The ‘Teaser and the Firecat’ 50th anniversary editions are out now!

The super deluxe packages are packed full of rare and previously unreleased audio, video and photos as well as an in-depth essay book that explores the story behind the classic album. Also included is a new and exclusive reprint of the cult-classic 1970s ‘Teaser and the Firecat’ children’s book, lovingly written and illustrated by Yusuf. It’s the cat’s whiskers!

Cat Stevens achieved phenomenal success with his early work, but it was his third LP with Island Records ‘Teaser and the Firecat’, that carved out his place in the singer-songwriter decade. The album spawned some of his most unforgettable hits including “Moonshadow”, “Peace Train”, “Morning Has Broken”; songs by a youthful spiritual seeker, wise beyond his years that would lay the pretext for a poignant new wave of soulful troubadours and poets. Later ‘The Wind’ would see ‘Teaser and the Firecat’ celebrated anew, rising to prominence following the song’s use in the Oscar-winning Cameron Crowe film, ‘Almost Famous’.

‘Teaser and the Firecat’ walked tall in what was a year of classic albums. The 12 months of 1971 was a transitional year in pop culture that saw the releases of long-players whose sounds would echo down the decades: John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’, David Bowie’s ‘Hunky Dory’, Joni Mitchell’s ‘Blue’, Marvin Gaye’s ‘What’s Going On’, The Rolling Stones’ ‘Sticky Fingers’ and Led Zeppelin ‘IV’. With the ‘60s now in the rear-view mirror – The Beatles gone, Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin dead (and with Jim Morrison tragically joining their number in July ’71) – there was a distinct mood of change in the air. Along with burgeoning heavy rock and the socially-conscious R&B of Funkadelic and Sly And The Family Stone, it was the era of the poetical singer-songwriter. As well as being part of this latter movement, Cat Stevens was himself inspired by it.

Half a century later, ‘Teaser and the Firecat’ has been given the ultimate treatment in a brand new Super Deluxe Edition set; the most in-depth and definite version of the album possible. Presented in Yusuf’s re-imagining of the original artwork, the set is further enhanced with a stunning 44-page replica of the original ‘Teaser and the Firecat’ illustration book, written and illustrated by Cat Stevens and originally released in 1972.

The 50th anniversary remaster of the album was mixed by David Hefti on CD and LP, the Super Deluxe Edition also includes a CD of previously unreleased studio material and bonus tracks, an alternate version of the album on LP, as well as a third and fourth CD featuring 23 live performances from 1971. The 50th Anniversary remaster was completed at Abbey Road Studios, and was overseen by original album producer, Paul Samwell-Smith.

The set includes a remastered 7” single of “Moonshadow”, backed with a previously unreleased Spike Milligan narration of the track from the 1977 music video. The 50th anniversary edition also includes an exclusive vinyl LP, tracklisted with 5 live performances at Montreux in 1971, six BBC Recordings, and with a Blu-Ray disc featuring the 1997 animated video for Moonshadow, plus 21 live TV performances.

Reinforcing the philosophical singer/songwriter image that made ‘Tea for the Tillerman’ so successful, it was its successor ‘Teaser and the Firecat’ that truly propelled Cat Stevens into superstardom. His work during this period would go on to transcend its own era and stay relevant for generations to come. Through his spell-binding gift for songwriting and his introspective vision, Cat delivered a universal sense of hope and peace in ‘Teaser and the Firecat’ that still resonates profoundly to this day.

• Teaser and the Firecat 50th anniversary editions are out now: https://CatStevens.lnk.to/teaser50