Search - Cat Stevens :: Numbers / Izitso / Back to Earth [MFSL Audiophile Original Master Recording]

Finally, a full 3 album compilation.

09/29/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As someone who has valued the music of Cat Stevens more than any other artist since 1970 I must rejoice in the release of this compilation. I have been trying to 'rebuild' my Stevens collection since vinyl became obsolete and have been unable to locate these 3 albums on CD. I think his 'Numbers' album (Disc 2) ranks with his very best material and I and others who were so sorry to see him make a career change have to consider 'Back to Earth' (Disc 3) his farewell to the faithful. I'll always regret that we cannot look forward to new Stevens compositions but at least now I once again have it all. Thanks."

AT LAST--3 FINE STEVENS ALBUMS ARE AVAILABLE AGAIN!

greggpaul | staten island, ny USA | 12/29/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I received this box set for Christmas and have enjoyed it immensely! As a long-time Cat Stevens fan, I had been searching for two of these CDs for some time. NUMBERS is one of his very best, although most people will not know a single tune here (sorry, no hits on this one). Stevens vocals and musical arrangements are extraordinary. ITZITSO often offends some Stevens fans because of its liberal use of electronic instrumentation, but it is a true masterpiece full of creative melodies. BACK TO EARTH is not quite on the same level, but does contain some intriguing Stevens songs, including his scathing perspective on New York. The booklet included has all the song lyrics and original art, but (alas!), contains nothing new for the long-time Stevens fan."

Audiophile sound quality?

greggpaul | 01/29/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"First of all I have to say I'm very happy with this set as it includes the last three Cat Stevens albums which are not available anywhere else. However, this "Original Master Recording" is sure not perfect in sound. Listen for example to the first song "Whistlestar" at the very beginning, and you can here some "hiss" sound. Hard to explain, but there's never "total silence" between tracks. Sometimes before a track starts, you hear the first seconds of the next track (VERY silently) before that track starts. The tapes seem to have copied through over the decades! Obviously the original analog masters tapes have "worn out", or this recording wasn't made from the "original masters" at all? I guess ULTRADISC should have taken a bit more care when producing this set. The other "normal" Cat Stevens CDs from my collection don't suffer this quality problem. Don't get me wrong - the sound quality is still fine, but I have expected much more qualitywise (I have other ULTRADISCs, f.e. Pink Floyd, which were much better than the normal releases) given the high standard that company normally offers. Certainly - taken the sound quality - it's not worth paying almost twice as much as for the other Cat Stevens CDs available. Anybody who would like to share his opinion with me, please send me an e-mail: tritico@gmx.net"