No Matter How I Try, I will never lose my love for star

I used to listen to him all the time as a young girl in the early ‘70s, as did my mother.

First and foremost, it has to be said, the man’s phenomenal for two reasons: Firstly, his crafting of the most gorgeous melodies.

Secondly, because of his gift for language.

Gilbert’s a poet who manages to weave the words without overkill. It works.

Always telling a story – both poignant and funny in turn - he cleverly uses rhyme while adding to the pleasurable experience with those exquisite melodies. He’s an accomplished musician who we’d see playing piano with well chosen chords and melodies whilst singing on Top of the Pops.

I hadn’t realised how much I’ve missed hearing him till his apparent return out of the blue.

When I think of happy childhood memories he is, in fact, a big part of that and when my mother passed away, he became integral to good memories of her too.

And to think I am still as impressed now as I was at the age of 10 !

Who could forget ‘Nothing Rhymed’ or achingly sad, ‘Alone Again (Naturally)’? Personal favourites also include 'Out of the Question' and 'Independent Air'. I could list so many...

Even as a child I learned all of the words, without fully understanding them, and recently rebought ‘Himself’ which has been a sublime trip down memory lane.

It’s lovely now to listen again, understand and make sense of the lyrics.

The other albums will follow with happy anticipation and that includes his latest.

I do hope he makes Lancaster sometime soon.

It’s been interesting for me to read all about him and note that he is not a great one for social events, for example, something I can fully relate to. His discipline in working on new songs is also impressive, spending long hours on his craft.

His recent British tour has been a big success and he has a new single and album out to boot – ‘Latin ala G’ which explores a Latin theme. He’s also on Twitter - @GilbertOSull_. Moreover, he has another tour at the end of the year.

As with most people I admire, he is very much his own person and dances to his own tune.

Unforgettable songwriter and poet - Gilbert O'Sullivan.