Pre- Mona Bone Jakon songs

[Deleted]

Much as I love CS music, I cannot get used to Mike Hurst's arrangements on most of Cat's earlier songs.

Has anyone ever seen any demo tapes that Cat used when he was auditioning at various music companies?

[Vivian]

Apparently, Cat himself, didn't like the arrangements, which we could suppose that's the reason why Cat moved on after recovering from TB. It was to his advantage that he did, because that is when his career really exploded.

Peace,Vivian

[cat911]

I just recently got Matthew & Son and New Masters. I'm still discovering them, particularly New Masters, but Matthew & Son I really enjoy. Some of it is a bit odd, but I enjoy it all.

[cristalina]

There were many gems in those pre 1970 songs, Blackness of the Night and The Tramp to name just two.

[SP4313]

I love both of the Decca albums. I think part of it is the historical value that they hold, but I've got to admit that I actually love the songs too. I know they aren't arranged the way Cat would have arranged them, but there's something very cool about all the brass, the poet's shirt, the 1960's, and everything that we found out later was not who Cat really was as a musician. I am always amazed though, that from "New Masters" to "Mona Bone Jakon" Cat not only looked the way he did through out the rest his career, but that he found his vocal style, music style, and that his song writing became so solid in what seems like over night. I know there were early songs that gave away what was to come (like "Blackness of the night" and "Portobello Road"), but it's still amazing the he went from being a kid to the Cat we know and love in just a few years.

Have all of you seen this?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3g7JCKLyb-E

[butterfly]

Wow, this is so fantastic. It think it was 1967 in German Beat Club like this performance, too.

Bad Night 1967 Beat Club Radio Bremen

Look at the white shoes, the white shirt, the claret suit and the small beard, too cute!!!

Like on this pic!!

[mjtrewhella]

Butterfly well done you make such great contributions thank you soooo much this is definately one of my favorites michele

[SP4313]

Thanks for sharing that video Butterfly, I've never seen that one. I just love the black and white videos, and there are a few more on YouTube somewhere. I'll try to find them and post them here.

Gino

[zvon]

After watching those vids I'd love to know what Yusuf thought of the Austin Powers movies.

[butterfly]

I am sure, you all know this video from 1966???

Cat Stevens - Matthew and Son 1966

[butterfly]

Cat Stevens- I'm Gonna Get Me A Gun

Beat Club Performance 1967

[mjtrewhella]

Thank you butterfly you are so good at finding these vids Michele

[butterfly]

mjtrewhella said:

Thank you butterfly you are so good at finding these vids Michele

Thank you Michele! Sometimes I think to write about something in English is a little bit difficult for me. So it is a pleasure to me to search some videos of Cat.

[ladyluvssummer]

Being from the States, and not having access to the internet in the early 70's, I didn't even know about the earlier stuff and although it's a lot different from what he did on Mona and later albums, I'm having fun listening to it and watching these old videos. It's funny zvon mentioned Austin Powers 'cause that's exactly who I thought of when I watched Matthew and Son for the first time. ;D

[thewind]

There are many wonderful gems prior to MBJ to listen too... These roots will sprout and have bloosumed on many an occation... I believe more will follow in the line of Movies, Books and remakes material...

[Lucy13]

I love the overproduced early Cat stuff!

...not that I don't love the organic, earthy, acoustic early stuff too... but there's something so electric and neon and exciting about the fresh (as in: cheeky) brass. So cosmopolitan sixties.