YUSUF Islam

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Tuesday 15th December

Thanks

Back Upon the Mended Road… I Pause

I feel a little weird that it’s over now. Looking back at the fast retreating images of the ‘Guess I’ll Take My Time Tour’ sinking into the valleys of time – there’s a sense of inner sadness. But time rolls on. The loving faces of my audience still linger in my mind, though. It was a truly beautiful return to the land where my music began.

Never could it have been just ‘an other’ tour – too much emotion was invested for it to be that. Dublin was a bumpy-start, which landed me straight back to earth. From there we could only go up and Moonwards…

To read Yusuf’s post in full, visit the Redroom Blog

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Comments
1. Blessed be the day to you Yusuf~~ I thought I posted on this thread.. loved what you wrote .. ~~ theres always a bright sadness after a great touching night like this one~~ sitting back for a few moments to water the roses that were planted from the joyous concert at RAH it was exactly what I expected .. Pure Energia Joy Bliss-you reaching from your Essence and sharing ..mirrored reflections! You sounded amazing ~~ and seeing your boylike charm shine thru well no one has that vulnerable strength and knows to share it ~! God Bless you ! Will there be a DVD release for this ahhhhmazing concert??! Please say yes.... we know it was recorded :)(((smiles))) C'mon please ~~~:) Peace, Christina
  08 Feb 2012 Aurarisma Report Comment
2. Thank you Yusuf for ALL you do, you give us hope. Happy New Year and Peace to you always.
  31 Dec 2009 Cindy Camuso Report Comment
3. Well done Yusuf ! So when will be the premier of Moonshadow Musical ?
  
  Webmaster's Reply: We hope that Moonshadow will premiere at theatres in 2010. Watch this space!
  23 Dec 2009 jashim ali Report Comment
4. Yusuf, can you give us some indiciation when to expect premiere of Moonshadow.....see, we are getting greedy now lol. Peace, Marie
  20 Dec 2009 marie ruane Report Comment
5. I was at the London concert and it was great! You said you've been blessed, but so are we,because up there on the stage there is not only a great musician but a great man who can give such joy! you made us forget that we were in such a huge place with so many people, it was like being at home with an old friend playing for you! Thank you Yusuf, please stay with us!
  19 Dec 2009 annamaria cozzi Report Comment
6. My Dear Yusuf. It should be us thanking you for making those wonderful moments happen again. I felt like a teenager again at a Cat concert. Thank you. Helen xxx
  19 Dec 2009 Helen Nicolas Report Comment
7. I loved the blog. You got it exactly right. Hope you are keeping warm, wherever you are over the next few freezing English winter weeks! Lots of love.xxxx
  19 Dec 2009 Cynthia Report Comment
8. Yusuf, You have given to so many people, there is no way that all that love coming back to you was... just another night. You will always have the memories of special, happy moments in time that no one can take from you. Now you have a blessed family and loyal fans to share your incredible talent. Your granddaughters will have great memories, thank you for sharing. Father and Son was a special song for me; as I have an older brother who plays guitar and sang your songs. Best wishes with the musical. You will now have a new venue more fans!
  19 Dec 2009 Cindy Camuso Report Comment
9. SALMALAIKUN,DEAR BROTHER,I WILL BE SO GLAD AS A NIGERIAN TO MAKE FRIENDS FROM OTH ER COUNTRY.TO MAKE US UNITE SINCE WE ARE ALL ONE.YOU CAN CONTACT ME THROUGH THIS ADDRESS SIDIKAT4REAL71@YAHOO.COM.TELEPHONE NUMBER 08056603262.MASALAM.
  19 Dec 2009 SIDDIQOH ABDULQODRI Report Comment
10. I AM ALWAYS HIGH RATES WHENEVER AM LISTENING TO YOUR MUSIC.YOU ARE WONDERFUL.KEEP IT UP.MAY THE LORD ALMIGHTY ALLAH ALWAYS BE WITH YOU.
  19 Dec 2009 SIDDIQOH ABDULQODRI Report Comment
11. i was here.... it was a magic nigth...... i've travel from italy to see you, and i think i've realized one of my life dream's..... thank you very very much yusuf..... sorry for my bad english....
  18 Dec 2009 edoardo Report Comment
12. It was a magical night.... but it was the 8th December not the 15th as the photo says..
  18 Dec 2009 gordon milton Report Comment
13. Thank you for making a dream come to life, thank you for being who you are and thank you once more for coming back to us, your faithful audience who never forgot you in all these years of absense... Whatever they say, whatever they do, weÂ´ll always love you! Peace!
  17 Dec 2009 Rui Fernandes Report Comment
14. How fascinating to be able to read Yusuf's thoughts on the concert tour - not something we were able to do following the RAH gig 37 years ago when the next day's Melody Maker headline read "Bad nerves dog Cat"! No such problems this time - relaxed, together, friendly, welcoming - a true sense of homecoming and travelling full circle for past to blend with present. A privilege to be part of- thank you again.
  17 Dec 2009 Lucy Lelliott Report Comment
15. ~~Have We Ever Really Listened~~â€¦â€¦ Weâ€™ve heard his songs before, but have we ever really listened? â€¦ Perhaps we canâ€™t be sure when weâ€™re dancing from this distanceâ€¦ But there is music here, like a slowly burning emberâ€¦ Like dreams we once held nearâ€¦forgotten, now remembered â€¦ And all these dreams take flight as visions find their seasons â€¦ Shadows dance with light and rhythms rhyme with reasons â€¦ For he has summoned songs that celebrate the living â€¦ As breathless as the dawnâ€¦with precious new beginnings â€¦ They â€œwarm us through the nightâ€ like slowly burning embers â€¦ Like dreams that whisper lightâ€¦forgotten, now rememberedâ€¦~~Thank you, Yusuf!~~
  17 Dec 2009 Sunny Report Comment
16. Dear Brother Yusufâ€¦Iâ€™ve also felt a bit of the post-concert blues, so Iâ€™ve been reading Quran, fasting, praying, and counting my blessings. These truly help. And now, your blog has lifted my spirits as well. Itâ€™s great to know that you made it to the Jacaranda. Many thanks to God, to you, your family, the musicians, the Moonshadow cast, the crew, the organizers, all your fans who shared their thoughts and videos of the tour (especially at Majicat.com), and to all whose contributions may have gone unnoticed. May God count the â€œGuess Iâ€™ll Take My Time Tourâ€ as a good deed and may He grant you continuing blessings through your contributions to the Maqam Educational Centre and Small Kindness. Not to mention that the Moonshadow Musical, a new album, and an autobiography are yet to come, God-willing. One door closes and many others open. May all your endeavors please God and may the good always greatly outweigh the bad. My next post has a poem that was inspired by the Dublin concert. Itâ€™s written especially for those who are rediscovering your music after so many years. Peace and smiles
  17 Dec 2009 Sunny Report Comment
17. your music has always moved my heart now your spirit moves my life thank you rosie
  17 Dec 2009 rosie Report Comment
18. Dear Yusuf, I read you blog and just realised that your way of describing things is as good as it can get. You are a gem and a very special one. Allah has given you such talent and its hearting to see that you are making good use of it. I was one of the unlucky diehard fans who couldnt attend your historical concerts but every thing has its time and I feel happy that you enjoyed doing the concerts which could only mean one thing that there could be another one coming up soon. Until then enjoy the winter with your family and friends and take some much deserved rest. May Allah send His blessings on you and your family. Ameen!
  16 Dec 2009 Khalid Siddiqui Report Comment
19. Nostalgia is remembering the past. What you did at RAH was more than that, you united past and present. We felt those things we felt when we were younger, but from a new experienced perspective. Not just you, Yusuf, but each of us in our own way. I traveled from the U.S. West Coast for the concert and am so happy to have shared in that special night. I hope it's not the end, and that you will visit the U.S. in the near future.
  16 Dec 2009 Elaine Marie Report Comment
20. Dear Yusuf with alot of pleasure i've read your blog from show to show we feel how happy you were to do this . You really enjoyed it and we to not to describe how we felt that evening..How you tell about all your loved one were there and how the little Ariane and Leliane were enjoying to breakdance like Malik told us that makes it all. Happy that you share this with us. I'm ... really looking forward to moonshadow and i hope to come for the premiere in London .With the friends enjoying your work will be great.Take your time to think about this wonderfull tour and let those great moments be a inspiration . With your creative mind we hope for some new suprices lol. Enjoy the last days of the year with your beautyfull family all the best and Peace Regine
  16 Dec 2009 Regine Masson Report Comment
21. Hi Yusuf! If You`re still sad about the end, I`d like to give You a good advice. Get all Your bags and stuff packed and come to Germany as soon as possible. I had the lucky chance to see You in the Shepherds Bush in May, and for me it was "superlativ". Even in the German language it is difficult for me to describe, what Your music means to me; so I won`t try to do it in English. So, please....come to Germany for some shows and I`ll promise, all Your German fans will be thankfull. Peace and The Almighty may bless You and those You love.
  16 Dec 2009 Sascha Report Comment
22. Yes, well I am sure you know we all wanted the shows to go on forever. You would have needed a rest now, and then, though wouldn't you? And lots of tea. I am so glad that Dublin was the only hiccup. Actually,(having Irish blood myself, half from each side)I think Ireland must be a great place to have produced so many people, willing to say they were ashamed to be Irish, in order to speak out against bad behaviour! The Liverpool show was heaven. You and the band and the cast of Moonshadow were so wonderful. I think we managed to tell you, didn't we!xxxx
  16 Dec 2009 Cynthia Report Comment
23. I am 16 years of age, and at the beginning of the year i stumbled upon a CD of my father's 'The Very Best of Cat Stevens'. After falling in love with your music and finding it's meaning to my life, i was lucky enough to get tickets to your brilliant new tour. After seeing you and hearing you for myself was truly inspiring and i hope i can do some good one day too as you have. Thankyou Yusuf God willing Matt
  16 Dec 2009 Matthew Report Comment
24. Thank you for your lovely appraisal of your tour. Like you we are left with an inner feeling of sadness; such anticipation, excitement and worry too, that all would be well, and now it's over - and yet, although left with a sense of longing, we are also left with such happy and special memories and a sense of peace. We are still smiling - the memories will linger long for us too :)
  16 Dec 2009 Anna Report Comment
25. Yusuf, I worked on the rehearsals at Elstree, you may remember I was the chap who asked about you playing Lady Darbanville in the show. Though the only seats I managed to get at RAH had, to say the very least, a challenging view, I managed to get up on the balcony with the crew I'd worked with at Elstree. What A fantastic show! Loved the cups of tea on stage. Please don't make it the last! Next time, I need to ensure getting the best seats. Jon
  16 Dec 2009 jon fuller Report Comment
26. Mr. Islam - I was at the Dublin concert - and despite what happened - you turned it into a positive - I was grateful that you had come back and would play for us again - and I did try to get myself adopted (I am Irish decent - no one would take me). I watched each concert unfold - and of course - saw some things on You Tube. In the end - you appeared happy in doing your work. I am not sure you realized how much we have missed you, your being, your music and your kind ways. I am hopeful these positives will make Moonshadow a success and perhaps you will consider doing a concert here and there in the future. We have indeed missed you. A note - there were a lot of young people at the Dublin concert - and when young people come - this is good - another generation to hear your music and stories. Thank you for these cherished memories. And good health and happiness to you, your family, and your remarkable staff.
  16 Dec 2009 Margaret Griffith Report Comment
27. Thanks for staying in touch with your fans through this blog.Nothing should be sad about the end of these shows. Could this be a resurrection for more musical/spiritual interaction with those who love you, (when are you coming to France????????????????????????)and also Cat and Yusuf have come together, this is good news and not just an end... Love - Martina
  16 Dec 2009 damman Report Comment
28. I was lucky enough to be at both the Liverpool and RAH concerts, two very special evenings which I'll never forget. Meeting Yoriyos and getting a free CD of his when I bought a T shirt was a real bonus! In all honesty I can say I loved every minute of the concert, and will definitely bring my friends and family to see Moonshadow. Thank you again Yusuf, we return to you fully the love that you show us, and try to remember the lessons in your fantastic lyrics.
  16 Dec 2009 Elaine Chisholm Report Comment
29. Thank you so much Yusuf! I was lucky enought to be both at Birmingham and at the wonderful Royal Albert Hall. I am still reliving the moments.In Birmingham I was nervous for you-because of what had happened in Dublin. But you had turned the experience to your advantage and the whole show was just graceful and touching. I knew the Royal Albert Hall would be a special special experience. I will never forget that evening. It was perfection. Thank you for coming back. And good luck with all your next projects, of course the Moonshadow musical which is so dear to your heart, but hopefully also new albums and concerts to come. Peace to you and all you love!
  16 Dec 2009 Peritura Report Comment
30. Thanks Sue! Thats exactly what I wanted to say. And thank you again Yusuf for sharing what you have been given.
  16 Dec 2009 doc Report Comment
31. Dear Yusuf, The Royal Albert Hall was special indeed and this event was not one I thought would ever take place. I travelled with my husband from Calgary, Canada to be there. I had met you briefly at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles mid morning on June 25th this year. Seeing you there was unexpected and felt like a gift as it was kind of private with only you and your son and Barry there. I was struck by the man you have become as opposed to the restless soul I remember from many years ago. This inner peace was apparent at the concert too and although the nostalgia of the past is seductive in that it reminds of us of who we were and what it felt like to be so young, it is more important to me to see who we are now and to feel that much has been accomplished in the intervening years. For me the song "All kinds of Roses" was the most emotional and most beautiful moment of the night. Thank you for the consideration that you showed me many years ago when you wrote me back on several occasions and for the kindness with which you greeted me in Los Angeles. I wish you and your family peace and blessings always. Carina.
  16 Dec 2009 Carina van Olm Report Comment
32. I'm sorry the Irish attitude was so disconcerting, but I'm glad you didn't pack it in and give up after that! Sounds like your English fans were more appreciative and encouraging. This is good! Performers are people, too, and sometimes they need that affirmation that they're doing the right thing. I'm glad they gave that to you. Now, on to perfect "Moonshadow" - and put that one on DVD (region 1 or 0) so that those of us who aren't British can enjoy!
  16 Dec 2009 Iris M. Gross Report Comment
33. Dear Yusuf, you wrote "Lastly loomed the awesome Royal Albert Hall. Oh, oh! Please God, make it right. And my prayer was answered." I must admit that I was nervous too, even when concert in RAH started, because I wanted everything to go right, for you and for all of us who expected that Royal Albert Hall would be something special. And it was... mainly because of "the human touch" which was present during every second of the show, even when you were a little bit in doubt what comes next (song, verse... no matter :) ... it was not an automatic show which runns from start to the end, and then bye..bye... ('cause I have been on some those like concert by other artists, no names need to be mentioned here). So, this my trip from Zagreb (Croatia) to London was one of my best decisions in my life, because I was also a part of something very, very special... and will always remember that. Peace!
  15 Dec 2009 Nenad Bartolcic Report Comment
34. It's wonderful to read that the tour meant a lot to you and that you had the support of family and friends along the way. Such a tremedous undertaking, your tour and the Moonshadow musical. It's so comforting that you are connected with your fans again. We never went anywhere, just patiently waited for you to return as we knew you would. We are taking this journey with you, side by side. Thanks for being there. Your light and love are returned full measure.
  15 Dec 2009 Sue Report Comment
35. I went to Royal Albert Hall on tuesday with my family and everbody said: "These were moments we will never forget in our lifetime." And that made it so special. Thank you!
  15 Dec 2009 Philipp Sattler Report Comment
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