Lifeline
-
2 0 0 9
January : January.
Klaus Voormann (the “5th Beatle”) joins Yusuf on two George Harrison songs: “The Day the World Gets ‘Round” and “All Things Must Pass”. Proceeds from “The Day the World Gets ‘Round” are donated to aid children and families in Gaza, and both tracks appear on Klaus Voormann’s album, The Sideman’s Journey, with proceeds going to aid the Oglala Sioux of Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, North America.February : February.
Yusuf is in Los Angeles where he records “The Long and Winding Road” for a Paul McCartney tribute album. The session takes place at the Jim Henson Company Lot, the former home of A&M Records and where Yusuf, Carol King, The Carpenters and Herb Alpert used to meet and hang out.March : March 24.
BBC Radio 2 (Ken Bruce) has the UK exclusive of Yusuf’s new single, “Thinking ‘Bout You”.April : April 9.
Yusuf features on The Chris Isaak Hour. The one-hour show includes an in-depth, career-spanning interview as well as live performances of several classic songs.May : May.
LP: Roadsinger. Yusuf’s new mainstream album is released to rave reviews. A bonus track, “Boots & Sand”, features as part of the Roadsinger Deluxe CD package on which Sir Paul McCartney duets with Yusuf. ‘Boots & Sand’ was written by Yusuf about the ‘No-Fly List’ saga when, together with his daughter, he was refused entry to the USA in 2004. Drawing on diametric influences from Nashville and Liverpool-rock sounds, Dolly Parton, Alison Krauss and Terry Sylvester also feature on the recording. The album’s title track is subsequently released as a double A-side 7” single, along with “Boots & Sand”.May : May.
Yusuf plays his first US show in over 30 years, he also headlines Island Record’s 50th anniversary celebrations at the Shepherds Bush Empire. -
