Tea for the Tillerman

Infobox Album
Name = Tea for the Tillerman
Type = Studio
Artist = Cat Stevens


Released = November 23 1970
Recorded = 1970
Genre = Folk rock Pop
Length = 36:40
Label = Island (UK) A&M (USA)
Producer = Paul Samwell-Smith
Reviews =
* Allmusic Rating|5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:pzktk6gx9krf link]
* "Rolling Stone" Rating|5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:pzktk6gx9krf link]
Last album = "Mona Bone Jakon" (1970)
This album = Tea for the Tillerman (1970)
Next album = "Teaser and the Firecat" (1971)

"Tea for the Tillerman" is a highly-regarded album by singer-songwriter Cat Stevens. This album, Stevens' second during 1970, is also noteworthy for having four of its songs ("Where Do the Children Play?", "On the Road to Find Out", "Tea for the Tillerman" and "Miles from Nowhere") featured in the Hal Ashby and Colin Higgins' black comedy and cult classic "Harold and Maude" (1971). Stevens, a former art student, created the artwork featured on the record's cover.

The album is especially noteworthy for including some of Stevens' most well-known and appreciated songs, such as "Where Do the Children Play?," "Hard Headed Woman," "Wild World," "Sad Lisa," "Into White" and "Father and Son."

Songs from this album have been recorded by a diverse range of artists, from Mr. Big ("Wild World") to Boyzone ("Father and Son") to 36 Crazyfists ("Sad Lisa").

On November 18, 2003, "Rolling Stone Magazine" included this album in its 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list at number 206. [http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5938174/the_rs_500_greatest_albums_of_all_time/3 "Rolling Stone Magazine" 500 Greatest Albums of All Time] Nov 18, 2003 ]

In 2006, the album was included in the book "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die". In 2007, the album was included in the list of "The Definitive 200 Albums of All Time", released by The National Association of Recording Merchandisers and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Track listing

All tracks written by Cat Stevens.

# "Where Do the Children Play?" – 3:52
# "Hard Headed Woman" – 3:47
# "Wild World" – 3:20
# "Sad Lisa" – 3:45
# "Miles from Nowhere" – 3:37
# "But I Might Die Tonight" – 1:53
# "Longer Boats" – 3:12
# "Into White" – 3:24
# "On the Road to Find Out" – 5:08
# "Father and Son" – 3:41
# "Tea for the Tillerman" – 1:01

Personnel

*Cat Stevens – guitar, keyboards, Vocals
*Alun Davies – guitar
*Harvey Burns – drums
*John Ryan – bass

Additional personnel

*Del Newman – string arrangements
*John Rostein – violin

Charts

Album

Trivia

The title track is used by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant for the closing credits of "Extras". The fourth episode of the second season of the show features a cover of "Tea for the Tillerman" performed by Chris Martin of Coldplay.

References