On the heels of his acclaimed Tea For The Tillerman ² album, Yusuf/Cat Stevens will once again look back on his landmark 1970 albums with two new box sets arriving from A&M/UMe on December 4.

Hitting shelves that day will be 50th anniversary editions of Mona Bone Jakon and Tea For The Tillerman.  Released within 7 months in 1970, these albums saw Stevens redefining his sound.  Following a battle with tuberculosis and a lengthy stay at in the hospital, Stevens had begun looking inward, exploring literature and meditation, and reflecting on who he was as an artist.  Beginning on these two albums, he stripped away many of the production excesses of his late-’60s Deram albums in favor of a more soulful, introspective sound that would dovetail with the burgeoning singer-songwriter movement.  This metamorphosis began with Mona Bone Jakon, produced by ex-Yardbird Paul Samwell-Smith and featuring longtime collaborator Alun Davies on guitar along with John Ryan on bass and Harvey Burns on drums.

The 4-CD/Blu-ray/LP 50th anniversary box set edition of Mona Bone Jakon features a new remaster of the original mix (overseen by Paul Samwell-Smith) on CD 1, a 2020 remix by David Hefti on CD 2 and on LP, unreleased demos on CD 3 (including the new single “I Want Some Sun”), and 18 live performances on CD 4.  Among the live performances are legendary television appearances on French TV, Beat Club in Germany, and two different BBC sessions.  Another highlight is a 6-song set from the Plumpton Jazz and Blues Festival in August 1970 which sees Stevens tackling songs from Mona Bone Jakon, the as-yet-released Tea For The Tillerman, and even “Changes IV,” which would appear on Teaser and the Firecat in 1971.  The Plumpton set is also featured on an etched LP in the set.  Rounding out the Mona Bone Jakon box is a Blu-ray disc featuring high-resolution audio of the 2020 mix, plus the original promotional video for “Lady D’Arbanville,” television appearances on Pop Deux and other French TV programs, as well as “Maybe You’re Right” from BBC’s In Concert series and “Lady D’Arbanville” on Beat Club.

The set also includes a 98-page book with detailed liner notes and plenty of archival photos.  Finally, it wouldn’t be a deluxe box set without some memorabilia.  Inside the Mona Bone Jakon box you’ll find a replica Island Records press kit, two Cat Stevens press photos, a replica flier for the 1970 Plumpton Jazz and Blues Festival, a tour sticker, greeting card, and a pop art-inspired dustbin print.

Slimmer editions of Mona Bone Jakon will also be available.  The 1-CD standard edition will feature the 2020 remaster of the original album mix housed in a bookset.  A similarly presented 2-CD deluxe edition pairs this remaster with a disc of studio demos and live highlights.

Seven months after Mona Bone Jakon, Stevens released Tea For The Tillerman.  The multiplatinum album cemented the artist’s reputation and included some of his best-known hits, including “Wild World,” “Father and Son,” and timeless classics like “Where Do the Children Play” and “On the Road To Find Out.”  The deluxe 50th anniversary box packs in 5 CDs, a Blu-ray, an LP, and an etched 12″.  CD 1 includes the 2020 remaster of the original album mix, while CD 2 houses the 2020 remix by David Hefti (also on LP exclusive to the box set).  The recent album Tea For The Tillerman ² is reprised on CD 3, while CD 4 contains demos, alternate versions, and unreleased tracks.  Among them are “Can This Be Love?” “It’s So Good,” “Love Lives in the Sky,” “The Joke,” and “Honey Man,” a duet with Elton John.  Also featured are “If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out” and “Don’t Be Shy” from the still-absent-from-CD soundtrack to Harold and Maude.  CD 5 is filled with 25 live recordings from The Troubadour in L.A. (also on an etched 12″),  KCET also in L.A., the BBC In Concert performance, Beat Club, various French TV appearances, and four songs recorded at New York’s Fillmore East.  The Blu-ray includes the promo video for “Father and Son,” TV appearances on KCET, a trio of songs from the BBC, and performances on Beat Club and French television.  If that weren’t enough, there’s also high-res audio of the 2020 remix of Tea For The Tillerman.

There’s also a 98-page book with new sleeve notes and unearthed archival photos.  You’ll also find a “Pick Up A Good Book” bookmark, a Yusuf/Cat Stevens-designed “Miles From Nowhere” print, a reproduction handwritten lyric sheet for “Miles From Nowhere,” a fold-out “Live From The Troubadour 1970” poster, and a Tea for the Tillerman sticker.

Slimmer editions include a 1-CD standard edition bookset with the 2020 remaster of the original album mix and a 2-CD deluxe edition with the remaster and a selection of demos and live recordings.

In all it’s a fitting celebration for these landmark albums that not only brought Cat Stevens/Yusuf newfound attention worldwide, but also cemented a sound that would take hold in the ’70s and continue to influence musicians to this day.  The 50th anniversary editions of Mona Bone Jakon and Tea For The Tillerman are available for pre-order now, due to ship close to the December 4 release date.  You can peruse the track listings and place your orders below!  And check out the new singles, “I Want Some Sun” and “Can This Be Love,” to whet your appetite.  (You can watch or listen below, or just click on the title links!)

I Want Some Sun (Studio Demo)

Can This Be Love?

Unboxing Video

Cat Stevens/Yusuf, Mona Bone Jakon: 50th Anniversary Edition (originally Island LP ILPS-9118, 1970 – reissued A&M/UMe, 2020)

4-CD/Blu-ray/LP/12″ Box: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
2-CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop

Box Set Track Listing:

CD 1: Original Album (2020 Remaster)

1. Lady D’Arbanville
2. Maybe You’re Right
3. Pop Star
4. I Think I See The Light
5. Trouble
6. Mona Bone Jakon
7. I Wish, I Wish
8. Katmandu
9. Time
10. Fill My Eyes
11. Lilywhite

CD 2 / LP: Original Album (2020 Mix)

1. Lady D’Arbanville
2. Maybe You’re Right
3. Pop Star
4. I Think I See The Light
5. Trouble
6. Mona Bone Jakon
7. I Wish, I Wish
8. Katmandu
9. Time
10. Fill My Eyes
11. Lilywhite

CD 3: Demos

1. Maybe You’re Right (Studio Demo) *
2. I Think I See The Light (Studio Demo) *
3. Trouble (Studio Demo) *
4. Mona Bone Jakon (Home Demo) *
5. I Wish, I Wish (Studio Demo) *
6. Katmandu (Studio Demo) *
7. Time (Studio Demo) 
8. Fill My Eyes (Studio Demo) 
9. I Want Some Sun (Studio Demo) *

Tracks 7-8 released on the box set Cat Stevens, A&M Records 314 585 285-2, 2001.

CD 4: Live

1. Interview (Live At The BBC (16/06/70) *
2. Lady D’Arbanville (Live At The BBC (16/06/70) *
3. Maybe You’re Right (Cat Stevens In Concert, 27/11/1971)
4. Trouble (Live At The BBC (16/06/70) *
5. Katmandu (Live At The BBC (16/06/70) *
6. Changes IV (Live at Plumpton Jazz & Blues Festival, 08/08/70) *
7. Time / Fill My Eyes (Live at Plumpton Jazz & Blues Festival, 08/08/70) *
8. Where Do The Children Play? (Live at Plumpton Jazz & Blues Festival, 08/08/70) *
9. Lady D’Arbanville (Live at Plumpton Jazz & Blues Festival, 08/08/70) *
10. Maybe You’re Right (Live at Plumpton Jazz & Blues Festival, 08/08/70) *
11. Father and Son (Live at Plumpton Jazz & Blues Festival, 08/08/70) *
12. Lady D’Arbanville (BEATCLUB (GERMANY) 25.08.70) *
13. Lady D’Arbanville (TV CONCERT (FRANCE) 01.11.1970) *
14. Maybe You’re Right (TV CONCERT (FRANCE) 01.11.1970) *
15. Katmandu (TV CONCERT (FRANCE) 01.11.1970) *
16. Interview (TV CONCERT (FRANCE) 01.11.1970) *
17. Lady D’Arbanville (DEUX SUR LA 2 (FRANCE), 12.10.70) *
18. Maybe You’re Right (POP DEUX (FRANCE) 27.02.1971) *

Track 3 released on Majikat: Earth Tour 1976, Eagle Vision DVD 5046740249, 2004.

Blu-ray: Music Video & Live Videos + High Res Audio of Original Album (2020 Mix)

1. Lady D’Arbanville (Official Video) *
2. Lady D’Arbanville (BEATCLUB (GERMANY) 25.08.70) *
3. Lady D’Arbanville (TV CONCERT (FRANCE) 01.11.1970) *
4. Maybe You’re Right (TV CONCERT (FRANCE) 01.11.1970) *
5. Katmandu (TV CONCERT (FRANCE) 01.11.1970) *
6. Interview (TV CONCERT (FRANCE) 01.11.1970) *
7. Lady D’Arbanville (DEUX SUR LA 2 (FRANCE), 12.10.70) *
8. Maybe You’re Right (POP DEUX (FRANCE) 27.02.1971) *
9. Maybe You’re Right (Cat Stevens In Concert, 27/11/1971)

Track 9 released on Majikat: Earth Tour 1976, Eagle Vision DVD 5046740249, 2004.

12″ Etched Vinyl: Live At Plumpton Jazz & Blues Festival (08/08/70)

1. Changes IV *
2. Time / Fill My Eyes *
3. Where Do The Children Play? *
4. Lady D’Arbanville *
5. Maybe You’re Right *
6. Father and Son *

2-CD Deluxe Edition Track Listing:

CD 1: Original Album Remastered

1. Lady D’Arbanville
2. Maybe You’re Right
3. Pop Star
4. I Think I See The Light
5. Trouble
6. Mona Bone Jakon
7. I Wish, I Wish
8. Katmandu
9. Time
10. Fill My Eyes
11. Lilywhite 

CD 2: Demos / Live

1. Maybe You’re Right (Studio Demo) *
2. I Think I See The Light (Studio Demo) *
3. Trouble (Studio Demo) *
4. I Wish I Wish (Studio Demo) *
5. I Want Some Sun (Studio Demo) *
6. Interview (Live At The BBC (16/06/70) *
7. Lady D’Arbanville (Live At The BBC (16/06/70) *
8. Katmandu (Live At The BBC (16/06/70) *
9. Time / Fill My Eyes (Live at Plumpton Jazz & Blues Festival, 08/08/70) *
10. Maybe You’re Right (Live at Plumpton Jazz & Blues Festival, 08/08/70) *

1-CD / LP Track Listing:

Original Album Remastered

1. Lady D’Arbanville
2. Maybe You’re Right
3. Pop Star
4. I Think I See The Light
5. Trouble
6. Mona Bone Jakon
7. I Wish, I Wish
8. Katmandu
9. Time
10. Fill My Eyes
11. Lilywhite 

Cat Stevens/Yusuf, Tea For The Tillerman: 50th Anniversary Edition (originally Island LP ILPS 9135, 1970 – reissued A&M/UMe, 2020)

5-CD/Blu-ray/LP/12″ Box: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
2-CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop

* denotes previously unreleased track

Box Set Track Listing:

CD 1: Original Album (2020 Remaster)

1. Where Do The Children Play?
2. Hard Headed Woman
3. Wild World
4. Sad Lisa
5. Miles From Nowhere
6. But I Might Die Tonight
7. Longer Boats
8. Into White
9. On The Road To Find Out
10. Father and Son
11. Tea for the Tillerman                                                                                           

CD 2 / LP: Original Album (2020 Mix)

1. Where Do The Children Play?
2. Hard Headed Woman
3. Wild World
4. Sad Lisa
5. Miles From Nowhere
6. But I Might Die Tonight
7. Longer Boats
8. Into White
9. On The Road To Find Out
10. Father and Son
11. Tea for the Tillerman

CD 3: Tea for the Tillerman²

1. Where Do The Children Play?
2. Hard Headed Woman
3. Wild World
4. Sad Lisa
5. Miles From Nowhere
6. But I Might Die Tonight
7. Longer Boats
8. Into White
9. On The Road To Find Out
10. Father and Son
11. Tea for the Tillerman

CD 4: Demos / Outtakes / Alternate Versions

1. Wild World (Demo)
2. Miles From Nowhere (Studio Demo)     
3. But I Might Die Tonight (Deep End Movie Version)
4. Can This Be Love? *
5. Honey Man (duet with Elton John)
6. It’s So Good *
7. If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out (Demo)
8. Don’t Be Shy (Demo)
9. I’ve Got A Thing About Seeing My Grandson Grow Old
10. Love Lives In The Sky
11. The Joke
12. If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out
13. Don’t Be Shy

Tracks 1 and 2 released on Tea For The Tillerman: Deluxe Edition, UMe 00602517870888, 2008.
Track 3 released on But I Might Die Tonight Record Store Day single, Island/UMC/Cat-O-Log 7″ 0602508644597, 2020.
Tracks 4 and 6 previously unreleased.
Tracks 5, 9, 10 and 11 released on the box set Cat Stevens, A&M Records 314 585 285-2, 2001.
Tracks 7, 8, 12 and 13 released on Harold and Maude LP box set, Vinyl Films VFR-2007-3, 2007.

CD 5: Live

1. Where Do The Children Play? (Live at the Troubadour) *
2. Hard Headed Woman (Live at the Troubadour) *
3. Wild World (Live at the Troubadour) *
4. Longer Boats (Live at the Troubadour) 
5. Into White (Live at the Troubadour) 
6. On The Road To Find Out (Live at the Troubadour) *
7. Father and Son (Live at the Troubadour) *
8. Where Do The Children Play? (Live At KCET Studios, Los Angeles, USA (08/06/71)
9. Wild World (Live At KCET Studios, Los Angeles, USA (08/06/71)
10. Hard Headed Woman (Live At KCET Studios, Los Angeles, USA (08/06/71)
11. Miles From Nowhere (Live At KCET Studios, Los Angeles, USA (08/06/71)
12. Longer Boats (Live At KCET Studios, Los Angeles, USA (08/06/71)
13. On The Road To Find Out (Live At KCET Studios, Los Angeles, USA (08/06/71)
14. Father and Son (Live At KCET Studios, Los Angeles, USA (08/06/71)
15. Wild World (Cat Stevens In Concert, 27/11/1971)
16. Into White (Cat Stevens In Concert, 27/11/1971) *
17. Tea for the Tillerman (Cat Stevens In Concert, 27/11/1971)
18. Wild World (Beat Club, 25.08.70)
19. Hard Headed Woman (Beat Club, 25.08.70) *
20. Wild World (Gala du Midem, France 24.01.71) *
21. Wild World (Deux Sur La 2, France, 12.10.70) *
22. Moonshadow (Live At Fillmore East (1970) *
23. Father and Son (Live At Fillmore East (1970) *
24. Changes IV (Live At Fillmore East (1970) *
25. Peace Train (Live At Fillmore East (1970) *

Tracks 4, 5, 13 and 17 released on Tea For The Tillerman: Deluxe Edition, UMe 602517870888, 2008.
Tracks 8-14 previously released on A Classic Concert: Tea For The Tillerman Live, MDV Visual DVD MVDV-4778, 2008.
Track 15 previously released on The Very Best of Cat Stevens CD/DVD set, Universal 9811208, 2003.

Blu-ray: Music Video & Live Videos + High Res Audio of Original Album (2020 Mix)

1. Father and Son – Official Video *
2. Where Do The Children Play? (Live At KCET Studios, Los Angeles, USA (08/06/71)
3. Wild World (Live At KCET Studios, Los Angeles, USA (08/06/71)
4. Hard Headed Woman (Live At KCET Studios, Los Angeles, USA (08/06/71)
5. Miles From Nowhere (Live At KCET Studios, Los Angeles, USA (08/06/71)
6. Longer Boats (Live At KCET Studios, Los Angeles, USA (08/06/71)
7. On The Road To Find Out (Live At KCET Studios, Los Angeles, USA (08/06/71)
8. Father and Son (Live At KCET Studios, Los Angeles, USA (08/06/71)
9. Wild World (Cat Stevens In Concert, 27/11/1971)
10. Into White (Cat Stevens In Concert, 27/11/1971) *
11. Father and Son (Cat Stevens In Concert, 27/11/1971)
12. Wild World (Beat Club, 25.08.70) *
13. Hard Headed Woman (Beat Club, 25.08.70) *
14. Wild World (Gala du Midem, France 24.01.71) *
15. Wild World (Deux Sur La 2, France, 12.10.70) *
16. Wild World (TV Concert, France, 01.11.1970) *

Tracks 2-8 previously released on A Classic Concert: Tea For The Tillerman Live, MDV Visual DVD MVDV-4778, 2008.
Tracks 9 and 11 released on The Very Best of Cat Stevens CD/DVD set, Universal 9811208, 2003.

12″ Etched Vinyl: Live At The Troubadour, 1970

1. Where Do The Children Play? *
2. Hard Headed Woman *
3. Wild World *
4. Longer Boats
5. Into White
6. On The Road To Find Out *
7. Father and Son *

Tracks 4 and 5 released on Tea For The Tillerman: Deluxe Edition, UMe 602517870888, 2008.