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If you've had the privilege of witnessing a show or performance in The Allen Room space at Jazz at Lincoln Center you can see why this is one of the most coveted live venues in the city. With elevated views through its glass wall across Central Park and down 59th Street, the audience finds themselves suspended over the bejeweled city prominently displaying its lights.
Yusuf Islam made a public departure from his successful music career approximately 30 years ago, choosing a life of faith, charity and the education of underprivileged children globally – of the Islamic faith and not.
No more than a couple of years ago while on holidays with his family, Islam picked up his son's guitar for the first time in a quarter century and reignited his passion for playing music. He came to realize that as his faith and belief in Islam had been a gift, as was his ability to reach people through his songwriting. He began following the threads of songs that had been bouncing around in his mind. Lyrics and melodies that had been collected for decades had been finally been given an outlet. Describing the moment on stage last night (December 19, 2006), he said his hands just felt at home holding the guitar and he instictively began to play.
On hand for this private performance were some 400 guests: media, VIP's, competition winners and also KCRW Radio's cult DJ and music guru Nic Harcourt. Chatting with Islam on several occasions during the performance, he asked the questions everyone was so eagerly thinking regarding his departure from the public eye and return to his craft. Obligingly and openly, Islam answered with charisma, humility and humor. Tune in here tomorrow to hear a special KCRW interview/ acoustic performance.
My companion for the evening rightly commented on the fact that instead of being as she had expected; stoic, closed, earnest, hardened from years away from his audience, that Islam was the opposite: generous, frank, engaging and droll.
Yusuf has a new album, An Other Cup, (out now on Atlantic Records) and he seems equally comfortable performing his new songs as he does his former hits.
A special dedication was made to the recently departed Atlantic Records founder, Ahmet Ertegun in the form of his classic song, Peace Train. Islam described Ertegun as being one of the most important musical figures of all time.
Closing his set with Father And Son, Islam sang, "I am old but I am happy". Older, maybe. Wiser, possibly. Still a songwriting legend, definitely.
Tags:
Allen Room, An Other Cup, Atlantic Records, Central Park, KCRW, Lincoln Center, Nic Harcourt, Yusuf Islam
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Posted on 12/20/2006
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