Rating: **** (4 stars)
Title: Odessa
Company: ATCO
Catalog: SD-2 702
Year: 1969
Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+
Comments: original velvet cover; double LP; gatefold sleeve; minor ring wear; original inner sleeves
Available: 1
Price: $30.00
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