Gilbert O’Sullivan topped the UK and US singles charts in
the 70s and became a worldwide superstar, becoming the biggest-selling solo
artist in the world, outstripping the likes of Rod Stewart and Elton John.
Today, he continues to be regarded as one of the world’s finest songwriters,
his songs covered by artists from across the musical spectrum, including
Morrissey, Neil Diamond, Diana Krall and Michael Buble.
This year, he returns with his latest studio album, ‘Latin
ala G’, an album of original Gilbert O’Sullivan songs inspired by Peggy Lee’s
Latin-inspired albums ‘Latin ala Lee!’ (1960) and ‘Olé ala Lee!’ (1961).
Recorded in Spain with a cast of exemplary Spanish musicians, the album finds a
legendary songwriter still at the top of his game, and as restlessly creative
as ever.
The album stems from O’Sullivan’s love of Latin music from
the early sixties, when Brazilian artists such as Astrud Gilberto and Sergio
Mendes began to gain worldwide popularity. This, combined with an admiration
for Peggy Lee whom he dueted with in the nineties - “I regard Peggy Lee, along
with Ella Fitzgerald, as the greatest female interpreter of song” says Gilbert
- formed the basis of a concept that would become ‘Latin ala G’.