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| Cover = Cat_Stevens_Izitso.jpg
| Cover = Cat_Stevens_Izitso.jpg
| Released = April 1977<!---could not have been released on May 28, 1977 because it already appeared on the Billboard charts on May 21----><ref name="connollyco">{{cite web |url=http://www.connollyco.com/discography/cat_stevens/izitso.html |title=Izitso |author= |date= |work= |publisher=connollyco.com |accessdate=May 15, 2011}}</ref>
| Released = April 1977<!---could not have been released on May 28, 1977 because it already appeared on the Billboard charts on May 21----><ref name="connollyco">{{cite web |url=http://www.connollyco.com/discography/cat_stevens/izitso.html |title=Izitso |author= |date= |work= |publisher=connollyco.com |accessdate=May 15, 2011}}</ref>
| Recorded = September 18, 1976 - March 1977,<br>[[Muscle Shoals Sound Studio]], [[Sheffield, Alabama]];<br>[[Sound 80 Studios]], [[Minneapolis]];<br>[[Ardent Studios]], [[Memphis, Tennessee]];<br>[[Le Studio]], [[Morin Heights]], [[Quebec]], Canada<br>[[Sweet Silence Studios]], [[Copenhagen]], Denmark
| Recorded = September 18, 1976 - March 1977,<br>[[Muscle Shoals Sound Studio]], [[Sheffield, Alabama]];<br>[[Sound 80 Studios]], [[Minneapolis]];<br>[[Ardent Studios]], [[Memphis, Tennessee]];<br>[[Le Studio]], [[Morin Heights]], [[Quebec]], Canada<br>[[Sweet Silence Studios]], [[Copenhagen]], [[Denmark]]
| Genre = [[Pop rock]], [[Pop music|Pop]], [[Soft rock]], [[White soul]], [[Folk pop]], [[Electronic rock]], [[Synthpop]], [[Electro music|Electro]]
| Genre = [[Pop rock]], [[Pop music|Pop]], [[Soft rock]], [[White soul]], [[Folk pop]], [[Electronic rock]], [[Synthpop]], [[Electro music|Electro]]
| Length = 35:55
| Length = 35:55
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'''''Izitso''''' is an album released by the British singer/songwriter [[Cat Stevens]] in April 1977. After the lackluster ''[[Numbers (Cat Stevens album)|Numbers]]'', ''Izitzo'' proved to be his comeback. The album updated the rhythmic [[folk rock]] and [[pop rock]] style of his earlier albums with the extensive use of [[synthesizer]]s,<ref name="allmusic_izitso">{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/izitso-r19012|title=Izitso|publisher=[[Allmusic]]|accessdate=20 May 2012}}</ref> and other [[electronic music instruments]],<ref name="discogs_izitso2">{{cite web|title=Cat Stevens – Izitso|url=http://www.discogs.com/Cat-Stevens-Izitso/release/493125|work=A&M Records|publisher=[[Discogs]]|accessdate=20 May 2012}}</ref> giving the album a more [[electronic rock]] and [[synthpop]] style.<ref name="discogs_izitso">{{cite web|title=Cat Stevens – Izitso|url=http://www.discogs.com/Cat-Stevens-Izitso/release/1119030|work=Island Records|publisher=[[Discogs]]|accessdate=20 May 2012}}</ref>
'''''Izitso''''' is an album released by the British singer/songwriter [[Cat Stevens]] (now Yusuf Islam) in April 1977. After the lackluster ''[[Numbers (Cat Stevens album)|Numbers]]'', ''Izitzo'' proved to be his comeback. The album updated the rhythmic [[folk rock]] and [[pop rock]] style of his earlier albums with the extensive use of [[synthesizer]]s,<ref name="allmusic_izitso">{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/izitso-r19012|title=Izitso|publisher=[[Allmusic]]|accessdate=20 May 2012}}</ref> and other [[electronic music instruments]],<ref name="discogs_izitso2">{{cite web|title=Cat Stevens – Izitso|url=http://www.discogs.com/Cat-Stevens-Izitso/release/493125|work=A&M Records|publisher=[[Discogs]]|accessdate=20 May 2012}}</ref> giving the album a more [[electronic rock]] and [[synthpop]] style.<ref name="discogs_izitso">{{cite web|title=Cat Stevens – Izitso|url=http://www.discogs.com/Cat-Stevens-Izitso/release/1119030|work=Island Records|publisher=[[Discogs]]|accessdate=20 May 2012}}</ref> The track "Was Dog a Doughnut" also anticipated the sound of [[electro (music)|electro]] music.<ref name="wire_1996"/>


==Overview==
==Overview==
Upon release, ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' praised the album for blending together elements of folk rock and [[electronic music]], "often in apparent opposition to each other", with "the diversity and the maturity to match this seeming incongruity."<ref name="rolling izitso">{{cite web|last=Walters|first=Charley|title=Cat Stevens: Izitso|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/izitso-19770728|work=[[Rolling Stone]]|accessdate=21 May 2012|date=July 28, 1977}}</ref> ''Izitso'' was successful, reaching #7 on the American [[Billboard 200|Pop Albums]] charts.<ref name="allmusic_izitso"/>
Upon release, ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' praised the album for blending together elements of folk rock and [[electronic music]], "often in apparent opposition to each other", with "the diversity and the maturity to match this seeming incongruity."<ref name="rolling izitso">{{cite web|last=Walters|first=Charley|title=Cat Stevens: Izitso|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/izitso-19770728|work=[[Rolling Stone]]|accessdate=21 May 2012|date=July 28, 1977}}</ref> ''Izitso'' was successful, reaching #7 on the American [[Billboard 200|Pop Albums]] charts.<ref name="allmusic_izitso"/>


''Izitso'' included his last top 40 chart hit, {{nowrap|"(Remember}} the Days of the) Old Schoolyard", an early synthpop song<ref name="discogs_izitso"/> that utilized a [[polyphonic synthesizer]]; it was a duet with fellow UK singer [[Elkie Brooks]].<ref name="discogs_izitso2"/> [[Linda Lewis]] appears in the song's video, with Cat Stevens singing to her, as they portray former schoolmates, singing to each other on a schoolyard merry-go-round. This is one of the few [[music video]]s that Stevens made, other than simple videos of concert performances. The song "Child for a Day" was featured in the 1977 film ''[[First Love (1977 film)|First Love]]'', starring [[Susan Dey]] and [[William Katt]].
''Izitso'' included his last top 40 chart hit (until three decades later), {{nowrap|"(Remember}} the Days of the) Old Schoolyard", an early [[synthpop]] song<ref name="discogs_izitso"/> that utilized a [[polyphonic synthesizer]]; it was a duet with fellow UK singer [[Elkie Brooks]].<ref name="discogs_izitso2"/> [[Linda Lewis]] appears in the song's video, with Cat Stevens singing to her, as they portray former schoolmates, singing to each other on a schoolyard merry-go-round. This is one of the few [[music video]]s that Stevens made, other than simple videos of concert performances. The song "Child for a Day" was featured in the 1977 film ''[[First Love (1977 film)|First Love]]'', starring [[Susan Dey]] and [[William Katt]].


The track "Was Dog a Doughnut", which upon release was criticized for sounding "a bit too robotlike,"<ref name="rolling izitso"/> has since been considered one of the first [[Electro music|electro]], or [[techno|techno-pop]], songs ever recorded,<ref name="wire_1996">{{citation|title=A-Z Of Electro|work=[[The Wire (magazine)|The Wire]]|issue=145|month=March|year=1996|author=David Toop|url=http://www.thewire.co.uk/articles/210/|accessdate=2011-05-29}}</ref> as well as an early example of [[hip hop music]]. The track made early use of a [[music sequencer]] along with synthesizers.<ref name="discogs_izitso"/>
The track "Was Dog a Doughnut", which upon release was criticized for sounding "a bit too robotlike,"<ref name="rolling izitso"/> has since been considered one of the first [[Electro music|electro]], or [[techno|techno-pop]], songs ever recorded,<ref name="wire_1996">{{citation|title=A-Z Of Electro|work=[[The Wire (magazine)|The Wire]]|issue=145|month=March|year=1996|author=David Toop|url=http://www.thewire.co.uk/articles/210/|accessdate=2011-05-29}}</ref> with elements later associated with [[hip hop music]]. The track made early use of a [[music sequencer]] along with synthesizers.<ref name="discogs_izitso"/>

Cat Stevens, who had a strong interest in [[Islam]] prior to recording the album, formally [[Religious conversion|converted to Islam]] later in 1977 and adopted the name Yusuf Islam the following year, when ''[[Back to Earth (Cat Stevens album)|Back to Earth]]'' would be the last album he records,<ref name="Salon.com">{{cite news|author=Reiter, Amy|url=http://www.salon.com/people/rewind/1999/08/14/cat/index1.html|publisher=Salon|title=People: Cat Stevens|page=2|date=14 August 1999|accessdate=11 February 2009}}</ref> until nearly 30 years later. The song "(I Never Wanted) To Be a Star" in ''Izitso'' references this transition phase of his life.

Some of the album's unreleased tracks featured [[Ringo Starr]] on the drums, during a recording session on September 30, 1976. According to [[The Beatles]] biographer Kristofer Engelhardt in 1998, "Yusuf said that he met Ringo at a hotel in Copenhagen, Denmark, and invited him down to a recording session for his album Izitso at Sweet Silence Studios in Copenhagen. He recalled that the party atmosphere of the sessions led to a jam of him singing Blue Monday and I Just Want to Make Love to You, with Ringo joining in on drums."<ref>{{cite web|title=CAT STEVENS & RINGO STARR JAM SESSION|url=http://www.majicat.com/recordings/copenhagenjam.htm|publisher=Majicat|accessdate=14 July 2012}}</ref>


==Track listing==
==Track listing==
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{{Listen
{{Listen
|pos=right
|pos=right
|filename=Cat Stevens - Was Dog A Doughnut.ogg
|filename=Cat Stevens - (Remember the Days of the) Old Schoolyard.ogg
|title="Was Dog a Doughnut?"
|title="(Remember the Days of the) Old Schoolyard"
|description=A sample of "Was Dog a Doughnut?" from ''Izitso''. It was one of the first examples of [[electro (music)|electro]], or [[synthpop|techno-pop]].
|description=A sample of "(Remember the Days of the) Old Schoolyard" from ''Izitso''. It was an early example of [[synthpop]] and Cat Stevens' last top 40 hit single of the 1970s.
|filename2=Cat Stevens - Was Dog A Doughnut.ogg
|format=[[Ogg]]
|title2="Was Dog a Doughnut?"
|description2=A sample of "Was Dog a Doughnut?" from ''Izitso''. It was one of the first examples of [[electro (music)|electro]], or [[techno|techno-pop]].
}}
}}


Revision as of 04:00, 14 July 2012

Untitled
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[2]
Rolling StonePositive[3]

Izitso is an album released by the British singer/songwriter Cat Stevens (now Yusuf Islam) in April 1977. After the lackluster Numbers, Izitzo proved to be his comeback. The album updated the rhythmic folk rock and pop rock style of his earlier albums with the extensive use of synthesizers,[4] and other electronic music instruments,[5] giving the album a more electronic rock and synthpop style.[6] The track "Was Dog a Doughnut" also anticipated the sound of electro music.[7]

Overview

Upon release, Rolling Stone praised the album for blending together elements of folk rock and electronic music, "often in apparent opposition to each other", with "the diversity and the maturity to match this seeming incongruity."[3] Izitso was successful, reaching #7 on the American Pop Albums charts.[4]

Izitso included his last top 40 chart hit (until three decades later), "(Remember the Days of the) Old Schoolyard", an early synthpop song[6] that utilized a polyphonic synthesizer; it was a duet with fellow UK singer Elkie Brooks.[5] Linda Lewis appears in the song's video, with Cat Stevens singing to her, as they portray former schoolmates, singing to each other on a schoolyard merry-go-round. This is one of the few music videos that Stevens made, other than simple videos of concert performances. The song "Child for a Day" was featured in the 1977 film First Love, starring Susan Dey and William Katt.

The track "Was Dog a Doughnut", which upon release was criticized for sounding "a bit too robotlike,"[3] has since been considered one of the first electro, or techno-pop, songs ever recorded,[7] with elements later associated with hip hop music. The track made early use of a music sequencer along with synthesizers.[6]

Cat Stevens, who had a strong interest in Islam prior to recording the album, formally converted to Islam later in 1977 and adopted the name Yusuf Islam the following year, when Back to Earth would be the last album he records,[8] until nearly 30 years later. The song "(I Never Wanted) To Be a Star" in Izitso references this transition phase of his life.

Some of the album's unreleased tracks featured Ringo Starr on the drums, during a recording session on September 30, 1976. According to The Beatles biographer Kristofer Engelhardt in 1998, "Yusuf said that he met Ringo at a hotel in Copenhagen, Denmark, and invited him down to a recording session for his album Izitso at Sweet Silence Studios in Copenhagen. He recalled that the party atmosphere of the sessions led to a jam of him singing Blue Monday and I Just Want to Make Love to You, with Ringo joining in on drums."[9]

Track listing

All tracks composed by Cat Stevens; except where indicated

Side one

  1. "(Remember the Days of the) Old Schoolyard" - 2:44 duet with Elkie Brooks.
  2. "Life" - 4:56
  3. "Killin' Time" - 3:30
  4. "Kypros" - 3:10
  5. "Bonfire" - 4:10

Side two

  1. "(I Never Wanted) To Be a Star" - 3:03
  2. "Crazy" - 3:33
  3. "Sweet Jamaica" - 3:31
  4. "Was Dog a Doughnut?" (Stevens, Bruce Lynch, Jean Roussel) - 4:15
  5. "Child for a Day" (Paul Travis, David Gordon) - 4:23

Personnel

"(Remember the Days of the) Old Schoolyard"
A sample of "(Remember the Days of the) Old Schoolyard" from Izitso. It was an early example of synthpop and Cat Stevens' last top 40 hit single of the 1970s.
"Was Dog a Doughnut?"
A sample of "Was Dog a Doughnut?" from Izitso. It was one of the first examples of electro, or techno-pop.
Problems playing these files? See media help.

Production

Charts

Album

Year Chart Position
1977 Pop Albums 7

Singles

Year Single Chart Position
1977 (Remember the Days of the) Old Schoolyard Pop Singles 33
1977 (I Never Wanted) To Be a Star Pop Singles 44
1977 Was Dog A Doughnut Pop Singles 53
1977 Sweet Jamaica Pop Singles 70

References

  1. ^ "Izitso". connollyco.com. Retrieved May 15, 2011.
  2. ^ Allmusic review
  3. ^ a b c Walters, Charley (July 28, 1977). "Cat Stevens: Izitso". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
  4. ^ a b "Izitso". Allmusic. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
  5. ^ a b c "Cat Stevens – Izitso". A&M Records. Discogs. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
  6. ^ a b c "Cat Stevens – Izitso". Island Records. Discogs. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
  7. ^ a b David Toop (1996), "A-Z Of Electro", The Wire, no. 145, retrieved 2011-05-29 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  8. ^ Reiter, Amy (14 August 1999). "People: Cat Stevens". Salon. p. 2. Retrieved 11 February 2009.
  9. ^ "CAT STEVENS & RINGO STARR JAM SESSION". Majicat. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
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