Review: Gilbert O'Sullivan, Dartford's Orchard Theatre, Tuesday, March 20

by Trevor Sturgess

Singer/songwriter Gilbert O'Sullivan has tended to be overlooked in recent years, apart from diehard fans. Few younger people have probably heard of him, although they may know some of his songs.

But his talent so amply demonstrated by his gig in The Orchard, Dartford - surprisingly his first appearance in the town - underlined his place among the pantheon of British pop composers, lyricists and performers.

Forget the flat cap image from his early days - his choice, not the record company's - he is a fine, polished artist with a body of quality songs that adorn scores of still available albums.

On his latest UK tour, he is backed by a five-piece band, a string quartet and two backing singers. It's often big production stuff, and sometimes Gilbert, sitting at the keyboard, has to compete with the background sound.

But he also sings without them, and the words come through loud and clear. Don't Let it Get to You - a song about school bullying because his daughter had occasionally suffered from it - was outstanding.

His duet with Peggy Lee in 1992, when O'Sullivan - a student of the finest singers and songwriters - invited the legend, then in her early 70s, to record with him, was made more remarkable by a video of the historic New York session.

There was also film of O'Sullivan in earlier pop idol days, and cartoons to illustrate a couple of songs.

His often poignant and sometimes quirky lyrics reveal an original thinker. A video of him playing with his daughter shown during Claire, one of his most popular songs, was deeply moving.

This is a greatest hits tour, and all the favourites - Alone Again (Naturally), Nothing Rhymed and Matrimony for example - sit alongside less familiar but equally appealing numbers.

The Irish-born singer who grew up in Swindon dominates the stage from start to finish. There is no sense of celebrity or ego, he just gets on with it, chatting to the audience in a simple, unassuming but endearing way.

He ended with a high-octane extended version of Get Down, even jumping on a baby grand to show he can still do it.

He well deserved the standing ovation after a gig that showcased this special singer/songwriter's unique talent.