Gilbert O'Sullivan - Himself

This is the North American release of Himself that added his signature song "Alone Again (Naturally)" and changed up the cover art. Now Gilbert looked like Archie Andrews (without the ginger hair and freckles) rather than a street urchin from a Charlie Chaplin movie. If you didn't like the long haired freaky people, here was Gilbert, a dapper figure in his letter sweater looking like was just waiting to help an old lady cross the street to add to his collection of merit badges.

This is a rather strange album. For me the draw was "Alone Again (Naturally)" with his double tracked vocal and  Paul McCartney infused delivery. The srupy string arrangement hearkened back to another time, but it sure was a great song. Even now this is a piece of pop magic, and it brings a smile to my face and a tear to my eye when I hear it - it makes me think about my dad. So I was more than a little curious when I got this from the bargain bin.

It's not a throw away bubble gum album, nor is this a pop masterpiece. It's a strange experience that is at times show tunes meets a burlesque with string arrangements. Heck he even throws in a children's choir doing the call and response on "We Will." It also feels pretty ambitious at times, and I wonder if with a different marketing angel he'd have had more in common with Harry Nilsson than he did with Englebert Humperdink. I know that's a bit of a reach there, but I still get a childish rush out of saying the word "Humperkink" - yeah, that's me in a nutshell.

After a couple of spins I'm getting into this more than I was the first time through. While this will always be a curious listen for me, albeit enjoyable, it's a curiosity. I'm not quite sure who the target market was for the album. It is an odd album, and that's been a big part of the charm for me.

"Houdini Said" is probably the most interesting track on the album. The first time through I was a bit perplexed as it was a song that seemed to have everything in it ... and with each listen a little more was revealed. Without sounding too pedantic, it's like showtunes progressive rock. It's really quite good for all that.

I know I've often pissed and moaned about albums being re-sequenced and edited for North American consumption. In this case I'm pretty happy that the non album track that turned out to be his signature song was included here. Although I will say I'm curious about the tracks that were dropped, but honestly you can't really miss what you never had.

I had hoped for more pop magic like "Alone Again" but settled for a collection of really interesting tunes that ran the gamut and sort defied being pigeon holed. For that, it was a lot of fun. 

I also got a kick out of the outro: 

Ladies and Gentlemen
And those of you who've spent money
Buying me
I'd like to thank you
I'd like to thank you
Thank you sincerely

You're welcome Mr. O'Sullivan.