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John P. GibbonsSee our Privacy Policy
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Title |
Time |
Info |
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| 01 | The Wind | 01:42 |  | _ |
| 02 | (I Never Wanted) To Be A Star | 03:03 | | _ |
| 03 | Katmandu | 03:19 | | _ |
| 04 | I Want To Live In A Wigwam | 03:23 | | _ |
| 05 | Trouble | 02:44 | | _ |
| 06 | On The Road To Findout | 05:08 | | _ |
| 07 | If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out | 02:45 | | _ |
| 08 | Where Do The Children Play | 03:51 | | _ |
| 09 | Daytime | 03:55 | | _ |
| 10 | Don't Be Shy | 02:50 | | _ |
| 11 | How Can I Tell You | 04:24 | | _ |
| 12 | Father And Son | 03:41 | | _ |
| 13 | The Hurt | 04:20 | | _ |
| 14 | Silent Sunlight | 03:00 | | _ |
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| Credits And Information |
Released: 1984
| Format: A
| Type: G
| Discs: 1
| Running Time: 48:05 |
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| CatStevens.Com Review |
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More than just Greatest Hits Vol. 2, "Footsteps in the Dark (Album)" includes previously unlreased gems including two from "Harold And Maude (Video) (Album)." |
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| All Music Guide Review |
(4 Stars - Best-of-Artist)
Cat Stevens (Bio)'s greatest hits were contained on the album of that title released in June 1975, though that set did not include the minor Top 40 entry "The Hurt (Song)" and though Stevens made the singles chart four more times between 1976 and 1979, with "Banapple Gas (Song)," the Top 40 "(Remember the Days of The) Old Schoolyard," "Was Dog A Doughnut (Song)," and "Bad Brakes (Song)." One might expect that an album subtitled Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 would contain all those tracks, but if so, one would be disappointed. The only chart single on the 14-track Footsteps in the Dark (Album) is "The Hurt." Actually, the album is a non-hits compilation of good album tracks drawn from seven of Stevens's nine A&M; albums originally released between 1970 and 1978, plus a non-LP B-side and two songs that previously had only appeared in the 1972 film Harold And Maude (Video) (Album). It leans heavily to the earlier, folkier period, with ten songs drawn from 1970-1972, and thus emphasizes the vulnerable, seeking singer/songwriter of Tea For The Tillerman (Song) (Album) over the more pop-oriented and musically ambitious artist who made albums like Izitso (Album). The material is sometimes dated ("I'd like to live on a commune and / People can call me a hippie"), and, in the wake of Stevens's conversion to Islam, one inevitably hears lines like "Where I'll end up well I think, / Only God really knows" in a different light. But Stevens's songwriting still impresses, his childlike wonder and earnestness are still endearing, and such political statements as "Where Do The Children Play (Song) (Album)?" remain timely. Though Stevens's best albums, Tea for the Tillerman and Teaser And The Firecat (Book) (Album), work best as albums, Footsteps in the Dark confirmed that, a decade on from their initial appearance, his songs had maintained their quality. -- William Ruhlmann
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| Liner Notes |
In 1977, Cat Stevens (Bio) embraced Islam and became Yusuf Islam (Bio) (after the Prophet Joseph).
In the years since, very little has been heard from him, resulting in much misinformation
as to his lifestyle and whereabouts.
To set the record straight, Yusuf left the music business to dedicate his life to working
for peace and spreading the message of Islam. Now a family man, he is both healthy and happy,
living comfortably in England together with his wife and three daughters.
The title of this album is adapted from the lyrics of Daytime from the last
Cat Stevens album Back To Earth (Album). He chose it, feeling it best
typified the period in his life before embracing Islam, when he was searching "in the dark"
for something of which he knew not.
The songs, chosen from his nine A&M; albums, are comprised of favorites not in the GREATEST HITS collection, along with three highly sought after collectors' items that have never before appeared on an album.
Of the latter, If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out (Song) and Don't Be Shy (Song) are both from the classic film Harold And Maude (Video) (Album). According to Stevens, they were never released "to give the movie something extra, so you would have to see it to hear them." I Want To Live In A Wigwam (Song) (Album) is a wonderful gem that, to date, has only appeared as an obscure single B-side.
Jeffrey Gold
September, 1984
Yusuf Islam's comments follow.
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
A long time ago I started my quest for peace and enlightenment. I took a strong interest in Eastern religions and philosophies and was just beginning to discover the conscious self within me. Like a newborn child after tasting his first primary milk of understanding, my soul was thirsty for the truth.
My songs and music became a vehicle for my spiritual search and gradually all my energies
went in that direction. However, the more success I had, the more I tried to hide myself
away, frightened of losing that precious gift, that mysterious lamp which was guiding me
along the unseen path. It seemed the only love I had was my music, but that still didn't satisfy me. So I withdrew myself even further, slowly becoming hardened by events over which I had no control.
I was almost at the point of giving up when one day it happened - my brother, who had just
come back from a visit to Jerusalem, handed me a copy of the Holy Qur'an. After I had read
The Opening, it was as if suddenly, someone, somewhere, switched on the lights and I
was able to perceive the wonderful order of things which before I could barely feel in the
dark.
The Qur'an was like no other book I had come across. The words all seemed strangely familiar
and yet so unlike anything I had ever read before; but what moved me was its message - the
absolute and uncompromising belief in one universal God (Allah), the sole Creator and
Sustainer of the heavens and the earth.
This belief somehow had a direct effect on my inner psyche and on my view of life. I realized
that this "oneness" was the purpose behind the universe. Automatically I began to see that
all people were equals because, quite naturally, all had been created servants of the same
Supreme Lord. So wherever you go, in whichever time, you will have to be subject to the same
eternal laws and God has complete power over all things.
The word Islam itself means "submission" or "entering into peace." Therefore, it was not a new religion, but the original faith which God inspired to messengers throughout human history: Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and lastly, Muhammad. Peace be upon them, they were all prophets and messengers of the one God.
I believe that each person must choose which path he or she wishes to follow, but if more people knew the truth about Islam, then there would not be so much misunderstanding in the world and the chance for real peace would be far greater.
Peace be with you,
Yusuf Islam
September 10, 1984
"God is the Protector of those who have faith; from the depths of darkness He will lead them forth into light..."
The Qur'an: Chapter 2, Verse 257.
For further information, please write to:
Islamic Society of North America (ISNA)
P.O. Box 38/Plainfield, Indiana 46168 USA
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