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Reader rating
At ease: Yusuf Islam gave a tentative performance but joked with the Porchester Hall crowd
The artist formerly known as Cat Stevens kept them waiting for his live comeback.
As well as the 28 years since his last concert, fans who had won tickets for this intimate show also had to queue for an hour before finally being allowed inside last night. Then they discovered that alcohol was not permitted during the performance.
The drink ban was, perhaps, to be expected seeing as the man behind Tea for the Tillerman - recently used on Ricky Gervais's Extras - converted to Islam in the Seventies. He stopped releasing records and devoted himself to family, religion, charity work and the founding of Islamic schools in north London.
Back then, it was the meretricious music business that he was breaking with after selling 50 million records (although the royalties have been useful for his projects and peace campaigns).
Decades later and Islam was back on stage, clearly not too comfortable with his status of famous musician as he strummed politely on new song Midday.
But he also had his 11-strong band, who produced a majestic sound. Islam's return with the album, An Other Cup, is clearly on his terms, although he allowed a certain amount of record company largesse to accompany his performance. There were even pine trees in the hall for the Middle-Eastern themed decoration.
His devotional music never obviously adhered to one faith, though, and Islam wore a shirt and waistcoat rather than robes. But several women were wearing hijabs - an unusual sight at a pop concert.
Controversy has followed him, yet it was easy to warm to Islam during this performance. His quest for peace involved some gentle finger-wagging and the song The Little Ones was, he said, inspired not just by the Bosnian genocide but also the tragic events in Dunblane.
Unsurprisingly, it wasn't much fun. But Islam was, ultimately, a spiritual man at ease with himself and his music.
He pointed out his baby granddaughter, started laughing mid-song when a light went out and joked about how his last attempt at a comeback - at Live Aid 22 years ago - didn't quite happen.
His performance was a little tentative, and the filming for a forthcoming BBC One Session made for an oddly formal evening.
But it was still something special to hear Islam's rich voice on Father & Son and Wild World. Perhaps, if he allows it, this Seventies superstar will now undergo a major revival.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
