Cat Stevens, Morning Has Broken - A Classical Musician’s First Listen and Reaction

[@starryknightlight]

The great Rick Wakeman of the prog rock band Yes arranged and played the piano part on Morning Has Broken. Not a Cat Stevens composition, It’s a Christian hymn written by english author Eleanor Farjeon, published in 1931.

[@WayneKitching]

I've once seen it in hymnal or other anthology of Christian music, so it makes sense.

[@ColinCampbell-x1w]

The English Words are by Eleanor Farjeon the tune (Bunessan) was used originally for the Gaelic Hymn 'Leanabh an Aigh' written by Mairi Dhomhnallach in the early 19th century

[@BlindGordie]

Yup, along with Peace Train. Even Wild World and the covers with Chris Cornell and Maxi Priest, with their own interpretations.

[@heldinahtmlhell]

Indeed. Cat Stevens heard him playing it and stole it.

[@lars-oleeifler4448]

​@@heldinahtmlhell - Wrong. It is Rick Wakemann playing the piano.

[@silgen]

My music teacher at school's favourite song, so we sang it at least once a week for five bloody years. It's a testament to how good this version is that I can listen to it without cutting my ears off.

[@deanroddey2881]

When I was in like the third or fourth grade (so 72/73 I guess, which would have been about a year after its release from a quick lookup), this was one of the theme songs at the school I went to, and we sang and heard it a lot. Another was "Walk a Mile in my Shoes." I'm not even sure why we had theme songs, or whatever they were called, but this one was one of them. Probably a lot of teachers discovering weed around this time I guess. So, like you, I was somewhat traumatized by it, but still can listen to it and appreciate it. Pity the 80s schools who probably had something like "Rock Me Amadeus" or some such.

[@TillyOrifice]

As a small child I was forced to sing this too. In chorus, but I was identified by name as "not singing". I couldn't sing, had a very small voice and was painfully shy. It's a great song but I hate it.

[@golyno]

Wild World, Father and Son, When do the children play, Lady D´Arbanville, Peace Train, Moonshadow and many others. Regardless, you are in for a treat. Definitely continue with Cat Stevens.

[@ChasFink]

Lady D'Arbanville is a great choice. Coincidentally, I once lived a few blocks away from Patti D'Arbanville, the inspiration for this song.

[@jackiewilliams4854]

“I can’t keep it in” is an absolute fantastic vocal performance and is one of my favorites. Cat Steven’s brings the passion and the power. He is one of the greatest singer/songwriters of our generation.

[@timothystockman7533]

Rick Wakeman's piano part is what makes this song interesting.

[@timothystockman7533]

If you want to hear another Cat Stevens style, listen to "Another Saturday Night", written by Sam Cooke.

[@TimeToCheckReality]

He has a full piano version of the song.

[@heatherqualy9143]

It’s also immensely fun to play! One of the first things I picked out when I could barely read music. It’s still my go-to fun song to play.

[@normandaubry]

I always thought the same thing. For me the piano is the real star of the song.

[@ivanjovanovic4728]

Lady D'Arbanville, Moonshadow, Hard Headed Woman, Miles from Nowhere, Trouble, Sad Lisa, Longer Boats, Where Do the Children Play, Wild World, Father and Son... so many magnificent peaces to experience. Thank you.

[@chrisbradley1192]

Father and Son, and Matthew and Son.

[@mightyV444]

Nice Freudian Slip with "peaces" there! 😉👍

[@stevewest4994]

First cut is the deepest.

[@mightyV444]

'Peace Train'! 😀

[@joshuafreedman7703]

An incredible list of some of his most amazing recordings.

[@fromchomleystreet]

Rick Wakeman does three different versions of the piano interlude in the song, each ending in a different key - one keeps the key the same, one modulates up, one modulates down.

[@seajaytea9340]

Thanks for the review and reaction. I think you might enjoy how he handles his voice in Father & Son. I hope that you will listen to more of his songs.

[@Sulurianxx]

'Father and Son' has the powerful vocal performance Amy is looking for, sometimes an artists most popular song is the most popular for a good reason.

[@djardine2520]

Peace Train works well

[@Doutsoldome]

Agreed. Let's see how long it will take for her to listen to it.

[@DavidB-2268]

Tuesday's Dead would work very well that way. Bit of a harder edge

[@LeeKennison]

As I mentioned yesterday, I am a huge Cat Stevens fan, particularly "Tea for the Tillerman" (1970) and "Teaser and the Firecat" (1971) albums, which will show off more of his vocal abilities that you want to explore more. I won't repeat all I said yesterday, but just say that I recommend a full listen to these albums, since you clearly enjoy his singing and music. You can follow with more detailed reactions to your favorite songs from these here on KZbin. If you were only to do one, I would go with the "Tea for the Tillerman" album, my personal favorite. I really enjoyed your take on his interpretation of this old Christian tune. Great reaction and great Special Weekend! Looking forward to you digging into Cat Stevens more.

[@LeeKennison]

I tried posting this several times, but YT kept deleting it since I mentioned you should listen to the full album on the "P" word that apparently they found objectionable today, since they normally don't remove those like they do for when other platforms are mentioned. By the way the "P" word I'm referring to where your patrons watch some of your exclusive content, which is a great place for full album content.

[@kirksmith2051]

Those two albums are brilliant, and in my view the best by Cat Stevens.

[@zayedamin6764]

Oh yes. More of cat Stevens please!!

[@esmaanderson1802]

Yes, please do explore more Cat Stevens. He uses his voice to great effect for the two different voices of Father And Son. Can't Keep It In is more intense and exuberant, but there is so much to appreciate in songs like Oh Very Young, Moon Shadow and a bit of silliness in I Love My Dog. His most recent performances also often feature some of his most famous songs like Wild World, Peace Train and Where Do The Children Play, which he dedicates to children in wartorn areas.

[@spikeontheroad2560]

I was 9 years old and this was the song at my Mom's funeral. She was a voice major and choir director and vocalist. She died of a short illness. I can't tell you how much this song means to me.

[@michaelbedford8017]

One of his best songs, with the great Rick Wakeman on piano.

[@stevewest4994]

The way Rick changes the piano interlude to give a key change between two if the verses is so cleverly subtle that it's easy to miss completely.

[@StevenWilkins-y9t]

I never realized it was Wakeman on Piano! No wonder it so beautiful.

[@shibolinemress8913]

Morning Has Broken will always remind me of my cousin Howard. When he was a baby he had a musical mobile over his crib that would play the tail end of the tune whenever it moved. The song is on my morning playlist to this day.

[@michaelsnelling2918]

'Oh very young' is a miniature masterpiece

[@Ceeeje]

wild world...

[@ROSEBILL]

The wonderful piano arrangement was composed and played by the great Rick Wakeman, one of the very best pianists and keyboardists of all time. He was a member of the prog rock band Yes for many years. If you want to check out a live cover version of this song here on KZbin, try the one by the brilliant English soprano Laura Wright, where Rick Wakeman reprises his original arrangement and performs with her.on piano.

[@tinymonster9762]

Thank you so much for the guide to Mr Wakeman’s performance with Laura Wright.

[@christineg8151]

This is one of my absolute favorite songs. It's just so sweet and full of wonder.

[@christinastarr3178]

My early childhood memories flood back everytime I hear Yusuf/Cat Stevens. So nostalgic. My oldest brother played his albums constantly and he was the first musician I adored. Also morning has broken was the song we all learnt to play on the recorder in music lessons at school. Takes me back to 1970s.

[@foxdenham]

Glad you enjoyed the song Amy. Lovely review. His version is so full of honest joy and reverence, not just in the way he sings it, but the arrangement and sound choices. They appear to express a deep realisation and gratitude that the lyrics convey. A song where feeling transcends hearing. I'm not a Christian as such, but his portrayal of the divine response of humanity to nature is palpable. Wonderful.

[@stephanieholland5833]

Yes. Reverence and gratitude.

[@stlmopoet]

I loved your breakdown of this performance! His voice is truly one of a kind. Instantly recognizable. "Peace Train" gives a more energetic presentation of his voice. "Oh Very Young" is another great approach/style.

[@eirintowne]

Always liked the song, but never before realized just how brilliant that piano is! It is so dynamic in both volume and tempo, and so expressive of a large range of emotions, including the held breath while we wait for a dewdrop to fall. Thank you for that discovery!

[@TimeToCheckReality]

Check out some of the other works by Rick Wakeman. It is not one of his most famous albums (Six Wives of Henery VIII, Journey to the center of the Earth) but I really like the feelings he put into the winter Olympic sports in White Rock.

[@stormy8207]

Thanks for choosing my suggestion. Never been huge into Cat Stevens but always liked this, muchly:)

[@trenchraider2046]

Good morning indeed! It fills me with so much joy seeing you break down this song in particular, as it has a great personal meaning for me. So thank you for making today a special and happy day in addition to the usual wonderful nature of your analytical commentary. Please, do have a great day yourself!

[@BibleAT3]

What a wonderful review. I love this interpretation. The piano is glorious and Cat’s voice conveys the message perfectly

[@joewwright92]

"Father and Son" and "The First Cut is the Deepest" are classics!

[@ianlewis3023]

I realised I becoming old when I started to empathise with the father's lyrics in "Father and Son" rather than the son's

[@richpeltier9519]

I did not know this was a cover. It fits into his catalog so comfortably.

[@ThistleAndSea]

Love this one. Thanks, Amy for sharing it!

[@andysaiia]

This song is beautiful. I didn’t know its history - thank you. My favorite song by Cat Stevens is Tea for the Tillerman. It moves me every time.

[@VintageWanderer]

All these years and I didn’t know that was Wakeman on the piano! Makes sense now.

[@daveking9393]

Oh my goodness how you've made my day thanks so much for sharing this this journey is just fantastic and I'm enjoying all the journeys that I've taken with you but this one is just so much fun watching you experience it. Thanks so much for sharing and thanks to your partner for all his work too. It is so special how he helps guide you on these journeys. I am very happy for you both!

[@Shoey77100]

I've never been able to analyze a song this beautiful, I get so lost in it takes me away and I just feel the joy

[@charlesberton2581]

Amy, your intuition is correct. Cat Stevens does a LOT with his voice, and it is always perfect. His songwriting is phenomenal, and his musicianship is superb.

[@Pinkeye82517]

Beautifully said ❤

[@charlesberton2581]

@@Pinkeye82517, thank you!

[@erinhansen2110]

A vote for "Peace Train" by Cat Stevens next as this embodies everything the man is about. Love the channel Amy & Vlad! :)

[@jgaff66]

Nice to see him get some recognition. He seems to be forgotten somewhat.

[@Pinkeye82517]

Wild world is in the new venom movie! But yes, he doesn’t get enough attention from the music media

[@user-gv4cx7vz8t]

I learned so much here. He definitely made this song his own, which is why I thought it was!

[@mayLibertyprevail1a]

I love how this song has such an intimate feel; Stevens' voice, along with the beautiful piano work, has that effect. It invariably brings tears to my eyes.

[@mikeconway9849]

Great reaction, Amy! To your question about his voice...yes, he does go there in some of his songs. Where Do the Children Play comes to mind.

[@michaelwelsh7362]

Peaceful is the word for Cat Stevens approach to a lot of his work🎶🎶🎶

[@paulmartinson875]

A lot of love in that man

[@DadgeCity]

I think every British sixties kid has this song etched deep in their brain.

[@fw1421]

This was all over the radio stations everywhere in America back in the early 70’s. What a wonderful voice.

[@edgarsnake2857]

One would have to be hardhearted to not be moved by Cat's version. Features Rick Wakeman from the band Yes on piano. Loved your reaction to this classic.

[@mightyV444]

This song always reminds me of a music lesson at Intermediate School spent outside, as it was such nice weather. And our teacher sang and played on his guitar, with us students sitting in the grass and singing along, including 'Morning Has Broken' 😀 This was 43 years ago 😊 ☀️

[@F6blue]

It's the most English hymn you can imagine! We used to sing it in school assembly!

[@Maxry-v2y]

I do think you’d love cat Steven’s he’s one of the best of the times,the intimacy of his performances are missing today , I too prefer them

[@DaveSVT-rn4of]

Always loved this song. Never thought of it as a hymn though, just a lovely song.

[@PaddyDixieTheMinerva82]

When i was in my final year at Primary School aged 11 in 1972 i sang this hymn acapella as a duet with a girl classmate in our Assembly Hall when we were visited by the Archbishop of N Ireland.

[@goosebump801]

Oh, hooray!! I adore the way Cat Stevens sounds on this track ❤️🎉💐

[@ChrisFreund-rt8rf]

I was just a kid when I first heard this song,as we learned to sing and perform it for the church choir that I was in.I later attempted to learn the piano parts,and while I can read music and play,I could not replicate the sounds of the great Rick Wakeman.Great song! Great reaction!

[@kayedeedid]

I remember seeing this song in the hymnal at the Baptist church I attended as a kid and was so excited to sing it in the choir. I hadn't considered it a religious song, but it really is. It would also be the first song played as the television stations started broadcasting again at 6 am. Yeah, I'm that old that TV stopped broadcasting at midnight and there was just a test pattern for 6 hours.

[@paulmartinson875]

Wonderful

[@Laura_Martin42]

We sang this in choir in the 6th grade, that was a long time ago!! Beautiful song!

[@alejandropalmapastrana1255]

And Stevens / Wakeman's arrangement.....made It .....Pop Rock Anthem ❤❤ !

[@chrisnewman1665]

I could listen to a lot more Cat Stevens! I really appreciate your insights to these songs which Ive been listening to for so long, such a new way for me to hear them. Some good examples of Cat Stevens’ vocal range are in the songs ‘ Trouble’ and ‘ I think I see the light’ :) But there’s a lot to explore in the Cat Stevens archive!

[@danielepstein9336]

Never fails to move me. I used to listen to this at sunrise on guard duty in the Negev desert 32 years ago.

[@brxee]

Boy With The Moon And Star On His Head, one that the cat reactors never do and should.

[@cornstar1253]

And then he went on to worship a moon god

[@lauchlanguddy1004]

love it

[@DerEchteBold]

Oh wonderful! I grew up hearing Cat Stevens on the radio in the 70s and friends of mine I hung out with a lot in the late 80s - early 90s were huge fans, so I got to listen a lot then as well. Come to think of it, there was actually a couple that got together because of their shared admiration for his music ...the guy's wife wasn't very pleased as you can imagine!

[@bevklayman4158]

People have mentioned some of his more exuberant, hard-driving songs, but even in those Cat had a wonderfully sensitive voice. His very poetic compositions paired with his voice placed him in a unique position in the rock world of that time. In fact, he soon quit the music scene to become a devout Muslim. His spiritual longing and searching is in many of his songs.

[@stephencolbertcheese7354]

more cat please! Father & Son next? (& i bet amy wud like I Want To Live In A Wigwam) later on, maybe she can compare Foreigner Suite (Heaven) with Coldplay's Viva La Vida (cover?)

[@steeleye2112]

This is a great Rick Wakeman song, with Cat Stevens on vocals. How anyone who has ever heard Rick can't instantly tell it's him playing the piano (and improvising most of it whilst recording) is beyond me. The fact he never even got paid his session fee says a lot about the music industry. Still fans will always know what's going on here, just listen to Birdman of Alcatraz. Well done Rick, brilliant as ever.

Listen to Ricks speech during the RRHOF.

[@Payne2view]

It made me a bit nostalgic for the church I used to play guitar at. My piano playing friend always includes the Rick Wakeman piano part between the verses.

[@almeisam]

One of my favorites when it came out.

[@michaelwebster8389]

It really is an amazing piece of music.

[@3DJapan]

My favorite Cat Stevens is Here Comes My Baby.

[@davidcronan4072]

I remember singing this hymn at school many, many years ago.

[@dynodon9182]

Cat Stevens is a forgotten treasure. I wore out the 8 track tapes of Tea For The Tillerman, Teaser and the Firecat and Catch Bull at Four when I was a teen. His catalog should be explored.

[@tdratt]

Enjoyed that.

[@scottmarleneking6298]

If you enjoy that intimate feeling, you might want to listen to Carole King's "Tapestry" album! It was like sitting on a park bench talking with the girl next door as she bared her emotions.

[@chrisofnottingham]

Rick Wakeman on piano there. IMHO his best work was always (semi/) improvising as a session musician with other artists, I can never really get into his solo/Yes stuff. But an absolutely cracking gentleman and personality and I would be blessed to have half his talent :-)

[@jtkdmd6266]

Good one Amy! Cheers.

[@IamClapham]

This is a good illustration of how rock 'composition' often works: the artist has the bare bones of a song. Session musicians are called in to play their instrument and are not given written parts to play but are required to improvise their parts. Sometimes their contributions include creating intros, solos or just ear worm phrases which are so important to the success of the record they become indispensable parts of the arrangement. Sometimes they get a credit for it but often they don't.

[@Walesbornandbred]

We used to sing this in school.

[@kermitmawyer1743]

Yes ❤😊😊😊😊❤

[@jimsilvey5432]

This was great.

[@hommerecorder7003]

Great Song!

[@Yes_Jorge_Yes]

The pianist is RIck Wakeman from the Band Yes, he modified a piece of music he had written for his solo album the Six wifes of Henry the Eighth to use as the intro, interludes and ending, which made this song a huge hit for Cat Stevens.

[@Loraleeah4]

When I first heard this song on the radio I couldn't believe how beautiful it was with his voice and the gorgeous piano accompaniment. I loved the sentiment about appreciation of nature and God's creation. But it wasn't until recently that I even knew that, while working in a neighboring studio, the great Rick Wakeman was roped into expanding the short song Cat had into a complete song by working out the piano part and performing it on the recording. For his time and talent contribution to this timeless song he was not credited on the album nor was he even paid his session fee. So Cat actually Stole it from him! Hey Cat, how do you think God would like you stealing? Rick said his revenge was sweet since nobody could figure out how to play it so Cat couldn't perform it live.

[@StevenWilkins-y9t]

It a beautiful celebration of nature and all it brings. Cat Stevens was a lovely soul - its such a pity we lost him to a cultish style following to an alien religion. we missed him dearly - what he produced will last for generations such is the expression he imbued in every piece.

[@kishka7]

I've always loved this song! (71 yrs old here)

[@davidwolf4677]

This is what constituted a hit song back in the golden age of the 1970s.❤

[@J0hnC0ltrane]

My nostalgia for older recording production has never left though there are many recent songs that are wonderful and some that even rock in a new way, but the integrity of the ol seventies and sixties and even 1950s music is still intact. From this same album, Bitter Blue is more raw Cat Stevens. Ty.

[@WiseGuy5674]

We chose this to be sung during my marriage 40 years ago.😎

[@albertoquagliaroli4230]

I scrolled comments only a little, in them I didn't see the suggestion of Moonshadow, another Cat Stevens' great song.

[@Dacxx]

Good job on the channel. I’m another long-time Beatles fan. As well as Nirvana, Beach Boys, Prince and so on. I know it’s not rock, but I’d love to hear your thoughts on the soundtrack of classic PlayStation game Shadow of the Colossus (2005) - called Roar of the Earth, composed by Kow Otani. It (and its 2018 remake) remains one of my favourite games and certainly one of my favourite original OSTs of anything anywhere. Or you could just play the game and experience it as it was intended 😉

[@MrJZILCH]

She's no square! Beautiful appraisal!

[@auricgold2501]

Wakeman has a hilarious story about his contribution to Cat’s version of this song.

[@rtwbikerider]

This is the link to Rick’s humorous reminiscences of the recording of Morning Has Broken. kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGWae56Kobefe7Mfeature=shared

[@steeleye2112]

"Contribution" - You mean basically writing it on the spot, creating a classic for the artist and then get no recognition. The fact no-one could recreate it and when asked about answering questions Rick basically said "go away" makes the injustice worth it.

[@andrewrose2337]

Father and Son is a must listen, and probably his best and most famous song

[@Vader1138]

In the songs "Peace Train" & "Bitterblue" he gives a more aggressive vocal style if you want hear that from him, but as a folk singer songwriter he stayed in the gentler voice primarily.

[@copilunio]

Granny, Matthew and son, I'm so sleepy. Beautiful songs from his firs LP 'The view from the top'.

[@catfood_03_4stray]

There are several succesful songs of Cat Stevens that are unique like e.g. "Father and Son" : kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKnNhXZml9J-otU , "Wild World", "How Can I Tell You" kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHbWl4SvZt-sbbs , "Saturday Night", "Can't keep it in" kzbin.info/www/bejne/aHvYd6mvgbuZY80 . His voice varies between soft touch and passionate screaming.

[@altair8598]

Off the top of my head (I'm sure there are other examples), on 'Can't Keep It In' he spits out the lyrics more.

[@TheNordicharps]

It would be nice to hear one of Cat Steven's own compositions

[@minddriver6358]

So many people here are mentioning Rick Wakeman. Therefore I think another reaction to a song by Yes is long overdue. I strongly recommend "Turn of the century" with its fantastic interplay of the great great guitarist Steve Howe with the great great Rick Wakeman and the great great voice (yes indeed Amy) Jon Anderson, accompanied and co-written by the subtle great great percussionist Alan White and last not least the great great bassist Chris Squire adding his perfect counterpoints to everything. Furthermore the song has an unusual structure beyond every pop or rock cliche and a compelling vocal line of unique beauty.

[@kennethmckinney2532]

Yep. Awaken would be great also but would take a while. GFTO has always been my favorite

[@jimclarke1108]

Great music

[@CoolCoyote]

peace train is good . Moonshadow is good too my childhood memory song one of them anyway.

[@erinhansen2110]

Votes for both of those next

[@SunflowerResists]

I'd recommend listening to Cat's song "Sitting" for a tour de force of his actual vocal power.

[@Pinkeye82517]

Yes! Also The Hurt or Foreigner Suite. That goes on a whole life journey

[@monikakarlsson8215]

Yes it's a powerful song and one of his very best with fantastic lyrics 💖

[@TombHermance]

I hope she listens to the whole album.

[@jrdlabs]

In other words, he sings it like he means it! His singing is usually quite expressive. And, that expression will vary greatly depending on the song, which is a sideways way of saying what you've said. Also, you are correct in saying that his performances are real. You are also correct about much of today's recorded music and the lack of 'humanity'. It's quite sad, really.

[@fozziebear5624]

Rick Wakeman rules! :) ;)

[@GrimrDirge]

The first bars of this song are my ringtone. As soon as the music started, I instinctively checked my phone. 😅