Round 4 Pick 2 Tuesday August 17, 2021 Foreigner Suite from “Foreigner,” (1973) by Cat
Stevens
I knew I wanted to include at least one Cat Stevens song as I’ve listened to and enjoyed his
music for such a long time. I feel guilty for not choosing others, but I’m happy to have chosen
“Foreigner Suite.”
Foreigner is Cat Stevens’ seventh studio album and the first one solely written and produced
by him. After 4 mega-hit albums, he departed from the formula and turned to what he called,
“black music” where he considered himself a foreigner. The title also refers to Brazil where he
was living at the time. The album was recorded in Jamaica.
“Foreigner Suite” is the first cut on the album, running at a lengthy 18:21, taking up the first
side of the disc. Amazingly, Cat does vocals, piano, keyboards, acoustic guitar, synthesizer,
guitar synthesizer, clavinet, RMI electric piano, string/brass/wood arrangements on the song.
Other musicians are Gary Conway on drums and percussion; female backup vocalists: Patti
Austin, Barbara Massey, Tasha Thompson; Jean Roussel (keyboards and string/bass/wood
arrangements;) Phil Upchurch (electric guitar,) Paul Martinez (bass guitar,) and Tower of
Power (horns.)
This song is one of the most heartfelt musical proclamations of love that has ever been
written. I can only imagine how the target of this song must have felt hearing it and knowing it
was about them. Not only the words but the music reflects how one might at first have a
casual interest or lust for a person, but then it turns into an obsessive burning desire to join
with them. I don’t know if I will ever feel that for anyone again, but as I listen to it I’m
reminded of the thrill and joy of being in that place for and with another person.
Hopefully you can understand the words as you listen. I went through and made notes about
the music itself. First a heartbeat and an intro plea of proclamation with piano and voice,shifting to organ music that opens into happy go-luckiness. It feels like a dancing form
cavorting about with the lilting notes that keep changing, like a child at a carnival. It’s difficult
to know what the timing is on it which is so liberating!
Next come the horns and it slows down for a few bars then speeds back up. Add a few drum
and guitar fluourishes, which builds to all of the instruments converging. The beat becomes
more regular and then morphs into a jazzy snazziness that I love. It reaches a lovely perfectly
meshed crescendo. The anti-climax goes into what sounds a lot like a revival hymnal. Enter
angelic backup vocalists. Brief interlude of fervent plea then back to the chorus.
Finally begins a slow delicious organ-drum duet where the organ almost sounds like it has a
wah-wah effect. It’s a call to spirit, answered in call and response. The lens shifts from macro
to micro into an alluring promise of delight. Cat gets for real for real with intimate piano and
poetry. Enter the repeat and progression of intro plea.
It’s been fun writing about “Foreigner Suite.” I hope you enjoyed reading about it. The whole
album is par excellence and one I’ve had in my music collection since I was a teenager. I lost
the album in 1994 and regained it a few years ago.
Youtube link: https://youtu.be/DKP3gA9l-U4
slicethelife 
Love Cat Stevens- you couldn’t go wrong by picking any of his work in my opinion. One of those artists whose music always puts me in a good mood.
Thanks Hans for the vote of confidence. His music does the same for me.
A great singer/songwriter back then. I don’t know this piece but am starting to listen to it – may have to listen in 2 parts ’cause I have to go out in a few minutes, but seems like a fine example of his work . I loved his hit singles back in first half of the 70s.
I hope you do, Dave. It’s the kind of music you put the headphones on and lay back and enjoy. Glad you like him 🙂
We always got a lot of requests for Cat Stevens. I admit I am not familiar with this one.
This would be what we DJs call a “bathroom song.” Whenever we had to use the restroom we always needed a song over 4 minutes. For, shall we say “number 2,” we needed longer songs. We almost always chose American Pie (8 minutes) or Do You Feel Like We Do (13 minutes). This one is 18 minutes – you could go through the drive thru with this one!!!
LOL I love hearing about the little-known tidbits of the DJ world. This one you could do just about anything while it was playing and get back in time for the next spin. Have you ever heard Steppenwolf’s, “The Monster”? Another favorite of mine that takes up a whole side. Make a note you could use that one also 🙂
I remembered this wrong, it’s only 9 minutes. Still time!
LOL!
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Im with Hans on this. Love this early Cat. A nice piece for sure and that personal connection again.
Thanks, CB. So you like Cat’s music 🙂
Yes I do. I used to listen to him way more but still pull him out from time to time. Always sounds good. The cut you posted is proof of that.
Great piece of music Lisa…I’ve heard this a few times. It’s deep and intricate…it doesn’t get the praise it deserves…probably because of his other hits and it’s length. I love his music and his voice…there is no mistaking that voice at all.
Thanks for reading and for your comment.
Thanks for presenting this one…it’s been a while!
I haven’t gone this deep into his discography but I guess I should sometime. He gets dismissed as a lightweight sometimes, along with James Taylor, but I like him. Tea for the Tillerman, from 1970, is a very strong record.
I think you should, Graham. He is not just a lightweight.
Though I really liked a lot of Cat Stevens’ music, I don’t believe I’ve ever heard this song. What an impossibly beautiful man he was, with an equally beautiful voice to match. Nice pick Lisa.
So glad to have introduced you to this song. I’m glad you enjoy his music. Thank you.
Cat/Yusuf is an incredible musician. I am unfamiliar with this piece but, his Peace Train is a big fave of mine.
Yes he is and cute as a bug’s ear. His music resonates with me. Peace Train is a timeless piece of wisdom. Have you heard Natalie Merchant sing it?
I haven’t heard her version. I like her singing, tho…
This is like an opus. I love Cat Stevens but wasn’t familiar with this song. It’s wonderful to have him in the draft, and to hear something new to me at the same time. The song is full of things to keep it interesting.
Thank you very much for your wonderful comment, Diana, it does a great job of describing the suite.
Nice pick Lisa. I’m not at all familiar with Cat Stevens beyond his hits but this was an enjoyable listen – to follow the music and all the different directions it took