On September 27th of this year, Yusuf/Cat Stevens, took to the most sacred stage in Nashville to awe the sold-out Ryman Auditorium crowd with his persistent musical transcendence. The day prior, Yusuf took to another Nashville stage entirely and performed to no one in particular - a set for himself, of two songs from his earliest days. That stage was the Third Man Records Blue Room, and that set, consisting of the A-sides from Stevens' first two singles, was recorded direct-to-acetate on our 1955 Scully lathe and is now set for release as the second offering in Third Man's Blue Room Sessions series.
With artwork by world renowned illustrator Jess Rotter, this double A-side 7" features "I Love My Dog" and "Matthew and Son" performed by Yusuf and his pared-down touring band with palpable intimacy and a rare calm in the midst of a busy world tour.
The 7" single will be available worldwide on black vinyl on November 25th, but for those lucky enough to live in the UK, both the black vinyl version and the limited edition transparent blue vinyl version will be available at Yusuf/Cat Stevens' London show at Shaftesbury Theatre on November 20th and a very special signing the following Tuesday the 22nd at Rough Trade West.
The updates of these songs are awesome, especially I Love My Dog, and his voice seems to have hardly aged at all. I’m so glad I picked up this single—great addition to this new series!
yea ben, my copy also has the same label on both sides.
I saw his tour date in San Francisco. Nether of these songs were my favorites heading in but hearing his new take on these old chestnuts blew me away… And now, thanks to Third Man Records we can own these awesome versions! Thanks Man!
Yes, Apple Blossom,I agree…Soundbreaking was excellent. A few holes… but great none the less.
footnote…….. Cat/Yousef on this PBS special called Breaking Sound talking about not recognizing his own music after working with producers….. lots of early footage and some candid expression of his desire to retain the integrity of his own acoustics as a forerunner in the early singer songwritr movement…. also a lovely feature with miss joni and her experimentation with tonality…..she went as far as to include in her contract that she would not have a producer telling her what to do…. if you havent caught this pbs series called BREAKING SOUND…. Do yourself a favor!!!!
how very odd Ben…. keep it and buy another…. very collectable!
Bought this yesterday at the Nashville store and my copy has the “Matthew and Son” label on BOTH sides—anyone else get this?
Any Londoners in the vault?
“limited edition transparent blue vinyl version”
Tri-Color release announcement coming on on this one? Will be a true gem for sure.