Tell 'Em I'm Gone is one of the most unexpected and rewarding chapters in the Yusuf / Cat Stevens catalog — a blues-rooted departure produced by Rick Rubin that strips back the familiar folk sound in favor of something rawer and more primal. Fans of Yusuf's spiritual detours on Foreigner and Numbers will recognize the same willingness to step outside expectation, this time guided by the deep influence of Leadbelly, whose fingerprints are unmistakable throughout.
The album weaves original compositions alongside covers that reveal the range of Yusuf's musical reverence: Edgar Winter's "Dying to Live," the classic "Big Boss Man" (Dixon/Smith), and a blues-drenched reimagining of "You Are My Sunshine" (Davis/Mitchell). Rubin's production keeps the record raw and intimate, while Yusuf's voice and melodic instincts ensure this never sounds like anything other than him. The album artwork, designed by Yusuf himself and illustrated by William Stout, adds a handcrafted visual dimension that matches the music's spirit.
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Limited to 3 individually numbered copies.
