Keith James: The Music of Yusuf Cat Stevens

22nd February 2024

Price: £23.25

It is hardly surprising that, to mark its 50 th anniversary, Yusuf has entirely re-recorded and re-released his remarkable Album Tea for the Tillerman, with each of the unforgettable 11 songs re-conceptualized and re-imagined and gifted back to us among all the uncertainties of 2020 - 2023. During the early 1970s, amassed body of music from this hugely popular and sincerely loved singer/songwriter made for a collection of & must have records across a whole generation. Tea for the Tillerman and Teaser and the Firecat were on everyones turntables and on every radio station, live versions are played in concerts, bars and on the worlds beaches to this day. Songs such as Wild World, Father and Son, Moonshadow and Where do the Children play have been covered by hundreds of Artists worldwide.

Keith James is a long standing, well-respected and inventive concert performer who specialises in playing intimate, carefully researched biographic style concerts of those he has studied and revered as writers over the years. He weaves the story of Cat Stevens’ life from his early pop career, life threatening illness and spiritual journey around a performance of his beautifully crafted and memorable songs. Keith has performed well over 100 of these concerts since 2017, all of which have been incredibly well received, with many sold out.

This concert will give you far more than just the music itself... There is a huge amount of insight into the history and the spirit of Cat Stevens; his early pop career, his illness that changed him existentially and spiritually into an incredibly thoughtful and loving singer songwriter; such that his songs are remembered instantly for their uplifting sense of vision, truth and human fragility.

Much to talk about the background and embryo of each song; some of which will be performed as all of us remember and some, carefully and intuitively re-voiced; respectfully re-interpreted with rich, balanced guitar arrangements and a more personal vocal approach.

Yusuf campaigns on many educational and humanitarian issues, he was awarded the & Man of Peace award by the Nobel Peace Laureates. In 2015 and he received the Lifetime achievement award from BBC Radio 2 and the Ivor Novello Award for outstanding song collection. He has received two honorary doctorates and awards for promoting peace from two organisations founded by Mikhail Gorbachev.

‘Keith James’ Concert was truly memorable. My tears started as soon as he introduced the first song, and I came away thinking the human spirit will not be defeated. Currently on tour across the UK. Catch him if you can. He is such a lovely human being and so talented’ - The Hay Festival

‘Some of the most atmospheric and emotive music you will ever hear’ - The Independent

‘Thank you for a fantastic concert last night at the Kenton Theatre. You sang so well and the way you told the stories about the songs and sang them so clearly made us see them in a whole new light, it was beautiful’ - Henley Festival

‘Keith James has become a pillar of trust. A sublimely intimate and engaging voice’ - Sunday Times

For all information about Keith James: www.keith-james.com

Show Time: 7:30pm (doors open at 7pm)

Age Recommendation: N/A

Approx Running Time: 2 hours, 10 minutes (with interval)

*£1.25 transaction fee will be added per ticket

Wheelchair spaces cannot be booked online; please call the Box Office.