Klaus Voormann & Friends - A Sideman's Journey

[yerblues1968]

Yusuf Islam (formerly known as Cat Stevens) in a recording session.


CAT STEVENS TEAMS UP WITH BEATLES MAN FOR GEORGE HARRISON TRIBUTE


nme.com

Saturday, January 24, 2008



His cover of The Day The World Gets 'Round is released on Monday (January 26)


Yusuf Islam, the singer formerly known as Cat Stevens, has collaborated with Beatles associate Klaus Voormann on a cover of George Harrison's 1973 song The Day The World Gets 'Round'.



Klaus Voormann with The Beatles' Revolver cover that he designed.


Islam revealed that the collaboration came about after Voormann, who played in John Lennon's Plastic Ono Band and designed the sleeve for The Beatles' Revolver, asked him to contribute to an album he was making to raise money for the American Indians.

"He asked me to contribute and choose one of the songs he had played on over the years. I immediately headed towards George Harrison's galaxy of material," Islam said.

"I'd met George with John Lennon in the early '70s at David Bailey's studio. He was such a great spirit. His eastern outreach inspired me and many others to embark on a great spiritual adventure.

"George was also more responsible than any other artist for initiating pop music's movement to aid people and countries stricken by war and calamities; his Concert For Bangladesh was the first of its kind. I hope this song will help remind people of the immense legacy of love, peace and happiness we can share when we get round to looking at mankind's futile wars and prejudices and start to change our foolish ways."

The song is released this Monday (January 26), with proceeds going to various children's charities (Small Kindness, UNRWA and Save The Children).





Islam also announced that he is returning to Island Records – the label he released his Teaser & The Firecat and Tea For The Tillerman albums on in the '70s.

The Day The World Gets 'Round' will also appear on Klaus Voormann’s A Sideman's Journey album, which is raising money for an environment and health project in aid of the Oglala Sioux of Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.

Earlier this week, it was confirmed that Paul McCartney and Dolly Parton have both contributed to Islam's new album.


Some of Cat Stevens' famous songs:




Cat Stevens sings "Wild World" in 1971. (3:06 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkI9wCk8jvw


Wild World (Lyrics)

Cat Stevens - Wild World 1971
(together with Alun Davies)

Now that I've lost everything to you
You say you want to start something new
And it's breaking my heart you're leaving, baby I'm grieving
But if you want to leave take good care
Hope you have a lot of nice things to wear
But then a lot of nice things turn bad out there

Oh, baby, baby it's a wild world
It's hard to get by just upon a smile
Oh, baby, baby it's a wild world
I'll always remember you like a child, girl

You know I've seen a lot of what the world can do
And it's breaking my heart in two
'Cos I never want to see you sad girl, don't be a bad girl
But if you want to leave take good care
Hope you make a lot of nice friends out there
But just remember there's a lot of bad and beware

Oh, baby, baby it's a wild world
It's hard to get by just upon a smile
Oh, baby, baby it's a wild world
I'll always remember you like a child, girl

(Instrumental)

Baby I love you
But if you want to leave take good care
Hope you have a lot of nice friends out there
But just remember there's a lot of bad and beware

Oh, baby, baby it's a wild world
It's hard to get by just upon a smile
Oh, baby, baby it's a wild world
I'll always remember you like a child, girl

Oh, baby, baby it's a wild world
It's hard to get by just upon a smile
Oh, baby, baby it's a wild world
I'll always remember you like a child, girl




Cat Stevens sings "Oh Very Young." (2:35 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_653KAHzrs


Oh Very Young (by Cat Stevens)

Oh very young
What will you leave us this time
You're only dancing on this earth for a short while
And though your dreams may toss and turn you now
They will vanish away like your daddy's best jeans
Denim Blue fading up to the sky
And though you want him to last forever
You know he never will
(You know he never will )
And the patches make the goodbye harder still

Oh very young
What will you leave us this time
There will never be a better chance to change your mind
And if you want this world to see a better day
Will you carry the words of love with you
Will you ride the great white bird into heaven
And though you want to last forever
You know you never will
(You know you never will )
And the goodbye makes the journey harder still

Oh very young
What will you leave us this time
You're only dancing on this earth for a short while
Oh very young
What will you leave us this time




Cat Stevens sings "Morning Has Broken" in 1976 Cat Stevens concert. (3:15 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgsfwrjXhjc


Morning Has Broken (Lyrics by Eleanor Farjeon)

Morning has broken, like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for the springing fresh from the word

Sweet the rain's new fall, sunlit from heaven
Like the first dewfall, on the first grass
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden
Sprung in completeness where his feet pass

Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning
Born of the one light, Eden saw play
Praise with elation, praise every morning
God's recreation of the new day

Morning has broken, like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for the springing fresh from the word




Cat Stevens sings "Peace Train" during his 1976 Earth Tour. (4:21 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sjSHazjrWg


Peace Train (Lyrics by Cat Stevens)

Now I've been happy lately,
thinking about the good things to come
And I believe it could be,
something good has begun

Oh I've been smiling lately,
dreaming about the world as one
And I believe it could be,
some day it's going to come

Cause out on the edge of darkness,
there rides a peace train
Oh peace train take this country,
come take me home again

Now I've been smiling lately,
thinking about the good things to come
And I believe it could be,
something good has begun

Oh peace train sounding louder
Glide on the peace train
Come on now peace train
Yes, peace train holy roller

Everyone jump upon the peace train
Come on now peace train

Get your bags together,
go bring your good friends too
Cause it's getting nearer,
it soon will be with you

Now come and join the living,
it's not so far from you
And it's getting nearer,
soon it will all be true

Now I've been crying lately,
thinking about the world as it is
Why must we go on hating,
why can't we live in bliss

Cause out on the edge of darkness,
there rides a peace train
Oh peace train take this country,
come take me home again


Yusuf's charity song The Day The World Gets 'Round will be
made available for download from Monday, January 26, 2009.
catstevens.com/

The recordings, The Day the World Gets ‘Round and All Things Must Pass, feature Yusuf on vocals, 12-string, and acoustic guitar, Klaus Voormann on bass, Luke Potashnick on electric and acoustic guitars, Cassiano De Sa on electric guitar, Nikolaj Torp on piano/keyboards, and Kristoffer Soone on drums. Proceeds from The Day the World Gets ‘Round will be donated to aid children and families in Gaza, and both tracks are to appear on Klaus Voormann’s forthcoming album, A Sideman’s Journey, later this year, the proceeds of which will be donated to an environment and health project in aid of the Oglala Sioux of Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, North America.
www.myspace.com/catstevens

Cat Stevens and Klaus Voormann Record George Harrison Songs
undercover.com.au/News-Story.aspx?id=7376

www.nme.com/news/george-harrison/42283

[yerblues1968]

Klaus Voormann at A Hard Day's Night Gallery resting while visiting the Matthew Street
Festival in Liverpool. Photo by Mr. Conory.


EXCLUSIVE: ARTIST KLAUS VOORMANN ON HIS REMARKABLE 50-YEAR JOURNEY WITH THE BEATLES


dailyrecord.co.uk
Billy Sloan


Sep 5 2009


The relationship between Klaus Voormann and his girlfriend Astrid Kirchherr was often volatile.

They rowed about politics, art and literature with a passion which defined their strength of character.

It was after one furious argument Klaus would make the discovery which changed the course of their lives.

He stormed out of their Hamburg apartment and went for a walk to clear his head.

Klaus said: "The year was 1960 and I walked through the St. Pauli district where all the prostitutes, gangsters and sailors used to hang out. Suddenly, I heard loud rock 'n' roll music coming from the Top Ten Club.

"I was what you would call a Mod in Britain. My hair was cut short and my clothes were neat. My appearance made me stand out - I looked very different.

"I wanted to see who was making this music. But I was s*** scared to go down into the cellar club. It was full of rockers who'd kick the s*** out of me."

Klaus, then an aspiring graphic designer, walked in and was confronted by Rory Storm and the Hurricanes powering through their set.

He was instantly impressed by the group's young drummer, Richard Starkey, known better by his quirky nickname Ringo.

The Hurricanes were replaced on stage by another young band who Klaus felt had a certain something. The newly formed Beatles had been booked to play a 48-night residency at the club.

Klaus said:"They wore checked jackets and were very cocky. One guy wore sunglasses so I figured he must be the leader.

"That was Stuart Sutcliffe. Then Paul McCartney stepped up to the microphone and introduced their first song, For Goodness Sake, in German.

"The guitarists - John Lennon and George Harrison - launched into the song and I almost fell off my chair. It sounded so fantastic."

Klaus sat spellbound as The Beatles played and knew his life would never be the same again.

"I rushed home, got Astrid out of bed and was so excited saying: 'You HAVE to see this band'.

"We went to the Top Ten Club every night and saw every Beatles show. We became aware they were looking at us from the stage because we dressed more like artists than the rockers who were regulars."

Soon, Klaus, Astrid and their friend Jurgen Vollmer had formed a friendship with John, Paul, George, Stuart and original drummer Pete Best which would help change music history.

Now, 49 years later, the award-winning designer turned musician - who became best mates with The Beatles - has retraced his musical footsteps to where it all began.



Earlier photo of Klaus Voormann while playing the Voortar (4 Bass strings and 4 Guitar
strings) on the set of Popeye in Malta.


Klaus enjoyed a parallel career as a bass player performing with John Lennon's Plastic Ono Band and also appearing in A Concert For Bangladesh with George Harrison, Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton.

On Monday, Klaus, 71, releases his first ever solo album, A Sideman's Journey... with a little help from his friends.

McCartney, Starr, Yusuf (formerly known as Cat Stevens), Dr John and Bonnie Bramlett guest on the CD.

"It was nice to take a musical walk down memory lane," said Klaus.

"But it was also difficult and emotional because I'd closed so many musical doors to concentrate on my career as an artist.

"But Paul and Ringo were so encouraging. They said: 'Klaus, you've got to do it'."

The opening track on A Sideman's Journey is a new version of the 1956 Fats Domino classic, I'm In Love Again, featuring McCartney.

Klaus will never forget the first time he played the song. He said: "The very first time I ever had a bass guitar in my hand was in the Top Ten Club in 1961. Stuart Sutcliffe stepped down off the stage, handed me his bass and said, 'Here Klaus... you play now'.

"He went and sat down at the table with Astrid. I'd never played bass in my life. I'd only ever messed around on guitar at home.

"Suddenly, I was playing with The Beatles. It was such a trip. I was so terrified I couldn't even go on stage. So I put a chair at the edge and sat in the shade hoping nobody would notice me. And I don't think they did."

Edinburgh-born Sutcliffe was a gifted artist but a limited musician who'd only become a Beatle through his close friendship with Lennon.

His lack of musical ability caused friction with McCartney, who replaced him on bass when Sutcliffe quit to concentrate on his art career.

Klaus said: "When I first plucked up courage to actually talk to The Beatles, I took along a sleeve I'd designed for a record by The Ventures called Walk Don't Run. I showed it to John, thinking he might be impressed but he fobbed me off saying: 'Show it to Stuart - he's the artistic one'.

"I did and from that moment on we got on like a house on fire because he was also interested in art and literature."

Sutcliffe became fascinated by Klaus, Astrid and Jurgen whom Lennon had dubbed the "Exis" in a dig at the existentialism art movement they followed.

Later, Stuart "stole" Astrid from Klaus and they moved in together.

Klaus said: "Astrid and I were very close but she was more like a sister than a girlfriend .

"We didn't have a big love affair. We were always fighting, so our relationship didn't work so well."

Astrid is credited with inventing the band's famous "mop top" haircuts and styling them in sharp stage gear.She got engaged to Stuart in 1960 and he enrolled in a Hamburg art college and moved into her family home. But their intense love affair was doomed.

He suffered severe headaches thought to have been the result of being beaten up following a Beatles' gig.

In 1962, he collapsed during an art class and was rushed to hospital where he later died from a brain hemorrhage.

"I think if Stuart had not died so young he would have become a very good painter," said Klaus, fondly.

"I'm convinced he could have been as big in the art world as The Beatles were in the music scene.

"He had great talent and imagination. I am sure with such conviction he'd have become a famous artist." Klaus followed The Beatles when they moved back to the UK and once shared a bachelor pad in London with George and Ringo.

"They were making the movie A Hard Day's Night while I was looking for an art job. I was not into music at all," he said.

"Suddenly, I was rubbing shoulders with Mick Jagger,The Who and Rod Stewart and hanging around in clubs like the AdLib."

In1966, Lennon asked Klaus to design the sleeve for their classic album, Revolver. He was paid the then handsome fee of £50 and won a Grammy for his artwork.



Close up image of The Beatles Revolver album cover designed by Klaus Voormann.
Beatles Manager Brian Epstein went to a corner and cried when he first saw the image.
After Brian finished crying, he later told Klaus, "Klaus, you kept the bridge between the
music and the public. That cover is perfect, and now I am relieved and I know the public
is going to accept this music."


Klaus said: "John invited me to Abbey Road to listen to the tracks and I was amazed at the fantastic music they were making.

"To sit in the studio with The Beatles and producer George Martin was an experience I've never forgotten. I thought their music was outstanding and far more ambitious than anything else which had been in the market before.

"The problem was the songs were so far away from I Wanna Hold Your Hand or She Loves You that I had to design a cover to reflect that.

"I wanted something different - in black and white - and they loved my sketches. So I got the job."

Klaus went on to design sleeves for Beatle-related records such as A Concert For Bangladesh, Ringo and Anthology, plus album covers for The Bee Gees and even Scottish pop heroes Wet Wet Wet.

He said: "I designed the sleeve for the 2007 album Timeless for Wet Wet Wet.

"I'd heard their records and loved them.

Singer Marti Pellow called me and I sent the group my sketches for the cover."

Klaus also learned bass and joined hit Sixties group Manfred Mann, playing the flute intro on their 1968 hit Mighty Quinn.

He's also played on hits by Lou Reed, Carly Simon, Harry Nilsson, Eric Clapton and BB King.

Klaus said: "I played on tracks such as Vicious and Perfect Day on Lou Reed's classic 1972 album Transformer.

"I also featured on Carly Simon's big hit You're So Vain and Without You by Harry Nilsson.I'm proud to have played on some of the greatest records in music history."

According to Beatle mythology, Klaus was to be McCartney's replacement when the group split in 1969.

But he insisted the story stemmed from a joke by Ringo.

Klaus takes great pride from his friendship with the band and has nothing but fond memories of their time together.

He said: "I lived and worked with The Beatles.When fame arrived they literally couldn't go out for a packet of ciggies. It was a real problem.

"Ringo was so sweet, funny and such a lovely man. But BEAT artist took there came a point when he got so p***ed off by the attention he felt he was a prisoner.

"So it's only natural people change. He had rough times when he treated people badly but he's come round full circle and he's a lovely person.

"Paul has also been so sweet to me over the years."

Klaus misses his departed friends - John, who was gunned down in New York in 1980 and George who died from cancer in 2001.

He said: "I played on John's solo albums Imagine, Walls And Bridges and Rock And Roll. He invited me to his home in the Dakota Building in New York and was so relaxed.

"He said, 'Klaus, I don't have to make records any more. This is the first time I'm free'.

"We went for a walk around Central Park - he had his son Sean sitting on his shoulders - and that was the loosest I'd ever seen him.

"It was shortly before his death and that's my fondest memory."

Klaus added: "I also miss George dearly. I lived at his home in Friar Park for a long time. He's the Beatle who would be most knocked out that I'd finally recorded an album.

"He used to say,'Klaus, you're always doing things for other people. Do something for yourself'.

"I saw him just before he died in Austria and he was very sick. His illness had caused his hair to fall out and he was bloated but he was still in great spirits."

Klaus added: "There will never be a group like The Beatles ever again.

"I've never seen a bunch of guys who were just so different. They got along and worked so brilliantly together. They were unique."

A Sideman's Journey by Voormann & Friends is released on UMC/Mercury on Monday.




Rock 'n' Roll journalist, Paul Morley, talks to artist/producer Klaus Voormann
about working with the Beatles on their Revolver LP. (10:41 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCtiN-SByRU




Promotion video of "A Sideman's Journey" by Klaus Voormann's wife Christina.
Performers on the CD are Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Cat Stevens (Yusuf), former
members of Manfred Mann, Dr. John, Don Preston, John Fohl, Inara George, Van Dyke Parks,
Max Buskohl, Carl Carlton, Jim Keltner, and Bonnie Bramlett and Don Nix. (4:01 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jztR2_8bQPg



A Sideman's Journey by Klaus Voormann may be purchased at:
www.klaus-voormann.com/
www.voormann.com/shop/category/8
www.amazon.com/Sidemans-Journey-Voormann-Friends/dp/B0028RFC2O?tag=dogpile-20

www.myspace.com/klausvoormann

Bonus Deluxe Edition DVD of "The Making of A Sideman's Journey," audio CD,
and 68-page hardcover book hand signed by Klaus Voormann. Limited edition set.
ardentstudios.com/2009/07/17/klaus-voormanns-a-sidemans-journey-released-today/
991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=480255


www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/editors-choice/2009/09/05/exclusive-artist-klaus-voorman-on-his-remarkable-50-year-journey-with-the-beatles-86908-21649664/

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