Yusuf/Cat Stevens will follow his much-admired Tea for the Tillerman² album with December 4 deluxe reissues of the original 1970 album that inspired it, and of his other LP that year, Mona Bone Jakon. UMC/Island will release both as 50th anniversary Super Deluxe Collector’s Edition box sets.
The new edition of Mona Bone Jakon will include 24 previously unreleased songs, which include an entire CD of unheard studio demos. Tea for the Tillerman will offer 21 unreleased tracks and many other rarities.
Mona Bone Jakon was the April 1970 release that came after the London-born singer-songwriter, recovered from serious illness with TB, signed a new deal with Island Records. Stevens was widely known for his own 1960s hits such as “Matthew and Son” and “I’m Gonna Get Me A Gun” and as the songwriter of “The First Cut Is The Deepest” and others. Now he would metamorphose into an artist of rare perception and depth who created the template for the new breed of singer-writers of the era.
During Stevens’ extended convalescence, he studied classical music, metaphysical literature, and meditative self-reflection. The album that emerged, Mona Bone Jakon, expressed the torment he had experienced but combined it with self-referential humour and a spiritual awakening.
A notable creative partnership
The album began his long-running creative partnership with producer Paul Samwell-Smith, formerly of the Yardbirds, and featured such highlights as the spiritually uplifting “I Think I See The Light,” the tongue-in-cheek “Pop Star,” the heart-rending “Trouble,” and the highly romantic UK Top 10 single “Lady D’Arbanville.”
A wealth of unreleased gems
The 2020 remastered version of Mona Bone Jakon will be available on CD, and in a new 2020 mix by David Hefti on CD and LP. The Super Deluxe Edition also has an exclusive third CD of previously unreleased studio material, and a fourth CD featuring 18 live performances from 1970 and 1971. The 2020 remaster was completed at Abbey Road Studios in London and overseen by Samwell-Smith.
The album’s 50th anniversary is also marked by a 12” etched vinyl EP featuring the rare audience recording of Live At Plumpton Jazz & Blues Festival from August, 1970. Further, a BluRay disc features the original video of “Lady D’Arbanville” and eight live TV performances, plus the HD audio of the new 2020 mix.
A selection of memorabilia is included, such as the original Island Records press kit for the release, two Island press photos, a replica 1970 Plumpton Jazz and Blues flyer, a Cat Stevens tour sticker, and a “dustbin” greetings card and pop art print in a card envelope.
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Tea For The Tillerman arrived just seven months later, as Stevens consolidated his new reputation as a spiritual seeker and inspiration. His new-found gentle acoustic style was informed by urgent, soul-searching questions wrapped in bewitching melodies that introduced him to a worldwide audience, including “Father and Son,” “Wild World,” and “Where Do The Children Play.” Yusuf/Stevens is now enjoying sustained acclaim for Tea for the Tillerman², his completely updated take on this landmark release.
The Tea for the Tillerman Super Deluxe box set features a new 2020 remaster of the original album (also completed at Abbey Road and overseen by Samwell-Smith) and a mix of the original 1970 Island multi-track overseen by Yusuf and engineer David Hefti. The 2020 mix also appears on the 1LP format, exclusive to this box set.
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The complete ‘Tillerman’ story
CD3 features the newly-released Tea For The Tillerman², which Yusuf has chosen to include to show how these songs are as pertinent today as they were 50 years ago. CD4 includes demos, outtakes, and alternate versions, with the previously unreleased “Can This Be Love?”, “It’s So Good,” “If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out,” and “Don’t Be Shy.” “Can This Be Love?” was originally scheduled to appear on the album, after Cat wrote it alongside “Father and Son” for the proposed musical project Revolussia in 1969.
CD5 features 25 live performances, with previously unreleased tracks recorded Live At The Troubadour, four unreleased tracks from the December 8, 1970 show at Fillmore East, and six previously unavailable songs from British, French and German TV performances in 1970 and 71.
The Super Deluxe box set is completed with a BluRay featuring HD 24bit/96khz audio of the 2020 Mix, eight previously unreleased live TV performances, seven tracks performed live at KCNET studios in Los Angeles, and the official “Father And Son” video. Also contained in a card envelope inside the box is a “Pick Up A Good Book” bookmark, a Yusuf/Cat Stevens-designed “Miles From Nowhere” print, a reproduction handwritten lyric sheet for ”Miles From Nowhere,” a fold-out Live From The Troubadour 1970 poster, and a Tea For The Tillerman sticker.
Mona Bone Jakon and Tea For The Tillerman are released in Super Deluxe Collector’s Edition box sets on December 4.
The complete tracklists for both box sets are:
Mona Bone Jakon box set
(CD1) Original album (2020 Remaster)
1. Lady D’Arbanville
2. Maybe You’re Right
3. Pop Star
4. I Think I See The Light
5. Trouble
6. Mona Bone Jakon
7. I Wish, I Wish
8. Katmandu
9. Time
10. Fill My Eyes
11. Lilywhite
(CD2 / 1LP) Original album (2020 Mix)
1. Lady D’Arbanville
2. Maybe You’re Right
3. Pop Star
4. I Think I See The Light
5. Trouble
6. Mona Bone Jakon
7. I Wish, I Wish
8. Katmandu
9. Time
10. Fill My Eyes
11. Lilywhite
(CD3) Demos
1. Maybe You’re Right (Studio Demo)
2. I Think I See The Light (Studio Demo)
3. Trouble (Studio Demo)
4. Mona Bone Jakon (Home Demo)
5. I Wish I Wish (Studio Demo)
6. Katmandu (Studio Demo)
7. Time (Studio Demo)
8. Fill My Eyes (Studio Demo)
9. I Want Some Sun (Studio Demo)
(CD4) Live
1. Interview (Live At The BBC (16/06/70)
2. Lady D’Arbanville (Live At The BBC (16/06/70)
3. Maybe You’re Right (Cat Stevens In Concert, 27/11/1971)
4. Trouble (Live At The BBC (16/06/70)
5. Katmandu (Live At The BBC (16/06/70)
6. Changes IV (Live at Plumpton Jazz & Blues Festival, 08/08/70)
7. Time / Fill My Eyes )Live at Plumpton Jazz & Blues Festival, 08/08/70)
8. Where Do The Children Play (Live at Plumpton Jazz & Blues Festival, 08/08/70)
9. Lady D’Arbanville (Live at Plumpton Jazz & Blues Festival, 08/08/70)
10. Maybe You’re Right (Live at Plumpton Jazz & Blues Festival, 08/08/70)
11. Father & Son (Live at Plumpton Jazz & Blues Festival, 08/08/70)
12. Lady D’Arbanville (BEATCLUB (GERMANY) 25.08.70)
13. Lady D’Arbanville (TV CONCERT (FRANCE) 01.11.1970)
14. Maybe You’re Right (TV CONCERT (FRANCE) 01.11.1970)
15. Katmandu (TV CONCERT (FRANCE) 01.11.1970)
16. Interview (TV CONCERT (FRANCE) 01.11.1970)
17. Lady D’Arbanville (DEUX SUR LA 2 (FRANCE), 12.10.70)
18. Maybe You’re Right (POP DEUX (FRANCE) 27.02.1971)
(Blu-Ray disc) Music video & live videos + high res audio of original album (2020 Mix)
1. Lady D’Arbanville (Official Video)
2. Lady D’Arbanville (BEATCLUB (GERMANY) 25.08.70)
3. Lady D’Arbanville (TV CONCERT (FRANCE) 01.11.1970)
4. Maybe You’re Right (TV CONCERT (FRANCE) 01.11.1970)
5. Katmandu (TV CONCERT (FRANCE) 01.11.1970)
6. Interview (TV CONCERT (FRANCE) 01.11.1970)
7. Lady D’Arbanville (DEUX SUR LA 2 (FRANCE), 12.10.70)
8. Maybe You’re Right (POP DEUX (FRANCE) 27.02.1971)
9. Maybe You’re Right (Cat Stevens In Concert, 27/11/1971)
(12” Etched Vinyl) Live At Plumpton Jazz & Blues Festival (08/08/70)
1. Changes IV
2. Time / Fill My Eyes
3. Where Do The Children Play
4. Lady D’Arbanville
5. Maybe You’re Right
6. Father & Son
Mona Bone Jakon 2CD Deluxe
(CD1) Original album remastered
1. Lady D’Arbanville
2. Maybe You’re Right
3. Pop Star
4. I Think I See The Light
5. Trouble
6. Mona Bone Jakon
7. I Wish, I Wish
8. Katmandu
9. Time
10. Fill My Eyes
11. Lilywhite
(CD2) Demos/live
1. Maybe You’re Right (Studio Demo)
2. I Think I See The Light (Studio Demo)
3. Trouble (Studio Demo)
4. I Wish I Wish (Studio Demo
5. I Want Some Sun (Studio Demo)
6. Interview (Live At The BBC (16/06/70)
7. Lady D’Arbanville (Live At The BBC (16/06/70)
8. Katmandu (Live At The BBC (16/06/70)
9. Time / Fill My Eyes (Live at Plumpton Jazz & Blues Festival, 08/08/70)
10. Maybe You’re Right (Live at Plumpton Jazz & Blues Festival, 08/08/70)
Mona Bone Jakon 1CD Remaster
1. Lady D’Arbanville
2. Maybe You’re Right
3. Pop Star
4. I Think I See The Light
5. Trouble
6. Mona Bone Jakon
7. I Wish, I Wish
8. Katmandu
9. Time
10. Fill My Eyes
11. Lilywhite
Tea for the Tillerman box set
(CD1) Original Album (2020 Remaster)
1. Where Do The Children Play?
2. Hard Headed Woman
3. Wild World
4. Sad Lisa
5. Miles From Nowhere
6. But I might Die Tonight
7. Longer Boats
8. Into White
9. On The Road To Find Out
10. Father and Son
11. Tea For The Tillerman
(CD2 / 1LP) Original album (2020 mix)
1. Where Do The Children Play?
2. Hard Headed Woman
3. Wild World
4. Sad Lisa
5. Miles From Nowhere
6. But I might Die Tonight
7. Longer Boats
8. Into White
9. On The Road To Find Out
10. Father and Son
11. Tea For The Tillerman
(CD3) Tea For The Tillerman²
1. Where Do The Children Play?
2. Hard Headed Woman
3. Wild World
4. Sad Lisa
5. Miles From Nowhere
6. But I might Die Tonight
7. Longer Boats
8. Into White
9. On The Road To Find Out
10. Father and Son
11. Tea For The Tillerman
(CD4) Demos/outtakes/alternate versions
1. Wild World (Demo)
2. Miles From Nowhere (Studio Demo)
3. But I Might Die Tonight (Deep End Movie Version)
4. Can This Be Love?
5. Honey Man (duet with Elton John)
6. It’s So Good
7. If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out (Demo)
8. Don’t Be Shy (Demo)
9. I’ve Got A Thing About Seeing My Grandson Grow Old
10. Love Lives In The Sky
11. The Joke
12. If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out
13. Don’t Be Shy
(CD5) (Live)
1. Where Do The Children Play? (Live at the Troubadour)
2. Hard Headed Woman (Live at the Troubadour)
3. Wild World (Live at the Troubadour)
4. Longer Boats (Live at the Troubadour)
5. Into White (Live at the Troubadour)
6. On The Road To Find Out (Live at the Troubadour)
7. Father And Son (Live at the Troubadour)
8. Where Do The Children Play (Live At KCET Studios, Los Angeles, USA (08/06/71)
9. Wild World (Live At KCET Studios, Los Angeles, USA (08/06/71)
10. Hard Headed Woman (Live At KCET Studios, Los Angeles, USA (08/06/71)
11. Miles From Nowhere (Live At KCET Studios, Los Angeles, USA (08/06/71)
12. Longer Boats (Live At KCET Studios, Los Angeles, USA (08/06/71)
13. On The Road To Find Out (Live At KCET Studios, Los Angeles, USA (08/06/71)
14. Father And Son (Live At KCET Studios, Los Angeles, USA (08/06/71)
15. Wild World (Cat Stevens In Concert, 27/11/1971)
16. Into White (Cat Stevens In Concert, 27/11/1971)
17. Tea For The Tillerman (Cat Stevens In Concert, 27/11/1971)
18. Wild World (Beat Club, 25.08.70)
19. Hard Headed Woman (Beat Club, 25.08.70)
20. Wild World (Gala du Midem, France 24.01.71)
21. Wild World (Deux Sur La 2, France, 12.10.70)
22. Moonshadow (Live At Fillmore East (1970)
23. Father And Son (Live At Fillmore East (1970)
24. Changes IV (Live At Fillmore East (1970)
25. Peace Train (Live At Fillmore East (1970)
(Blu-ray disc) Music video & live videos + high res audio of original album (2020 Mix)
1. Father And Son – Official Video
2. Where Do The Children Play (Live At KCET Studios, Los Angeles, USA (08/06/71)
3. Wild World (Live At KCET Studios, Los Angeles, USA (08/06/71)
4. Hard Headed Woman (Live At KCET Studios, Los Angeles, USA (08/06/71)
5. Miles From Nowhere (Live At KCET Studios, Los Angeles, USA (08/06/71)
6. Longer Boats (Live At KCET Studios, Los Angeles, USA (08/06/71)
7. On The Road To Findout (Live At KCET Studios, Los Angeles, USA (08/06/71)
8. Father And Son (Live At KCET Studios, Los Angeles, USA (08/06/71)
9. Wild World (Cat Stevens In Concert, 27/11/1971)
10. Into White (Cat Stevens In Concert, 27/11/1971)
11. Father And Son (Cat Stevens In Concert, 27/11/1971)
12. Wild World (Beat Club, 25.08.70)
13. Hard Headed Woman (Beat Club, 25.08.70)
14. Wild World (Gala du Midem, France 24.01.71)
15. Wild World (Deux Sur La 2, France, 12.10.70)
16. Wild World (TV Concert, France, 01.11.1970)
(12”) Live At The Troubadour, 1970
1. Where Do The Children Play?
2. Hard Headed Woman
3. Wild World
4. Longer Boats
5. Into White
6. On The Road To Find Out
7. Father and Son
Tea for the Tillerman 2CD Deluxe
(CD1) Original Album Remastered
1. Where Do The Children Play?
2. Hard Headed Woman
3. Wild World
4. Sad Lisa
5. Miles From Nowhere
6. But I might Die Tonight
7. Longer Boats
8. Into White
9. On The Road To Find Out
10. Father and Son
11. Tea For The Tillerman
(CD2) Demos & live
1. Wild World (Demo)
2. Miles From Nowhere (Studio Demo)
3. But I Might Die Tonight (Deep End Movie Verison)
4. Can This Be Love?
5. Honey Man (duet with Elton John)
6. If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out (Demo)
7. Don’t Be Shy (Demo)
8. Wild World (Live at the Troubadour)
9. Longer Boats (Live at the Troubadour)
10. Into White (Live at the Troubadour)
11. Where Do The Children Play (Live At KCET Studios, Los Angeles, USA (08/06/71))
12. Hard Headed Woman (Live At KCET Studios, Los Angeles, USA (08/06/71))
13. Father and Son (BBC Radio, 08/11/1970)
14. Tea For The Tillerman (BBC Radio, 08/11/1970)
Tea for the Tillerman 1CD Remaster
1. Where Do The Children Play?
2. Hard Headed Woman
3. Wild World
4. Sad Lisa
5. Miles From Nowhere
6. But I might Die Tonight
7. Longer Boats
8. Into White
9. On The Road To Find Out
10. Father and Son
11. Tea For The Tillerman
Listen to the best of Yusuf/Cat Stevens on Apple Music and Spotify.