Melody Fair was added to a 1971 British film "Melody" Here an excerpt. The guy who comes out of the pub is 60s/70s actor Roy Kinnear (he appeared in "Help"). His son Rory is well known for British TV appearances as well as appearing in four James Bond films. th-cam.com/video/BQnTCB_rX84/w-d-xo.html
Think you. I think a lot of people will see this review and realize how the Bee Gees evolved. You are a mighty fine teacher and we all learn lot from you. Love all your shows.
Very nice review. Also love the Bee Gees' Atco years -- way more than the disco years. "Holiday" and "To Love Somebody" are true gems from 1967. "Lonely Days" from '70 isn't too shabby, either.
You get high marks from me right off just for talking about non-fever era Bee Gees. These guys had so much great and varied music (I'm not a huge disco fan myself, but disco is only 2 or so albums out of 20+. The Odessa album took me quite a few listens to "get", now it is among my favorites. The title track in particular I think is quite genius, but it took me a bit to get there. I think the trick with this album is to not take the "concept" too seriously and just ride the wave. It is a bit all over the place, but I think it is packed full of great music. Thank you for the review, I really liked the idea of breaking it into parts, and I think I'll play with that a bit.
My fav Bee gees albums are Horizontal 1968 Odessa 1969 Cucumber castle 1970 Trafalgar 1971 Mr. Natural 1974 One 1989 High civilization 1991 Still waters 1997 This is where I came in 2001
I'm a fan of pre-disco Bee Gees music; much of it is superbly crafted but I share your views about the bloated nature of Odessa. Additionally, you brought a new understanding to me of the album's structure - thanks! I shall give it a spin again tonight. Fun fact about Melody Fair - It featured (as did First of May) in a charming, undervalued British film variously called "S.W.A.L.K." and "Melody" that flopped in the UK and US but was HUGE in Japan. It truly captures the essence of London/Estuary teenage life in the late 60's/early 70's and the music is used very well - I recommend it (if you can find it!).
noted, i'll remember that film. i'm SO glad i could help frame the chaotic structure of odessa. i feel it's what a lot of reviews/retrospectives of this album lack; some kind of meaningful comparison to what was going on in music at the time. having that going in would've helped so much with my understanding of odessa
Love this video. So happy you've chosen this album to review. Just wanted to say that Maurice's name is pronounced MORRIS not as the French Maurice. Hence the brocalled him Mo for a nickname.
I agree about The White Album and "Islands". I listened to some of "Odessa" once but wasn't impressed. I'll give it another try. Their post-disco album period actually had some good songs. There's a 3-disc deluxe version of this album with 3 outtakes in addition to the demos and alternate takes.
Oh my! Wasn’t expecting this. I love early Bee Gees. And unfortunately timely, Odessa (City on the Black Sea) is a timely reminder of the current war. Marley Purt Drive is a rare but lovely BG country offer. Never say never again is perhaps the last of their last early days ballads of worth. Thanks Abbie! Plus keeping that Circle Sky vibe 👍😂
Paul Buckmaster arranged the strings on Moonlight Mile for the Stones Sticky fingers LP. Robert Stigwood gave BGs more studio time and a bigger than normal budget, it was a gamble that backfired.
Good review. btw, from what I've heard, Maurice's name is pronounced like 'Morris'. I'll have to give King Crimson's Islands a listen. I detested disco music back in the day when it was the rage (I was a teen then) but these days I enjoy a lot of it. I guess you can say that people's tastes change over the years.
I suppose the perfect punk riposte to poncey red velvet would be "The Return of the Durutti Column" LP, which was originally released in a cover of coarse sandpaper. So when stored with your collection it had the subversive advantage of gradually destroying - in authentic 'Anarchy in the UK' style - all your other albums.
Who the heck ever heard of this record here in Brooklyn we only know one record and that my dear is The Saturday Night Fever soundrack, its all we know, its good enough and we like it that way!!! Just joshing was nice video and very informative thank you. 🙃
Gee, never heard of this one, tho I liked early Bee Gees a lot (Words, To Love Somebody) and even found myself respecting their disco stuff at the height of the"Punk Hates Disco" era. Somehow tho had no idea of the existence of this double concept l.p...I appreciate learning new things, thank u Abby. Never a dull Vinyl Monday moment! ♥ Btw, I hear you re. The White Album. I also think it's "best", tho I often enjoy the early live-in-studio stuff more, if that makes any sense. Now finding myself wondering -- did the Beatles (George Harrison's?) dentist friend live on "Marley Purt Drive" 😉
To me, the only unnecessary track in "Odessa" is "With all nations". That should have been replaced with "Pity" or "Nobody's Someone" , both of which ended up on the "Sketches for Odessa" CD in 2009. I wouldn't say that this album is bloated or overlong; if anything, I'd say that there was room for a fifth track on side four.
🌠🌹hey abbey with a whole lotta records...I'm not a fan of the bee gee's..I went 2 Burlington vermont on friday..it was nice...happy new year..hope your doin alright..🌹
Growing up in the 60,s and 70,s i thought the bee gees were a rock band then came disco which I HATED split up the music scene u were either disco or rock and there wasnt to much mixing really never forgave them and john travolta for ruining the music scene lol interesting though that this album and tommy came out about the same time the first so called rock operas and tommy was acclaimed and odessa was not like u you said just think its all over the place i just imagine where they would have gone if they stayed pop rock
Fantastic! The Bee Gees must be one of the most underrated/hated bands. Their 60s output is up there with any of their contemporaries and I still say "To Love Somebody" is the greatest song ever written - imagine if Otis Redding had lived to record it (as was the intention), everyone else could have gone home. Edit: I agree with your assessment mostly- Bee Gees 1st, Horizontal and Idea are "better" albums, but I can forgive Odessa its bloatedness as it was uncharted territory for everyone. I'll forgive it anything for "Sound of Love" and "I laugh in your face" ( proto Bowie!) Double edit - if you like the medieval Bee Gees, Cucumber Castle has that in spades! That may be the Robin scepti in me though, as I almost always prefer Maurice and Barry's vocals, and I take Robins absence for that album as a small blessing
the bee gees 60s catalog is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. i totally forgot about "to love somebody" until it was mentioned here! went to like it on spotify and turns out i already had it there!! i think that early rock opera achilles heel can be attributed to just that: being uncharted territory
I take Robin's return to the group as a huge blessing. Don't forget he cowrote the majority of their songs, @90%, and Barry said he was a terrific songwriter. His voice was unique and unmatched (maybe not to your taste but certainly to mine and many others) and the three part harmonies and alternating leads, even in the same songs, unparalleled. All three were essential. Stigwood paid big bucks to buy out his contract with Vic Lewis so he must have considered him vital.
@@susieq9801 as I say a small blessing. I think it did both sides a favour (Robin certainly had the bigger hit with his solo album). I really like Two Years On, so I don't object to him returning, but I do think Maurice always feels a bit squeezed out by the other two brothers, which is a shame as I find him the most likeable Gibb!
@@leipherd8118 - Mo was absolutely a likeable guy and so undervalued. An amazing arranger and musician who knew just what chords and embellishments were needed in every song and pretty much their on stage musical director. He was also an experimenter who incorporated every new gadget into their music like the Moog synthesizer when it first came on the scene. I don't think anyone who knew them had a bad word to say about Mo and stated he was the backbone of the group. His voice was smooooth and versatile. He was squeezed out for sure. His value was obvious since when he died, so did the Bee Gees. Three very different brothers. Mo the extrovert with an innocent humor and everybody's friend. His twin the opposite, a dichotomy, zany and witty in private but a moody loner and introvert in public. Barry the level headed and self confident businessman and boss. A strange but essential brew! 😁😁They said themselves they needed to break up when they did because they were so very young and being pulled apart by the press and that they split as boys but came back together as men. A prime example at that time of Mo's lack of respect, he said followers told both Barry and Rob that they could go solo but "nobody ever said that" to him. He also said "The Bee Gees were the handsome one, the one with the teeth and the other one". That was so unfair and had to hurt. I liked Robin for his eccentricity and his social efforts, many under the radar - "Outreach" that gave opportunities to children, President of the British Heritage Society, President of the Composer's Union that got fair wages for composers and singers, his success at getting the Bomber Command Memorial built and his work on behalf of veterans and refugees including speaking in Parliament. All of the brothers were socially active but he seemed to be the most active and did so without accolades. He was surely eccentric and that appealed to me. All the best!
Disco sucked in the 70's and it still sucks today! The Bee Gees at least made disco more interesting for me. Odessa was and is a difficult listen. I wasn't even aware of the single disc version from the late 70's, but I can see Odessa being a better record as a single disc. Unfortunately, the quality would depend on what tracks were picked. Me thinks anyone who likes the Bee Gees and are interested in Odessa should just pick their own favorite tracks and create their very own single disc version of it. Now you have the perfect Odessa album! I think I'll give it a try.
Paul Buckmaster arranged the strings on David Bowie's Space Oddity and worked again with Bowie on the famous lost soundtrack to the movie 🎬 The man who fell to earth 🌎 This score/ soundtrack was not used at the time as it was replaced by John Phillips from the Mamas and the Papas doing his version of the movie soundtrack. I believe some of the musical ideas 💡 that Bowie worked on ended up on the album Low including the Subterraneans I believe 🙏 😀
When you took off the boot that was so how I see you to be lol! Just a girl who comes in takes shoes off lol! Great episode! My mom was a huge fan of this album and band!
Kevin Dobson I love that record. One of those unsung hero type of albums. Love "Dogs" and...ah the whole album is great! There's a film of them singing "Mr. Natural" on the Mike Douglas Show in 1974.
Early BeeGees we’re my favorite. I never listened to Odessa I must admit. After they went disco I didn’t listen to them although Saturday Night Fever is a great album. As usual love your videos.
Hey Abigail! I've enjoyed Odessa since it was released. Always liked Marley Purt Drive. Paul Buckmaster is the mastermind behind the incredible string arrangements for Elton John. Check out the 1971 film Friends soundtrack. So glad to know you're a Donovan fan. A rare 'n wondrous double album is HMS Donovan (1971). Also A Gift From A Flower To A Garden double lp, Sunshine Superman 'n Mellow Yellow...all great!
I think this is the only album you have reviewed that I haven't heard a note of. I was never a big Bee Gees fan, but I will definitely give this a listen. Thank you for continuing to open our minds!
Have you heard PP Arnold's The Turning Tide? After Odessa, with Robin leaving, Barry started producing an album for PP Arnold, but the recordings never made it off the shelf. Shortly thereafter she worked with Eric Clapton on a few tracks which ended up on the same shelf and about 5 years back they were put out as an album, omitting a few of the Barry tracks sadly!
wow i haven't heard of this project! gives some insight into what was happening with the bee gees post-odessa. shelved clapton tracks are of great interest to me (see the curious case of "devil road")
You make Mondays worth looking forward to. LOL. I love it when you introduce me to something I’ve never heard before. I’ll give it some listens and get back to you!
I’m always impressed with your extensive knowledge on all these great albums from way back. I’m not familiar with The Bee Gees older material but I’ve always been interested. And particularly loved your comparison to The Who’s Tommy. It leads me to one of my favorite Who songs that came from “ Who Are You “, “ Sister Disco. “ Thanks to this catchy, riveting tune when I first heard it in ‘79, i finally threw in the towel on Disco ( which I’m afraid to admit I once liked ). However, I did listen to the title track of the “ Odessa “ album, and found it very intriguing. I liked its ominous, moody and methodical sound. I will have to explore the remainder of this album even though it seems like a long, uncertain journey.
Love 60's era Bee Gees. Have never heard the entire album, but I do know First of May, Marley Purt Drive, Melody Fair and Lamplight. Another great video, Abbie.😃😃👍
There was a bit of disco that was pretty okay. The Bee Gees, Nile Rodgers and Chic and Donna Summer were able to add some depth to the musical style. The Saturday Night Fever soundtrack had some pretty groundbreaking production techniques that set the standards that rap and hip hop would use after the hey day of disco. Also, SNF had some really intense instrumental #s as well..
That was educational! Most of what I know about the Bee Gees is from the great HBO Documentary How Can You Mend a Broken heart. I'm old enough to know all their great hits from that era. So I'll pass on this album but will try a few of the songs on TH-cam. Great video as always. I most definitely am looking forward to next week.
A motherfuggin pan flute, 59 bucks at Guitar Center. I n 1967 my brother bought the Bee Gees album - first American release, called the Bee Gees. Even Barry was a teenager. It has a nice psychedelic cover and with songs like Holiday, Red Chair Fade Away, Every Christian Lion Hearted Man Will Show You - it is (deep breath): a perfect album. It is baroque, it is psychedelic, it is deep and complex rock and here's the fun part - I never even heard of Odessa. After the debut album (in America) I was not interested in anything that wasn't genius level Bee Gees. Eons later Saturday Night Fever (yes I'm a dancer) came along and White Soul owned the airwaves. I Close My Eyes, Turn of the Century, New York Mining Disaster 1941, I Can't See Nobody...every song is a gem. 3 or 4 songs were huge radio hits. Again, a phenomenal perfect record that apparently everybody forgot about. I'm hesitant about Odessa now that I'm aware of its existence.
odessa really is an album that throws you right into the deep end to see if you can swim, i don't blame you at all for being hesitant. bee gees 1st is absolutely on my radar now that i've posted this video. as fun and on-brand as a pan flute would be, that $59 might just go to an autoharp. gotta get rob tyner's "grande days" down on it!
@@abigaildevoe - Of course I had to check it out (Rob's vid). Definitely you want an autoharp. I have one bit of advice on the harp - keep it tuned! Autoharps are fantastic when you get used to the feel - they can also be quite heavy but I'm a walker, i.e. one who walks so I rate every instrument according to weight. Seriously you can get a "cane" or "reed" panflute for 12 bucks online and they weigh maybe an ounce. I have a cane flute for walking, it's loud and unpredictable and perfect. Panflutes are super lightweight and fit in a modest hemp shoulderbag. The bamboo panflutes goes into Chinese territory but any instrument, egg shakers or didgeridoo is simply an extension of the player. Here's the best tip I can offer as a "musician" - play your instrument till it plays itself (muscle memory like me learning Lovely Rita) then just start talkin'. I have 177 notebooks full of words (songs and song fragments). All I need do is generate a solid groove and start reading. Every notebook is a singular rock opera. Nobody seems to mind my crazy flute playing (best when you don't know what you are doing).
The brothers Gibb baby. Unlike my older cousin, I didn't swap out my Saturday Night Fever 8 track forLed Zeppelin IV at the first sight of running into friends on the street while cruising. I owned it, bay-bee
consistent, i dig it! take that, elementary school teachers (i was referred to as "consistently inconsistent" more than once on report cards. how things have changed)
@@abigaildevoe gotta love teachers who come after you (universal you) personally instead of Constructively. Like it would help the learning process. Only detrimental to it. I can sympathize with you Abigail, because "the teachers that taught me weren't cool" either 😉
Another album I neither have nor know (except "First of May" on "The Very Best of" - quite nice!). Maybe it's time to get to know "Odessa"? Because I like Bee Gees in general. Even classical 70s disco doesn't disgust me. Maybe because my Mom listened to a lot of it when I was a child. And especially since I've heard that the professional musicians say it's not so easy to play as it seems... Anyway what you said about "Odessa" intrigues me. I like 60s experiments, even more if they're eccentric. Baroque mixed with country and soul? Should not bore me. By the way: have you heard such an album like "Hounds of Love" by Kate Bush? Half of it (the 2nd one), titled "The Ninth Wave", is likewise a kind of opera about disaster on the sea, and likewise it's intentionally eclectic. You may like it! PS. And. Next time. Rolling Stones. "Let. It. Bleed". Really good. Album. With "Gimme Shelter". On it. Adequate hymn. For now. And brilliant. Title track. What I'm? Talking about? It's. Obvious.
So now I have heard "Odessa", I've just finished - a while ago. And, yes, it's somehow fascinating, with some beautiful songs. And, yes, it leaves some insufficiency. Too many ideas on one album, too many things and issues and subjects they tried to have done with one work. And, yes, still it's worth to give it a listen. And I still recommend "The Ninth Wave". I greet you (and you all) in another 14th of January. :)
A lot of labels and big groups tied to produce their own SGT PEPPERS theme-centric album. The Stones' SATANIC MAJESTY's and most everyone else flopped. The interesting issue about LET IT BLEED's long closer, YOU CAN''T ALWAYS GET as one of the first "anthems"... the Beatles had LET IT BE and HEY JUDE, Zeppelin would eventually overdub STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN, Traffic's HIGH SPARK and just about everyone else tried. And failed. Heck, the Beatles' MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR was a theme-based attempt but then Their White Album was a total surrender: "Let's stop this theme stuff, and go back to songs." ODESSA was the Bee Gee's SGT PEPPER'S attempt. Too bad most folks didn't dial back and reexamine Brian Wilson's PET SOUNDS for a truly "new starting point."
yes i make this point all the time! pet sounds was a big reason sgt. pepper's came to be. it was never beatles vs. stones, it was really lennon-mccartney vs. brian wilson
Abigail, thank you so much for doing this video! Odessa is my favorite Bee Gees album, and one of my favorite albums of all time. I think Lamplight is one of the best pop songs ever written, and the title song (Odessa) is not far behind. Thanks for all the new info you found on this album. I'm amazed that someone of your generation should find this album and love it as much as you seem to. Odessa came out while I was in college, so I think I'm correct in thinking that you're quite a bit younger than I am. But that just makes me even happier: to know that Odessa can still inspire new listeners. Keep up the good work, and thanks again!
Interesting review. Not that I've ever heard the album or ever will. I'm just not a Bee Gees kind of guy from what I have heard in later years. I'm familiar with their disco era because it was on TV and I believe the late '70s saying that Disco Sucks haha. I don't mean to offend any BG's fans but that's just my opinion and lack of interest for them. They probably had a few good songs I'm sure. I don't like much modern music either. But ironically, one artist that I do like, had a song that I liked and I found out a year or so later it was a Bee Gees song. Imagine my surprise. But they're about as far away from my classic rock types of interest as you could get 😁 But you definitely helped me know not to try out any Bee gees from the '60s since I've never heard it before. It just doesn't sound very grabbing to me. Thanks for the honesty and interesting review... Brian in Fort Worth 🎶
Going by the songs that you (Abigail) like from `Odessa` I think you might like their debut "Bee Gees 1st" . In the U.K it was a 14 song set on the Polydor label. I don't know if the U.S release on Atco was `shortened` or not. Hopefully not.
How often do you have to shampoo that album cover? The 60s Bee Gees were great Psych-Pop. The Pretty Thing's "HF Sorrow album is another cool UK concept album, Peace
i thought i found a really good deal on this record, but it turned out to be the abridged version, which i didn’t know existed. even the single disc version is a bit of a slog though. love the earlier bee gees records!
Thank you. I discovered this album about a year ago. It’s a classic. Also try and find a copy of “Bee Gee’s 1ST. It’s there second album 😀😀. My Favourite. Good Job. Cheers Aussie Vinyl Guy. ps. This is my second fav. 😀
I would personally recommend these other albums: First Horizontal Idea Trafalgar Main Course (it’s NOT really disco, some songs like “Jive Talkin’” are more R&B, in fact the song was just added to the “Saturday Night Fever” soundtrack with some copies having the live version (Thats the version my sister had) it was never in the movie itself. There’s still some songs on there that sounds like the old stuff, my favorite being “Edge Of The Universe”)
Apparently the people who flocked the cover got very sick, as the fibers got breathed in and apparently nobody thought to wear masks back then. Love this album, though Trafalgar is slightly better.
My favorite Bee Gee’s record. The title track is just incredible. They really were pumping out as much quality as their best contemporaries during the 60’s. Melodically as beautiful as The Zombies or The Beach Boys at their peak. I honestly don’t feel it’s length at all and I think it all flows together well despite its very different styles.
Odessa is one of my favourite Bee Gees Albums I don't overthink it and view it as a concept album. I adore the Suites, Seven Seas Symphony is glorious!
You should review “Main Course”. It’s a great album. Not disco. Pop/Soul/R&B/Country/Rock. The band was extremely versatile. Don’t knock The Bee Gees albums from 1975-1979. They are top-notch.
Odessa? ship wreck. I'll check it out. I'd recommend read a couple Herman Melville novels. Go to a whaling museum; Mystic Seaport, or Nantucket. Then listen to the album called; Nantucket Sleh Ride, by the rock band; Mountain. I think that Mountains lead singer; Phellix Papiardi was from the Boston area. When he performd the song Goodbye Little Robin Marie. That's a great song. The average life expectancy of a man working on a whaling ship was 35 yrs old. I've always found maritime history interesting. Another Great show
one of my non-music interests is reading up on maritime disasters, most of it on the may island disaster and the costa concordia. think it was sparked by visiting the seaport as a kid, having ties to the area (you're never too far from water in new england,) and reading the poem fresh water by andrew motion as a teen
Robin got the idea for this song after seeing an old Russian silent movie about a mutiny and the disastrous results. I often wonder if this was the beginning of his interest in "Titanic" for which he wrote the orchestral piece "Titanic Requiem" for the anniversary of that disaster.
Dear Abbey (roads). You Can't Always Get What You Want. In 1984 I was holding the velveteen Odessa in my teenage hand thinking I really should get it because it feels so good (how could it be bad). I bought Jethro Tull instead and got the Odessa CD many years later. Now you bloody youtubers have driven up the price so the dream of a soft Odessa is just slightly out of reach. All your points are very similar to mine. I don't regret having the album but having watched this, I can listen to it in a way that makes sense. Including the charmingly sexist Melody Fair. After all, you're only a woman. Islands is NOT the best Crimson album, that would be RED followed by Power To Believe. Honorable mention goes to Discipline. Oh well, you're only a girl. Derp.
yes, you were the one who pointed out to me that melody fair was a little misogynistic!! until then i totally thought it was a sweet kind of dear prudence song. i thought about your white album review while comparing BWH to odessa, and i think of the beatles breakup episode of paradise overground all the time
@@abigaildevoe aww. You're so sweet. My stuff matters! 😉 Yes. The breakup story is depressing. The sexist hints come in 'comb your hair girl, you're a mess. You can be as pretty as any of them. Oh well, you're only a woman.' I love that tune but I was imagining how it would come across to today's woman if I sang it to one. I'm sure it wasn't meant as a misogyny statement.
"Odessa" was the first album I saved my allowance to buy at age 11, circa 1969. The echo solo vocal close to "First of May" still gives me shivers. I think your comparisons to "White Album" & "Tommy" are spot-on. I would definitely NOT consider "Islands" to be King Crimson's best by any stretch, BUT you're never "wrong" for having any preference. (Give "Larks Tongues" some time to marinate. The closing section of "LTIA pt 1" is just INCREDIBLY powerful). THANKS for recognizing these gigantic classics for a new generation of listeners who don't know how bereft they are in this age of Spotify & social media.
Side 3 is amazing, Side 1 is also great, Side 4 is good but has a weak opener, Side 2 has "Melody Fair" and "Whisper Whisper" and little else. If you want more medieval-sounding music, try Amazing Blondel's "Fantasia Lindum" and "England" LPs if you haven't already
Not a rcck opera, maybe not even a song cycle, but definitely some of their best songs on this one. By the way, Tommy is as underwelming as it's almost side long Underture.
Those are great: "Flower Power" earings. Woody. Allen made a movie called; Sleeper. It was about what he thought the future might be like. One scene has a couple of robot tailors in a New York clothing store. One robot is complaining that the other robot purchases too much velvet. That's a really funny movie; that also stared Diane Keaton. She started the Annie Hall look in the 1970s. Ref. movie Anne Hall. The typical girl that moved to New York. At least that was my impression.
the deluxe reissue of Odessa is wonderful, some lovely bonus tracks including a vocal version of "With All Nations (International Anthem)", an alternate version of "Never Say Never Again" with a bass VI as a lead guitar throughout, a couple of non-album tracks, and some interesting demos.
Paul Buckmaster worked with Elton John on his first few albums. I love Odessa and you’re right it doesn’t know what it wants to be. I think of it as if The Who made “Who’s Next” a double album. because that album was the result of a failed rock opera called “Lifehouse” (i think it was waaay too soon for Pete to try another opera after “Tommy”, but i love “Who’s Next” BTW) I also look at the album “Trafalgar” as an “Odessa-light” 😄 it’s like they were trying to go back to that, like a short “sequel”.
Interesting analysis. I have the 2 album re-issue in the standard sleeve. It is an interesting album, but challenging, I agree. Do Cucumber Castle next-the follow-up. Robin was not on that album.
I just discovered your channel and this video. Great reaction from you, I will definitely look into more of your videos. Odessa is also one of my favourite Bee Gees albums. I'm a fan since many years, and this one is a masterpiece. I can recommend you the album Robin Gibb made with his son RJ, "The Titanic Requiem". Classical music from a member of the Bee Gees. I'm usually not a fan of classical music, but I love this album.
@@shyshift I have everything by Klaatu on vinyl/CD except for the Canadian only release "Magentalane". I saw it at a record shop in the shrink with the lyric sheet and all. 15 bucks and I should have picked it up. Haven't seen it to this day. The CD goes for huge amounts of money on EBAY. Used copies, yet! Some say "Endangered Species" was a sell-out, but I think it's one of the best records ever. "Dear Christine" is so beautiful.
@@nicktherecordlover1969 Dear Christine is on Sir,Army Suit but yes it’s beautiful. Endangered Species was like Pet Sounds where the band were asked to sing and LA session musicians (Toto?) played everything. Klaatu despised that album which is documented in Sell Out,Sell Out. I have the lp and the cd of Magentalane.
Great album ! Never better than when they were a 5 piece band with Vince Melourney and Colin Petertsen ! Colin Petersen even gets a drum solo on Wisper Wisper !!!!
I am a huge Bee Gees fan. I love all their stuff. Started out listening to SNF as a 13 year old. I made my way backward and have not regretted this mission. You are totally cool. Have asked my friends to subscribe to your channel!!!
If you think “Odessa” is bloated, I’d love/hate to see what you think of Yes’ 1973 double-album monstrosity “Tales From Topographic Oceans,” considered a high/low point (depending on your perspective) of early 1970’s prog-rock excess.
You'll Never See My Face Again is one of my favorite Bee Gees tunes. I think The Posies should do a cover of it. Islands is my 2nd favorite Crimson album. I'm a Starless and Bible Black geek.
Storage tip. If your original pressing cover is shedding red fibers everywhere, spray it with hairspray. Just make sure to let it dry completely before putting it back in a sleeve.
Hello, I'm a newbie to your channel. I have heard of Bee Gees through their disco period and beyond. I never heard their early songs. I never knew they were around since the '60s. I had a double disc set of their hits from the early '2000s. Those early songs were so enjoyable. I used to have the box set that had their first three albums. But I had to part ways with it cause I was moving at that point.The song First Of May is a great song but it's so sad. I never heard of a song that depressing in my life. Oh, and I had read that Patti Boyd book but I only read half of it.
I was so glad you chose this relatively obscure album to review, as it's one of my faves. I've always thought of it as the Bee Gees' version of the White Album, as it seems to be a hodge podge of songs all thrown together. I think it's eclecticism adds to the interest, though it subverts any overarching concept. The three albums preceding it (BG's 1st, Horizontal, and Idea) are all wonderful early examples of their Beatlesque influences. Much of their early work is infused with intense tragedy and sadness, (i.e. Odessa & NY Mining Disaster 1941, along with I Started a Joke and I Laugh in Your Face, to name a few), yet they are leavened with happier, lighter fare to give balance to their albums. BTW Abi, if you enjoy an epic like Odessa, I would love to hear your impressions of the full-sided opus by Procol Harum, entitled In Held Twas in I, which takes up the back half of their album Shine on Brightly. It is an absolute masterpiece and it will blow your mind. Can't wait for your next installment of Vinyl Monday. Who says Mondays have to be depressing?
Melody Fair was added to a 1971 British film "Melody" Here an excerpt. The guy who comes out of the pub is 60s/70s actor Roy Kinnear (he appeared in "Help"). His son Rory is well known for British TV appearances as well as appearing in four James Bond films. th-cam.com/video/BQnTCB_rX84/w-d-xo.html
pinning this comment for the melody clip, thanks so much for providing!
Roy Kinnear was also Veruca Salt's dad in the original Willy Wonka!
@@thebasedgodmax1163 omg no way i grew up with that movie!
@@abigaildevoe same!
Think you. I think a lot of people will see this review and realize how the Bee Gees evolved. You are a mighty fine teacher and we all learn lot from you. Love all your shows.
Very nice review. Also love the Bee Gees' Atco years -- way more than the disco years. "Holiday" and "To Love Somebody" are true gems from 1967. "Lonely Days" from '70 isn't too shabby, either.
You get high marks from me right off just for talking about non-fever era Bee Gees. These guys had so much great and varied music (I'm not a huge disco fan myself, but disco is only 2 or so albums out of 20+. The Odessa album took me quite a few listens to "get", now it is among my favorites. The title track in particular I think is quite genius, but it took me a bit to get there. I think the trick with this album is to not take the "concept" too seriously and just ride the wave. It is a bit all over the place, but I think it is packed full of great music. Thank you for the review, I really liked the idea of breaking it into parts, and I think I'll play with that a bit.
The LP is a masterpiece!
Yes! Finally someone talking about this great album!
Odessa is in my top 10 of all time. Bought new in 1969 and still have it !
Odessa is great but my favorite is Idea.
My fav Bee gees albums are
Horizontal 1968
Odessa 1969
Cucumber castle 1970
Trafalgar 1971
Mr. Natural 1974
One 1989
High civilization 1991
Still waters 1997
This is where I came in 2001
Most of these were just appetizers for the main course.
I'm a fan of pre-disco Bee Gees music; much of it is superbly crafted but I share your views about the bloated nature of Odessa. Additionally, you brought a new understanding to me of the album's structure - thanks! I shall give it a spin again tonight.
Fun fact about Melody Fair - It featured (as did First of May) in a charming, undervalued British film variously called "S.W.A.L.K." and "Melody" that flopped in the UK and US but was HUGE in Japan. It truly captures the essence of London/Estuary teenage life in the late 60's/early 70's and the music is used very well - I recommend it (if you can find it!).
noted, i'll remember that film. i'm SO glad i could help frame the chaotic structure of odessa. i feel it's what a lot of reviews/retrospectives of this album lack; some kind of meaningful comparison to what was going on in music at the time. having that going in would've helped so much with my understanding of odessa
@@abigaildevoe Spot on Abi, and thanks again!
Paul Buckmaster arranged the orchestra on Elton John's early albums. Odessa Is an intriguing selection, excellent choice nevertheless
Love this video. So happy you've chosen this album to review. Just wanted to say that Maurice's name is pronounced MORRIS not as the French Maurice. Hence the brocalled him Mo for a nickname.
I agree about The White Album and "Islands". I listened to some of "Odessa" once but wasn't impressed. I'll give it another try. Their post-disco album period actually had some good songs.
There's a 3-disc deluxe version of this album with 3 outtakes in addition to the demos and alternate takes.
I was not hip to this album at all. I knew a handful of these songs, but that's it. I can't wait to deep dive into Odessa later today. Thanks Abby!
Oh my! Wasn’t expecting this. I love early Bee Gees. And unfortunately timely, Odessa (City on the Black Sea) is a timely reminder of the current war. Marley Purt Drive is a rare but lovely BG country offer. Never say never again is perhaps the last of their last early days ballads of worth. Thanks Abbie! Plus keeping that Circle Sky vibe 👍😂
circle sky will be sticking around a loooong time :)
And crushed velvet is a great material 😊 the absolute best for trousers, boot cut or flares. Also nice for a waistcoat.
Abby, you should take up acting. You have the most beautiful and expressive eyes thet would translate very well on film.
If you haven't already, check out their "other" masterpiece Bee Gees' 1st. Not as "bloated" as Odessa is anyway. ;)
i haven't yet! i'll have to keep my eye out for it. odessa is getting harder to find in the wild, is 1st the same way?
@@abigaildevoe Not sure. A cousin of mine got herself a decent vinyl copy of it, but that was a few years ago.
The Bee gees said Odessa was a never finished album
The song first of May is Odessa’s magnum opus as well as lamplight.
But it was the disagreement over the release of "First of May" vs "Lamplight" that brought on the departure of Robin and the breakup a little later.
I didn’t know that fact about Depression Cherry. That’s amazing! And yeah, it’s a great record as is Odessa.
I love all their albums from 1967 up until 1974.After those years they made many good singles.
Your critical response to this album is spot on - especially in its relation to The White Album and Tommy.
Paul Buckmaster arranged the strings on Moonlight Mile for the Stones Sticky fingers LP. Robert Stigwood gave BGs more studio time and a bigger than normal budget, it was a gamble that backfired.
it was certainly a risk to back odessa. certainly didn't go to plan! not a total payoff but i'd argue there was at least some
Good review. btw, from what I've heard, Maurice's name is pronounced like 'Morris'. I'll have to give King Crimson's Islands a listen. I detested disco music back in the day when it was the rage (I was a teen then) but these days I enjoy a lot of it. I guess you can say that people's tastes change over the years.
I suppose the perfect punk riposte to poncey red velvet would be "The Return of the Durutti Column" LP, which was originally released in a cover of coarse sandpaper. So when stored with your collection it had the subversive advantage of gradually destroying - in authentic 'Anarchy in the UK' style - all your other albums.
wow that's actually really cool! and very artsy too. feels like an installation that'd last for 50 years somewhere
Who the heck ever heard of this record here in Brooklyn we only know one record and that my dear is The Saturday Night Fever soundrack, its all we know, its good enough and we like it that way!!! Just joshing was nice video and very informative thank you. 🙃
Gee, never heard of this one, tho I liked early Bee Gees a lot (Words, To Love Somebody) and even found myself respecting their disco stuff at the height of the"Punk Hates Disco" era. Somehow tho had no idea of the existence of this double concept l.p...I appreciate learning new things, thank u Abby. Never a dull Vinyl Monday moment! ♥
Btw, I hear you re. The White Album. I also think it's "best", tho I often enjoy the early live-in-studio stuff more, if that makes any sense. Now finding myself wondering -- did the Beatles (George Harrison's?) dentist friend live on "Marley Purt Drive" 😉
To me, the only unnecessary track in "Odessa" is "With all nations". That should have been replaced with "Pity" or "Nobody's Someone" , both of which ended up on the "Sketches for Odessa" CD in 2009. I wouldn't say that this album is bloated or overlong; if anything, I'd say that there was room for a fifth track on side four.
Funny. I have had that lp for over twenty years and yet to listen to it. Time to spin it
🌠🌹hey abbey with a whole lotta records...I'm not a fan of the bee gee's..I went 2 Burlington vermont on friday..it was nice...happy new year..hope your doin alright..🌹
Growing up in the 60,s and 70,s i thought the bee gees were a rock band then came disco which I HATED split up the music scene u were either disco or rock and there wasnt to much mixing really never forgave them and john travolta for ruining the music scene lol interesting though that this album and tommy came out about the same time the first so called rock operas and tommy was acclaimed and odessa was not like u you said just think its all over the place i just imagine where they would have gone if they stayed pop rock
When this was made the band was on the verge of breaking up and often they weren't even in the studio together so it was "all over the place".
Fantastic! The Bee Gees must be one of the most underrated/hated bands. Their 60s output is up there with any of their contemporaries and I still say "To Love Somebody" is the greatest song ever written - imagine if Otis Redding had lived to record it (as was the intention), everyone else could have gone home.
Edit: I agree with your assessment mostly- Bee Gees 1st, Horizontal and Idea are "better" albums, but I can forgive Odessa its bloatedness as it was uncharted territory for everyone.
I'll forgive it anything for "Sound of Love" and "I laugh in your face" ( proto Bowie!)
Double edit - if you like the medieval Bee Gees, Cucumber Castle has that in spades! That may be the Robin scepti in me though, as I almost always prefer Maurice and Barry's vocals, and I take Robins absence for that album as a small blessing
the bee gees 60s catalog is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. i totally forgot about "to love somebody" until it was mentioned here! went to like it on spotify and turns out i already had it there!!
i think that early rock opera achilles heel can be attributed to just that: being uncharted territory
Wow. They wrote “To Live Somebody?” I’m officially shocked! I had no idea. Love Gram Parsons’s version of it.
I take Robin's return to the group as a huge blessing. Don't forget he cowrote the majority of their songs, @90%, and Barry said he was a terrific songwriter. His voice was unique and unmatched (maybe not to your taste but certainly to mine and many others) and the three part harmonies and alternating leads, even in the same songs, unparalleled. All three were essential. Stigwood paid big bucks to buy out his contract with Vic Lewis so he must have considered him vital.
@@susieq9801 as I say a small blessing. I think it did both sides a favour (Robin certainly had the bigger hit with his solo album).
I really like Two Years On, so I don't object to him returning, but I do think Maurice always feels a bit squeezed out by the other two brothers, which is a shame as I find him the most likeable Gibb!
@@leipherd8118 - Mo was absolutely a likeable guy and so undervalued. An amazing arranger and musician who knew just what chords and embellishments were needed in every song and pretty much their on stage musical director. He was also an experimenter who incorporated every new gadget into their music like the Moog synthesizer when it first came on the scene. I don't think anyone who knew them had a bad word to say about Mo and stated he was the backbone of the group. His voice was smooooth and versatile. He was squeezed out for sure. His value was obvious since when he died, so did the Bee Gees.
Three very different brothers. Mo the extrovert with an innocent humor and everybody's friend. His twin the opposite, a dichotomy, zany and witty in private but a moody loner and introvert in public. Barry the level headed and self confident businessman and boss. A strange but essential brew! 😁😁They said themselves they needed to break up when they did because they were so very young and being pulled apart by the press and that they split as boys but came back together as men. A prime example at that time of Mo's lack of respect, he said followers told both Barry and Rob that they could go solo but "nobody ever said that" to him. He also said "The Bee Gees were the handsome one, the one with the teeth and the other one". That was so unfair and had to hurt.
I liked Robin for his eccentricity and his social efforts, many under the radar - "Outreach" that gave opportunities to children, President of the British Heritage Society, President of the Composer's Union that got fair wages for composers and singers, his success at getting the Bomber Command Memorial built and his work on behalf of veterans and refugees including speaking in Parliament. All of the brothers were socially active but he seemed to be the most active and did so without accolades. He was surely eccentric and that appealed to me.
All the best!
Disco sucked in the 70's and it still sucks today! The Bee Gees at least made disco more interesting for me. Odessa was and is a difficult listen. I wasn't even aware of the single disc version from the late 70's, but I can see Odessa being a better record as a single disc. Unfortunately, the quality would depend on what tracks were picked. Me thinks anyone who likes the Bee Gees and are interested in Odessa should just pick their own favorite tracks and create their very own single disc version of it. Now you have the perfect Odessa album! I think I'll give it a try.
Paul Buckmaster arranged the strings on David Bowie's Space Oddity and worked again with Bowie on the famous lost soundtrack to the movie 🎬 The man who fell to earth 🌎 This score/ soundtrack was not used at the time as it was replaced by John Phillips from the Mamas and the Papas doing his version of the movie soundtrack. I believe some of the musical ideas 💡 that Bowie worked on ended up on the album Low including the Subterraneans I believe 🙏 😀
Nice, always did love the fabric cover from seeing it in flea markets a few times, the fact it's the Bee Gees really does make it difficulty
When you took off the boot that was so how I see you to be lol! Just a girl who comes in takes shoes off lol! Great episode! My mom was a huge fan of this album and band!
Can you please review to the Bee gees album Mr. Natural , from 1974
Please
Kevin Dobson I love that record. One of those unsung hero type of albums. Love "Dogs" and...ah the whole album is great! There's a film of them singing "Mr. Natural" on the Mike Douglas Show in 1974.
Melody fair is a beautiful song !!!!!
Early BeeGees we’re my favorite. I never listened to Odessa I must admit. After they went disco I didn’t listen to them although Saturday Night Fever is a great album. As usual love your videos.
Hey Abigail! I've enjoyed Odessa since it was released. Always liked Marley Purt Drive. Paul Buckmaster is the mastermind behind the incredible string arrangements for Elton John. Check out the 1971 film Friends soundtrack. So glad to know you're a Donovan fan. A rare 'n wondrous double album is HMS Donovan (1971). Also A Gift From A Flower To A Garden double lp, Sunshine Superman 'n Mellow Yellow...all great!
The song starless is better than anything on Islands. Fight me.
I think this is the only album you have reviewed that I haven't heard a note of. I was never a big Bee Gees fan, but I will definitely give this a listen. Thank you for continuing to open our minds!
hey thanks so much! so glad i could put you onto odessa
This is an absolute Classic.
Have you heard PP Arnold's The Turning Tide?
After Odessa, with Robin leaving, Barry started producing an album for PP Arnold, but the recordings never made it off the shelf.
Shortly thereafter she worked with Eric Clapton on a few tracks which ended up on the same shelf and about 5 years back they were put out as an album, omitting a few of the Barry tracks sadly!
wow i haven't heard of this project! gives some insight into what was happening with the bee gees post-odessa. shelved clapton tracks are of great interest to me (see the curious case of "devil road")
You make Mondays worth looking forward to. LOL. I love it when you introduce me to something I’ve never heard before. I’ll give it some listens and get back to you!
nice! please update after a couple listens, i love getting all the thoughts
@@abigaildevoe will do. Actually, now that I’ve gotten through your full description, I might decide that once is…enough 😜
The velvet cover of Odessa was lovely. There was the Pet Sounds similar cover in that material which we all loved, albeit on CD.
The bee gees have over 20 albums from 1967 to 2001
Never heard of or seen this album, from what you said, sounds worth a listen 👍
Great show production. Fun!
I’m always impressed with your extensive knowledge on all these great albums from way back. I’m not familiar with The Bee Gees older material but I’ve always been interested. And particularly loved your comparison to The Who’s Tommy. It leads me to one of my favorite Who songs that came from “ Who Are You “, “ Sister Disco. “ Thanks to this catchy, riveting tune when I first heard it in ‘79, i finally threw in the towel on Disco ( which I’m afraid to admit I once liked ). However, I did listen to the title track of the
“ Odessa “ album, and found it very intriguing. I liked its ominous, moody and methodical sound. I will have to explore the remainder of this album even though it seems like a long, uncertain journey.
Love 60's era Bee Gees. Have never heard the entire album, but I do know First of May, Marley Purt Drive, Melody Fair and Lamplight. Another great video, Abbie.😃😃👍
There was a bit of disco that was pretty okay. The Bee Gees, Nile Rodgers and Chic and Donna Summer were able to add some depth to the musical style. The Saturday Night Fever soundtrack had some pretty groundbreaking production techniques that set the standards that rap and hip hop would use after the hey day of disco. Also, SNF had some really intense instrumental #s as well..
That was educational! Most of what I know about the Bee Gees is from the great HBO Documentary How Can You Mend a Broken heart. I'm old enough to know all their great hits from that era. So I'll pass on this album but will try a few of the songs on TH-cam. Great video as always. I most definitely am looking forward to next week.
there's some 60s bee gees hidden gems to be found, give the highlights a shot!
There are a few better bios on You Tube. "This is where I came in" which is @2 hours long, and "Keppel Road".
A motherfuggin pan flute, 59 bucks at Guitar Center. I n 1967 my brother bought the Bee Gees album - first American release, called the Bee Gees. Even Barry was a teenager. It has a nice psychedelic cover and with songs like Holiday, Red Chair Fade Away, Every Christian Lion Hearted Man Will Show You - it is (deep breath): a perfect album. It is baroque, it is psychedelic, it is deep and complex rock and here's the fun part - I never even heard of Odessa. After the debut album (in America) I was not interested in anything that wasn't genius level Bee Gees. Eons later Saturday Night Fever (yes I'm a dancer) came along and White Soul owned the airwaves. I Close My Eyes, Turn of the Century, New York Mining Disaster 1941, I Can't See Nobody...every song is a gem. 3 or 4 songs were huge radio hits. Again, a phenomenal perfect record that apparently everybody forgot about. I'm hesitant about Odessa now that I'm aware of its existence.
odessa really is an album that throws you right into the deep end to see if you can swim, i don't blame you at all for being hesitant. bee gees 1st is absolutely on my radar now that i've posted this video. as fun and on-brand as a pan flute would be, that $59 might just go to an autoharp. gotta get rob tyner's "grande days" down on it!
@@abigaildevoe - Of course I had to check it out (Rob's vid). Definitely you want an autoharp. I have one bit of advice on the harp - keep it tuned! Autoharps are fantastic when you get used to the feel - they can also be quite heavy but I'm a walker, i.e. one who walks so I rate every instrument according to weight. Seriously you can get a "cane" or "reed" panflute for 12 bucks online and they weigh maybe an ounce. I have a cane flute for walking, it's loud and unpredictable and perfect. Panflutes are super lightweight and fit in a modest hemp shoulderbag. The bamboo panflutes goes into Chinese territory but any instrument, egg shakers or didgeridoo is simply an extension of the player. Here's the best tip I can offer as a "musician" - play your instrument till it plays itself (muscle memory like me learning Lovely Rita) then just start talkin'. I have 177 notebooks full of words (songs and song fragments). All I need do is generate a solid groove and start reading. Every notebook is a singular rock opera. Nobody seems to mind my crazy flute playing (best when you don't know what you are doing).
I love the gorgeous velvet album cover.
The brothers Gibb baby. Unlike my older cousin, I didn't swap out my Saturday Night Fever 8 track forLed Zeppelin IV at the first sight of running into friends on the street while cruising. I owned it, bay-bee
The thing I like about this show is its CONSISTENT
consistent, i dig it! take that, elementary school teachers (i was referred to as "consistently inconsistent" more than once on report cards. how things have changed)
@@abigaildevoe gotta love teachers who come after you (universal you) personally instead of Constructively. Like it would help the learning process. Only detrimental to it. I can sympathize with you Abigail, because "the teachers that taught me weren't cool" either 😉
Another album I neither have nor know (except "First of May" on "The Very Best of" - quite nice!). Maybe it's time to get to know "Odessa"? Because I like Bee Gees in general. Even classical 70s disco doesn't disgust me. Maybe because my Mom listened to a lot of it when I was a child. And especially since I've heard that the professional musicians say it's not so easy to play as it seems... Anyway what you said about "Odessa" intrigues me. I like 60s experiments, even more if they're eccentric. Baroque mixed with country and soul? Should not bore me.
By the way: have you heard such an album like "Hounds of Love" by Kate Bush? Half of it (the 2nd one), titled "The Ninth Wave", is likewise a kind of opera about disaster on the sea, and likewise it's intentionally eclectic. You may like it!
PS. And. Next time. Rolling Stones. "Let. It. Bleed". Really good. Album. With "Gimme Shelter". On it. Adequate hymn. For now. And brilliant. Title track. What I'm? Talking about? It's. Obvious.
So now I have heard "Odessa", I've just finished - a while ago. And, yes, it's somehow fascinating, with some beautiful songs. And, yes, it leaves some insufficiency. Too many ideas on one album, too many things and issues and subjects they tried to have done with one work. And, yes, still it's worth to give it a listen. And I still recommend "The Ninth Wave".
I greet you (and you all) in another 14th of January. :)
A lot of labels and big groups tied to produce their own SGT PEPPERS theme-centric album. The Stones' SATANIC MAJESTY's and most everyone else flopped. The interesting issue about LET IT BLEED's long closer, YOU CAN''T ALWAYS GET as one of the first "anthems"... the Beatles had LET IT BE and HEY JUDE, Zeppelin would eventually overdub STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN, Traffic's HIGH SPARK and just about everyone else tried. And failed. Heck, the Beatles' MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR was a theme-based attempt but then Their White Album was a total surrender: "Let's stop this theme stuff, and go back to songs." ODESSA was the Bee Gee's SGT PEPPER'S attempt. Too bad most folks didn't dial back and reexamine Brian Wilson's PET SOUNDS for a truly "new starting point."
yes i make this point all the time! pet sounds was a big reason sgt. pepper's came to be. it was never beatles vs. stones, it was really lennon-mccartney vs. brian wilson
Abigail, thank you so much for doing this video! Odessa is my favorite Bee Gees album, and one of my favorite albums of all time. I think Lamplight is one of the best pop songs ever written, and the title song (Odessa) is not far behind.
Thanks for all the new info you found on this album. I'm amazed that someone of your generation should find this album and love it as much as you seem to. Odessa came out while I was in college, so I think I'm correct in thinking that you're quite a bit younger than I am. But that just makes me even happier: to know that Odessa can still inspire new listeners.
Keep up the good work, and thanks again!
Interesting review. Not that I've ever heard the album or ever will. I'm just not a Bee Gees kind of guy from what I have heard in later years. I'm familiar with their disco era because it was on TV and I believe the late '70s saying that Disco Sucks haha. I don't mean to offend any BG's fans but that's just my opinion and lack of interest for them.
They probably had a few good songs I'm sure. I don't like much modern music either. But ironically, one artist that I do like, had a song that I liked and I found out a year or so later it was a Bee Gees song. Imagine my surprise. But they're about as far away from my classic rock types of interest as you could get 😁
But you definitely helped me know not to try out any Bee gees from the '60s since I've never heard it before. It just doesn't sound very grabbing to me.
Thanks for the honesty and interesting review...
Brian in Fort Worth 🎶
I agree. Disco was not my fave. Endless grating falsetto. OK if you were a club goer. I wasn't.
Going by the songs that you (Abigail) like from `Odessa` I think you might like their debut "Bee Gees 1st" . In the U.K it was a 14 song set on the Polydor label. I don't know if the U.S release on Atco was `shortened` or not. Hopefully not.
Also, she’d like “Horizontal” and “Idea”…
The `B` side to "Words" (In the U.K) should have been included as it fits the theme = "Sinking Ships"
Agree ! that would have fitted in nicely !
How often do you have to shampoo that album cover? The 60s Bee Gees were great Psych-Pop. The Pretty Thing's "HF Sorrow album is another cool UK concept album, Peace
SF sorrow was arguably the first rock opera, even if the term didn't quite exist yet
i thought i found a really good deal on this record, but it turned out to be the abridged version, which i didn’t know existed. even the single disc version is a bit of a slog though. love the earlier bee gees records!
yes even the single LP version of odessa has such a strange track listing. it seems all the coolest, most experimental moments were cut
Thank you. I discovered this album about a year ago. It’s a classic. Also try and find a copy of “Bee Gee’s 1ST. It’s there second album 😀😀. My Favourite. Good Job. Cheers Aussie Vinyl Guy. ps. This is my second fav. 😀
if nothing else came from this video it's the recommendation of bee gees 1st! definitely on my radar now
@@abigaildevoe Oh definitely Abigail. Get the mono copy. They released their first 3 albums in mono/stereo with bonus tracks on CD.
It be great to see MOFI or Analogue Productions put out a high end production release of this album.
Hi NICE DAWG they did release it again on LP from the analogue masters, but that was a while back. 2010-2011 maybe.
@@nicktherecordlover1969 OK thanks I will check it out
I would personally recommend these other albums:
First
Horizontal
Idea
Trafalgar
Main Course (it’s NOT really disco, some songs like “Jive Talkin’” are more R&B, in fact the song was just added to the “Saturday Night Fever” soundtrack with some copies having the live version (Thats the version my sister had) it was never in the movie itself. There’s still some songs on there that sounds like the old stuff, my favorite being “Edge Of The Universe”)
Edge of the Universe is a great song.
The live version is even better…
Apparently the people who flocked the cover got very sick, as the fibers got breathed in and apparently nobody thought to wear masks back then. Love this album, though Trafalgar is slightly better.
My favorite Bee Gee’s record. The title track is just incredible. They really were pumping out as much quality as their best contemporaries during the 60’s. Melodically as beautiful as The Zombies or The Beach Boys at their peak. I honestly don’t feel it’s length at all and I think it all flows together well despite its very different styles.
Odessa is one of my favourite Bee Gees Albums I don't overthink it and view it as a concept album. I adore the Suites, Seven Seas Symphony is glorious!
You should review “Main Course”. It’s a great album. Not disco. Pop/Soul/R&B/Country/Rock. The band was extremely versatile. Don’t knock The Bee Gees albums from 1975-1979. They are top-notch.
Odessa? ship wreck. I'll check it out. I'd recommend read a couple Herman Melville novels. Go to a whaling museum; Mystic Seaport, or Nantucket. Then listen to the album called; Nantucket Sleh Ride, by the rock band; Mountain. I think that Mountains lead singer; Phellix Papiardi was from the Boston area. When he performd the song Goodbye Little Robin Marie. That's a great song. The average life expectancy of a man working on a whaling ship was 35 yrs old. I've always found maritime history interesting. Another Great show
one of my non-music interests is reading up on maritime disasters, most of it on the may island disaster and the costa concordia. think it was sparked by visiting the seaport as a kid, having ties to the area (you're never too far from water in new england,) and reading the poem fresh water by andrew motion as a teen
Robin got the idea for this song after seeing an old Russian silent movie about a mutiny and the disastrous results. I often wonder if this was the beginning of his interest in "Titanic" for which he wrote the orchestral piece "Titanic Requiem" for the anniversary of that disaster.
Death Disco rules though
Stooges review soon?
now that i finally have fun house it's on the list
Dear Abbey (roads). You Can't Always Get What You Want.
In 1984 I was holding the velveteen Odessa in my teenage hand thinking I really should get it because it feels so good (how could it be bad). I bought Jethro Tull instead and got the Odessa CD many years later. Now you bloody youtubers have driven up the price so the dream of a soft Odessa is just slightly out of reach.
All your points are very similar to mine. I don't regret having the album but having watched this, I can listen to it in a way that makes sense. Including the charmingly sexist Melody Fair. After all, you're only a woman.
Islands is NOT the best Crimson album, that would be RED followed by Power To Believe. Honorable mention goes to Discipline.
Oh well, you're only a girl.
Derp.
yes, you were the one who pointed out to me that melody fair was a little misogynistic!! until then i totally thought it was a sweet kind of dear prudence song. i thought about your white album review while comparing BWH to odessa, and i think of the beatles breakup episode of paradise overground all the time
@@abigaildevoe aww. You're so sweet. My stuff matters! 😉
Yes. The breakup story is depressing.
The sexist hints come in 'comb your hair girl, you're a mess. You can be as pretty as any of them. Oh well, you're only a woman.'
I love that tune but I was imagining how it would come across to today's woman if I sang it to one. I'm sure it wasn't meant as a misogyny statement.
"Odessa" was the first album I saved my allowance to buy at age 11, circa 1969. The echo solo vocal close to "First of May" still gives me shivers. I think your comparisons to "White Album" & "Tommy" are spot-on. I would definitely NOT consider "Islands" to be King Crimson's best by any stretch, BUT you're never "wrong" for having any preference. (Give "Larks Tongues" some time to marinate. The closing section of "LTIA pt 1" is just INCREDIBLY powerful).
THANKS for recognizing these gigantic classics for a new generation of listeners who don't know how bereft they are in this age of Spotify & social media.
YESSSSSSSSS, ABSINTHE!!!! I like setting the sugar on fire.
Side 3 is amazing, Side 1 is also great, Side 4 is good but has a weak opener, Side 2 has "Melody Fair" and "Whisper Whisper" and little else.
If you want more medieval-sounding music, try Amazing Blondel's "Fantasia Lindum" and "England" LPs if you haven't already
Not a rcck opera, maybe not even a song cycle, but definitely some of their best songs on this one. By the way, Tommy is as underwelming as it's almost side long Underture.
I don’t remember if you mentioned him in the Sticky Fingers episode, but I know Paul Buckmaster did the strings arrangement for Moonlight Mile.
Those are great: "Flower Power" earings. Woody. Allen made a movie called; Sleeper. It was about what he thought the future might be like. One scene has a couple of robot tailors in a New York clothing store. One robot is complaining that the other robot purchases too much velvet. That's a really funny movie; that also stared Diane Keaton. She started the Annie Hall look in the 1970s. Ref. movie Anne Hall. The typical girl that moved to New York. At least that was my impression.
the deluxe reissue of Odessa is wonderful, some lovely bonus tracks including a vocal version of "With All Nations (International Anthem)", an alternate version of "Never Say Never Again" with a bass VI as a lead guitar throughout, a couple of non-album tracks, and some interesting demos.
Paul Buckmaster worked with Elton John on his first few albums.
I love Odessa and you’re right it doesn’t know what it wants to be. I think of it as if The Who made “Who’s Next” a double album. because that album was the result of a failed rock opera called “Lifehouse” (i think it was waaay too soon for Pete to try another opera after “Tommy”, but i love “Who’s Next” BTW)
I also look at the album “Trafalgar” as an “Odessa-light” 😄 it’s like they were trying to go back to that, like a short “sequel”.
Interesting analysis. I have the 2 album re-issue in the standard sleeve. It is an interesting album, but challenging, I agree. Do Cucumber Castle next-the follow-up. Robin was not on that album.
In my opinion The best songs in This album is First of May, Lamplight, Melody Fair and Odessa.
I guess you would have a different opinion of this album if you first heard it in 69 at the early age of 14 like I did it was fine to me Abby
Imagine if Pete Townsend and Barry Gibbs had collaborated on a three record set concept album!
I just discovered your channel and this video. Great reaction from you, I will definitely look into more of your videos. Odessa is also one of my favourite Bee Gees albums. I'm a fan since many years, and this one is a masterpiece. I can recommend you the album Robin Gibb made with his son RJ, "The Titanic Requiem". Classical music from a member of the Bee Gees. I'm usually not a fan of classical music, but I love this album.
Abigail, considering your taste in music I was wondering if you were a Klaatu fan?
i like a few of their songs!
@@abigaildevoe I have been a fan since 1976….bought everything.
@@shyshift I have everything by Klaatu on vinyl/CD except for the Canadian only release "Magentalane". I saw it at a record shop in the shrink with the lyric sheet and all. 15 bucks and I should have picked it up. Haven't seen it to this day. The CD goes for huge amounts of money on EBAY. Used copies, yet! Some say "Endangered Species" was a sell-out, but I think it's one of the best records ever. "Dear Christine" is so beautiful.
@@nicktherecordlover1969 Dear Christine is on Sir,Army Suit but yes it’s beautiful. Endangered Species was like Pet Sounds where the band were asked to sing and LA session musicians (Toto?) played everything. Klaatu despised that album which is documented in Sell Out,Sell Out. I have the lp and the cd of Magentalane.
@@nicktherecordlover1969 just saw a used Magentalane cd on Discogs for $40.
Dig your reviews. And just subscribed. Keep up the good work!
Great album ! Never better than when they were a 5 piece band with Vince Melourney and Colin Petertsen ! Colin Petersen even gets a drum solo on Wisper Wisper !!!!
Love your bits Abigail really needed what you got today. Thanks for being around. Art History splaines a lot. Your research and destroy is amazing
calling it research and destroy forever now! thanks so much.
I am a huge Bee Gees fan. I love all their stuff. Started out listening to SNF as a 13 year old. I made my way backward and have not regretted this mission. You are totally cool. Have asked my friends to subscribe to your channel!!!
I didn't live through disco, but always dismissed it until I watched Saturday Night Fever then I saw the attraction.
I believe that the Odessa concept was Robin’s. I have that velvet album too. I treasure it. Took me a while to get used to it, but now ❤️
If you think “Odessa” is bloated, I’d love/hate to see what you think of Yes’ 1973 double-album monstrosity “Tales From Topographic Oceans,” considered a high/low point (depending on your perspective) of early 1970’s prog-rock excess.
You'll Never See My Face Again is one of my favorite Bee Gees tunes. I think The Posies should do a cover of it.
Islands is my 2nd favorite Crimson album. I'm a Starless and Bible Black geek.
Hi I found your channel loking for Bee Gees reactions!
Fair assessment. The three albums that precede this one (First, Horizontal and Idea) is where all the magic is.
Storage tip. If your original pressing cover is shedding red fibers everywhere, spray it with hairspray. Just make sure to let it dry completely before putting it back in a sleeve.
Hello, I'm a newbie to your channel. I have heard of Bee Gees through their disco period and beyond. I never heard their early songs. I never knew they were around since the '60s. I had a double disc set of their hits from the early '2000s. Those early songs were so enjoyable. I used to have the box set that had their first three albums. But I had to part ways with it cause I was moving at that point.The song First Of May is a great song but it's so sad. I never heard of a song that depressing in my life. Oh, and I had read that Patti Boyd book but I only read half of it.
I was so glad you chose this relatively obscure album to review, as it's one of my faves. I've always thought of it as the Bee Gees' version of the White Album, as it seems to be a hodge podge of songs all thrown together. I think it's eclecticism adds to the interest, though it subverts any overarching concept. The three albums preceding it (BG's 1st, Horizontal, and Idea) are all wonderful early examples of their Beatlesque influences. Much of their early work is infused with intense tragedy and sadness, (i.e. Odessa & NY Mining Disaster 1941, along with I Started a Joke and I Laugh in Your Face, to name a few), yet they are leavened with happier, lighter fare to give balance to their albums.
BTW Abi, if you enjoy an epic like Odessa, I would love to hear your impressions of the full-sided opus by Procol Harum, entitled In Held Twas in I, which takes up the back half of their album Shine on Brightly. It is an absolute masterpiece and it will blow your mind. Can't wait for your next installment of Vinyl Monday. Who says Mondays have to be depressing?