Comforting
Bee Gees Eighties, Oddities, and Hits, Oh Yes.
by
Kristin Battestella
Contrary
to popular belief, The Bee Gees did not disappear after the disco
demolition backlash. After going underground for several years and
writing for the likes of Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross, Kenny Rogers,
Dolly Parton, and Dionne Warwick, The Brothers Gibb embarked on
various solo efforts before reuniting under the house name for more
international hits.
Paradise
– “He's a Liar” is one of three Gibb songs I really
dislike, and this ballad should
have
been the single for Living
Eyes
instead.
Rather than falsetto run amok like Spirits
Having Flown, here
the classic lyrics and harmonious crescendos in many ways return to
the pre-disco sound. Sadly, the tired market didn't want to hear it.
Guilty
–
Guilty
was the first Gibb-related record I actually bought, and the catchy
scandalous is superbly arranged for Barbra Streisand's highs and
Barry's accompaniment. The dual story telling and culminating chorus
showcase Barry's award winning behind the scenes work, and this
session is an important staple in appreciating their songwriting
catalog.
Woman
in Love
– Likewise, this moody, desperate ode isn’t
like anything else Barbra had done. It's soulful and mellow in
emotion with Gibb echoes rising to a grand, epic feeling, and the
duet “What Kind of Fool” bookends the love eyes fall out
splendidly.
The
Love Inside
– This track written by just Barry might
be my favorite on Guilty.
Barbra’s delivery takes its time as the swells escalate to tearful
understanding and bittersweet mood. It's okay to need a pause and
take a few minutes to step back and reflect on our hurt.
Chain
Reaction
– This Gibb track for Diana Ross's Eaten
Alive is
a Motown throwback with deliciously naughty hooks to contrast the
familiar finger snapping beat. Combined with Diana's notes and
Barry's harmony, I'm still surprised this was not a stateside hit in
1985.
Islands
in the Stream –
Anyway
you cut it this Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton duet from Kenny's Eyes
That See in the Dark
is just a superb song. I loved this song then and had no clue it was
really
those dreaded Bee Gees! The Brothers themselves do a wonderfully
catchy rendition live, and you can't help but sing along with the
perfect melody, rhythm, lyrics, and harmony.
Heartbreaker
– Dionne Warwick's effortless rendition is fine sublime, but it's a
treat to hear the nuances in The Brothers' versions live or recorded
in full on
Love
Songs.The
amazing lyrical refrains and relatable, snappy chorus are perfectly
imperfect. There are wording changes, wispy notes, and swaying beats
to echo the gone wrong sentiments.
In
and Out of Love
– This
ballad from Robin' solo How
Old Are You
has an eighties sound, but it's smooth, with time to pay attention to
what Robin is saying as he stretches his range. Before disco, Robin
always lead the melancholy songs, but with the falsetto gone, he
returns to the group with the stronger, confident voice heard here.
The
Longest Night –
Robin continues the eighties five o'clock shadow mood with this
complex ode of dark verses and serious feeling. It's a seedy, stream
of consciousness ballad with intriguing notes and solid delivery.
Indeed
ESP
coupled with Robin's Walls
Have Eyes
represents
deeper, mature material that everyone seemed to miss.
Pity.
You
Win Again
– This
global hit from ESP
has oh babies, booming drums, and fun word play to bop your head and
stomp your feet. Hot damn. That is all.
One
–
Likewise
brimming with effortless power, enchanting lyrics, and delicious
riffs, this is another fun song live, remaining fresh and tropical as
The Bee Gees returned to the American charts at the end of the decade
with this timeless topper.
Bodyguard
–
And now onto
what may be one of the steamier Gibb songs from One,
even
the then shocking slightly soft core music video
here was very naughty. Robin’s delivery is again in romantic form
with moaning words every woman wants to hear amid Barry's crescendos
and objections. Let The Brothers Gibb take care of you, oh yes.
Bonuses:
Man
on Fire
– This eighties Andy Gibb torch song builds up more Gibb heat with
saucy lyrics, juicy vocals, and sexy pleas. It's strong, validating
the yes please with solid escalation and climax. Despite the echoing
touch of Barry's post-production, it's bittersweet to hear Andy
return to form in material just before his untimely death, but what a
steamy swan song it is.
The
One for All Tour
– Once elusive, this 1989 Australian concert video is now freely
available with its unique session line up including less often
performed live tracks. Most of those are slightly dated rockers from
One, but
live the grooves are excellent. The acid wash jeans, maybe not so
much.
Please
visit our Bee
Gees
tag
or our Music
label for more analysis, but do excuse any empty codes, broken links,
format errors, and beloved bias in our decades old Bee Gees reviews!
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