Cat Stevens – Teaser and the Firecat

Format: Vinyl LP  |  Label: A&M Records  |  Catalog: SP 4313  |  Matrix (Side A): SP 4525-2 GT

About the Artist

Cat Stevens — born Steven Demetre Georgiou in London in 1948 — was one of the defining voices of the early 1970s singer-songwriter movement. Blending folk, pop, and Eastern influences with deeply personal, philosophical lyrics, Stevens crafted a body of work that resonated across generations. His warm, intimate vocal style and gift for melody made him one of the best-selling artists of his era. In 1977, Stevens converted to Islam and adopted the name Yusuf Islam, stepping away from the music industry for over two decades before returning to recording in the 2000s. His catalogue remains among the most beloved in popular music.

About the Album

Teaser and the Firecat was released in October 1971 on A&M Records and stands as one of Cat Stevens' most celebrated works. It was his fifth studio album and followed the breakthrough success of Tea for the Tillerman (1970). The album reached #2 on the Billboard 200 and spent over a year on the charts, cementing Stevens' status as a global superstar. Produced by Paul Samwell-Smith and Cat Stevens himself, the record showcases a refined, intimate sound — acoustic guitar at its heart, with subtle orchestral touches that never overwhelm the songs' emotional directness.

The album's cover art — a whimsical illustration drawn by Stevens himself — perfectly captures the record's spirit: playful yet contemplative, childlike yet wise.

Highlights

• "Peace Train" — Perhaps the album's most iconic track, this anthemic call for unity reached #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has endured as one of the great peace songs of the 20th century.
• "Moonshadow" — A joyful, philosophical meditation on acceptance and gratitude, delivered with Stevens' characteristic lightness of touch.
• "Morning Has Broken" — A reverent, piano-led adaptation of a traditional hymn, featuring Rick Wakeman on piano. It became one of Stevens' signature recordings and a timeless standard.
• "Bitterblue" and "Tuesday's Dead" — Deeper cuts that reward repeated listening, showcasing Stevens' gift for introspective storytelling.

Record Condition

This copy has been carefully cleaned with a Spin-Clean record washer and stored in a new inner plastic sleeve. The record presents with minor surface scuffs consistent with age and prior play. It was test-played on a quality turntable and played flawlessly with no skips. Minor pops and crackles were noted, as is typical for a vintage pressing of this era. The jacket is in good condition with a few minor stains seen in the photo.

A wonderful opportunity to own a clean, playable copy of one of the essential albums of the 1970s.