Ray Davies, Gilbert O'Sullivan or Al Stewart
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Printed Date: May 17 2025 at 09:34
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Topic: Ray Davies, Gilbert O'Sullivan or Al Stewart
Posted By: Icarium
Subject: Ray Davies, Gilbert O'Sullivan or Al Stewart
Date Posted: July 01 2023 at 08:46
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Ever since i started rediscovering Gilbert O'Sullivan. I read comnents on youtube describing him like the cross between Paul Macarthney and Randy Newman, nothing wrong or disqualifing credidentials, but when i hear Gilberts lyrical abilities and Lso melodic skill, and wittyness, i get more Ray Davies vibe. But I also think hes songwriting is similar to Al Stewart, the way he tells stories within songs, all three being lyric geniouses, they are good with words,and make use of melody that cadence the poigenance of their words. Three of the best story writers of 60s/70 folk, baroque pop. -------------  
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Replies:
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 01 2023 at 08:52
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Al Stewart - Timeless songs throughout the passage of time. |
Posted By: Octopus II
Date Posted: July 01 2023 at 09:25
| I like all three, but voted for Ray Davies. |
Posted By: Heart of the Matter
Date Posted: July 01 2023 at 10:39
| Al, The News From Spain is as close to a dream come true as a song can be. |
Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: July 01 2023 at 13:31
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I do think Paul McCartney is much more spot on than both the Ray Davies and Randy Newman comparisons. Gilbert is harmless. He's got no bite, edge or social commentary/satire-qualities. Does he? Not as far as I'm aware of. Well crafted, bittersweet popsongs is what I hear. Nothing in wrong in that, but if I have to choose I get more of the "nice guy from Beatles vibe". I don't know Al Stewart well enough (but I've enjoyed what I've heard) to really have an informed opinion. Voted for Ray Davies btw. Man, what a catalogue of great songs. |
Posted By: The Dark Elf
Date Posted: July 01 2023 at 13:39
This. ------------- ...a vigorous circular motion hitherto unknown to the people of this area, but destined to take the place of the mud shark in your mythology... |
Saperlipopette! wrote:Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: July 02 2023 at 03:18
| Al Stewart is the only one of those that I listen to seriously. I've long championed his late 80's album Last Days Of The Century which is well up there with Hounds Of Love in my book. In general he tends to be seen as Soft/AOR music but he is a very skilled lyric writer who knows his history well and has a keen interest. He's written songs about Jo Baker, Nostradamus and painted a very vivid picture of Russia's involvememht in WW11 with his classic folk prog track Roads To Moscow. Of course its the ALan Parson's produced Year Of The Cat that tends to hog the attention but virtually everything he did between Past, Present and Futuree (1975) through to Last Days Of The Century is worth checking out. On 1984's Russian and Americans he wrote songs about the cold war from the 2 different perpectives. Underrated. |
Posted By: Steve Wyzard
Date Posted: July 03 2023 at 13:26
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I used to have a number of Al Stewart's albums for many years, but I finally got rid of them. Even on a positive, upbeat song like "Song on the Radio", there's an atmosphere of utter dreariness lurking in the background that ultimately left me cold. While Ray Davies is often accused of being "mean-spirited", I would take him over the other two every day. Going all the way back to 1964, the man plain and simple had a gift for songwriting. Many examples could be given, but I'll always have a place in my heart for 1984's "Do It Again".
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Posted By: mellotronwave
Date Posted: July 03 2023 at 14:45
| Ray Davies |
Posted By: Icarium
Date Posted: July 03 2023 at 16:31
I admire Al Stewart and love Ray Davies, i feel people needs to listen to the album tracks of O'Sullivans discog, liĝots of introspective songs. -------------
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Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: July 04 2023 at 05:38
| For me the instrumental side of the music is as important as the songs and Al Stewart's albums generally had some great players involved including his long time collaborator, the brilliant guitarist Peter White. Gilbert always seemed to be more about his solo performance from little I've heard while Kinks in the sixties seemed more early 'punk rock' in style, perhaps even a key influence for that movement. That said reading up I note that Waterloo Sunset and the album it came from was actually quite 'progressive' and so not particularly well received at the time. Maybe I need to check that one out! |
Posted By: Saperlipopette!
Date Posted: July 04 2023 at 06:36
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On the topic of guys like Al Stewart, anyone else into Michael Franks? Such a gifted songwriter, great arrangements and so overlooked. |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: July 05 2023 at 05:39
^ had a quick look on Apple, he's certainly stayed commendably loyal to that handsome tash  |
Posted By: Hrychu
Date Posted: July 05 2023 at 08:11
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Al Stewart's vocal timbre reminds me of Tony Banks ------------- 
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Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: July 06 2023 at 10:12
^ well there goes Al Stewarts prog credentials in a puff of smoke 
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