Features
Yusuf / Cat Stevens In North America
Whether you remember him as Cat Stevens or think of him as Yusuf, one thing is for certain: the legendary singer/songwriter’s first North American tour in more than 35 years begins in December.
Photo: Charles Sykes / Invision / AP
Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony, Barclays Center, Brooklyn, N.Y.
It’s a short run for Yusuf and his incredible catalog. A new signing with Legacy Recordings, Yusuf’s new album, Tell ’Em When I’m Gone, arrives Oct. 27 and features contributions from Richard Thompson, Charlie Musselwhite, Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Tuareg group Tinariwen and guitarist Matt Sweeney. The album was produced by Yusuf and Rick Rubin.
You can check out the LP’s first single, “Dying To Live,” via Rolling Stone.
“Although I was to venture through many lyrical terrains, melodious valleys and cadences during my fifty-year musical and spiritual exploration, and though many would agree that I have covered a lot of ground, there was always one path I meant to take,” Yusuf said. “Hidden in the background behind my renowned troubadour persona lurked an R&B alter-self waiting to be set free.
“What’s powerful and profound, to me, is the overall message which emerged, lyrically. It suddenly stared me in the face: the innate struggle for freedom! Isn’t that what most human beings dreamed of? Music and the blues particularly was a means of escape for many chained to the destiny of the rich and powerful.”
Yusuf’s North American tour has the artist playing six shows coast to coast. Here are the dates:
Dec. 1 – Toronto, Ontario, Massey Hall
Dec. 4 – Boston, Mass., Citi Performing Arts Center
Dec. 7 – New York, N.Y., Beacon Theatre
Dec. 9 – Chicago, Ill., Chicago Theatre
Dec. 12 – San Francisco, Calif., Nob Hill Masonic Center
Dec. 14 – Los Angeles, Calif., Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE
Fans preordering Tell ’Em When I’m Gone via Amazon will get early dibs on tickets. General onsales launch Sept. 27. Visit YusufCatStevens.com for more information.