From the Vault...

01/14/2001
#716

info
Bee Gees
"Odessa"


© Polydor Records

Year of Release: 1969
Rating:

track listing
  • Odessa (City On
    The Black Sea)
  • You'll Never See
    My Face Again
  • Black Diamond
  • Marley Purt Drive
  • Edison
  • Melody Fair
  • Suddenly
  • Whisper Whisper
  • Lamplight
  • Sound Of Love
  • Give Your Best
  • Seven Seas Symphony
  • With All Nations
    (International
    Anthem)
  • I Laugh In Your Face
  • Never Say Never Again
  • First Of May
  • The British Opera

  • WSVNRadio Archives
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    Bee Gees
    "Odessa"



    People always recognize The Bee Gees as the act that launched Disco, but what most did not know that the Brothers Gibb had released albums long before Disco became a household word. Back in 1969, their Odessa album was released, and whether you like disco or not, it's always amazing how their albums sounded like before the disco movement ever existed.


    For starters, the title track "Odessa" (City On The Black Sea)" sounds more of a progressive-type song, in the style of such groups as Emerson, Lake & Palmer, King Crimson, or even The Moody Blues. Speaking of which, focusing on the accoustic guitar and strings, "You'll Never See My Face Again" resembles The Moody Blues, from such albums as A Question Of Balance and/or In Search Of The Lost Chord. "Black Diamond" features the common pop sound of the very early Bee Gees' career.


    "Marley Purt Drive" is more upbeat, as compared to the progressive feel heard in the first three tunes, and this song has a feel like Bad Company's "Shooting Star". A mix of pop and progressive returns with "Edison."


    The Bee Gees' early years featured pleasant sounding ballads, with their beautiful harmonies and string arrangements, as "Melody Fair" proves this. "Suddenly" is upbeat and pop, as a Moody Blues upbeat pop tune. "Whisper Whisper" on the other hand, is also upbeat, yet it doesn't capture the greatness of the other songs, and can easily be one tune that could be ignored. "Lamplight" is another listenable ballad, again, showcasing the harmonies and string arrangements, best heard in their early music.


    "Sound Of Love" is another pop Bee Gees common sound ballad. "Give Your Best" is an upbeat country-tinged banjo plucker, and is very interesting, and has a comparison in sound to a Monkees upbeat number. The piano and string arrangements are incredible in "Seven Seas Symphony," an instrumental. "With All Nations (International Anthem)" is another instrumental, having a more classical approach. The remaining songs on the album -- "I Laugh In Your Face," "Never Say Never Again," "First Of May" are all Bee Gees pop ballads, with great harmonies, and beautiful instrumentation. "The British Opera" features another classical approach, and is very impressive and theatrical.


    Two things that have always stood out in any pre-Disco Bee Gees albums: the beautiful harmony vocals, and the instrumentation. Odessa showcases musical styles as pop, progressive rock, and classical; all unique for an act that would later also help form and launch another unique sound -- Disco. Ignore the fact that The Bee Gees were the ones who put Disco on the map, and realize in listening to their early releases, that the Brothers Gibb were very creative, and exceptionally talented long before the Disco craze would become a part of musical history.


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    Previous Review: #715
    Rolling Stones--Beggars Banquet
    Next Review: #717
    Debbie Reynolds--Best Of Debbie Reynolds