Customer Reviews

Best of Gilbert O'Sullivan

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Gilbert O'Sullivan's anachronistic style may have seemed annoyingly out of place in the early 1970s, but time has brought out the charm of his music as age brings out the rich patina in wood. This collection, remastered by Bill Inglot, has better sound than the imports, although it leaves out some of the more deserving songs. Nevertheless, it serves as an excellent introduction--or reintroduction--to this talented songwriter and vocalist. It's a shame that O'Sullivan's best work is today largely ignored, even on the oldies format, because he churned out some of the best-crafted pop of the era. All his hits are here: Clair (#2), Get Down (#7), Out of the Question (#17), Ooh Baby (#25), Happiness Is Me and You (#62), and his signature song, Alone Again (Naturally)--#1 for six weeks in 1972 but now virtually unheard on USA radio. If the disc had nothing but these hits, it would be worth the price, but you will find that nearly all of the songs included are worth repeated listening. Throughout the disc, O'Sullivan's originality, wit and amazing gift for melody are on display. He has not been forgotten everywhere; his early work has remained popular in the United Kingdom, and he was a phenomenon in Japan, where he often performed and where his entire catalog remained in print through the 1990s. If you enjoyed any of his music over the years, buy this CD.

If you aren't familiar with the song Alone Again, I hope you will not be deterred by the reviewer who not only described the lyrics as banal, but also misquoted the song in the process. The correct words are "I promise myself to treat myself and visit a nearby tower." This line is immediately followed by "And climbing to the top, to throw myself off." The singer has just been jilted by his bride-to-be at the altar, and is contemplating suicide. The rest of the song goes on to talk about feeling deserted by God, then about the death of his parents -- all of which are events that leave him "alone again, naturally." I find it hard to understand how anyone could describe a song about suicide and feelings of loss and isolation as banal. I was a teenager when this song came out, and I remember how amazing it was to hear somebody singing about emotions that were so familiar to me. Whenever I or one of my friends would break up with a boyfriend, we would be so devastated by it, and adults would tell us that it was just "puppy love" and we would get over it soon, as if that was supposed to make the experience hurt any less. Then along came this song that expressed our feelings so perfectly, and we all loved it. I still do. I wouldn't go through the emotional turmoil of adolescence again for a million dollars, but I do have some cherished memories of those years, and this song is definitely one of them. I hope you will give it a try.

Most of his great numbers are here(and a couple of dodgy ones!) The poignant "Alone Again Naturally"(US No.1 UK top five), "Nothing Rhymed", "Clair"(clever song abt Uncle's love for his niece(innocent I may add), and "A Woman's Place(Is In The Home)- not a great hit with seventies femamists, are all included along with all the UK hits with the exception of "Christmas Song"(Why Not?) and his dance hit reincarnation of the Nineties "Goss" with "So What". Included though is a rather tacky duet with Peggy Lee "Cant Think Straight" and one or two other less known tracks. The album brings back many happy memories of Gilbert and his various image changes. The early "schoolboy" one with pudding bowl haircut short trousers and "Dr Marten" boots, to the clean cut better looking college type of the mid-seventies. The hits dried up arnd 1976 (with a couple of exceptions, and Gilbert began a long legal battle with Gordon Mills his record label boss over Gilbert's recording rights to his songs. Eventually Gilbert won the fight(rightly so), and to this day continues to record and tour. Although not perfect this is a very good album to marvel again at a great songwriter and performer

I bought this CD for Alone Again (Naturally). I forgot about Clair, Out Of The Question, and Get Down. There are other really good songs on it. If you like early Paul McCartney, say Beatles White Album, Ram, and Red Rose Speedway, you'll like this one. Alone Again is worth the entire price. I am going to order two more for two girls named Claire.

In the early 70's, Gilbert O'Sullivan was touted as the heir apparent to Paul McCartney, believe it or not. Of course, time has proven that prophesy wrong, but O'Sullivan was genuinely talented and wrote some amazingly good songs. His mega-hit, Alone Again, Naturally probably doomed his career because of the suicidal and melancholy lyrics, but the song has aged well and is as fresh as it was 28 years ago. My favorites on this compilation are the irreverent and wonderful Matrimony, Claire (a marvelous, quirky ballad) and the idiotically-titled but fabulous Ohh-Wakka-Doo-Wakka-Day. I defy anyone to listen to these songs and not have a glorious smile on your face.

I was in elementary school when O'Sullivan was at his apex and listening to these songs brings back great memories of being a kid and hearing him sing on the radio. If you're in your mid-30's you will remember him as well and probably enjoy this collection of his best work. It's a pity he never went on to enjoy a full-fledged or lengthy career, but he epitomizes the insipid, banal lyrical style of the 70's... but it's still fun.

In an alternative universe where Gilbert O'Sullivan was born Paul McCartney and vice versa, it is hard to imagine from this fan's point of view that the music of The Beatles would be much, if any, inferior. And that, of course, is saying a lot for Gilbert. Of course, things happened as they did and one of them is still enormously popular while the other is obscure and little remembered. Yet in his day Gilbert recorded some incredibly memorable and richly melodic music. I knew many of these hits already, but many more of these have become my favorites since I purchased this CD. Great, great stuff.

One of the most talented pop songsters of the 1970's, O'Sullivan continues to record and develop his style. His voice is charming, innocent, and boyish, but a little naughty. I believe he is much more than a Lennon/McCartney clone -- O'Sullivan truly has his own voice. And this CD is a great way to learn about him, though his biggest hits and a few other choice cuts. True stardom should still belong to him.

All the good songs are compiled in this collection. Right from "Alone again naturally" to "At the very mention of your name". A very good CD to start listen to GOS's songs before going into his other cds. Bet you guys, you won't regret of buying this CD. Cheers.

Rhino has once again managed to release an excellent best of compilation. Not only are the 20 tracks here great value for money, they represent the best that Gilbert O'Sullivan has ever done and each track has been mastered brilliantly for a great sound. Amazon yet again has made an error on the track listing as "Christmas Song" although a great song is not on this album but the duet with Peggy Lee, "Can't Think Straight" is.

Gilbert O'Sullivan represents that quirkey, talented, individual who can write great melodies and tongue-in-cheek lyrics that make you smile and even laugh at yourself as you empathise with the characters in his lyrics. I'm sure many of us can at one time or another identify with the individual described in "Alone Again, Naturally" for instance or even thought about the stuff on "Matrimony" while not actually acting upon them and yet nonetheless, having sympathy with the people involved in the lyrics.

All the great ones are here, from "Alone Again..." to "Claire" to "What's in a Kiss" to "Get Down." No weak tracks to talk about as you marvel at the great melodies and lyrics that this guy's able to put together track after track after track. I never get tired of listening to this guy and if you are looking for the best one-disc compilation of Gilbert that's out there, this one is it. Very highly recommended!

Known as Raymond Edward O'Sullivan to his mother, Gilbert O'Sullivan had one of those careers that gave us a number of memorable hits but unfortunately flamed out when all of his songs started to sound the same. The exception was "Alone Again (Naturally)". It was just one of those songs that grabbed you when you first heard it. It even takes on more meaning over thirty years later when those of us that were around when it was released have lived a lot more of life and can reflect on the song's meaning even better. The other semi memorable little ditties would include "Out of the Question, Clair and Get Down".These are all good little tunes for a trip down memory lane.