The El Rey was swarming with music industry insiders for Cat Stevens' invitation-only showcase - his first Los Angeles performance in about 30 years. We were clearly the youngest people in the audience. I envisioned Stevens to be wearing 60's garb - a beaded headband, a frayed buckskin jacket, chest hair showing underneath a linen button up and a full beard. The only thing that came to fruition was the full beard. He walked on stage, humbly picked up his acoustic guitar and gave the adoring audience a thumbs up. "It's beautiful in here," Stevens later commented.
His voice sounded exactly the same. I suppose it is possible for musicians to keep their youthful voice/talents..that is, if they drop the drugs and alcohol and convert to Islam like Stevens, ahem, Yusuf. On the 3rd song of the night, Don't Be Shy, he already had commanded a standing ovation. The show was great and transported us to another time for the hour and a half. Our only disappointment of the night was the exclusion of Moonshadow from the set list.
Set List:
Welcome Home
Lilywhite
Don't Be Shy
Where the Children Play
Thinkin' About You
The Rain (newish)
World of Darkness
Be What You Must
The Wind
Wild World
Road Singer
All Kinds of Roses
Boots & Sand
Ruins
Father & Son (encore)
Peace Train (encore)
Band of Skulls @ 3 Clubs. June 4, 2009.
Band of Skulls @ 3 Clubs. June 4, 2009.
The Dead Weather @ the Roxy. June 17, 2009.
Jack White & Allison Mosshart. The Dead Weather @ the Roxy. June 17, 2009.
The White Rabbits @ the Troubadour. June 18, 2009.
Grizzly Bear @ the Troubadour. June 20, 2009.
Phoenix @ the Wiltern. June 29, 2009.
Andrew Bird @ the Greek Theatre. July 10, 2009.
