Driven

Gilbert O'sullivan

Released on 2022-07-22 by Union Square
Main artists: Gilbert O'sullivan
Genre: Rock

Available in

24-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo

Unlimited Streaming

Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps

Start my trial period and start listening to this album

Enjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription

Digital Download

Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.

In the decades after his mid-'70s commercial peak, Irish singer/songwriter Gilbert O'Sullivan maintained a prodigious output of well-written, quirky piano pop records, somehow sticking it out long enough to enjoy a career renaissance with his self-titled 2018 album. More than just a pop survivor, O'Sullivan is a consummate craftsman whose devotion to clever, melodic songwriting has kept his hearth fire burning even during the leanest years. He never stopped writing good songs, but the combination of Ethan Johns' warm production, a focused crop of tunes, and a bit of luck helped Gilbert O'Sullivan hit number 20 in the U.K., a remarkable feat given the singer's 44-year absence from that same chart. His 2022 follow-up Driven is, if anything, an even better record. At age 75, O'Sullivan sounds half his age, delivering sharp-witted rockers like "Love Casualty" and "You Can't Say I Didn't Try" with infectious energy and zeal. Produced this time by Andy Wright (Simply Red, Simple Minds), Driven retains some of the fuzzy, laid-back '70s charm that characterized his 2018 set while also harking back to the tasteful soft rock orchestrations of his heyday, especially on standouts like the marvelous "Blue Anchor Bay" and the piano-and-strings ballad "If Only Love Had Ears." Driven also benefits from an inviting group energy with lively backing vocal interactions, a nimble rhythm section, and scintillating guitar leads. O'Sullivan's resurgence is unique in that it's less a comeback than a spotlight returning to a work in progress. He sounds joyful and relaxed with none of the desperation of trying to maintain an unexpected late-career high. It's more as if we simply caught him doing his thing at a particularly good moment.

© Timothy Monger /TiVo

More info

Driven

Gilbert O'sullivan

You are currently listening to samples.

Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.

Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.

From CA$ 10.83/month

Love Casualty

00:03:45

Andy Wright, Producer - Gilbert O'sullivan, Composer, Piano, Writer, MainArtist - Gavin Goldberg, Mixer, Engineer - Patrick Murdoch, Electric Guitar, Charango - JP Chalbos, Engineer - Oscar Golding, Bass - Rich Milner, Keyboards, Organ - Jamie McCredie, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar - Emma Marks, Assistant - Geoff Holdroyd, Drums

© 2022 Grand Upright Music Limited under exclusive licence to Union Square Music Limited, a BMG company ℗ 2022 Grand Upright Music Limited under exclusive license to Union Square Music Limited, a BMG Company

Blue Anchor Bay