CAT STEVENS - Does Cat's music matter today?

#guitarlesson #catstevens #yusufislam
Cat Stevens was a huge influence on me as a musician: guitar, vocals, songwriting, and music production. He has important things to teach every guitarist, musician, and songwriter - including YOU.
Discover the three most important lessons I learned from Cat. I play my vintage '64 Gibson J-50 (a J-45 with natural wood finish) to demonstrate the elegant simplicity of songs from Cat's classic LPs released between 1970 and 1973: Mona Bone Jakon, Tea for the Tillerman, Teaser and the Firecat, and Catch Bull at Four.
I play and sing examples from some of Cat's most beloved songs featuring beautiful and layered guitar parts: Moonshadow, The Wind, Wild World, Where Do the Children Play, Father and Son, The Wind, If I Laugh, Changes IV, Tuesday's Dead, Don't Be Shy.
Find out about Cat's career path, his near-death experience, and how and why it molded his songwriting and performing style.
Ultimately, Cat taught me THREE major lessons. Watch to the end to discover what they are, then apply them to YOUR OWN playing and singing.
Cat's influence spilled over into my own songwriting in the 70s and can be heard on my 1980 LP called "Over the Line." See Spotify and Apple Music links below to listen for free.
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Hi, my name is Robert Cassard. Thank you for watching, liking and subscribing.
I am a lifelong guitar player, singer-songwriter, producer, and music fanatic. I create Guitar and Recording Discoveries videos to share the pure joy of music - shortcuts to help you play guitar, sing, record and sound great doing it. I learn the hard way so you don’t have to!
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[@willarellano833]

Yes Cat Stevens is the reason i started to learn finger picking. Moon Shadow was one of the first ones i learned. Cat is just one of the best. Thanks for showcasing his awesome talent

[@RobertCassard]

Thanks, Willa. I had a lot of fun making this video and revisiting Cat's songs. 😍 Since you appreciate singer-songwriters like Cat, you might enjoy What I Learned from James Taylor: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3e3mY2fpb5geLs

[@trevorfromengland]

I love Cat Stevens....... As a 1970's schoolboy I was familiar with his outstanding records at a time I was also listening to Elton, Bowie and Stevie Wonder. Then after he made his comeback as Yusuf, I was fortunate to be his driver for a day in 2007. I found him to be the most charming, friendly passenger. He told me many stories that day, but there was one about the time he nearly met John Lennon, but frustratingly for him. it didn't happen! Yusuf remains the most famous person I've met to date. In 2014 when he returned to performing, I was there.....about eight rows back at the famous 'Hammersmith Odeon'. The venue has been called the something Apollo for many years now.....but the name it had from 1962-93 still remains for so many of us. The music of Cat Stevens is so relevant today. He has a fanbase, in the UK especially, that includes university students whose parents weren't even born when Tea For The Tillerman came out.

[@RobertCassard]

Great story about being Yusuf's driver for a day! I've listened to some recent interviews with him that are quite riveting. So many stories to tell. I'm glad Cat's fanbase now includes younger generations. Likely because their parents sang "Moonshadow" as a lullaby to put them to sleep... I know I did with my kids. 😴 LOL

[@trevorfromengland]

@@RobertCassard I drove a lot of people around at that time. Musicians, actors, tv people, MP's. Yusuf was my favourite by far. He has a secret address for when he's in the UK...when I was given the job, my boss only told me where to pick up from. Then after I'd found it, I got a call to say who I'd be driving. I couldn't believe it.

[@RobertCassard]

@@trevorfromengland I had a brief period, after the release of my first LP "Over the Line" in 1980, when I was an opening act for some famous artists. It was interesting to see how they treated and interacted with a "nobody" like me. Some were open and encouraging, others aloof.

[@richardcassard]

Great video, Robert! Cat remains a favorite of mine, too. I'll add one more thing he taught me: the importance of vocal dynamics. So many of his songs build into moments when he really lets it rip. Always a highlight.

[@RobertCassard]

Great point, Rick. I'd say Cat's use of vocal dynamics on those "masterpiece" LPs is a major aspect of what sets them apart. (Some critics at the time complained that he was "too dramatic.") Almost every song builds to a surprising climax, "Miles from Nowhere" and "O Caritas" being a couple of my favorite examples. One reason I'm left a but underwhelmed by later Yusuf/Cat LPs is that he's more "polite" vocally and doesn't let it rip much, if at all.

[@richardcassard]

Others: "Hard Headed Woman" and "Where do the children Play". He often brings the melody up along with the dynamics. Great stuff!

[@RobertCassard]

@@richardcassard Cat being a baritone made him sound particularly rich. Most of my favorites from that era were either low tenors or baritones, including JT, Jim Croce, Gordon Lightfoot, etc. I always related to them the most because I could sing their songs without straining.

[@alanwp1942]

Like your singing robert

[@RobertCassard]

Thank you, Alan. I release solo music here on KZbin, and on Spotify and Apple Music. You'll also find music from my band Cosmic Spin. I appreciate you checking out, liking and saving my stuff! Here's a taste - my solo cover of John Lennon's "Julia": kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZSVYq2deNOhorM And here's Cosmic Spin's mashup of Elton John's "Rocket Man" and Pink Floyd's "Breathe": kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2rRlWZvi9OabLssi=M1HUwuiZIQsJ7PVk Enjoy!

[@KevCassidy-es2qp]

That was a great video an excellent analysis of one of the greatest singer song writers.

[@RobertCassard]

Thanks so much, Kev. Glad you enjoyed the video and that you share my appreciate for the Cat. If you like singer-songwriters, you might also enjoy my James Taylor feature video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3e3mY2fpb5geLs

[@ronedee]

Cat was part of my youth; mental health, maintenance schedule! And one of the reasons I got into songwriting. Love your J-50! Great video, thanks!

[@RobertCassard]

Mental health maintenance schedule, yes Ron! Hearing his songs had a similar effect on me as going out into nature for restoration. I heard a recent interview on the Broken Record podcast. Cat responds to the interviewer saying something about how pastoral his music was. He was living in the middle of bustling London, a sea of humanity, yet he was writing and recording something almost opposite to that. Here's a link to the podcast. Well worth a listen: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZ7XoJKAeNqgibMsi=v1K-V-iYAY_8aHv-

[@ronedee]

@@RobertCassard Thanks, Robert!

[@RobertCassard]

@@ronedee Thank you for watching!

[@NancyDavis-Foss-ok7to]

Where Do the Children Play such a prophetic song that still resonates today. His voice is just so unique. ❤❤❤ Love his music.

[@RobertCassard]

Me too, Nancy. His themes, melodies and music are timeless. They've aged like fine wine and seem more relevant today than ever.

[@matcoffidis1135]

You will still be here tommarow, but your dreams may not. Man, that's so deep....❤

[@RobertCassard]

Quite a line for someone to write at age 20. I always thought he'd projected himself decades forward in the role of Father, or he'd heard words like that from his own elders. As a 62-year-old father (and grandfather), I now believe Cat was prescient!

[@dadaveda]

Excellent video. I think you have distilled the essence of what Cat can teach us.

[@RobertCassard]

Glad you think so. This one was a challenge because I had TOO MUCH to say and too many great songs to share. Since you like singer-songwriters, you might enjoy What I Learned from James Taylor: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3e3mY2fpb5geLs

[@paulwohlstetter4965]

yes agreed , Cats song Peace Train was my Beatles moment as a kid. Stopped me dead in my tracks. I learned alot about guitar and songwriting from all his albums - even Was Dog A Donut ! and even that album was a forerunner to electronic pop. One of the greats.

[@RobertCassard]

I love that Peace Train stopped you "in your tracks," Paul! It's also interesting how in retrospect, albums like Izitso sound so different (for me, better) than they did when new. We can hear them in the context of what came later. Was Dog A Donut - now I can appreciate it and see how playful it was and how much fun Cat was probably having playing around with synths... It carried on the tradition from instrumentals like Switched On Bach and the '72 hit "Popcorn," and it foreshadowed lots of later electronic pop.

[@paulwohlstetter4965]

@@RobertCassard he was using synths before most, and sampling (dog barking!). but then something like Catch Bull at Four or Buddah, orchestral piano based songs - like King of Trees. Sweet Scarlett... judt so versatile..Numbers was also very progressive... he was always trying new things.

[@RobertCassard]

@@paulwohlstetter4965 searching, seeking, exploring

[@jmack619]

Was he railroaded ? Or born on the right side of the tracks ? Great lesson and perspective. Thank you

[@RobertCassard]

@@jmack619 Railroaded right onto the peace train. LOL. Thanks @jmack619

[@lw216316]

Morning Has Broken and Wild World got my attention and added to my desire to want to learn to play acoustic guitar. His conversion caught me by surprise. How could he sing the great old Hymn - Morning has Broken and then leave that behind? I guess he never was a true follower.

[@RobertCassard]

It seemed to me that in the early 70s, Cat was seeking and exploring spirituality broadly, in the mode of "many-paths-up-the-mountain." It surprised me, too, when he chose the specific path of Islam. I always assumed part of why he converted was a desire to step off the merry-go-round of being a pop music star. For awhile, it seemed his own interpretation of the Muslim path was quite narrow (and non-musical), but over time, it seems his path opened up and he embraced musical expression again. I'm glad of that, because for me, music is a higher language of God than holy books. Pure vibration. Love and light. Cheers and blessings to you, whatever path you're on!

[@maximusindicusoblivious180]

Thanks Robert for this wonderful video. But somehow I knew before I got to the comment section there would be few. Sometimes these gems are only for the initiated. My Cat connection comes from early on listening to transistor radios. But my biggest impact came when I was waiting in the lobby hallway for my hotel room to be ready, and I launched into "Into White," on my Martin Backpacker guitar. It stopped people walking by dead in their tracks. What an amazing artist Cat is.

[@RobertCassard]

Hey Maximus. I'm glad you found this video and that my exploration of what I learned from Cat resonated for you! It says a lot that Cat's music moved you via a transistor radio, right? Also, that his music sound great even on a Backpacker. (Have you seen any of my Backpacker feature videos? kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIempmuqfraFobM)

[@maximusindicusoblivious180]

@@RobertCassard Thanks Robert. Yes, the old transistor and clock radios were my constant companions when I was a child growing up to this amazing music of the time. And the Backpacker has also become a great friend over these few years, especially after long walks in the park. I am currently playing my Epiphone acoustic 12 string to covers of Moody Blues tunes in tribute to the late Mike Pinder. It also helps me to rotate my guitars and maintain technique on the various instruments. I have not checked out any of your Backpacker featured videos yet, but I look forward to doing so and thanks for the link. Thanks for what you do.

[@RobertCassard]

@@maximusindicusoblivious180 My (many) guitars are in constant "rotation" as I record and layer them for my own solo material and my duo Cosmic Spin. I keep coated strings on all of them so I can grab any one I want and know it will always sound clean and clear. As for Mike Pinder, I'm a huge Mellotron fan, and often use one for "herbs and spices." Cosmic Spin's new mashup of Elton John's "Rocket Man" and Pink Floyd's "Breathe" is a Festival of the Mellotron" I hope you enjoy it! kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2rRlWZvi9OabLssi=IseO2OPMauTm7ZfP

[@maximusindicusoblivious180]

@@RobertCassard Hey Robert, your Cosmic Spin video was out of this world, literally. I really dug it. Seeing you play the Dobro and hearing the sound of it through the headphones was a nice touch. The visuals were an eye feast. Well done indeed. Keep up the good work. You mentioned coating your guitar strings to keep them fresh. What do you use? In the old days they used alcohol to clean them, probably not a good idea.

[@RobertCassard]

@@maximusindicusoblivious180 thanks for the kudos on the Rocket Man video! As for lubricants, I primarily use Dunlop Ultraglide (amzn.to/45jsawp) and/or GHS Fast Fret (amzn.to/3wLObXR).

[@trevorfromengland]

Early Cat Stevens producer, Mike Hurst was a member of The Springfields, alongside Dusty and her brother, Tom.......before she went solo at the end of 1963. Mike's subsequent CV is impressive.

[@RobertCassard]

I had no idea about The Springfields, T. I only know a few of the artists he produced after Cat, including Manfred Mann's version of Mighty Quinn, and many years later, Belle & Sebastian.

[@michaelyolch79]

SUBBED! Such a wonderfully engaging and inspiring video! I was born in 1968, and what I appreciate my parents for more than anything is filling our home with ALL the greatest singer/songwriters of the 70s. It greatly inspired my lifelong musical journey. And Cat Stevens is certainly one of my greatest musical comforts. I REALLY appreciate your demeanor and delivery. Well done! Keep going! 😃

[@RobertCassard]

Thanks for watching, and sharing your story, Michael. I love hearing how music can be a legacy passed down within a family, and how the favorite music of one generation can inspire the next...and the next! I did a video a while back asking viewers for their musical stories: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYvMin14pr6Le8U

[@michaelyolch79]

@ I’ll check it out!

[@thingy54]

Hey Robert, I´ve just started to join your group and don´t really understand how I didn´t find you sooner. I´m a 70 year old Brit from Yorkshire, England who grew up mainly with the music from the 60´s and 70´s but because I had a brother 7 yrs older than me - who was a musical fanatic - I was enchanted and influenced by the likes of Buddy Holly, Duane Eddy, Chuck Berry and many more from the 50´s. Started playing guitar at 13 and it went from there. I love it when you pick out stuff from "my era" and thanks for that, mate. Cat Stevens is up there in my top 5 influencers when I write songs and you nailed it with your video. Think you´ve got a great voice too. Keep it up mate. Lol!

[@RobertCassard]

Hey, Dagger. I'm just a few years behind you, and I( had older brothers, too. So your era is my era, too! If you love The Beatles, check this out... What the Beatles Taught Me - Complete Playlist plus bonus videos kzbin.info/aero/PLJUm5NcjSm4h46M-IlNy7xudjxDz8rCZT Glad you found my channel!

[@jmack619]

Amazing story . You went deep with this one !! Thank you so very much

[@RobertCassard]

Glad you enjoyed it @jmack619! You might also enjoy my episode on what I learned from James Taylor: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3e3mY2fpb5geLs

[@jmack619]

@@RobertCassard thank you. The Cat was great , for my sleep deprived 4:30 AM education class !

[@bpsten]

Cat Stevens' and Alun Davies' guitar parts are amazingly good. That said, would you believe another two guitarists were even better? Check out Jim Croce and his guitarist Maury Muehleisen. Sheer genius.

[@RobertCassard]

I love Jim and Maury. If you watch my video about What I Learned from James Taylor, I give them a shout out, along with a few of my other favorite guitar duos: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3e3mY2fpb5geLs Hopefully, I'll find time to make a video about each of these duos them someday!

[@ransbarger]

Outstanding work. Thank you.

[@RobertCassard]

Thank you kindly, tinkerbell! Since you appreciate singer-songwriters like Cat, you might enjoy What I Learned from James Taylor: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3e3mY2fpb5geLs

[@davidpatrick1813]

Thanks for the flashback and this gets me encouraged again. pat

[@RobertCassard]

So glad, Pat! I always hope these videos inspire folks to pick up their guitars and play and sing. It doesn't matter how well we imitate an original artist like Cat, it matters that we let their music flow through us and "raise our vibration." Good for the health. Good for the soul!

[@rashidmartialarts9513]

Are you able to make a breakdown/lesson of his demo version of Morning Has Broken?

[@RobertCassard]

I appreciate the request. Unfortunately, I rarely have the time for lesson videos, partly because there are so many other KZbinrs doing lessons. Marty Music did a good one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGHbgaOVrdZmgNUsi=1KlHi3LmU9A8q-Ru

[@edwardsparks7493]

This is my favorite of your videos so far! I am a huge Cat fan! I am about to buy a new Gibson J200 "Original" like he played in the beginning!

[@RobertCassard]

Congrats on your new SJ-200. That will be a beautiful beast, Edward. Did you know George Harrison used one on Here Comes the Sun: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHWwpZSffZuHiqs

[@edwardsparks7493]

@@RobertCassard Yes! I play that at every gig! People always stop and sing along! I currently have a 1994 Gibson J100extra that I bought at the Philly Guitar show in 2004. It was built the year Gibson turned 100!

[@RobertCassard]

100th Anniversary J-100?! 👍

[@edwardsparks7493]

@@RobertCassard Yes, wish I could do a pic here. I also have a 2004 custom order Gibson J160e like the Beatles used only better! It has a solid X braced top, a quieter P100 stacked humbucker and a Fishman undersaddle and preamp!

[@RobertCassard]

@@edwardsparks7493 clearly a connoisseur of “improved” modern Gibsons…

[@fredmanteghian5913]

Awesome Robert, you have a whole set list of Cat!!

[@RobertCassard]

I didn't even realize it, Fred! I only ever wrote out the chords and lyrics to a few of his songs, but so many are indelibly etched into my consciousness. When I was recording this video, I just kept going... And there's a quirky kind of logic to his songs that makes them possible to figure out, sometimes even on the fly.

[@michaelzimmer1115]

A very fine video. Saw Harold and Maude, but paid no attention to the music. I did have for decades 3 Cat Steven's LPs. I must have tried to strum some of the songs, and may have a songbook of his - I would have to look.

[@RobertCassard]

Thank you, Michael. Since you appreciate singer-songwriters like Cat, you might enjoy my video about What I Learned from James Taylor: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3e3mY2fpb5geLs

[@michaelzimmer1115]

@@RobertCassard I listened to you. I should try to learns ome of that stuff. It is a lot more sophisticated than my fingerpicking. I have messed around with Circle 'Round the Sun for decades, never quite getting it. Tab would help, since I have a mediocre ear and no longer have the patience to listen again and again. James Taylor has always been near the top of my pantheon of greats.

[@RobertCassard]

@@michaelzimmer1115 Hey Michael. I did a video a few weeks ago that may be just what you're looking for regarding playing like JT: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3mkhaKMrqyKsNU Of course, almost any folk-rock song, be it by JT or Cat or another artist, can be played at any level of guitar learning. Basic strumming may not sound like the original artist, but it can usually communicate a song pretty effectively. Many of these songs can also be played with basic fingerpicking. It may take progressively more practice to sound more exactly like JT or Cat, but if that's your goal, having the right learning source helps!

[@michaelzimmer1115]

It was hard to find even a mention in years past of the tune by James Taylor, Circle 'round the Sun, but I have found a bit today: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpfUoWVur8pqp9U. He did a very different version on stage with Carol King years ago, but I have not been able to relocate the video. He used a Travis pick style as I remember.

[@RobertCassard]

@@michaelzimmer1115 Circle is a beautiful song. Here's a nice live version from 1974: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gIPKZp9-aauYnqMsi=5zBJS70dYOqGAYtA

[@alessandrastievano4823]

Ciao Robert. Beautiful video. Just yesterday I was playing Moonshadow for fun. When Teaser and The Firecat came out, I still didn't know how to play guitar, but I dreamed of performing all those beautiful songs. For me in those years there were two incredible and sincere LPs with great songs for acoustic guitar: Teaser and The Firecat and Pink Moon by Nick Drake. P.S. we girls of the seventies loved Cat Stevens not only for his music, but also because he was so cool. Greetings from Italy

[@RobertCassard]

Mille grazie, Alessandra. You're right about Cat's cool factor in the seventies. I wanted to play, and LOOK, like Cat! You're lucky to have known about Nick Drake when his music was new. I didn't discover it until years later. Pink Moon is another 30-minute long album that was released on Chris Blackwell's Island Records label. That man understood the essence of great singer-songwriters! Ciao dallAmeriCaruso...

[@Moonlightdance58]

I loved this video. I loved Cat Stevens. I didnt know that his name was Steve. Ha!

[@RobertCassard]

Thank you, @karccm. The Steve connection makes sense, but it almost seems funny, right? Since you appreciate singer-songwriters like Cat, you might enjoy What I Learned from James Taylor: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3e3mY2fpb5geLs

[@eraserheads1297]

Jim croce next 😊

[@RobertCassard]

Great suggestion. I'm a big fan of the interplay between Jim and his second guitarist, Maury Muehleisen.

[@michaelzimmer1115]

Interesting how much music you can get out of the much disparaged "cowboy chords." Snobbery is endemic in music. Your interpretations are great by the way.

[@RobertCassard]

Right you are, Michael. In fact, it's the magic of Cat playing "cowboy chords" and Alun playing alternate versions of those (and complementary) chords farther up the neck that makes magic. You can say the same thing about John Denver and his co-guitarist Mike Taylor, Gordon Lightfoot and Red Shea, and Jim Croce and Maury Muehleisen.

[@davidcox8945]

Great vid, thx….Morning has Broken one of the first songs I learned, still play…..additionally, I learned that you don’t want to dump Carly Simon unless you want to be mocked in a huge hit

[@RobertCassard]

You're welcome, David. Yes, the ancillary lesson about Carly. I understand You're So Vain is about Warren Beatty. Even more mocking in an even bigger hit!

[@davidcox8945]

@@RobertCassard well, that’s a relief!……i was mesmerized by Tea for the Tillerman when I was a budding musician in 1970, and like you, encouraged that great tunes could have simple chords….wrt to aim high go deep, as I grew older the discontinuity between the writer and the lyrics became problematic, Moonshadow is very condescending advice to double hand amputees and Peace Train is ludicrous from a guy who endorsed the fatwa against Salman Rushdie….a perennial conundrum; can a song message be divorced from the author?…PS…wrt to guitorchastration, the collaboration between Gordon Lightfoot and Red Shea is worth an episode IMHO…..🎼🖖🏻

[@RobertCassard]

@@davidcox8945 I find that MANY song lyrics are wiser and/or more profound than the person who wrote them. But then again, that wisdom is either dormant within the writer, or being channeled from a higher place. As for the fatwa, I doubt that he overtly supported it. Here's what he says now: inews.co.uk/culture/music/yusuf-cat-stevens-framed-salman-rushdie-fatwa-662459 Re; Guitorchestration I TOTALLY agree about Gordon Lightfoot and Red Shea. I mentioned a few of these treasured acoustic duos in my video about What I Learned from James Taylor: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3e3mY2fpb5geLs

[@davidcox8945]

@@RobertCassard grácias

[@davidcox8945]

@@RobertCassard one of the things I admire most about Lennon that he evolved as a human thru his music so transparently….tho one hopes that Woman and Beautiful Boy were also addressed to his first wife and son….good thing Mussolini didn’t write a great tune or I’d have a stroke

[@luisdiaz3887]

I was so sad the day I knew Cat stop his career I was 12 years old. And still waiting for a music project like these firsts albums

[@RobertCassard]

Thanks for saying hello, Luis. I was 16 when I heard Cat had "retired" from music. I remember thinking, but his music IS religion. Truly non-denominational religious expression. I'm so glad he found his way back to music and now understand the power of those songs - in any context. If you're all about peace and unity, music seems like a m ore effective way to express and accomplish it than words in any book, no matter how holy. IMHO

[@alanwp1942]

Did you never hear his cover of “another Saturday night”

[@RobertCassard]

Of course…from the Izitso LP. Not my favorite Cat album, but still better than many other artists at the time.

[@fractuss]

"The Wind" alone...

[@RobertCassard]

Exactly. Can't tell you how many times I've played that song for special events like memorial services.

[@davidwhite8220]

I am "in haste", so I will offer some comments without having yet seen what you said. "And if I ever LOSE MY hands, LOSE MY plough, LOSE MY lands". The whole verse is based on off-beat over-flow. By contrast, the chorus is quite resolute in hitting one. That may be seen as a kind of "interweaving" that exists *between* the verse and the chorus, rather than (as is more usual) existing *within* a verse or chorus. "Did it take long to FIND ME ...". I don't think the bridge really fits well with the rest of the song. But in isolation (which it does not have) it at least has off-beat over-flow. There is a good song-writing tip in here too: don't write a throwaway verse. If your verse is "throwaway", *go back to the drawing board*. Some of McCartney's best songs (Yesterday, Hey Jude) are better in the verse than in the chorus. All of the song counts. Apologies if I have merely said what you have said.

[@RobertCassard]

I didn't go into a critique or analysis of Cat's musical metrics, but I appreciate your insights. I hope you have a chance to watch the whole video because I'd appreciate your further comments. Cat says his use of syncopation was often inspired by the Greek music he heard during his youth. He also says it was sometimes difficult for co-guitarist Alun Davies and producer Paul Samwell-Smith to get comfortable with his occasional dropped beats and odd meters. "All of the song counts" is a mantra for memorable and meaningful songwriting.

[@davidwhite8220]

@@RobertCassard I should be able to watch it tonight. For the moment, I will only observe that, in all forms of art, "memorable" means "good", and "forgettable" means "bad". In movies, having memorable scenes and memorable lines means good, and "predictable" is not a term of praise. Guys like Chuck Berry and Little Richard could get away with the usual predictable I-IV-V (which I would call 0-5-7), but only by being un-predictable in "melodic metrics": "Roll O-VER Beethoven" (in the verse), "Yeah, oh BA-BY". The basic trick of the early Beatles was to add un-predictable chords into the mix: "Now I'll never dance with another ... WOO". They could have hit that E from A. But instead they hit it from C.

[@RobertCassard]

@@davidwhite8220 Re: The Beatles. On so many songs, the unpredictable melodic shift, or unexpected chord underneath the melody, or both. Have you seen my series on what I learned from each of The Beatles? If you have the time and inclination... What I learned from John: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e52wnGZ9j62lg9k What I learned from George: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jouThaObarR2j7s What I learned from Paul: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2rbYWyQa7ykqbs What I learned from Ringo: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGXbe5eIZbutaqs What I learned from George Martin: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXvRmp2LipeEoLMsi=UPNBlOKrfn-S5pHs

[@davidwhite8220]

@@RobertCassard Yes. That is what first drew my attention to you. I have been a raging Beatle-maniac for over 50 years. No regrets.

[@RobertCassard]

@@davidwhite8220 I thought your name was familiar...and the wisdom of your comments!

[@user-qm7nw7vd5s]

Nice channel. Too bad Cat Stevens, like too many talented artists, went full political. You can actually find a BBC panel discussion on KZbin where there was talk of burning an effigy of the British writer, Salman Rushdie, for offending Islam. The moderator asked Stevens directly, if he supported such an act. He replied that he would only be in favor if they really burned the writer to death for real, not just an effigy. Rushdie has since lost an eye, in the latest attack, while others involved with producing, distributing the writer’s books, following Steven’s’ public endorsement of death have been killed. This guy, whatever name he goes by today, stepped off the “peace train” a long time ago. But those early songs still stand on their own. 👍

[@RobertCassard]

Yusuf/Cat finally explained that situation here: www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/cat-stevens-breaks-his-silence-202844/ I never trust the media to report this kid of thing accurately.