YUSUF Islam

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Tuesday 29th June

Auckland Gig Review

One of the first reviews of Yusuf’s debut gig in New Zealand.

The Peace Train finally pulled into New Zealand last night, right next to the old Auckland railway station.

By the time Cat Stevens had brought out his signature track for his second encore two hours into this fabulous show, it was obvious that the song is as relevant today as when it was penned back in the turbulent early 70s at the height of the Vietnam War…....

Click here to read the full review.
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Comments
1. Your reply is appreciated.
  03 Jul 2010 cyd Report Comment
2. Thanks for the answer Regine
  02 Jul 2010 Regine Masson Report Comment
3. I don't know if that is planned by the tour administrators, or by Yusuf, but I hope that a DVD version of the Australian tour will be available for those who couldn't attend the concerts, either because they didn't get tickets or those who are not living in Australia. I try my best to follow the news and the Teaser St. blog, and I watched few videos (of low quality, unfortunately) on youtube, and Yusuf is glowing for sure, spreading peace and joy again. I wish everybody had a very nice time. Listening to Stevens (Yusuf) is a tradition passed from generation to another in my family, and I'm very happy to continue that. My best wishes. Tariq
  
  Webmaster's Reply: The concerts in Australia/NZ were recorded and we will update the website with news regarding a potential DVD release when we have it.
  02 Jul 2010 Tariq Report Comment
4. Thank you so much Yusuf for making your way down to New Zealand. We absolutely LoVeD having you here. What an amazing concert! What an amazing artist you are! What a brilliant audience! Thank you Thank You Thank You Yusuf & friends and all kiwis who made their way over to the Vector Arena on Tuesday !! An amazing night that I will remember FoReVeR!!
  02 Jul 2010 Aneesa Davids Report Comment
5. To experience your concert Yusuf was a long awaited dream come true. Beautiful, heartfelt, brilliant. My 10 year old daughter knows many of your songs off by heart as you are always playing to her!Heres to another generation and another carriage on the peace train.
  02 Jul 2010 Shaun Cato-Symonds Report Comment
6. Any concerts planned for Europe? Sweden perhaps?
  01 Jul 2010 HÃ¥kan Samuelsson Report Comment
7. Brilliant concert in Auckland. It was unreal to see the man himself. Tea for the Tillerman did it for me when I was growing up along with other great hits. I am older and wiser now and Yusuf is too and his concert was just as one would want in a new generation. Your music has relevance and your ability to freely express your faith has too..well done.
  01 Jul 2010 Steve Report Comment
8. Fantastic concert at the Vector Arena Auckland. Thank you so much Yusuf for coming to New Zealand. It may have been a wet and rainy night but you brought sunshine into our hearts. Your songs, new and old are an inspiration to us all. Love you, love your lyrics and love your message of 'Peace'. Ann
  01 Jul 2010 Ann Kelly Report Comment
9. At 31 I thought I would be the youngest in the audience at the Vector Arena. The fact that there were so many people of all ages, many younger than me is a testament to the music of Yusuf. Ever since I was introduced to your music I never thought that I would ever have the chance to see you live, let alone in New Zealand. There are few people that I have ever really wanted to meet in my life; you are certainly on that list. Your concert was more than I expected and youâ€™re connection with the audience made such a difference. Thank you. Ed
  
  Webmaster's Reply: Thanks for your kind words...peace.
  01 Jul 2010 Ed Claridge Report Comment
10. Spurred on by the possibilty that you will read my comment Yusuf I will leave my post and hope it reaches you. The Auckland concert left me uplifted and even days later now, with your voice and songs reverberating in my mind. I was a past member of you Fantasy Ring and as I listened and contributed to Tuesdays event, the last 41 years fell away and I was again transported by your music. Simply "Thank You" for your music and for coming to New Zealand. Seeing you so obviously enjoying yourself was one of the biggest highs of the night.
  
  Webmaster's Reply: Yusuf had a great time in New Zealand and is grateful to you and others for your support.
  01 Jul 2010 cyd Report Comment
11. Wish you would come back to the States or Baja California in Mexico. Your music brings tears to my eyes. Remembreances of Cat Stevens and the New Yusef Islam. Your music continues to be great.
  
  Webmaster's Reply: Thank you...the best way to keep up to date with Yusuf's planned activities is to register in the Redroom. Please also join our official Facebook page.
  01 Jul 2010 Mary Lou Shah Report Comment
12. Irene and Marion, It really does sound like "Lilywhite" could be about an angelic nurse whose name was never known, and who's now passing his way again (almost prophetically). It fits so well, and I think your interpretation of the song isvery lovely...Back up on the mended road I pause...Taking time to check the dial...And the Lilywhite...I never knew her name...But sheâ€™ll be passing my way sometime again...I raise my hand and touch the wheel of change... Taking time to check the dial...Thank the Lilywhite...I never knew her name...But sheâ€™ll be passing my way sometime again...Sheâ€™ll be passing my way sometime again......And it could all empty into a lilywhite Easter snowfall...P.S. How lovely to imagine smiling nurses dancing barefoot in the snow!
  01 Jul 2010 Sunny Report Comment
13. My heart is still filled with the experience of the Auckland concert on Tuesday night, as my eyes were then. What music, what heart and what spirit! Thank you Yusuf. Together, working in harmony, we can heal this world and all the wounded hearts. Thank you, thank you and please come back! Ya Baha'ul'abha!
  01 Jul 2010 Heather-anne Report Comment
14. Irene Keech: I think of the "Lilywhite" as a symbol of Divine Light; snow, an Angel, or maybe a caring Nurse could all contribute to someone's sense of the Divine, particularly if someone was very unwell. I think Nurses are heaven sent and absolutely under-valued in our society. My mother was a nurse in the late sixties looking after sick babies (she had one of those caps too!), and the Midwife I had for my son's birth at home is undoubtedly guided by Divine Light. So I say keep your feeling about yourself and that song! Best Wishes Marion P.S. (sorry to Yusuf's website administrator for co-opting this blog momentarily!)
  
  Webmaster's Reply: No apologies necessary...please carry on!
  01 Jul 2010 Marion Yates Report Comment
15. Thankyou for your reply Yusuf,that means alot to me.Enjoy the rest of your time in NZ with your family, its a beautiful day here today in the countryside,just outside of Auckland,I have been watching the native pigeons eating the last of the willow leaves in our garden.(They are very large and colourful birds).
  01 Jul 2010 Irene Keech Report Comment
16. I can't comment because I did'nt see but I can believe what did I read because I know that yusuf and his band can do all that by (Ø¨Ù‚Ø¯Ø±Ø© Ø§Ù„Ù„Ù‡ Ø³Ø¨ØØ§Ù†Ù‡ ÙˆØªØ¹Ø§Ù„Ù‰)
  30 Jun 2010 sonia Report Comment
17. Marion Yates: Not such a stupid idea about Lilywhite, I use to think the same, as my hat was pleated up and like a lily at the back, ridiculous really. Also it was around Easter time that we had a heavy snow fall, I remember because we had nurses from India who had never seen snow before, they took off there shoes and danced in the snow. Seems we were both wrong!
  30 Jun 2010 Irene Keech Report Comment
18. Yusuf if you read the comments maybe the last concert a KING OF TREES PLEASE Regine
  
  Webmaster's Reply: Your suggestion has been noted - thanks.
  30 Jun 2010 Regine Masson Report Comment
19. Irene Keech, I read your previous comment before the Auckland concert about how you were one of the nurses in the hospital the 'Steven' stayed at when he had terbuculosis. How wonderful for you to have seen him play live so many years later, and for Yusuf to get to hear from you again in this blog. It's silly, but for some reason I always thought that Yusuf's song 'Lilywhite' must have been about an Angelic vision he'd had while in hospital, I read later that it was about the purity of snow after a 'dark' night. Any way, what a lovely thing...
  30 Jun 2010 Marion Yates Report Comment
20. I felt so blessed to be present at the show at the Vector. Your music has been with me since I was young listening to you through my brother's closed bedroom door and later as I accumulated my own record collection. I never imagined I would be lucky enough to see you perform live! Your journey is one we can all learn from and your message and peaceful nature are a gift to us all. Thank you Yusuf, your music is so genuine and even at 62 - you still rock! Nancy
  30 Jun 2010 Nancy Irvine Report Comment
21. i attended the concert last night in auckland with my two daughters, and it was a totally amazing experience. you have been an inspiration to me for most of my life, and my children love your music as well. how i felt about it all would be too long to put into a comment space like this, so i've written about at my blog here: http://kiwistargazer.blogspot.com/2010/06/yusuf.html please do visit new zealand again. fi amanillah.
  30 Jun 2010 stargazer Report Comment
22. It was such a privelage to be at the Auckland concert at the Vector Arena. Truly magnificent. In Awe..... The insights shared on the new musical 'Moonshadow" will leave a testament to all - there have been so many before - but hearing snippetts of what is coming - a legacy is about to be left with us all - future generations now have the right of passage as iIand so many before me have had...to be a part of smething so great - from a truly inspirng, passinate, peaceful man.....Mons
  30 Jun 2010 Monique Report Comment
23. Yusuf,what can I say, reading the comments its all there, an absolutely brilliant concert, you even managed to bring my husband to tears. As for myself such an emotional trip to see you again, I can still see the twinkle in your eyes and how much you love your music, and so contended with life. Your a wonderful man giving so many people so much much pleasure, and all the good you are doing in the world, trying to make a difference. I wish I had asked you for an autograph all those years ago at King Edward V11, it never corsed my mind,(my loss). Im not sure if you do read these coments, maybe when you have time from your busy life, I hope so. God bless, keep up the good work, and thankyou for an amazing night to remember. Irene
  
  Yusuf's Reply: Yes I do get to read some of the comments and I remember yours about being a nurse during my stay at King Edward VII Hospital. Thanks for your lovely sentiments.
  30 Jun 2010 Irene Keech Report Comment
24. This was a most entertaining concert. What a loss Yusuf has been all these years. His songs are generally quite simple so it is critical that they be communicated well - as we saw. The niche he occupies is his alone. "Oh Very Young" and "Another Saturday Night" would have been nice hits to hear. However I do admire someone like Yusuf who does not rely exclusively on nostalgia - he is still full of new ideas and some of the new material reflects ongoing creativity and originality. The backing band was (in my opinion) a mixture of talents - with the player of guitars and mandolin the outstanding contributor with his backing vocals as well. Who was that musician?
  30 Jun 2010 George Burrell Report Comment
25. I was so keen to see you in concert, we arranged a maternity nanny so we could be there as we had our third child less than three weeks ago now. It was well worth it, and I still get a bit tearful when I think of how touching it was to be there (front row even) to see you perform for such a diverse crowd. Your humour and serenity were extraordinary, and your music is as relevant and important as it has always been. What an amazing experience, and we hope you come back. And what a treat to experience Noxshi (fronted by your son) to begin with. You are an inspiration, and an amazing ambassador for Islam and humanity. Much love from our family to yours sir.
  30 Jun 2010 Dee West Report Comment
26. Concert at Vector Arena Auckland June 29th - Well done Yusuf- you, with the help of your merry and accomplished (excellent harmonies) backing band, managed to create a gig with entertainment, laughs, intimacy, intrigue, interest with the narrative from Moonshadow, philosophising, and variety with a good mix of old and new songs. The way you enjoyed yourself was infectious, and as you once said a long time ago, "I'm just like a mirror, and you see yourself in me". Well worth the pricetag and come again soon- and cool to have your son in support.
  30 Jun 2010 Alex Dawber Report Comment
27. Concert at Vector Arena Auckland June 29th - Well done Yusuf- you, with the help of your merry and accomplished (excellent harmonies) backing band, managed to create a gig with entertainment, laughs, intimacy, intrigue, interest with the narrative from Moonshadow, philosophising, and variety with a good mix of old and new songs. The way you enjoyed yourself was infectious, and as you once said a long time ago, "I'm just like a mirror, and you see yourself in me". Well worth the pricetag and come again soon- and cool to have your son in support. Name www.yusufislam.comLabels e.g. photography, podcastDescription Well done Yusuf- you, with the help of your merry and accomplished (excellent harmonies) backing band, managed to create a gig with entertainment, laughs, intimacy, intrigue, interest with the narrative from Moonshadow, philosophising, and variety with a good mix of old and new songs. The way you enjoyed yourself was infectious, and as you once said a long time ago, "I'm just like a mirror, and you see yourself in me". Well worth the pricetag and come again soon- and cool to have your son in support.
  30 Jun 2010 Alex Dawber Report Comment
28. An inspiration when I was at school 36 years ago and an inspiration last night. Welcome back Yusuf, we have missed your genius and thank you for the wonderful concert.
  30 Jun 2010 Graeme Wicht Report Comment
29. Fantastic to see the man in person! How did such a talent manage to NOT do this for so long? He seemed to be enjoying himself as much as us. Classics and new material melded into a fun,brilliant show experience. My poor seat neighbours had to put up with my "backing vocals" for much of the show. The band were fantastic as well. Thanks for a great night Yusuf, yeah, come back in the summer, hopefully it won't rain!
  29 Jun 2010 Phil Report Comment
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