Customer Reviews

Tea for the Tillerman

5 star:		(43)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'm not a professional LP review guy, but I do have some nice equipment and enjoy vinyl. To me, this album is very quiet and heads and tails above some other recent labels I have bought. You don't have to be an expert when you hear nothing in between tracks. The music is crisp and clear. The soundstage is wonderfully positioned. The vinyl is absolutely flat. The gatefold jacket is well done and of high quality. If you are looking for Cat Stevens, I would not hesitate to buy this release from Analogue Productions (pressed by Quality Record Pressings). AP will be releasing Teaser and the Firecat next (again, pressed by QRP) and will not hesitate to get it rather than getting the current A&M release.

PS. I've knew about the release of this LP for months before it was released and was actually going to buy it from the parent sales company as I've bought other LPs from them and have been very happy. I came across this one at Amazon.ca and while the price was excellant ($33 at the time), I was worried about the packaging. After ensuring it was the AP release, I took a chance. There were no issues and it was recieved within 2 days. Outstanding. I will be looking at Amazon.ca for future purchases.

The only suggestion to Amazon - place bubble wrap on both sides of the LP.

Matt
Ontario, Canada

"But I Might Die Tonight". This is a lifetime top 10 for most people who have heard the album. After 40 years, this album never gets old. Cat Stevens released a series of great albums, and still more good albums. "Tea For The Tillerman" is the gold standard. It is arguably the best of all. Get it. Enjoy it. After hundreds of listens, I still do. Also get "Mona Bone Jakon"; "Teaser and the Firecat"; "Catch Bull At Four"; "Buddha and the Chocolate Box". All are outstanding, but if only one is possible - it't "Tea For The Tillerman."

This was my first Cat Steven's album and I find it's his best. Songs like "Wild World", "Hard Headed Woman", and "Where Do The Children Play" are my favorites on this excellent album. Cat Stevens went on to release some great albums before he decided to become Muslim and give up singing & songwriting. If there's is one cd you purchase (other than his Greatest Hits) this should be it.

This album is really amazing. You can listen to this music and you don't feel alone. THis music has an air of spirituality with it. It's sought of listening to someone's soul. Not only do the lyrics which contain many references, create this image, but also the stripped down sound and soft strumming of the acoustic guitar. THe themes are universal, mostly, though I do have my doubts about 'Miles from nowhere' and 'But I might die tonight' though I understand the idea in the second one. My favourites are 'Where do the children play?' 'Sad Lisa' 'Into White' 'Longer Boats' 'Father and son' 'Hard-headed woman' and 'Wild World'

To me, I feel so close to Cat Stevens as I listen to his peaceful music. I listen to the words he sings, and I can't help but feel like I've known him my whole life- I almost feel as close to his music as I do to my own father.

Now I understand if your reaction to all of that is, "What the hell? Who is this psycho-chick?". Get to know this album well; buy it, listen to it, listen to it again, listen to it again, and so on until you can memorize a bit of the lyrics. Then[say that with emphasis] read what I have to say about Cat Stevens over. By the end of this assignment, being that you dared to take it on, you will feel completely nourished. Word.

I love the opener, Where do the children play?, it's a beautiful, beautiful, folk song and it is a lovely statement. I think Hard-headed woman is a really great song that is never repetitive. WIld World is hummable from start to finish, a genuine classic, and Sad Lisa sounds like oen of those touchign, beautiful songs on Back to Earth, songs like Daytime and Randy. HE's going off on some tangent with Miles from nowhere, but it's emotional. THat next song, But I might die tongiht is interesting, and Longer Boats is a bit of a go at protestants [whcih was changed to a sogn abotu aliens], but musically flawless. Into white is beautiful, relaxing and truly great. Father and Son is a universal theme that most can relate to. I don't really think much of the last song but I guess it's cute. THis is one of Cats best albums.

Tea for The Tillerman followed Mona Bone Jakon. Both are full of well written tunes and music.

otro de los pocos discos perfectos del principio hasta el final, No le sobra ni una coma. Todas las canciones son cinco estrellas.El lirismo de este album es inigualable en la historia del pop.

What sets Tea for the Tillerman apart from the rest? Is it the way Cat Stevens makes his intricate melodies sound so easy to accomplish? Is it the soul-searching intensity in his vocals? Is it the lovely acoustic instrumentation that has been hard to come by in the recent past?

All of these things are true, but what really sets this album apart is the theme at hand. Throughout Tea for the Tillerman, there is an ongoing theme of the innocence of childhood and the way that the world can cause us to become jaded as we grow older.

We begin with "Where do the Children Play?" a song questioning where our world is going with it's technology. Is humanity being left behind? "Wild World" may be the summary of the album, explaining that the world out there is crazy - be careful - don't lose that innocence. "I'll always remember you as a child, girl." Cat wants to remember all of us as children..... without any worries or cares, just happiness.

The album searches for ways to reclaim the happiness and innocence of youth by looking toward spirituality. Stevens had not yet found his Muslim faith, but he had an idea that there was something greater that could help him reach peace.

"Father and Son" ends the album with a young person learning to grow up and take responsibility as an adult. "I know I have to go." The singer is leaving his parents and going into the scary reality of the world.

And then, just when you thought Cat left us on a sad note, he leaves us with children playing for that HAPPY DAY.

Truly a masterpiece. Whenever an album can not only touch your heart and soul with music but also convey a message... it is more than an album. It is a work of art.

I had this album on a cassette that was copied from a album, needless to say, it lacked quality, but it still was my favorite album while I was growing up, and it sat right beside my early Metallica and Anthrax (along with Seals and Croft's Greatest Hits), sticking out like a sore thumb as most reviewers have said (except I am younger). I can't wait to get this version on CD, I've been listening to it online fom a download site all this time, but have decided to re-add it back into my collection. I've missed it sorely. Highly recommended for EVERYONE! Doesn't matter what genre you normally listen to, this album is THAT good! Cat's voice has a unique sound and I love his guitar style, powerful "happy music" (compared to the Pantera, Tool, and Megadeth I listen to now).