Yusuf Islam writes musical, Moonshadow

Yusuf Islam - formerly known as Cat Stevens - has written a musical featuring his classic tracks.

'Moonshadow' - which features classic songs from the artist, formerly known as Cat Stevens, including 'Morning Has Broken' and 'Wild World' - debuts in Northampton this July, and if successful it will have a run in London's West End.

Original 'Mamma Mia!' cast member Siobhan McCarthy is singing previews from the show as part of the Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers Awards, hosted by comic actors James Cordon and Sheridan Smith, at the Prince of Wales Theatre on February 15.

Yusuf, 60, recently revealed he is recording a new studio album with his old label Island Records, which released his acclaimed albums 'Teaser and The Firecat' and 'Tea For The Tillerman'.

Last month, the singer released cover version for charity of George Harrison's 'The Day The World Gets Round' - with long-time Beatles associate Klaus Voorman.

Yusuf said: 'George was also more responsible than any other artist for initiating pop music's movement to aid people and countries stricken by war and calamities. His 'Concert For Bangladesh' was the first of its kind. I hope this song will help remind people of the immense legacy of love, peace and happiness we can share when we get round to looking at mankind's futile wars and prejudices and start to change our foolish ways.' – Bang via MSN

Yusuf Islam, formerly Cat Stevens, releases song for Gaza ~ Malaysiakini

Singer-songwriter Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens, released on Sunday a charity song whose proceeds will go towards assisting Palestinians in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip.

The new recording of the song 'The day the world gets round', originally recorded by George Harrison, features Yusuf on vocals and Klaus Voorman, known to many as the fifth Beatle, on bass.

The song can be downloaded online at different rates and its proceeds will go towards the United Nations Relief and Works Agency and Save the Children to aid children and families in the Gaza Strip, UNRWA said in a statement.

Yusuf said on his website he hoped the recording will "help remind people of the immense legacy of love, peace and happiness we can share when we get round to looking at mankind's futile wars and prejudices."

As Cat Stevens, Islam, now 59, recorded several major hits in the late 1960s and 1970s. He converted to Islam at the height of his fame in 1977, devoting himself to education and philanthropy.

Israel's 22-day offensive in the Hamas-ruled territory, which ended on January 18, killed more than 1,300 Palestinians, including hundreds of women and children, medics say. It also left widespread destruction.

UNRWA said the song can be purchased online at http://www.jamalrecords.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?display=home -- Agence France-Presse - 1/26/2009 3:21 PM GMT

All in good spirit

Celebrities and captains of industry had a ball yesterday, playing against each other in a charity tennis event that raised RM75K.

TV show host Azura Zainal played her part with great gusto, not to mention she can execute a mean backhand as well.

Azura Zainal, who stopped playing tennis four years ago, said she enjoyed herself immensely.

"I had one goal in mind: keep the ball in the court and just have fun. It was an absolutely great opportunity to meet captains of industry whom I might normally not meet," said the Singapore-based Azura, who expressed amazement at how fit most of the CEOs were.

nst pix: Datuk Seri Kalimullah Hassan letting AirAsia CEO Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes (second from left) keep the Wilson K Factor racquet. With them are Azura Zainal (left) and Hans Isaac.

For AirAsia chief executive officer Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes, who rarely plays tennis, it was a flight through uncharted territory.

"Though this tournament saw some very high standard tennis played, I enjoyed it so much that I will probably take up tennis regularly from now.

"The main reason I joined this tournament was because it was charity-driven.

"However, the fact that I could help do some good while having fun is not a bad thing."

Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia president Datuk Abdul Razak Latiff said they did it in the spirit of charity.

Rowling waves her magic wand again

The author of the phenomenally successful Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling, publishes her new book on Thursday, an event expected to spark midnight queues at shops for the collection of short stories.

Rowling brought out the final book in the seven-tome Potter series 18 months ago, but publishers promise that "The Tales of Beedle the Bard" provides an insight into the characters and their wizardry.

The British author made a fortune from the tales of the boy wizard, but all the proceeds from "The Tales of Beedle the Bard" will go to the charity she co-founded to improve life for children in institutional homes in eastern Europe.

Publishers are widely expecting the initial print run of 7.5 million copies to be snapped up quickly when the book goes on sale in more than 20 countries including Britain, the United States, France, Germany, China and Japan.

"We think it will appeal to established Harry Potter fans, but also to people who want to do something for charity," said Amy MacLaren, a spokeswoman for the charity, Children's High Level Group (CHLG).

The charity said it would receive a total of 1.61 pounds (1.90 euro, 2.05 dollars) from each book sold in Britain, and an equivalent amount from foreign sales.

Rowling will host a tea party in her home city of Edinburgh to launch the book on Friday.

She produced seven original handwritten copies, giving away six to people involved with the Potter books and auctioning the seventh a year ago, which was bought for 1.95 million pounds (2.3 million euros, 2.9 million dollars) by online retailer Amazon.

Amazon has placed reviews of the five short stories on its website, promising that they "read like Aesop's fables and echo the themes of the (Potter) series".

Each story is followed by commentary by Albus Dumbledore, the white-bearded headmaster of the Hogwarts school where Potter and his friends learn their spells. --Agence France-Presse via MSN