Yusuf/Cat Stevens Shares Rare ‘Lady D’Arbanville’ Video From 1970
A previously-unreleased live version of the song is also available today on streaming services.
Yusuf/Cat Stevens has unearthed a rare promotional video for “Lady D’Arbanville.” Filmed in 1970 in a Gothic English mansion, the video combines newly remastered audio with black and white footage of Yusuf/Stevens and American model and actress Patti D’Arbanville, who served as the song’s muse.
A previously-unreleased live edition of the song, “Lady D’Arbanville (Live at the BBC),” is also available across streaming services today. Both the video and live recording come ahead of the Mona Bone Jakon 50th anniversary Super Deluxe Collector’s Edition box set, available December 4 via A&M/UMe.
One of the most striking songs in the entire Yusuf/Cat Stevens cannon, “Lady D’Arbanville” offers a mournful narrative, in which a lover grieves for the death of the eponymous Lady D’Arbanville. Stevens wrote the song as a metaphor for the end of his own relationship.
As the first track on Mona Bone Jakon, “Lady D’Arbanville” introduced the world to the artist’s new stripped-down acoustic sound, which marked a radical departure from his polished pop offerings of the 60s. Yusuf/Stevens’ new sonic stylings were embraced by his fans, though. Upon its release, “Lady D’Arbanville” hit the UK Top Ten, and found chart success across multiple territories.
Both the video and live edition of the haunting song are included on the Super Deluxe Collector’s Edition of Mona Bone Jakon, which offers such favorites as “I Think I See The Light,” “Pop Star,” and “Trouble,” along with 24 unreleased tracks and an entire disc of unheard demos. A BluRay disc features the original video of “Lady D’Arbanville,” plus eight live TV performances, and HD audio tracks.
The collectible set also includes a 12” etched vinyl EP offering a rare audience recording of Live At Plumpton Jazz & Blues Festival from August 1970, as well as a trove of ephemera.
A similar deluxe reissue is also coming December 4 for 1970’s Tea For The Tillerman, which Yusuf/Cat Stevens released just seven months after Mona Bone Jakon.
Super Deluxe Collector’s Edition box sets of Mona Bone Jakon and Tea For The Tillerman will be available December 4. Click either title to preorder.
