Back To Earth – CAT STEVENS***

Just Another Night/Daytime/Bad Brakes/Randy/The Artist/Last Love Song/Nascimento/Father/New York Times/Never

Back To Earth was the last release from Cat Stevens as he retired from the music business after his religious conversion. He was responsible for some of the finest songwriting during the previous decade. (US:33)

“Cat Stevens' last album was first released a year after he converted to Islam. He had seemingly been growing tired of the music business for a while and some of that was beginning to show up in his work. I find this album to be about half great and half filler. The album starts off strong with Just Another Night and Daytime, and overall it isn't as bad as some say, but it isn't a peak either.”

“The appropriately-titled Back To Earth was his parting gift: an album that saw the singer saying farewell to his fans, while obliquely explaining his decision to quit in songs such as Last Love Song and Just Another Night.”

“Back To Earth was recorded after he converted to Islam. He knew it was going to be his final album, so he brought back producer Paul Samwell-Smith, the man with whom he recorded his most popular and acclaimed work in the early 70s. It doesn't really recapture his classic folk sound, as much as it pares down the MOR production of the stuff he'd been making since Foreigner or thereabouts.”

“This one goes right down to it, no gimmicks or tricks, it's just in tone with all there is, no grand leaps no overflowing melody structures or waving emotions, it's a very fine accomplishment, working with detail and relaxed atmosphere. Very comforting, and well worth the time, a simplification of the basic stuff, and a carefree stroll into the relaxed funk and easy strumming melodies.”

“Unfairly tossed aside by many for not going places, and obviously Cat's most settled, relaxed and trouble free release, which is very laidback indeed. A perfect album to get settled in mind with, it's got a warmth not found on any other albums I've heard.”

“The instrumental track Nascimento is just a smooth, disco sounding, adult contemporary classic. It personifies what the 70s Los Angeles contemporary format sounded like. This was music for mature people.”