Just A Minute With: Yusuf Islam

By Dean Goodman

LOS ANGELES (Reuters Life!) - British folk singer Yusuf Islam is tentatively returning to show business, almost three decades after converting to Islam and retiring from the business to focus on his religion, family and charity work.

Late last year the artist, formerly known as Cat Stevens, released his first mainstream pop album since 1978, "Another Cup," and in March played his first full British concert in 28 years at Porchester Hall in London.

Among the 250 people present were his wife, daughter and granddaughter, as well as old friends from around the world. The concert was broadcast by the BBC, and has been released on a DVD package, "Yusuf's Cafe Session," which also boasts a BBC documentary and various music clips:

Q: Was it nerve-racking returning to the stage for a full-length concert after such a long absence?

A: "I made it as comfortable as possible so I wasn't as nervous as when I do, for instance, the large gigs with 40,000 people, because this was only 250 people -- many of them were invited by us! I made it as homely as possible. In that regard I kinda recreated my own cafe, which brings me right back to Shaftesbury Ave., where I began my life anyway."

Q: Was the audience instructed not to cheer once the songs started? They seemed very placid.

A: "I think that there tends to be a response to me sometimes that almost verges on the reverent, y'know! They may be expecting a halo to pop up or something like that. There's just that kind of respect I think they had for me. It's always a great and infectious, warm reception that I receive."

Q: Any post-show adrenaline rush to rekindle memories?