Publisher's Synopsis
Iconic Albums: Cat Stevens - Catch Bull at Four
by Richard Ward
What happens when a global superstar turns inward? When the search for fame gives way to the search for self?
In this compelling and deeply researched entry in the Iconic Albums series, acclaimed music historian Richard Ward turns his lens to one of the most enigmatic and spiritually charged records of the 1970s: Catch Bull at Four by Cat Stevens.
Released in 1972, Catch Bull at Four marked a turning point in Cat Stevens' career. Having already achieved massive commercial success with Tea for the Tillerman and Teaser and the Firecat, Stevens took an unexpected-and courageous-creative detour. Drawing inspiration from the Ten Bulls of Zen, this album became a sonic meditation on identity, ego, transformation, and spiritual unrest.
In this definitive book-length analysis, Ward explores the album track by track, revealing the personal and philosophical layers beneath the music. From the mystic pulse of "Angelsea" to the radiant peace of "Silent Sunlight," every song is given the depth and context it deserves. Through exclusive insights into the album's themes, influences, and legacy, Ward paints a vivid portrait of an artist at the crossroads of success and self-discovery.
But this is more than a track guide-Iconic Albums: Catch Bull at Four dives deep into:
The spiritual symbolism behind the album title and its connection to Zen Buddhism
Stevens' creative process, studio sessions, and emotional state during recording
The cultural and musical landscape of the early 1970s and how Stevens stood apart from his peers
His artistic evolution and foreshadowing of his later conversion to Islam
How the album's themes of restlessness, renewal, and revelation still resonate today
With over 35 chapters, including reflections on the album's critical reception, live interpretations, metaphoric use of nature and seasons, and a thoughtful look at its lasting influence on other artists, this book is the most thorough exploration of Catch Bull at Four ever written.
Whether you're a lifelong Cat Stevens fan, a lover of 1970s music, or a spiritual seeker drawn to art that challenges and uplifts, this book invites you to step inside the quiet storm of Catch Bull at Four-to catch the bull, confront the self, and rediscover the power of music as a mirror for the soul.
