Album Review: The Laughing Apple by Yusuf

Yusuf marks the 50th anniversary of his first two albums, both released in 1967, by reinterpreting some of his songs from the era, including four from New Masters and others never released at the time. It helps that he.

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Cat Stevens’s transition from pop idealist to a meditative minstrel named Yusuf Islam seemed an abrupt disconnect. Along the way, he renounced his previous creative endeavors in favor of sacred music that underscored his newly embraced Islamic faith. It was a move that brought controversy and had fans wondering if he was forever lost to religion. The release of An Other Cup in 2006 disproved that perception.

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he forward slash in Yusuf / Cat Stevens’ billing says quite a lot about the folksinger’s return to conventional Western recording and performing over the past decade. With each album, Yusuf seemed to have one paw scratching about the musical alleyways of ‘70s icon Cat Stevens while the other foot stood bare at the foot of a prayer mat, drawing inspiration from a different type of spiritual well. An Other Cup (2006), Roadsinger (2009), and Tell ‘Em I’m Gone (2014) often found him reaching back to repurpose old works, composing new songs about life’s curious journey, and even employing Islamic theology in his songwriting – occasionally, the artist on either side of the slash appearing to be the odd man out.

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