Ray Davies, Gilbert O'Sullivan or Al Stewart

Ever since i started rediscovering Gilbert O'Sullivan. I read comnents on youtube describing him like the cross between Paul Macarthney and Randy Newman, nothing wrong or disqualifing credidentials, but when i hear Gilberts lyrical abilities and Lso melodic skill, and wittyness, i get more Ray Davies vibe. But I also think hes songwriting is similar to Al Stewart, the way he tells stories within songs, all three being lyric geniouses, they are good with words,and make use of melody that cadence the poigenance of their words.

Three of the best story writers of 60s/70 folk, baroque pop.

I like all three, but voted for Ray Davies.

I do think Paul McCartney is much more spot on than both the Ray Davies and Randy Newman comparisons. Gilbert is harmless. He's got no bite, edge or social commentary/satire-qualities. Does he? Not as far as I'm aware of. Well crafted, bittersweet popsongs is what I hear. Nothing in wrong in that, but if I have to choose I get more of the "nice guy from Beatles vibe". I don't know Al Stewart well enough (but I've enjoyed what I've heard) to really have an informed opinion. Voted for Ray Davies btw. Man, what a catalogue of great songs.

Al Stewart is the only one of those that I listen to seriously. I've long championed his late 80's album Last Days Of The Century which is well up there with Hounds Of Love in my book. In general he tends to be seen as Soft/AOR music but he is a very skilled lyric writer who knows his history well and has a keen interest. He's written songs about Jo Baker, Nostradamus and painted a very vivid picture of Russia's involvememht in WW11 with his classic folk prog track Roads To Moscow. Of course its the ALan Parson's produced Year Of The Cat that tends to hog the attention but virtually everything he did between Past, Present and Futuree (1975) through to Last Days Of The Century is worth checking out. On 1984's Russian and Americans he wrote songs about the cold war from the 2 different perpectives. Underrated.

Ray Davies

For me the instrumental side of the music is as important as the songs and Al Stewart's albums generally had some great players involved including his long time collaborator, the brilliant guitarist Peter White. Gilbert always seemed to be more about his solo performance from little I've heard while Kinks in the sixties seemed more early 'punk rock' in style, perhaps even a key influence for that movement. That said reading up I note that Waterloo Sunset and the album it came from was actually quite 'progressive' and so not particularly well received at the time. Maybe I need to check that one out!

^ had a quick look on Apple, he's certainly stayed commendably loyal to that handsome tash 

^ well there goes Al Stewarts prog credentials in a puff of smoke