cat stevens
Christmas Stalkings: What to Buy for the Music Fan in Your Life
As the stockings get hung by the chiminea with care in hopes that Papa Noel soon will be there, you might be hard-pressed to find gifts that will bring true joy to the music-obsessive in your life. Especially if they seem to have every new album or box set that comes out. But fear not, dear consumer, as SPIN has spent these first days of the holiday season in search of the coolest gift ideas with the music fan in your life in mind. From action figures of your favorite rappers to choice box sets to quality cannabis to spirits made from spuds, the 2021 holiday season is a cornucopia overflowing with possibilities for the music fan who seems to have everything. For the Fabs fan on your list, it’s not a question of what to get them this year but how much are you willing to get them, as this se...
Breaking Up Is Hard to Do
Sometimes you’re the windshield; sometimes you’re the bug. This bit of philosophical wisdom was imparted to me long ago by a guy whose name I don’t remember, nor can I recall the breakup. I suspect that in this case, I was the windshield. Indeed, sometimes a romantic breakup feels like ballast thrown overboard so your ship can sail, baby, sail. And sometimes, breakups pierce the heart and wound the spirit forevermore. This is the stuff of poets and songwriters — the “see ya” and “ciao” and “so long” to lost amours. or maybe the ones you didn’t appreciate until they walked out that door. Now you’re sorry. So classic. Breakup songs have always been about the important things like love won, then love gone. Sometimes breakups are wistful and sometimes they’re full-on insane, and on some occasi...
The 50 Best Albums of 1971
It’s become a cliché, even for post-Baby Boomers, to look back wistfully on the early ’70s as some kind of untouchable golden age for popular music. But when you survey all the era’s best albums in list form, it’s hard not to trust that instinct. I mean…holy shit. In 1971, the psychedelic era hadn’t completely wilted; prog was nearing its popularity apex; Motown was still a revolutionizing soul music; the folk-rock movement was in full flight. The possibilities were limitless. You know it’s a banner year when 50 albums don’t begin to scratch the surface — when both John Lennon and Paul McCartney release definitive LPs and neither make the top 10. Was 1971 the greatest album year ever? We’ll save that debate for another time (or maybe another list). For now, we present 50 stone-cold cl...
HAIM Cover ‘Hard Headed Woman’ During Cat Stevens Tribute
Yesterday, more than 40 artists joined forces for CatSong Festival — a virtual tribute to Yusuf/Cat Stevens in honor of the 50th anniversary of his 1970 albums Tea for the Tillerman and Mona Bone Jakon. During the nearly two-and-a-half-hour long stream, Haim performed a cover of “Hard Headed Woman” off Tea for the Tillerman. Danielle Haim took the reins for the stripped down rendition, singing and playing guitar, while Este and Alana contributed backup vocals. Elsewhere, Jack Johnson covered “Where Do The Children Play,” Brandon Boyd of Incubus performed “Wild World,” and Dave Matthews played “Father & Son.” “It’s great to see and hear these covers of my songs given new life,” Yusuf said in a statement ahead of the tribute. “There’s no better hon...
Dave Matthews, Haim, Incubus’ Brandon Boyd and More to Play Cat Stevens Tribute
Dave Matthews, Haim, Brandon Boyd of Incubus and 37 other artists will pay tribute to Yusuf/Cat Stevens with live performances this week. The CatSong Festival will honor the 50th anniversary of his 1970 albums Tea for the Tillerman and Mona Bone Jakon. “It’s great to see and hear these covers of my songs given new life,” Yusuf said in a statement. “There’s no better honor for a songwriter than to have his songs performed by talented musicians with such love and sincerity. Thank you.” Other performers include Jack Johnson, Feist, Passenger, Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Sad13, Imelda May and more. The virtual festival will broadcast live on YouTube on Dec. 5 at 12pm PS/3pm EST/8pm GMT, which you can watch here. Despite the milestone, Yusuf had to cancel touring plans due to the pandemic....
Peter Frampton, Cat Stevens, Johnny Marr and More Pay Tribute to Peter Green
Peter Green died “peacefully in his sleep” over the weekend at the age of 73, and when news broke on Saturday musicians took to social media and paid tribute to the Fleetwood Mac founding guitarist, while Mick Fleetwood remembered his “dearest friend” and bandmate in a statement. “For me, and every past and present member of Fleetwood Mac, losing Peter Green is monumental!” he wrote. “Peter was the man who started the band Fleetwood Mac along with myself, John McVie, and Jeremy Spencer. No one has ever stepped into the ranks of Fleetwood Mac without a reverence for Peter Green and his talent, and to the fact that music should shine bright and always be delivered with uncompromising passion!!!” “Peter, I will miss you, but rest easy your music lives on,” he continued. “I than...
