Customer Reviews

Very Best of Gilbert O'Sullivan

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I've been a Gilbert O'Sullivan fan since I heard for the first time the haunting melody of "Alone, Naturally" back in 1971. He had a succession of hits after that but he seemed to fade after a few hits. Some of the songs here never made it on radio airplay (that I know about) here in the US. For example, "You are you" is such a catchy tune. The lyrics are dated but hey, the music is excellent. "What's in a Kiss" is another one. Great song - similar to "You are you" but never made it on airplay in the US. O'Sullivan presents a knack for writing songs with a universal appeal but retains his Irish charm in his singing style.

Since I was spoiled with the great music of the 70's (greatest decade for music), O'Sullivan is one of the few that stands out for me. Buy this CD and enjoy it for what it is. A fresh and unique singer songwriter that is guaranteed to please even the most discriminating ear!

This eccentric Irish singer-songwriter was a regular visitor to the upper reaches of the UK charts in the early 1970s. Three of these songs made the top ten in the USA: the poignant Claire, Alone Again (Naturally) and Get Down. He specialized in the mid-tempo ballad, although Get Down was a real rocker with a catchy hook. Other UK hits on this compilation include Ooh Wakka Doo Wakka Day, No Matter How I Try, We Will, Ooh Baby, Nothing Rhymed and I Don't Love You But I Think I Like You. What's In A Kiss was a solitary stray hit from the late 70s when his time had passed. The music is not profound but charming enough with its often clever lyrics and decent tunes.

This is a wonderful collection of Gilbert O'Sullivan's most memorable songs, including great hit songs like, Clair, Alone Again, Nothing Rhymed, plus recent masterpieces like, At the Very Mention of Your Name, Lost a Friend, I Wish I Could Cry, Dear Dream, and I'll Believe It When I See It, all of which share the wistful lyricism and the heart-felt poetry.

Playing this CD almost makes me cry. This guy had to change his name for commercial reasons, was given silly clothes to wear and a more than a little ludicrous haircut, all for the sake of launching another 'eccentric singer'. Well, it payed off. The records sold very well. But who saw through the mask put on by the record company? Did anyone notice what incredible songwriting talent this guy had? Very few.
Later in his life, he became big in Japan. Without the clothes and the haircut. And does he look eccentric on the cover of this CD? Hail to the superior musical taste of the Japanese.

I will admit upfront that I only knew about 3 Gilbert O'Sullivan songs before I bought this CD -- all from the 1970s. And if you are an American, like me, you probably know the same 3: "Alone Again Naturally," "Claire," and "Get Down." They are all here, along with several songs that were apparently big hits in his native Scotland and other UK territories.

To me, these songs are a bit syrupy, slow, and overdramatic, especially "Alone Again Naturally." Then again, I didn't buy them because I thought they were great music -- I bought them because when I hear them, I am immediately transported to lighter times in my teen years of the 1970s. And, hey, they're not bad songs, either.

In any case, this album has all of that and more at the lowest price I was able to find. His other albums were all over $40, and they don't sell him on iTunes. Note that Amazon lists this as "Currently Unavailable" at the time of this writing. But if you click on Used & New (upper right-hand corner), you'll probably find it. All in all, a good album if you like him, at a decent price.

I have enjoyed listening to the very best of gilbert o sullivan the quality of this cd is in excellent condition i highly recommend this seller to anyone 5 star rating will purchase again from this seller.Fast shipping arrived in perfect condition im one very happy customer.

I dont brag on to many artists but when I have Gilbert O'Sullivans get Down playing in my Jeep it always turns heads even had several people ask me while in the Jeep who sings that,so it tells you this artist apparently left his mark.gilbert might have had only a few hits but its from a much better time than what we have today,and the music was not rehashed but new.

This was an excellent CD for a trip down nostalgia road! The music is great to listen to if you grew up in the early seventies or so. Enjoyed the nostalgic trip back in time with hits like "Claire" and "Alone Again, Naturally!" Very well done compilation by Gilbert O'Sullivan!