28. Mai 2009

2009 was the 50th anniversary of the founding of Island Records, arguably the most prestigious record label in the history of British music. To mark this milestone the label was collaborating with Island founder Chris Blackwell to arrange the Island 50 festival.

Legendary singer introduced onstage by U2's Bono

The singer-songwriter headlined at the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire as part of the series of Island Life gigs taking place at the venue this week to mark the 50th anniversary of label Island Records.

Introduced onstage by U2 frontman Bono, who variously described Islam as a "poet, pilgrim, guitar picker, natty dresser, iconoclast", the legend took to the stage with two guitarist, a bassist, keyboards but no drummer.

"Tonight is a magic night," the singer-songwriter told the crowd as he played a set that drew heavily from his early recordings, which following his conversion to Islam in 1977, he had overlooked for a time.

Playing the likes of 'Lilywhite' and 'Where Do Children Play', Islam told the audience that he had "grown to love singing" several of his older songs again.

Later he dedicated a version of 'Wild World' to his grandchildren, who were in the audience, before joking about being refused entry to the US on a 2004 trip, brandishing a "Wanted" poster he "found on my last trip to Washington airport" before 'Boots And Sand'.

Performing 'Father And Son' to a loud sing-a-long and a standing ovation, Islam joked that he had meant to play the song in his encore.

"I supposed to go off, but I forgot," he quipped.

He finally left the stage after that song, but returned to round off the night with 'Peace Train'.

[nme.com, 29.05.2009]

Thanks to all of you who came to the show,

for the welcome home!

And thanks too to all those who wanted to be there but couldn't.

Thanks for all the flowers and all the roses,

and thanks for all the hours spent reuniting,

meeting one another and writing.

Thanks for being there when I needed support,

even when it all looked lost...

thanks for hanging in there, especially my family, my wife and children and the growing branches,

thanks to my musicians, Island and crew,

and the trusty ol' peace-van,

and thanks for the faithful light,

which met me and brought me back,

and most of all,

thanks to the One without Whom the sky would fall,

the sun and moon would not shed light,

the earth would not turn...

and thanks to the One

Who delivered Joseph from the bonds of slavery.

Peace be with you
Yusuf