Cat’s second come-back

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33577, 4 July 1974, Page 4

Cat’s second come-back

('AT STEVENS receives a ‘ lot of knocking from the critics—allegedly because his music is saccharine, sentimental, "nice” stuff intended for dewy-eyed schoolgirls, and so on—and vet, in spite of the panning an awful lot of people seem to have his albums. And know them backwards.

Nevertheless, some of his recent releases haven’t had the impact of "Tea For The Tillerman” or “Teaser And The Firecat.” His last album. “Foreigner.” was a considerable change in style for tim. with its extended “Foreigner Suite” and generally harder, harsher sound; a sound which "Catch Bull At Four” had also hinted at. and which hadn’t proved outstandingly popular there, either. Cat Stevens's new album, "Buddha and the Chocolate Box” (Island Records IL 35141). marks a return to the style of “Tea” and “Teaser” and my guess is that it will be the more popular for it. Paul Samwell-Smith, the producer of “Tea” and “Teaser,” is back and so is Alun Davies, Cat Stevens’s long-standing guitarist. Neither was involved with the recording of "Foreigner.” The other members of the Cat Stevens band—Gerry Conway and Jean Rousell—-are also on board, plus a new bassist, the New Zealand musician. Bruce Lynch. His wife. Suzanne Donaldson, is among the background vocalists, and she will be singing with Cat Stevens during the extensive fourcontinent tour he has just begun. Paul Samwell-Smith’s producing is as impeccable as ever. The former Yardbird blends voices and fine instrumentation into ' a sophisticated and tasteful mix.

However, although the album recalls the style of Cat Stevens' most popular records, it fails to match the previous high-spots. "Oh Very Young”—the single from the album—is an impressive, optimistic composition, and “King of Trees.” “Sun/C79” and “Home In The Skv” also stand out. But with other songs, for example “Ghost Town.” good ideas and imaginative arrangements are maned by somewhat confused and unresolved lyrics.

In fact the lyrics throughout this album lack

the insight to be found in songs such as “Where Do The Children Play,” “Hardheaded Woman.” “Peace Train” or “Father and Son.”

Cat Stevens has said, indeed he says it in a song on this album, that he has

been rather out of touch with the wider world lately. His tour is in part intended to give him new experiences, new ideas, to meet new people and to write new songs, which he hopes to include in another album as soon as possible. “Buddha and the Chocolate Box” would have been highly commended if it had come from almost any artist other than Cat Stevens, but he has himself to compete with. The musicians, the melodies and the production all attain his high standards, but the lyrics have a way to go. ' Nevertheless the album should satisfy most of those Cat Stevens fans who have been disappointed by his recent albums, and marks. 1 think, the beginning of Cat Stevens’s second come-back. —Mike Lombard