Cat Stevens (box set)

Release and reception

Released a month after the September 11 attacks, the box set prompted Yusuf to pledge a share of his royalties to the September 11th Fund, with the remainder supporting homeless families and underdeveloped nations. Despite this, the collection failed to chart and generated little buzz. Critics were divided. David Browne of Entertainment Weekly and Robert Hilburn of the Los Angeles Times both felt it fell short of The Very Best of Cat Stevens.

John Aizlewood of The Guardian described the artist as “lavishly gifted, if wet,” and argued that forgotten talents sometimes deserve reintroduction. Howard Cohen of the Miami Herald complained about the excessive number of tracks, saying the new material did not deepen appreciation for Stevens. On the other hand, Dave Thompson of Goldmine praised the “seamless” sequencing and called the box “a magnificent edifice,” with Stevens’ own notes offering an “irresistible glimpse” into his recording process.

Shane Harrison of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution gave it an “A,” noting it was ideal for devoted fans but potentially overwhelming for casual listeners. The New Rolling Stone Album Guide later called it “just about all the Cat Stevens anyone should ever need,” highlighting the rarities. AllMusic’s Lindsay Planer also commended the improved sound quality of the early Deram tracks.