Search - Gilbert O'Sullivan :: Himself

Very interesting and original melody & lyrics

rampaletienne | Culemborg, Netherlands | 07/18/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"According to legend, ex-Beatle Paul McCartney died on Wednesday morning at five o'clock somewhere in the 1960s, and he was replaced by a look-a-like. Gilbert O'Sullivan is a sound-a-like; I could not suppress the thought that the album HIMSELF was a product from Paul McCartney who just took the name Gilbert O'Sullivan to try and see if he could become big again after the Beatles had split. But O'Sullivan's lyrics are cleverer than Sir Paul's, and his melodies vary more from song to song, although this is often the case on a debut album (which is often a selection of many years' work), and I am not familiar with O'Sullivan's later albums.
For lovers of Samba and Jive, O'Sullivan supplies surprisingly catching songs, while his ballads (for example Nothing Rhymed) breathe the atmosphere of the Irish west coast. My favorite song on the album is Matrimony, not only for its samba-feel, but also for its lyrics: what about being late for your own wedding? Although the album is definitely a European product from the beginning of the 70s, it still sounds fresh today and should not be restricted to European ears only."

Not bad, mr. o's

Stephen Constantelos | Chicago, IL USA | 06/29/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I used to consider dressing myself like the man on the cover of this cd, Gilbert O'Sullivan. I soon realized that even when he was doing this in the early 70s it looked hopelessly ridiculous and was best left to period movies, which serve the need vicariously.



Listening to this album is a bit of a trip in time too, particularly to heady days when Paul McCartney's solo/Wings work was beginning gain dominance. G O'S's songs have a few of Paul's mannerisms here, and tho' quite in tune with Paul's work, it is distinctive, holding its own.



Highlights include: "Nothing Rhymed", "Matrimony", "Houdini Said", "If I Don't Get You Back Again", and the last song, which bizarrely reminds me of the tv cartoon Arthur: "Doing the Best that I Can" with its nonsense chorus.



A good album for those who like off-kilter singer/songwriter/piano-player songs that are sometimes ridiculous, sometimes incredibly touching."