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The next SDE-exclusive blu-ray is Gilbert O’Sullivan’s new album, ‘Driven’

Third in the SDE Surround Series

By Paul Sinclair

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107

SDE continues to champion spatial/hi-res audio via physical product

SDE has brought you two exclusive blu-ray audio releases so far in 2022, in partnership with artists and labels who share our enthusiasm for bringing you surround sound mixes and hi-res audio on a physical format. The year started with the Tears For Fears’ The Tipping Point, continued with xPropaganda and I’m thrilled to announce that the third in our series will be channeling some classic seventies songwriting vibes via the brand new album from the legendary Irish-born singer and musician, Gilbert O’Sullivan.

O’Sullivan’s gifts have been long-established, and his observational style of songwriting, unique blend of melodic craftsmanship and witty wordplay chimed with the public on both sides of the Atlantic early in his career, as songs like ‘Alone Again (Naturally)’, and ‘Clair’ topped the charts in the UK and/or America (in 1972).

The hits continued in the 1970s, even if things were quieter in subsequent decades, but the music endured via regular compilations, ensuing new generation of artists (Paul Weller, Squeeze etc.) expressing their admiration and of course Gilbert’s songs feature regularly in films (such as 1999 family favourite Stuart Little).

That’s not to say there were not new long-players from time to time, and indeed his last outing, 2018’s well-received Gilbert O’Sullivan, was this 19th studio album and reached number 20 in the UK charts.

The new album – Driven – has been produced by Andy Wright (who has worked with Simply Red, Eurythmics, Simple Minds and Echo and The Bunnymen, among others). It’s remarkable, inasmuch as it feels both familiar and fresh at the same time. It bears all the hallmarks of this classic singer-songwriter but mixes the signature piano ballads (‘Blue Anchor Bay’) with some peppier uptempo numbers recorded with a full band at London’s famous RAK Studios (the JJ Cale-esque opener ‘Love Casualty’ being a great example). KT Tunstall duets on the springhtly ‘Take Love’ (the first single) while Mick Hucknall sings beautifully on the mid-paced reflective number ‘Let Bygones Be Bygones’. There’s also a wonderful string-backed ballad, ‘If Only Love Had Ears’ that is ridiculously McCartney-esque (never a bad thing!).

Take Love (featuring KT Tunstall) is the first single from Driven

Driven will be available on CD and vinyl but the SDE-exclusive blu-ray will be the ultimate audio format; the connoisseur’s choice. It will offer the following mixes:

  • Dolby Atmos Mix
  • 5.1 Surround Mix
  • Stereo Mix

Even better, early pre-orderers will snag an edition SIGNED by Gilbert O’Sullivan! These are available while stocks last (the listing will be updated once the signed editions have sold out so you’ll know what you are ordering).

Let’s pause, for the now traditional ‘Reasons you should own this blu-ray’!

  • It’s a great record. Naturally. I wouldn’t do this with an album I didn’t like.
  • It’s the only way to enjoy the Dolby Atmos mix of Driven via a physical product
  • You don’t have to subscribe to a streaming service like Tidal or Apple Music to hear the Dolby Atmos mix
  • It’s yours to keep forever. You own the product, you are not renting it from a ‘DSP’ (digital service provider)
  • You love ‘Holding the Music in Your Hands‘, so here’s your chance!
  • You ordered the others and want to continue to build your ‘SDE Surround Series’ collection and enjoy the variety artists/eras on offer and quality of the product.
  • The blu-ray audio is a great format for immersive/hi-res audio and you don’t want to see it die off
  • Supporting SDE with these ventures is working – thank you! – and will lead to similar collaborations with labels/artists. I’m sure, like me, you’d love this to continue!

Driven will be released on 22 July 2022, via BMG.

With the blink-and-you’ll-miss situation with Tears For Fears/xPropaganda we have listened to your views and there’s a slightly different approach this time around in terms of pre-ordering. The pre-order window for the limited edition blu-ray audio opens today and will close in 14 days’ time. This is a one-time production run and numbers will be published at a later date, so you will know just how limited this physical product is.

This product is ONLY available via the SDE shop. Pre-order by using this link or the button below. Remember, these are signed while stocks last.

TECHNICAL NOTES: This blu-ray audio requires a blu-ray player. Decoding the Dolby Atmos mix requires a Dolby Atmos-certified soundbar or a Dolby Atmos-compatible AV Receiver/Amp. The Dolby Atmos mix will ‘fold down’ to 5.1 or stereo if a Dolby Atmos decoder is not detected. 
EU SHIPPING NOTES: If you are ordering from the EU please be aware that that goods may be subject to import VAT when they arrive from the UK. The prices the SDE shop charge you do not include VAT.

Tracklisting

Driven Gilbert O’Sullivan / SDE-exclusive blu-ray audio

    • Dolby Atmos, 5.1 and stereo
      1. Love Casualty
      2. Blue Anchor Bay
      3. Let Bygones Be Bygones (featuring Mick Hucknall)
      4. Body and Mind
      5. What Are You Waiting For
      6. Let Me Know
      7. Take Love (featuring KT Tunstall)
      8. Back and Forth
      9. If Only Love Had Ears
      10. You Can’t Say I Didn’t Try
      11. You and Me Babe
      12. Hey Man
      13. Don’t Get Under Each Other’s Skin

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107 Comments

107 thoughts on “The next SDE-exclusive blu-ray is Gilbert O’Sullivan’s new album, ‘Driven’”

  1. Hi there. I think there is a need for extra copies. On Discogs there are 3 copies for sale for 150-200 pound. There is someone earnig a lot of money by selling this blu-ray. Please give us some more.

  2. Received my Blu Ray today. Understand the issue you went through. So I guess it’s a printed sign at the back of the slipcase as Mr. O’ couldn’t sign the rest of the bunch.

  4. I’m curious Paul, working with Gilbert and his team on this project, any chance he or you can figure out who owns the amazingly fantastic Big Jim Sullivan Plays Gilbert O’Sullivan album? It was on MAM records like Gilbert was and never reissued since 1973. It’s my holy grail of albums (6 copies on vinyl) and I would LOVE a CD, Bluray, or *anything* digital really. Thank you for the consideration!

  5. Since my copy of “Driven” has been delayed because of Gilbert’s battle with Covid (hopefully not too bad of symptoms) would that help with the timeline on the slipcovers.
    Then you could just put all the covers in with Blu-Ray #4 since that hasn’t shipped yet ?
    Cool idea though, it should make the Blu-Ray series standout when they’re on the shelf.

      1. Hi Paul,

        I just managed to order a Shakespears Sister blu-ray (from the cancellations/contingency) but noticed that the Tears for Fears and xPropaganda SDE slipcases weren’t available yet on the SDEShop site. If they become available before SS ships, could mine be put in the same package?

        On another note, are there any Gilbert SDE blu-rays available because of cancellations/contingency? If so, I’d like one.

        Cheers.

        1. Thanks! Everyone who orders a Shakespears Sister blu-ray will get a SS slipcase and a free Tears For Fears slipcase with it. You don’t need to do anything. xPropaganda hasn’t been printed yet, but that will be sorted soon-ish.

          1. Paul,

            Sorry for the additional question. If someone purchased multiple copies of Tears for Fears (I purchased 1 of the initial run as well as 1 of the second) will they get a slipcase for each copy? Thanks again!

  6. Just got mine too a classy piece of work.
    Quality I wish Paul could get his hands on lots more like George Michael in Atmos for example. Thank you for the quality and great price and well done to all.
    Peace and love✌

    1. Thanks Simon! We will be doing slipcases for all blu-rays including TFF and xPropaganda. More on this soon. Just to manage people’s expectations, Gilbert got COVID and this has delayed him signing about half of the 750 blu-rays, so there is going to be a slight delay I’m afraid. This mainly impacts our international customers. I will offer more info on this very soon. Paul

      1. Thanks for the update. Very good news about retro-doing the slipcases for previous releases. That will keep the collection looking sharp.
        Sorry to hear Gilbert got Covid. I’m sure customers will be understanding. Hope he didn’t cough on my insert :) Maybe I should isolate it……

  8. Just received your email about the slight delay in shipping for this @PaulS – perfectly happy to wait another few days for a signed copy of a limited edition surround sound album. Your curation of these very special issues of new and old music is superb, and these are something to be treasured.

  11. Hi Paul Brill website. Been a fairly recent convert to the music of Gilbert and really looking forward to the blu-ray.
    I’m disappointed that Radio 2 hasn’t got behind this release like they did with his previous album. Ken Bruce played Take Love as an exclusive and since then nothing which is a shame as the reviews for Driven are coming in as 4 and 5 stars. I think it was Shindig that gave 5 stars and said it might be his best album yet. Keep up the great work

  14. When I saw that the next blu-ray was Gilbert O’ Sullivan I thought no I am not interested. Later I decided to buy it and give it a go. I remember Gilbert from the 1970s, when I was a kid, but since then he has passed me by. Following the announcement of this blu ray, I watched the Nothing Rhymed video on YouTube and I absolutely love the song and the video. I didn’t realise how good it was. Since you announced this Paul, I have bought his debut CD album, watched interviews, a documentary and I am going to book to see him on his tour. I have gone Gilbert crazy in the last few days. Thanks to Paul I have rediscovered Gilbert O’ Sullivan and I am very thankful. The power of SDE.

  15. Hats off to you Paul. This is a great coup. If I may say, it’s also quite a risk you are taking on a new album of an artist who is niche to say the least. The scalpers will probably avoid this. Personally, I have no interest in GOS and Clair is on my list of 100 songs you never want to hear before you die. However, supporting SDE and the Blu Ray Audio format is a no brainer. Ordered without hesitation. You are making a significant difference to physical music and this must be supported.

  16. Very exciting news! I absolutely love this man’s work. I remember him as a kid on TOTP and grew up paying no attention to him as I became a teenage music fanatic, possibly influenced by the absurd dismissal of him as a serious artist by the press. Then I bought a DVD of obscure early 70’s promos for major artists (Slade, Mary Hopkin, Mungo Jerry, etc.) and Gilbert O’Sullivan popped up singing “Matrimony” which absolutely blew me away. It’s such a catchy song with terrifically crafted words. I went on to check out his greatest hits and found that he has a unique lyrical style of effortlessly shoehorning long urbane figure-of-speech sentences into his verse which is both clever, touching and sometimes hilarious as the rhyming scheme twists and turns. His tunes are total earworms and his voice is direct, engaging and friendly without ever being saccharine. He’s a wry observer of human foibles and there’s a definite edge to him that raises his work above what one might expect from his deceptively nonthreatening arrangements. 

    I now have a complete collection of all his albums which have never dropped in quality. My order is in for the Blu Ray. I love a surround mix. The involvement of KT Tunstall is terrific – she’s one heavyweight talent.

    I saw Ray in concert in 2012 in Guildford and he was amazing with a full band and small string section. The grown-up Clair from the eponymous song was in the audience and took a bow. The best bit was that he came out to sign autographs and meet his fans afterwards waiting patiently for a very long line of satisfied customers giving quality time to everyone. He happily posed for a pic with my young kids who knew him from the soundtrack of Ice Age and I got to talk to him about legendary guitarist Big Jim Sullivan who played on his flawless “Himself” LP and had just kindly played a session for little old me for my own then recent “difficult” second solo album.

    Thanks so much for putting this out Paul.

    Go Gilbert!

  17. Ordered this item yesterday, Paul ! My third in a row. Looking forward to get the whole series :-). Keep up the excellent work and I am enjoying the SDE website a lot !

  18. Ray’s a criminally underrated songwriter and recording artist. I had the good fortune to see him in concert a few years ago, and it was staggering to remember just how many hit records he had “back in the day”. Before he became an industry pariah for daring to sue his record label to regain control of his own music, something which lasted for decades. Its great that he is still not only recording new material, but that he is being treated with such respect by SDE. I don’t always see eye-to-eye with everything they do. But they get my approval in this case.

  19. Other than “Alone Again” I was completely unfamiliar with Gilbert’s work. (Not as many hits here in the States apparently). However, that new tune is pretty fun. I like the unexpected changes in the chord progression. (I can see why Glenn Tilbrook is a fan. He likes to do the same thing a lot).  And as I really appreciate SDE being an advocate for physical surround sound releases, I’ve just ordered a copy. When the series was first announced I was very excited, but I certainly didn’t expect titles to be coming so quickly. This is wonderful. I hope the series is a success and continues well into the future. Thank you Paul!

    2. Strangely enough, I did think ‘Squeeze’ when I listened to the single. Perhaps it is the chord twists that did it.
      I’ve always loved ‘Alone again’ and have vague memories of seeing him performing songs like ‘Clair’ on variety shows in the 70s here in the UK. However never really followed his career.
      Will have to check out a greatest hits/best of.

  20. I appreciate Gilbert’s songs but am hardly a fan, so I’m not very interested. Although the fact that he learned drums and keyboards from Supertramp’s Rick Davies is curious – now here’s a band that has been rather badly served with reissues so far (thanks to their never-ending infighting).

    But I applaud the changed approach towards the pre-orders, and also the fact that there’s a stereo mix on the disc too.

    One thing I noticed is that while TFF obviously got a lot of promo, I have not heard anything about either xPropaganda or the new Gilbert O’Sullivan album in pretty much any other media I follow (radio, music magazines). That’s bound to influence the preorder numbers.

  21. For the completists, O’Sullivan’s website also has signed vinyl variations and……………..a signed cassette! No signed CD though.

  23. Yes Jarmo you are quite right.I had KD Lang on my mind as I have jut ordered the vinyl version of All You Can Eat!
    The duet with KT Tunstall sounds fine to these old ears.
    No disappointment there.

  24. Aimee Mann might be glad to hear this news. She has said in interviews that Gilbert’s lyrics were pretty influential on her own writing, esp. the song Alone Again Naturally. She loved that one of his. I remember buying that 45 in 1972 – it was my first ever record purchase, at age 12. Then I started buying Macca & Wings 45s…!! What a great time for music that was.

  26. You’re doing God’s work with these releases, Paul. Gutted I missed out on The Tipping Point SDE exclusive but then… it was an exclusive! Ordered this as I’m a big fan of GO’S. Cheers for putting the music in our hands!

  28. Thrilled to see this series continue, and glad that there is a standard 5.1 mix included in addition to Atmos. Do we know who mixed the surround versions?

  30. Ordered!

    I saw Gilbert play live a few years ago – I only knew his classic early ’70s hits – and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of his other songs and how good he was on stage. Plus he happily signed autographs in the foyer after the show!

    He’s really underrated as a singer-songwriter and I’m looking forward to hearing his latest material in 5.1. Thanks for keeping the surround sound and physical media flags flying, Paul!

  31. Well now, this was unexpected…I saw GOS live in NYC in 2019/2020 when he had his last album…forgot the title, blue cover, BMG…he came back here recently but couldn’t go and had no idea about this new “Driven”, now an SDE exclusive BluRay Audio too?? Dang…bam, ordered, to support you & SDE, Paul, also GOS’ career cuz he still has his melodic gift…and duets with KT & Mick as well…good show Paul…sucks I missed the xPropaganda BRA tho…

  32. Will be interesting to see if this album is going to be his first top ten success in the UK since 1974.
    At least for the physical charts this SDE-only release might help considerably.

  33. Ordered. I did order the Tears For Fears surround mix but not the xPropaganda because import taxes and customs fees almost double the price. So I will pick the ones I’m most interested in. I only have a compilation cd of Gilbert’s 70’s classics. I’m curious how he sounds now but I don’t think I would have ordered his new album if there wasn’t a surround mix. Thanks Paul for supporting the format.

  34. Bought my first Gilbert O’Sullivan album, Himself, about 10 years ago. Since then I’ve collected them all, so it’s great news to hear that he’s putting out another new album. His songwriting has remained very strong down through the years and his lyrics are always delightfully idiosyncratic. His eponymous 2018 album was excellent. Nice to see him get some good publicity on SDE.
    I don’t have the Atmos or 5:1 gear, so I’m afraid it will just have to be the standard CD for me.

  36. This is so unexpected… I only know Alone Again naturally. It must be the saddest MOR song ever. You can imagine how surprised I was when I listened to Take Love. Am I the only one who noticed that parts of the song sound vaguely like Everybody needs somebody to love ?

    1. You don’t know “Get Down” (quite a funny song if you like that 70s keyboard-driven soft rock sound), “Clair”, “Nothing Rhymed”, “Matrimony”, “Ooh-wakka-doo” (or however that’s spelt) or “What’s in a kiss”? Those are all songs I heard with quite some frequency on the radio even a few years ago, less so now.

  37. If at 75yo he’s still making new music and could bring himself to the United States to tour last month during a pandemic, then the very least I could do is support a fellow Irishman and SDE. Purchased.

  38. Hi Paul
    Being of a certain vintage, Gilbert will always be special to me as his first album-Himself- was the first album I ever purchased back in 1972.
    Fabulous creamy/beige coloured gatefold sleeve with Gilbert in his then trademark cloth cap.
    £2.45 from a shop called Memrydiscs (yes no O in memry) in Hounslow West London.
    The track with KD Lang sounds great so money well spent.
    Roll on 22 July!

    1. You will be disappointed. It’s KT Tunstall, not KD Lang. By the way my favourite song of Gilbert is from Himself album and it’s called Nothing Rhymed!

  39. Blimey! I click on the SDE link fully expecting to read an in-depth piece on the Clash Combat Rock 4oth Anniversary Edition and what do I get instead? Gilbert O’Sullivan!
    Hope you are going to cover the Combat Rock SDE Pail, because there’s an awful lot to say about this release. If you think George Michael’s Older SDE is disappointing, brother you ain’t seen nothin’ yet!

  40. I wish to be able to support SDE’s efforts, however I’m being held back by the non-delivery issue. Could deliveries to Malaysia be arranged Paul?

    Thank you.

  41. This is probably absolutely not my cup of tea, musically, BUT I ordered a copy to support SDE and these Atmos on physical media projects! Well done!

  42. It’s very interesting, this renewed interest in ‘spatial sound’ – I seem to recall reading somewhere that Apple are pushing it to get more punters signing up for their services. If as a consequence we get more surround music blu-rays – that’s a good thing, right?

    Do you have the ear of (m)any of the record companies, Paul? I have a list as long as my arm of albums I’d like them to remix to surround :)

    1. Hi Steven… yes I believe that is indeed the case with Apple and you’re right, it could open the door for more SDE collaborations. Exciting times.

    1. And there is a vidclip on YouTube of Gilbert & Elton jamming at the piano together on the Elton-ish “Get Down”…great stuff…

      1. Hi just watched the Gilbert/Elton jam of Get Down, never seen that before brilliant, thanks. From the video it looks like Gilberts hair had already out ranked Elton’s in 72.

  46. Hi Paul

    Happy to support your ongoing efforts – and it doesn’t hurt that I like some Gilbert O’Sullivan! – so I sprung for this. Took the opportunity also to go for the Associates SDE with the freebie single. Question is – will both items ship together or come out separately?

    Thanks again!

    1. Thanks Steven. By default they will ship together at whatever the date everything is available. However it’s looking like the Associates release date has actually gone back so these could end up close together. Will communicate what’s going on to everyone soon. Cheers!

  47. Anything to support SDE so I ordered it. I only know depressing (to me) piano ballads by Gilbert O’Sullivan but the single sounds ok. I hope most of the album is upbeat like that. Going on a limp here Paul but I got a signed version and it will be super exclusive so I’ll be ok. I now have all 3 exclusives, going for my own personal box set!

    1. His biggest success in Germany was in 1973 “Get Down”, which was the only song by him reaching the No. 1 spot.

      Though not exactly speed metal i think this isn’t quite depressing but a nice catchy pop tune.
      Also a bit more on the happy side and at least a radio hit but not so successful in the charts was in 1980 “What’s In A Kiss”.

      Check these two out in case you don’t know them yet.

    1. Haha. I’m rather proud we’re only 3 months into the year and we’ve had 3 blu-ray announcements and two other exclusives. I need a holiday!

      1. You should be proud Paul and congrats on your 3rd Blu-ray release in 2022. SDE has reignited my interest in the format lately as I just chased down copies of two Blu-ray 5.1 releases from 2016: Pixies “Doolittle” + Love and Rockets “Seventh Dream of Teenage Heaven”. I’m enjoying those but their surround audio options, limited to only 5.1, can’t compete with your Tears for Fears “The Tipping Point” Blu-ray with ATMOS. Only 2020’s INXS “Live Baby Live Wembley Stadium” 4k Blu-ray comes close.

  49. What a very interesting and unexpected choice! Looks great and an instant order from me, especially with the initial copies being signed. Thanks Paul… and keep up the good work.

  50. Ordered, my first Gilbert O‘Sullivan cd/bluray -:) Thank you, Paul!

    A „SDE“-hype sticker at the front cover would be very nice…

  51. As much as I really want to support your efforts this isn’t my cup of tea. I will skip this one and see what the future brings. I bought the TFF one and am eagerly awaiting the xPropaganda one as well. Out of curiosity though Paul, what is the resolution of the stereo track on this one? Keep em coming, there’s bound to be more I like.

    1. Fair enough! Not confirmed at this point in time on the stereo. It has to be at least 48/24 to meet blu-ray standards but could be 96/24.

  52. Well, you’ve got me curious! That ‘Take Love’ song doesn’t sound anything like what I imagined from Gilbert O’Sullivan. I might want to hear more … And this album comes with a seal of approval of SDE? It must be worth checking out. Yes, I go for it!

    1. I get that Gilbert isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but there’s some good stuff on this album. I can see why they’ve promoted Take Love as the single, but for me there are better songs on the album.

  53. It’s getting to where I see the email saying SDE BluRay Exclusive and I hit “buy now” without even looking at the contents. Fortunately I really love Gilbert (if you get a chance to see him live, just do it) so this is an essential purchase. Thanks Paul!

  54. Have ordered so I can carry on collecting the series ! Looking forward to the inevitable comments after 2 weeks when someone screams this pre-order service is unfair

  55. If you had said to me yesterday that I would be buying a Gilbert O Sullivan bluray today, I would have laughed hysterically….
    I have no expectation of what this will sound like – particularly in Atmos – but I have a curious open mind and happy to support all SDE endeavours.
    Thanks Paul

    1. Ha! Thanks Simon. I realised this would be a little bit of a curveball but enjoyed the album and I quite like the idea of bringing forward some more quirky offerings. BMG have a wide repertoire (including Duran Duran) so if this does well then they could be more inclined to collaborate on other albums/artists.

  57. Not really what I was expecting but I’ve ordered anyway. I’m sure it’s a decent album and I’m always happy to support Paul and SDE. It will also be good to add this to the first two blu rays so the completist in me is happy.

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