cat stevens... i cant pronounce his new name but cat wrote some great songs in his day. they hold up in 2007. even if he cant board a plane post 9-11.

CD was in perfect condition - super cost. Although I did think it took quite awhile to arrive - even though well within shipment arrival guidelines. I had ordered three others at the same time as I did this one from different suppliers and the other three arrived within days of my purchase - this one took several weeks. BUT. Still a great buy and happy with purchase.

If you like Cat Stevens but never got around to buying a cd of him this is the one for you. This CD contains all of his FM/AM radio singles and all his number 1 hits for example it includes songs like, Wild World, Peace Train, Moonshadow etc. But it does not contain the song, Where do the children play, though in my opinion they should of put that song but thats on the very best of cat stevens and tea for the tillermen. I think its a great buy if you dont have a Cat Stevens album its a great album and if you like cat stevens you should buy this cd trust me you wont regret it.

If you are a Cat Stevens fan you will love this old CD. Shows a nice range of songs and styles.

Unlike many other albums using the often over-used 'Greatest Hits' tag, this offering from Cat Stevens genuinely manages to live up to its title, without the usual mixing in of weaker material. Stevens is perhaps one of the most interesting singer songwriters of our time, and this collection neatly encapsulates his mid-term pre Yusef Islam recording career. The slightly rawer sounding 1960s hits are deleted from the playlist and we're left with a very consistently good acoustic, gentle sound. One feels like Stevens writes directly from his soul and bares all of it through his music: politically, spiritually and philosophically. Not available on any other collection and released as a single from this album, 'Two Fine People' is one of the strongest tracks, with very light use of synthesizers, giving a more modern contrast to the rest of the music. The cover art is also very beautiful too - I adore the flag motif.

IF YOU ARE A FAN OF CAT STEVENS--THIS IS A MUST FOR YOUR CD COLLECTION !!!
ALL THE GREATEST HITS !!!

While there are several options available if you're looking for a CD with a good collection of Cat Stevens songs, this one may be the best bargain. In fairness though, Cat Stevens Gold, and The Very Best of Cat Stevens do give you a lot more songs for not a whole lot more money. Others have mentioned a track on this CD that is not present on other compilations, which is great. For someone like me though, who is just looking for a good sampling of some of the Cat Steven's songs I know best, the clencher is that Cat Stevens Greatest Hits is a solid collection at an excellent price.

Cat Stevens will never be forgotten. He sang so beautifully and employed the guitar so well in the arrangements of his songs that just one listen to his music thrills you. This CD makes you crave more of his fine artistry; his voice on this CD is strong, masculine yet sensitive and passionate.

The CD opens with a very popular song which will forever be associated with Cat Stevens entitled "Wild World." The lyrics show just how much Cat mourns the loss of his woman and the guitar changes chords at all the right moments in order to enhance the melancholy feel of this ballad. The overall effect strikes you with its beauty and beckons you instantly to listen to the rest of the CD.

"Can't Keep It In" allows Cat the opportunity to explore the topic of feeling a love for someone who can't quite relax in order to experience her true love for him. The musical arrangement stays strong with the band and a chorus in the background. Excellent!

"Hard Headed Woman" possesses great strength as well; Cat sings of his desire to find his one true love. His voice is passionate and the arrangement for the guitar moves me deeply.

Other beautiful songs on this CD include Cat's declaration of true love for his woman in "Two Fine People;" "Peace Train" with a rock feel that also sounds vaguely like a country ballad and "Father & Son" which deals with the predictable but honest disagreements between a father and son about how best to live life.

The CD ends with two memorable ballads. "Morning Has Broken" features lyrics by Eleanor Farjeon and Cat's musical arrangement leaves nothing to be desired. The piano and the guitar sound wonderful; and the choir in the background bolsters the song even further. "Another Saturday Night," written by Sam Cooke, closes the album on a playful note even if Cat feels frustrated that he cannot find a woman to have fun with now that he "just got paid."

The liner notes include the lyrics and some of the album credits are there, too. The CD artwork shines and reflects a great deal of forethought.

Cat Stevens is still one of the few artists who could turn out songs that appealed to very broad audiences. His melodies strike you instantly as being infectiously catchy and very admirable. If you like this CD I recommend other CDs by Cat Stevens including Tea For The Tillerman and Footsteps in the Dark: Greatest Hits, Vol. 2. Fans of classic rock and pop will also enjoy this CD.

Considering that this is the only collection with the gorgeous "Two Fine People", I would have to say that this hits collection is indeed the one to pick up. Every song is filled with the character and tender melodies that Stevens would pour into his work, and I can recall many years ago when I first came across this CD, how the many listens I would give to it would give me peace when times were rather chaotic and stressful. From "Wild World" to "Oh Very Young", this hits collection from Stevens is well-worth the purchase.

I would highly recommend this CD in any colllector's library. It is a fine selection of perhaps the most memorable recordings of a folk-rock genius. Cat Stevens displays that mellow, serene style of singing that captivates the listener and brings back a feeling of youth and rejuvenates the mind.

The songs "Wild World" and "Peace Train" have that distinctive, unmistakable Cat Stevens genre that never seems to tire the listener. This CD is a must for all folk-rock lovers and will go well with a cup of coffee or a can of beer on a sunny afternoon!!

I sure wish he'd return to the recording business. Such a great voice, such great music. I could listen to his songs forever.

Good music, great to sing along with and love the oldies. If you are a Cat Stevens fan or not, this CD is fun just to listen too.

I first discovered Cat Stevens as a kid going through my sister's 8-tracks! The simple and honest approach and delivery of these songs go straight to your heart. Although there are other compilations out there, this is the only cd needed to capture the essence of Steven's work. This is music for any occasion, uplifting and thoughtful. Let Steven's vocals and guitar-work wash over you and watch your troubles fly away....at least for awhile!

I really enjoy this CD but perhaps would have replaced a few songs (Can't Keep It In, Ready, Sitting) with "On the Road To Find Out", "Longer Boats" and ...Sad Lisa? ...All from Tea For The Tillerman. I bought my CD for $9.99 on sale so it was a deal :-) -lar.

During the seventies, a young man with a deft knack for beautiful melody and a questing for spiritual focus wrote songs like "Peace Train," "Moon Shadow," "Wild World" and one of the most uplifting songs of all time, "Morning Has Broken." Cat Stevens had the voice, the musicianship and the earnestness to capture the hearts of listeners for the better part of a decade. His message was so universal that his biggest hits crossed radio boundaries and international borders. All Stevens' best known American hits are collected here, although you may find yourself drawn to 2000's "The Very Best Of Cat Stevens" set, which boasts 20 songs to this CD's twelve. Main selling points here, the songs "Two Fine People" was done specifically for this album, and "Ready," a non-hit from "Buddha and The Chocolate Box."

It was a bout with TB that brought Stevens into focus and transformed his style. As a teenage pop singer, he was coming across as a Mccartney clone or even like a Bee Gee. But once he recovered from his illness, the music became based more on guitar and piano melodies and the lyrics tried to convey more spiritual messages. "Teaser and The Firecat" and "Tea For The Tillerman" were the American breakthroughs; with the unforgettable "Peace Train" and "Wild World," and Stevens' had become a star.

That star life began to nag him with doubts, which led to more introspection. "Oh Very Young," asks how you would feel about your life if you knew you would be gone tomorrow. It led to such songs as a remake of "Another Saturday Night" and (though not included here) "Remember The Days Of The Old Schoolyard." Finally, in 1977 and his discovery of the Muslim faith, he pulled the plug.

This "Greatest Hits" captures not only the innocence of Stevens' quest, but also his transformation. If you have followed his post Cat life as Yusef Islam deeper than the headlines, you know that he has tithed is earnings to charities (primarily to children and orphans' groups, including UNICEF). He's also spoken out and written editorials condemning fanatical terrorist actions, writing after 9/11 "No right-thinking follower of Islam could possibly condone such an action. The Quran equates the murder of one innocent person with the murder of the whole of humanity." (He also donates a portion of his box-set royalties to 9/11 family charity groups.) But as recent events have proven again, people of peace are considered dangerous if powerful men don't like the words. Stevens joins such men as John Lennon, Bruce Cockburn and The Clash as musicians who found themselves on the wrong side of policy makers and Visa Checkers.

I pulled my old CD of this album out not just because I remember this music with a lot of fondness, but because it sends a message (albeit as small one): we're not all idiots.

This 12 track greatest hits album, first released on vinyl in the summer of 1975 and a big hit at that time, gave good coverage of Cat Stevens' American hit singles up to that time, though the British hit `Lady D'Arbanville' was unfortunately not included. In the CD era this collection is now rather redundant since the most recent Cat CD compilations include almost all these songs, and many more besides. However, this album does include one track specially recorded for the original release, namely `Two fine people', which is quite a good song in a lively pop style, with prominent keyboards - not unlike the later `Remember the days of the old schoolyard'. This track is not available on any other album. Another relatively little known song is the superb `Ready', which is available on the `Buddha and the chocolate box' album but on no other hits compilations. I have a sentimental attachment to the Greatest Hits collection as I often listened to the original LP version back in 75, and in its remastered version (part of the excellent 1999 remastering of all Cat's albums from 1970 to 78), with all the original artwork and lyrics, it's a nice package. But unless you really need the rarer tracks mentioned above the much more comprehensive `Very best of Cat Stevens' (particularly recommended is the British edition issued in 2003) is a better collection of his best known songs.

I would not hesitate to buy this album, it is excellent! Especially if you are new to the world of Cat Stephens and are curious about his music style. Cat is my favorite artist, this is the first album of his that I had, and it is one of his best! I only wish that he were still touring, oh well, at least we still have his albums to enjoy.

No matter where Cat Stevens is today, there is no doubt he was one of the great folk-singers/song-writers of the seventies. Even today, his music continues to receive airplay. His melodious voice, great guitar, and catchy lyrics has made him quite popular through the years, even though he left the world of music behind. This greatest hits album provides twelve great tunes.

The two tracks to get the most radio-play are "Peace Train" and "Moonshadow," ("Moonshadow" is proof that truly great music does not have to make sense). But, there is more here than these two very popular songs. The album opens with "Wild World" full of perfect lyrics that will have you singing with the radio. Then, there is the upbeat, hard-driving "Can't Keep It In," and the cover of "Another Saturday Night." Also included here is the spiritual "Morning Has Broken."

There isn't a track on this album I don't like, and not a single lyric I don't know. While listening to this at work, I have to resist the temptation to break into song along with the CD. This one is catchy and foot-tapping good music. A must for any folk-music lover, or if you just like good music.

I grew up on Cat Stevens. My brother exposed me to his music when I was a teenager with Cat's greatest hits. I found his music very uplifting and pleasant to listen to. Over the years my taste in music changed but I still listen to Cat Stevens' music whenever I can. There is a sweet innocence to Cat's music you just don't hear in music today. I still get all teared up when I listen to "Father and Son". That is the most emotional song I have heard that still doesn't pass off as oversentimental tripe. It is my personal favorite Cat Stevens song of all time. Even the soap opera "One Life to Live" used the song when Bo Buchanan's son Drew was slain and Bo was cradling his son's lifeless body. The song gave the scene the emotional impact it needed. I still get shivers listening to the timeless "Morning Has Broken". That was one of the songs I listened to following the tragic events of September 11th. There was something calming and soothing about the song that gave me comfort. On the more upbeat side, I absolutely adore "Peace Train". No one can or should cover this song. Cat Stevens own this song. You can try to cover it (and I have heard artists cover it and their versions are awful) but it won't have the same results as what Cat got. I love singing along to "Another Saturday Night". It brings back memories of driving around with my brother listening to this song in the cassette player. I wish the song from the cult classic "Harold and Maude" was on the album but I have it on another Cat Stevens compilation so I can't really complain. Overall I love listening to this album. It brings back my more pleasant memories of my adolescent years.

If you are trying to get into Cat's music, don't be cheap and just but this album. His stuff is way too diverse to be experienced on one tiny package. Start with Tea for the Tillerman and Teaser and the Firecat, and go from there. You'll miss some amazing music if you just buy his "best of" albums. Nevertheless, I can't give any of his albums less than 5 stars because I love every one of his songs.

Before devoting himself to Islam and retiring from the music scene, the former Cat Stevens produced an impressive body of folk rock employing inventive acoustic arrangements and his own expressive, gruff-yet-tender voice. This compilation does not include all of his hits and obviously none of his fine songs that did not become radio hits, but it is an enjoyable overview of some of his most popular work. Very impressive. "Oh Very Young" has always been a particular favorite of mine.

These are classics that will live for centuries to come.
One has to wonder why Stevens has virtually gone into hiding nowadays. He has a lot of talent to offer.

The thing about Cat Stevens' songs is that the guy was just 22 years old when he became a star. To hear the lyrics of songs like "Oh Very Young," "Hard Headed Woman," "Father & Son," and "Sitting," it's amazing to think that his peak of popularity was only five years along when the set was released in mid 1975. While almost every other singer-songwriter of that time was whining about their personal troubles or griping about the political arena, Stevens was treasuring humanity.

"Oh Very Young"
Oh very young, what will you leave us this time?
You're only dancing on this earth for a short time.
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.

"Sitting"
Life is like a maze of doors, and they all open from the side you're on.
Just keep on pushing hard, boy, try as you may,
You're gonna wind up where you started from.

"Hard Headed Woman"
I'm looking for a hard headed woman,
One who will make me do my best,
And if I find my hard headed woman
I know the rest of my life will be blessed -- yes, yes, yes.
I know a lot of fancy dancers,
people who can glide you on a floor,
They move so smooth but have no answers.

"Father & Son" is a delicate and unbelievably mature and touching song detailing a conversation between two men, Stevens singing both parts, as the father tries to give his son a simple instruction on how to handle a current life-changing situation while the younger one expresses frustration at how he can't talk to his father although he wants to.

Father:
I was once like you are now, and I know that it's not easy,
To be calm when you've found something going on.
But take your time, think a lot,
Why, think of everything you've got.
For you will still be here tomorrow, but your dreams may not.

Son:
How can I try to explain, when I do he turns away again.
It's always been the same, same old story.

From the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen.
Now there's a way and I know that I have to go away.

That's special. If you're not very familiar with this artist but enjoy gentle music with a real heart, you've got to check this one out.

There are a few singer-songwriter collections that are an absolute must. "Cat Stevens" is one of those. I actually never thought much of him, but that was before I owned this cd. Something about his delivery makes it seem as if he's playing and singing right next to you. This includes many great songs, including "Wild World", "Morning Has Broken", "Can't Keep It In", and "Moonshadow". Overall it's a nice simple collection. If you're missing a few songs like "The First Cut Is The Deepest", they might be on "The Very Best Of". That includes 10 of these tracks, plus 10 more.

Although this greatest hits package is brief, it more than adequately showcases the folk-rock wunderkind who was Cat Stevens. Every song on the disc is a certifiable classic: from wistful ballads like "Wild World", "Oh Very Young", and "Moonshadow", to gorgeous folk-rock like "Peace Train" and "Can't Keep It In". In addition, one of Steven's finest songs ("Two Fine People") is available only on this disc.

Cat's musical and lyrical approach was a beguiling mixture of innocence and sophistication. "Morning Has Broken" is a perfect example of this, as is also "Hard Headed Woman". "Father & Son" articulates the pain of emerging adolescence (and adult resentment of a child's growth) better than any song that I know.

In my opinion, the perfect greatest hits collection will satisfy the casual fan & will urge them to seek further. On these counts, this package fully succeeds. If you want to venture further, I suggest Tea For The Tillerman or Catch Bull At Four.

I bought this solely for "Two fine people" which is not even available in the box set. It's a good song, more like Izitso than his earlier stylings, but then again, I like all his albums pretty much. I have said harsh things about some of his more sad songs and I read a touching review of how someone was helped by this album to get over a rough period. Especially "Sitting" A sogn I've rubbished on the "Catch bull at four" website. I'm sorry I've done that. It was just some of his songs, Sitting, Child for a day and Home in the sky made me depressed. Not sad, like "Last love song" does, but actually down. Australians are lucky, there was a realease in 1981 in OZ called "Greatest hits volume two" and it has "Where do the children play?, Rubylove, Sad Lisa, Tuesdays dead, Banapple Gas, How can I tell you?, Morning has broken, Old shool yard, Lady Darbanville, Longer boats, Bitterblue, Wig Wam, O caritas and Mona Bone Jakon" And those songs are great!

These lovely songs include most of this UK singer/songwriter's best and most popular work, with the exclusion of some early hits from the 1960s like Lady D'Arbanville and some great album tracks like Rubylove with its Greek chorus. There are gentle, introspective tracks like Moonshadow, Peace Train and the spiritually uplifting Morning Has Broken, as well as faster, up-tempo numbers like Another Saturday Night and Can't Keep It In. The huge hit Wild World has seen many cover versions and Stevens' knack for marrying catchy tunes to poetic lyrics are in evidence throughout. Songs like Oh Very Young and Father And Son remain fresh and beautiful. Stevens may not have become one of the greatest singer/songwriters in terms of volume, but like that of Don McLean his work has stood the passage of time very well. These beautiful songs will endure.

I wish Cat Stevens was back... I miss his talent and his creative genius. Our loss is Islam's gain. At least I can stick this CD in and enjoy the likes of "Peace Train," "Oh Very Young" and "Father & Son." ...and, I am glad to say that my personal favorite "Morning Has Broken" is present and accounted for! Every time I listen to Cat Stevens's music I am transported back to the mid '70's laying on my bunk in the barracks listening to this wonderful music on my KOSS head phones! Take it from a LONG-time fan -- Buy this CD you will not regret it!

Tea for the Tillerman is the must have cat stevens. Once you get that you will want to get this as well. I own only Tea for the Tillerman, this album and Best of and I feel like that is about all the Cat Stevens that is absolutely neccessary. Best of is an even better collection than this, but I enjoy owning both as the overlap is minimal. If you have cash to sling around then pick up Mona Bone Jacon and Teaser and the Firecat. Bhudda and the Chocolate box and his releases as Yusuf Islam are also OK, but you will do just fine with the three discs mentioned above. He is unique but not in an annoying enya/bjork kind of way. Any music fan will be able to appreciate Cat Stevens, and in my opinion he is more essential to a music collection than even, say, a Bob Dylan, if not even the Beatles. Ok, so maybe not the Beatles, but he is a somewhat overlooked hit machine who never sold out and has produced some of the sweetest music of the last three decades or so.

GOOD ALBUM FROM START TO FINISH. I HAVEN'T HEARD SOME OF THESE
SONGS FOR AWHILE.

Being a Cat Stevens fan, this C.D. lays the landmarks for his best music. All classics! I can't stop listening to Peace Train. It gives me goose bumps every time! I highly recomend this to any Cat fan! :)

Cat Stevens represents some of the very best folk/rock talent of the mid-to-late 1970's.... The lyrics and melodies remind us of the relative innocence of the time. We thought we were wild, but in truth we were just babies crying out against injustice and begging for love, peace and understanding. This music will take you back. This is the way music was meant to be.

Great though this is (with phenomenal sound quality, too), it falls short compared to the "Very Best of Cat Stevens" released last year, which covers his full career in the same excellent sound. Trouble is, this CD contains the 1975 hit "Two Fine People" available nowhere else. Completists know : isn't this always the way?

Cat Stevens' music always reminds me of childhood. The innocent sweetness of many of his somgs, including the timeless "Morning Has Broken," convey the impression that the writer still saw the world with the wide-eyed wonderment of childhood. "Another Saturday Night" is prehaps his most-played song on the radio, but is least representative of this collection, as it has more of a commercial, 'hit' feel to it. "Father and Son" is reminicent of the Harry Chapin classic on the same subject, but has a softer, more wistful tone. Virtually every song in this collection was a hit; the interesting thing is that most of them were compressed into a period of perhaps three years, at the beginning of the '70s. My biggest regret is that this collection has nothing from the wonderful but overlooked "Izitiso." If I could add "(Remember the Days of the)Old Schoolyard" along with one or two others, this would be the perfect one-album/CD collection of Cat Stevens' best and most representative work.

This might have been excusable in the LP days, but surely with all the room on CDs many more songs should be included on any Cat Stevens compilation, just for starters, the great song covered by Rod Stewart "The First Cut is the Deepest," "Sad Lisa," "Tuesday's Dead" and so many others come to mind. Still, the songs on here are great great folk rock, a mix of joy bittersweet and melancholy all delivered impeccably and in the Cat's singular style, and the inclusion of Two Fine People (apparently not available anywhere else) is a wonderful bonus. I just love the line, Although time may fade and snowmen sleep in the sea. What does it mean? Does it matter? If you only buy one CD of the Cat I suppose this is as fine as any, but I wish someone would put out a more definitive "hits" disc.