- Joef Bridgford - drums (1971)
- Barry Gibb - vocals, guitar (1967-)
- Maurice Gibb - vocals, bass (1967-)
- Robin Gibb - vocals, piano  (1967-)
- Alan Kendall - guitar (1971)
- Vince Melouney - guitar (1967-69)
- Colin Petersen - drums (1967-69)
    

- Barry Gibb (solo efforts)
- Maurice Gibb (solo efforts)
- Robin Gibb (solo efforts)
- Barbara Streisand (and Barry Gibb)
- Tin Tin (Robin Gibb)
- Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs (Vince Melouney) 

Genre: pop 

Rating: **** (4 stars)

Title:  Odessa

Company: ATCO

Catalog: SD-2 702

Year: 1969

Country/State: UK

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: original velvet cover; double LP; gatefold sleeve; minor ring wear; original inner sleeves

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 4489

Price: $25.00

Cost: $1.00

Talk about a troubled project. Apparently feeling themselves under heavy creative pressure to match the competition (notably The Beatles), in terms of musical sophistication, as well as feeling a need to underscore their credentials as more than pretty pop artists, the Gibbs set about recording their own concept album. Originally optimistically entitled "Masterpiece", then re-christened "The American Opera", work on the project was repeatedly interrupted by bickering among the brothers; chiefly between Barry and Robin. By the time 1969's "Odessa" was released, the original concept had largely been shelved in favor of a 17 track, double album collection which allowed each Gibb an opportunity to stretch out (shades of The Beatles' "White Album"). Like the former, the album was all over the musical spectrum. While there were plenty of trademarked mournful ballads ("You'll Never See My Face Again", "Black Diamond", "Melody Fair" and "Sound of Love" - the latter prominently showcasing Robin's irritating faltering falsetto), much of the material was relatively adventuresome, the trio taking stabs at a slew of different genres. "Marley Purt Drive" sounded like the brothers had been listening to a great deal of The Band, "Edison" featured a pseudo-psychedelic sound, "Never Say Never Again" underscored the trio's knack for catchy pop, while "Lamplight" came close to conventional rock - the song even sported a drum break! With the exception of the three extended instrumentals "Seven Seas Symphony", "The British Opera" and "With All Nations" (which were clearly salvaged from the earlier concept album), there was surprisingly little fluff for a double album set. The collection also proved a big seller, hitting top-10 in England and #20 in the States. (The LP was originally released with a lavish gatefold, red velvet sleeve.) Unfortunately, the album also saw Robin announcing he was leaving the band. Manager Stigwood responded by suing him for breach of contract. 

"Odessa" track listing:
1.) Odessa (City on the Black Sea) (Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb - Maurice Gibb) - 7:33
2.) You'll Never See My Face Again (Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb - Maurice Gibb) - 4:16
3.) Black Diamond (Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb - Maurice Gibb) - 3:27
4.) Marley Purt Drive (Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb - Maurice Gibb) - 4:26
5.) Edison (Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb - Maurice Gibb) - 3:07
6.) Melody Fair (Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb - Maurice Gibb) - 3:48
7.) Suddenly (Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb - Maurice Gibb) - 2:29
8.) Whisper Whisper (Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb - Maurice Gibb) - 3:24
9.) Lamplight (Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb - Maurice Gibb) - 4:47
10.) Sound of Love (Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb - Maurice Gibb) - 3:27
11.) Give Your Best (Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb - Maurice Gibb) - 3:26
12.) Seven Seas Symphony (instrumental) (Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb - Maurice Gibb) - 4:09
13.) With All Nations (International Anthem) (instrumental) (Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb - Maurice Gibb) - 1:46
14.) I Laugh in Your Face (Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb - Maurice Gibb) - 4:09
15.) Never Say Never Again (Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb - Maurice Gibb) - 3:28
16.) First of May (Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb - Maurice Gibb) - 2:48
17.) British Opera (instrumental) (Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb - Maurice Gibb) - 3:17

Genre: pop 

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  2 Years On

Company: ATCO

Catalog: SD-33-232

Year: 1971

Country/State: UK

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: gatefold sleeve; tight seems, looks almost unplayed

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 4488

Price: $15.00

Cost: $1.00

Having split up on extremely bad terms in the wake of 1969's "Odessa", it was a surprise that the brothers managed to patch up their disagreements and return with 1971's "2 Years On".  (The cynic in me says it may have had something to do with the fact their solo projects (well Barry and Maurice actually recorded as a duo), did little commercially).  Judging by aching ballads such as 'Man for All Seasons', 'The 1st Mistake I Made' and 'Sincere Relation' the split didn't seem to have had much of an impact on the brothers' trademarked sound.  Mind you there were a couple of minor changes.  Co-produced by Robert Stigwood and the brothers, the album sported crystalline clear sound and is a joy to hear on a high end stereo system.   The other big surprise (and the album highlights) are the short 'Back Home' and 'Every Second, Every Minute'.  Anyone who doubts the Gibbs could rock out needs to hear this little ditty.  Elsewhere, pulled as a single 'Lonely Days' b/w 'Man for All Seasons' (ATCO catalog number 45-6795) provided the brothers with one of their biggest hits.

"2 Years On" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) 2 Years On   (Robin Gibb - Maurice Gibb) - 3:57

2.) Portrait of Louise   (Barry Gibb) - 2:34

3.) Man for All Seasons   (Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb - Maurice Gibb) - 2:58

4.) Sincere Relation   (Robin Gibb - Maurice Gibb) - 2;45

5.) Back Home   (Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb - Maurice Gibb) - 1:55

6.) The 1st Mistake I Made   (Barry Gibb) - 4:05

(side 2)

1.) Lonely Days   (Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb - Maurice Gibb) - 3:46

2.) Alone Again   (Robin Gibb) - 3:00

3.) Tell Me Why   (Barry Gibb) - 3:13

4.) Lay It On Me   (Maurice Gibb) - 2:07

5.) Every Second, Every Minute   (Barry Gibb) - 3:01

6.) I'm Weeping   (Robin Gibb) - 2:45

Genre: pop 

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  To Whom It May Concern

Company: ATCO

Catalog: SD-7012

Year: 1972

Country/State: UK

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: gatefold sleeve; tight seams and corners

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 4685

Price: $15.00

1972's "To Whom It May Concern" is a mixed blessing.  The ballad heavy track listing ensured long standing fans would be happy.  That said, you can only take so many of these heavily arranged ballads before they begin to sound alike - to my ears the brothers' formula finally starts to sound somewhat tired and worn. Perhaps that's why atypical numbers such as the fuzz guitar propelled 'Bad Bad Dreams', the easy going (and non-falsetto vocal) 'You Know It's For You' and the plain goofy tracks like 'Paper Mache, Cabbages & Kings' seem to stand out.   That isn't to say the set is without it's charms and successes.  "Run To Me' is one of their prettier ballads (and a deserved hit), while 'Sea of Smiling Faces' is almost as good and 'We Lost the Road' effectively reflects their overlooked talents as harmony singers. Elsewhere the album spun off two hit singles:

- 1972's 'Run To Me' b/w 'Road To Alaska' (ATCO catalog number 45-6896)

- 1972's 'Alive' b/w 'Paper Mache, Cabbages & Kings' (ATCO catalog number 45-6909)

The singles coupled with an American tour helped the album hit # 35 on the charts.

"To Whom It May Concern" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) Run To Me  (Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb - Maurice Gibb) - 3:13

2.) We Lost the Road  (Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb) - 3:27

3.) Never Been Alone  (Robin Gibb) - 3:13

4.) Paper Mache, Cabbages & Kings  (Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb - Maurice Gibb) - 4:59

5.) I Can Bring Love  (Barry Gibb) - 2:04

6.) I Held a Party  (Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb - Maurice Gibb) - 2:31

7.) Please Don't Turn Out the Lights  (Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb - Maurice Gibb) - 1:57

(side 2)

1.) Sea of Smiling Faces  (Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb - Maurice Gibb) - 3:07

2.) Bad Bad Dreams  (Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb - Maurice Gibb) - 3:43

3.) You Know It's For You  (Maurice Gibb) - 2:53

4.) Alive  (Barry Gibb - Maurice Gibb) - 4:00

5.) Road To Alaske  (Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb - Maurice Gibb) - 2:35

6.) Sweet Song of Summer  (Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb - Maurice Gibb) - 5:00

Genre: pop 

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Mr. Natural

Company: RSO

Catalog: SD-4800

Year: 1974

Country/State: UK

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: cut out notch along spine

Available: 2

GEMM catalog ID: 4677

Price: $10.00

Cost: $1.00

With their audience having all but disappeared, 1974's "Mr. Natural" found The Bee Gees turning to producer Arif Mardin.  Powered by Barry and Robin's unique falsettos, the album is instantly recognizable as a Bee Gees product, but it marked a major change in direction for the brothers.  In fact if you want to hear the roots of what was to become their late-1970s chart domination, then this is the place to start.  Exemplified by tracks such as 'Charade' (who ever thought a clarinet would make for a great make out song) and 'Voices' there are still plenty of the Gibbs' trademarked big ballads, but the brothers seem to have decided that commercial survival required them to toughen up their sound.  Black Sabbath, probably wasn't concerned by the competition, but the Gibbs seldom penned anything as rock oriented as 'Down the Road' or 'Heavy Breathing'.  In fact, the only duff track here is the cheesy ballad 'Give a Hand, Take a Hand' - it's so bad I'm surprised The Hollies didn't cover it.  While the album did squat commercially, song-for-song this may be the strongest set the brothers turned in since their debut.  

"Mr. Natural" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) Charade   (Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb) - 4:12

2.) Throw a Penny   (Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb) - 4:54

3.) Down the Road   (Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb) - 3:20

4.) Voices   (Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb - Maurice Gibb) - 4:58

5.) Give a Hand, Take a Hand   (Barry Gibb - Maurice Gibb) - 4:44 

(side 2)

1.) Dogs   (Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb) - 3:42

2.) Mr. Natural   (Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb) - 3:46

3.) Lost In Your Love   (Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb) - 4:47

4.) I Can't Let You Go   (Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb - Maurice Gibb) - 3:42

5.) Heavy Breathing   (Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb) - 3:25

6.) Had a Lot of Love Last Night   (Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb - Maurice Gibb) - 4:07