Yusuf’s Café Session

An absolute must for any fan of folk-pop legend Cat Stevens, Yusuf’s Café Session is a reverent and revealing document of the singer’s first full-length concert for 28 years, which took place earlier this year at The Porchester Hall in London. Yusuf Islam, as he is now called, treated the specially invited audience to both faithful and experimental versions of many of his greatest and most fondly-remembered hits, such as “Father and Son,” “Where Do the Children Play?” and “Wild World,” as well as a generous selection of tracks from his 2006 album An Other Cup.

The documentary which is included on the DVD provides a revealing insight into Yusuf’s conversion to Islam and his return to performing (after his son left his guitar lying around the hosue) after many years of renouncing music, featuring vintage footgae of Yusuf/Cat from his hey-day, and interviews with his many famous fans, including Bob Geldof and, surprisingly, Dolly Parton. As well as videos for new tracks, the DVD also includes “Settee Versions” of a number of songs, in which Yusuf performs (you guessed it) sat on his settee, providing an intimate counterpoint to the Porchester Hall show.

Extras: “Storytime” BBC Documentary on Yusuf Islam, videos for “Heaven/Where Troe Love Goes” and “Midday (Avoid City After Dark”; “Settee Versions”.

Released 25th June 2007 by Polydor.

Written by Michael Lawrence.