Yusuf/Cat Stevens to release re-imagined version of Tea for the Tillerman

Singer-songwriter’s classic album turns 50 this year

(Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

Yusuf/Cat Stevens has announced that he will release a reimagined version of his classic 1970 album Tea for the Tillerman.

Titled Tea for the Tillerman²​, the idea for the record developed from conversations between Yusuf and his son as they wondered how to celebrate the original album’s 50th anniversary.

The announcement states: “the songs on T4TT² sonically resonate again, as loud today as ever.”

“The album speaks anew of concern for the natural world and examines some of our most profound relationships, generation to generation, underpinned by a longing for spiritual union in an unpredictable and increasingly broken materialistic world.”

Tea for the Tillerman first came out on 23 November, 1970, when Yusuf was still performing as Cat Stevens.

The album featured many of the artist’s best-loved songs, including “Where do the Children Play?”, “Wild World”, and “Father and Son”.

Producer Paul Samwell-Smith and guitarist Alun Davies, who both worked on the original Tea for the Tillerman, will reunite for the new reimagined version.

Bassist Bruce Lynch, guitarist Eric Appapoulay and multi-instrumentalist Kwame Yeboah will also feature.