Cat Stevens - Teaser & The Firecat

A singer-songwriter classic, now with live counterpart disc

Creatively and commercially, Cat Stevens’ career peaked with 1971’s Teaser & The Firecat. It reached the Top 3 in both the UK and US, spawning three big hit singles in Moonshadow, Morning Has Broken and the US-only Peace Train – something none of his other albums accomplished.

Stevens’ work had become ever more complex since he left his 60s pop persona behind and Teaser represented the perfect fusion of his earnest delivery and songs, which increasingly reflected his thoughts on life’s deeper meaning. There were still seven years to go before he dedicated himself to religion as Yusuf Islam but, in musical terms, this would remain his calling card.

This expanded edition’s bonus disc adds 10 songs: five demos of album tracks and five live versions of the remaining titles, dating from the 70s to the current millennium. There’s actually enough room on the first disc to fit the original album and the bonus cuts, while there’s already a perfectly good remaster available, so unless this bonus disc grabs you, there’s no reason to upgrade. That said, the illustrated booklet featuring sleevenotes from Stevens, his producer Paul Samwell-Smith and guitarist Alun Davies adds value to the package. Singersongwriter fans need this album, whichever version you choose.

5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars

Universal | IMCD 269 (2-CD)

Reviewed by Michael Heatley
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