Yusuf / Cat Stevens - Harold & Maude [CD]

Format: CD
Catalogue No.: 3585991
Barcode: 0602435859910
Release Date: 11 Feb 2022
Genre: Rock

Timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the landmark film’s release, this new CD version of the soundtrack combines nine Cat Stevens originals as well as – for the first time – additional dialogue and instrumental music from the film. For the new set previously unheard audio masters were unearthed in the Island Records archive for “Don’t Be Shy” and “If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out”, and all audio has been remastered at London’s world renowned Abbey Road Studios. This new edition will also feature enhanced packaging including liner notes, lyrics, transcription of movie dialogue, and photos from the Paramount Pictures production.

Hal Ashby’s 1971 movie, Harold and Maude, was arguably Hollywood’s first black comedy. With a plot centred around a platonic love story between a teenager (Harold Chasen, played by Bud Cort) and an octogenarian (Dame Marjorie Chardin, played by Ruth Gordon), the film had its work cut out. However, 50 years since its original theatrical debut, it stands as a bona fide cult classic.

The movie’s success is in no small part down to its soundtrack, made up exclusively of songs by Cat Stevens. Director Hal Ashby had edited the film while listening to songs from Mona Bone Jakon and Tea for the Tillerman, and was convinced that his film should exclusively feature Cat Stevens material. After a significant campaign, he won Cat Stevens around.

Seven songs from the two 1970 Island/A&M albums were included on the soundtrack: “On The Road To Find Out”, “I Wish, I Wish”, “Miles From Nowhere”, “Tea for the Tillerman”, “I Think I See The Light”, “Trouble”, and “Where Do The Children Play?”.

Two non-album tracks were also added into the mix: “Don’t Be Shy”, and what became the movie’s unofficial theme, “If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out”. These songs would go unreleased until the 1984 Footsteps In The Dark collection, and were later included in the 2001 On The Road To Find Out box set.

The Harold and Maude official soundtrack album was first issued in 2007 by Cameron Crowe’s independent label, Vinyl Films. Produced in super limited quantities, on several different vinyl colours, those records are highly collectible today and trade for hundreds of dollars on Discogs and other fan sites.

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the film’s release, Island / Cat-O-Log / UMC are proud to announce a new 180g 1LP / 1CD / Digital release of the Harold and Maude (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) on 26th November 2021.

Combining the nine original Cat Stevens songs, as well as additional dialogue and instrumental music from the film for the first time. Previously undiscovered audio masters have been discovered in the Island Records archive for “Don’t Be Shy” and “If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out”, and all audio has been remastered at world renowned Abbey Road Studios.

The new Harold and Maude (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) will feature enhanced packaging including liner notes and photos.

Tracklist:
Don't Be Shy
Dialogue 1 (I Go To Funerals)
On The Road To Find Out
I Wish I Wish
Tchaikovsky's Concerto No.1 in B
Dialogue 2 (How Many Suicides)
Marching Band / Dialogue 3 (Harold Meets Maude)
Miles From Nowhere
Tea For The Tillerman
I Think I See The Light
Dialogue 4 (Sunflower)
Where Do The Children Play?
If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out (Ruth Gordon and Bud Cort vocal)
Strauss' Blue Danube
Dialogue 5 (Somersaults)
If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out
Dialogue 6 (Harold Loves Maude)
Trouble
If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out (ending)

More From This Artist: Cat Stevens Yusuf