, we learned about the Golden Ratio. It was used in the Renaissance for creating beauty in paintings and architecture, right? Does it also have something to do with astronomy? : I play play piano and guitar, but poorly. I'm entirely self-taught, and illiterate --- meaning, I can't sight-read any music. At one time, I did invent songs, but quickly discovered that if you do not write out the music, you must either record (and update the media every few years) or have an amazingly good memory. Poetry is so much simpler for the simple-minded. The Golden Ratio ("phi" for short) is related to the growth and evolution of living things in amazing ways. It is especially evident in the structure of seedheads -- the swirling pattern on a pinecone or sunflower head, for example. This was known by Arabian mathematicians at least as early as the Golden Age of Islam. I have heard some people conjecture, arguing speciously by analogy, that spiraling galaxies are more likely to harbor life. IMHO, that is a wildly unsubstantiated, ridiculous speculation. On the other hand, the following amazing factoid might imply a space connection. I learned about this jaw-dropping factoid very recently and am still struggling to digest it ...  FACTOID: The location of the Ka'ba (the black cube thing in Mecca) is based on Phi. I thought this was a joke until I computed it for myself --- twice. It's all true. The Ka'ba lies on the Celestial Equator at a point such that the distance from that point to the northern pole, divided by the distance from that point to the southern pole (along the longitudinal circle on the surface of earth) is approximately Phi. This is an amazing fact. A mind-blowing fact. The chance of this being a random coincidence is so miniscule that, to me, it is obvious that the Ka'ba was intentionally located based on this calculation as a testimony to future generations of the sophisticated scientific understanding of its creators. Since the location of the Ka'ba is pre-historical, this raises interesting questions about how an ancient people could have achieved this. ( You baited me: A baiting pot may NOT call the kettle a "gold snitch!" ) |
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purplemoon
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Post by purplemoon on Feb 11, 2011 11:22:58 GMT -5
From what I've seen of the Moonshadow Musical set designs, Yusuf might want to consider a different moustache: Attachments:
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Post by ilovemycat on Feb 11, 2011 17:52:04 GMT -5
He did a series of serene moonlit nights. But most of his paintings are more like this one with yellow sky, as if to say "snow on a wind-blown pine makes me yellow-happy?" You do have a way with words Purplemoon. At first glance, the painting did not interest me in the least until I read your charming description of it. Cute... |
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Post by sabina on Feb 12, 2011 0:20:23 GMT -5
:)As usual purplemoon your posts are interesting and educational......  I like to think that the ancient civilizations were more in tune with the earths numerology than we are.....they were into something most of us have lost..at one with nature and calculation through the stars.. PS I was delighted that we are both fans of the scarf... I have a beauty I picked up in a charity shop;It is a delicate design of blue and red on a pale blue background ,reminiscent of old persian art ;and is of the softest gossamer finest silk.It has a large surface area and can be used as a shawl but as it can pass through my wedding ring you can imagine it can be worn in so many ways...I wonder what the story is behind it and who and how someone decided to pass it on .... sorry I digress....whats the latest info about the musical set designs ? |
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purplemoon
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Post by purplemoon on Feb 12, 2011 4:10:49 GMT -5
:)As usual purplemoon your posts are interesting and educational...... I like to think that the ancient civilizations were more in tune with the earths numerology than we are.....they were into something most of us have lost..at one with nature and calculation through the stars.. When I tell people that I teach math, I usually get a grimace with "I hated math." It's because of the stupid way it's taught in most schools. Math and science education should be hands-on, practical, nature-based. If you put a Chambered Nautilus shell in a 15 year old's hands, have him make a rubbing, trace the spiral and then teach him about the mathematical equations that describe the spiral, he'll think mathematics is as beautiful as the shell. I've been collecting scarves since the mid-70s. I have a Laurel Burch Lion scarf from 1975. Of course, it's a tattered, stained mess, and it lives the bottom of the drawer, but scarves hold memories. Like the ones, my first love, a Pakistani man brought back from Karachi. I haven't traveled in France much since the 80s, but the flair with which Parisian women wore scarves was unforgettable. The beautiful wool floral scarves in Germany! Almost all of my current favorites are from China. I travelled the length of the silk route from Urumqi to Bejing, buying -- why silk, of course! -- scarves, scarves, scarves! So inexpensive at the bazarres you almost feel guilty. I live in university town, so finding a decent scarf at a second hand shop here would be hopeless. |
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purplemoon
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Post by purplemoon on Feb 12, 2011 7:00:15 GMT -5
I've been wondering about the instrument (in the pic) which he used on -- was it the recent Greatest Hits release? Ah ... an astrolabe! An authentic islamic astrolabe? Yeah, if I had Brazillions of dollars to spend on collectibles, I might indulge myself with the purchase of an islamic astrolabe. (It would certainly be an appropriate companion to my antique rosewood wei chi balls, Tibetan temple bell, 18th century psalter pages, camel hair prayer rug from Alexandria, sioux medicine rattle.... ) Attachments:
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Post by G-One on Feb 15, 2011 5:40:25 GMT -5
Yusuf is working on making his dream come true. Economic reasons are secondary.
I'm sure it'll be well-received by old and new fans of all generations and cultures. He still has a lot to say!!
Contracting this famous producer was a big milestone and it'll be on stage soon :-)
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Post by flemmishfangent on Feb 15, 2011 15:00:35 GMT -5
i hope so it's starts in London where he starts his dream
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Post by suncatcher on Feb 15, 2011 15:16:21 GMT -5
I don't know -I trust Yusuf's instincts. They never seem to steer him wrong. And let's face it - the revival of Disney pics on Broadway is pretty boring... and remakes of movies for the stage. Seems to me they could use a burst of something truly creative. I hope it makes it to NY... Ditto! Never underestimate Yusuf. |
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Post by sabina on Feb 15, 2011 15:39:55 GMT -5
:DI wish I could be in Yusufs musical....actually I kind of feel its partly mine.....in a very odd way because its meant so much to the Man it means alot to me...........for goodness sake?  Or it could be that the 'my people 'refrain I sang has gone to my head!!!! ::I actually sometimes cant believe that not only am I on a virtual forum but I have taken part in the chorus thing :: What has happened to me?AS IF I didnt know.... |
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God Bless Him and I look forward to opening night and many more opening nights of musicals He envisions ..X 
