Review of Yusuf`s Cafe Session

Introduction

Yusuf Islam was born Steven Georgiou to Greek Cypriot parents in London in 1948 and went on to have a hugely successful musical career, performing under the name Cat Stevens. His albums Tea for the Tillerman and Teaser and the Firecat sold in their millions and songs like `Father and Son` and `Morning Has Broken` made him one of the most well-known artists of the 1960s and `70s.

In 1978, he converted to Islam and changed his name to Yusuf Islam, and, following a decision to give up music, gave his last performance at Wembley Stadium in 1979. For the first time in nearly three decades, he took to the stage with his guitar in front of an invited audience, performing for an hour playing the following songs:

The Reed
Wind East & West
The Wind
Midday (Avoid City After Dark)
Don`t Be Shy
Maybe There`s A World
In The End
Where Do The Children Play
The Little Ones
I Think I See The Light
Don`t Let Me Be Misunderstood
Heaven / Where True Loves Goes
How Long / Peace Train Blues
The Beloved
Father & Son
Wild World (Zulu Version)
Peace Train

This constitutes the `Live Session` section of the DVD, which is followed by the 53 minute documentary `Storytime: A Few Good Songs` in which he speaks to Alan Yentob about his upbringing, early career, conversion to Islam and how he came to pick up a guitar again.

Also on the disc are `Side Orders`, which comprises the short film `One More Cup`, which runs for 15 minutes. There are also the videos for `Heaven / Where True Loves Goes` and `Midday (Avoid City After Dark)`; he performs `Peace Train` and `Midday (Avoid City After Dark)` acoustically sitting on the settee.

You can watch the features separately, or together, using the `play all` function.

Video

The anamorphic 1.78:1 transfer is excellent and the concert in London`s plush Porchester Hall looks terrific. The `Storytime` documentary and `One More Cup` are presented in the same ratio and are clear and sharp.

Audio

Given the choice of stereo or DTS, I chose the latter and found it to be beautifully balanced, although the rears are only really used for the applause. The stereo is adequate, but doesn`t have the bass or the range of the 5.1 encoding. DTS is only available for the `Live Session` section, with the documentaries having stereo soundtracks, which are perfectly fine.

There are English, German, French, Spanish and Portugese subtitles for the documentaries, which appear for the spoken segments, but not for the musical footage, so if you want to watch it with the lyrics, you`re out of luck.

Features

None, although `Side Orders` may qualify as extra features.

Conclusion

What I didn`t know about Yusuf Islam/Cat Stevens could have filled a barn - I only knew that he was famously and controversially refused entry to the US in 2004. I`m not a big fan of folk music, so when I put this DVD on, it was with some trepidation. To my surprise, the concert was watchable and at no point did I feel the need to skip to the end.

The `Storytime: A Few Good Songs` feature was comprehensive, interesting and enjoyable, covering Yusuf`s life from childhood to present day. Alan Yentob`s questioning is probing, yet polite, and Yusuf answers every question fully, perhaps enjoying the opportunity to clear the air. It`s very informative and I enjoyed it, not because it was about Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam, but because it focused on a public figure and is well made and revealing. For me, this was the best part of the disc, although fans of his music will prefer the concert.

This DVD is clearly aimed at old fans of Cat Stevens who will no doubt revel in the chance to see his first concert for 28 years and find out more about him - for those people it is highly recommended, but for anyone else, give it a miss.