And the Hello there and welcome to the Soda Jacob podcast. We hope you're all well. This is Brian here with

Simon. Hello Simon. Hello old friend. And joining us today is no less than a

songwriting icon. He first came to prominence in the late 60s as a fresh-faced teen idol before emerging as one of the prime exponents of the early 70s singer-song greater boom. His direct uncluttered approach, warm vocals the

50th anniversary of his debut album and as we record this episode he's set to release a new set

The Laughing Apple. It's a typically intimate collection that combines new songs with

strip-down versions of old favorites all bound together by his unmistakable voice. We are genuinely

honored to welcome the great Youssef aka Cat Stevens to the show. We met with

usuf in London recently to talk songwriting and needless to say it was really quite exciting.

Yeah we've talked about this before but sometimes when you interview a well-known guest you really have to stop

yourself from just blating out, oh my god you're that guy, It really is you, isn't it? And that was just definitely one of those occasions, wasn't it?

It was real pinch yourself stuff for sure, but what a nice guy was, very polite and relaxed and a super thoughtful interviewee which is just how we like him

and he arrived with his son, Yurios too didn't he who quite closely resembled his young

1970s self. He did yeah. Yussif was born Stephen Dimitri George Ew in London in 1948.

He grew up in the vibrant bustling enverons of the city's west end, where his family ran a cafe.

Not only was this the heart of the city's theatre district, but it was also a mere

stone throw from Denmark Street, then London's equivalent to Tim Pan Alley, where songwriters would

go to sell their worse. And as you can imagine, these stimuli had a profound effect on his

impressionable young mind. He received his first guitar age 15 and inspired by the

likes of The Beatles, began writing his own songs. He performed around local coffee houses and clubs,

rechristened himself with the decidedly catchy name of Cat Stevens

and signed his first publishing deal in 1965. He put out two albums in 1967 alone, Matthew and son and new masters, and it was following the release of the latter that he was struck down by tuberculosis.

During his lengthy convalescence, he experienced something of a spiritual and professional awakening and elected to adopt a more

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