The Studio Albums (6lp) [Box set, Limited Edition, Best of]

This first reissue of the Bee Gees classic albums by Rhino Records proves to be a collectors dream. Not only are "Bee Gees 1st", "Horizontal" and "Idea" Remastered, but each album's song is repeated in Mono and Stereo making for unique sound differences. Each album is suited with an additional CD of outtakes, alternate versions and unreleased material.

The first album contains all three versions of the Bee Gees first international hit, "New York Mining Disaster 1941" as well as alternates of key album cuts. There is also plenty of extra material such as the sixties rocking "Gilbert Green" and the vaudeville-like "Mr. Wallor's Wailing Wall" with Robin going at it with warbling intensity. Robin's lead on "One Minute Woman" proves that it must have been a tough choice of which brother's lead vocal to use on the original album. "House of Lords" contains some nice original storybook lyrics while "I've Got To Learn" brings out the rock and roll the Bee Gees can so deftly handle.

"Horizontals" supplement disc contains the rare "Barker Of The UFO" and other B-Sides such as the whimsical "Sir Geoffrey Save The World" and "Sinking Ships". There's the brilliant Beatles-esque "Out Of Line" and the "Kinks" influenced "Ring My Bell". This disc also showcases original curiosities such as the Middle-Eastern themed, "Deeply, Deeply Me" and the psychedelic "Mrs. Gillespie's Refrigerator". The three Christmas songs are rare and unusual additions, especially for a box set such as this.

The "Idea" second disc contains some alternate songs, along with rare B-Sides, such as "The Singer Sang his Song" (originally optioned for an A-Side release) and the rare A-Side, "Jumbo". Barry belts out the blues on "Chocolate Symphony" and "Bridges Crossing Rivers" proves the Bee Gees were an original band with more than clever hooks and lyrics. Maurice's keyboards and mellotron use is consistently ear-opening. Following in the Christmas foot-steps of novelty songs, the Bee Gees give us two versions of "Coke commercials" released in their sixties heyday.

The liner notes are some of the most comprehensive since "The Authorized Biography Of The Bee Gees", containing detailed month by month history of those first two years, original album artwork and rare photos. In addition, every song is listed with writer credits, place of recording and date of recording. Even the albums label name and copyright number is posted. Can you get more detailed?

Considering that this entire set is completely Remastered and there is ample new material along with alternate versions and outtakes, this is a Bee Gees fan dream come true. It is hard to believe that there is still more unreleased material, but this should satisfy the public as to what actually happened with the Bee Gees those first two classic years. It's a true gift of music.

The set is marketed in digi-paks (half cardboard and plastic), which has proven to be arguably less durable than simple jewel case, but that's a minor concern, all things considering. Excellent liner notes by Andrew Sandoval - a veteran of pop music history.

When people think of the Bee Gees they think of disco and Saturday Night Fever, which I enjoyed immensly. The Bee Gees were a part of another huge era in rock history along with The Beatles, Pink Floyd, The Beach Boys, etc. That era is the Psychedelic 1960s and this six cd box set transports you the listener back to that wild colorful, flower power era. This is a cd box set worth owning, regardles of price. The first three Bee Gees albums (The Bee Gees 1st, Horizontal and Idea) are the story and presented brilliantly in this fine Bee Gees offering. What a trip down psychedelic 1960s lane. Lyrically, vocally and the production of these three albums has been captured beautifully with this box set. The Bee Gees were honing their writing genius during these recording sessions, only to become known the next decade later in the 1970s as one of Britians all time great song writers, regarded with the likes of Lennon and McCartney, Jeff Lynn, Americas(Beach Boys Brian Wilson) etc. The Bee Gees were new and young with vibrant vocals and lyrics, you hear it and capture it perfectly with this cd set. Each album is presented in stereo and mono, a second disc accompanies each album, covering alternate versions of songs, and songs that did not make the original album release. As you listen to each cd in chronological order you could hear how the Bee Gees get their rythm and sound down on each album. They actually become more defined and get stronger harmoniously on each album release. There is a gluttenous of literature describing each original album release with recording dates and explanations about the alternate tracks and the tracks left off the original releases. What more can I say? you ask! The remastering is astonishingly brilliant and captivates ones ears. I swear, I almost think these Bee Gee albums were recorded earlier today. I'm not over dramatizing the remastering on this cd set, you have to hear it to believe it. I still feel this set is a little pricey, but I found a cheaper used mint condition copy for a nice price. I have not stopped listening to this cd set, it's that good. The early Brothers Gibb musicians:
BARRY GIBB: vocal, guitar
ROBIN GIBB: vocals, organ
MAURICE GIBB: vocals, bass, organ, piano, guitar,mellotron, harpsichord (REST IN PEACE)
VINCE MELOUNEY: guitar
COLIN PETERSON: drums
Bee Gees 1st: released 8/67
Horizontal: released 1/68
Idea: released 8/68
My hats off to Reprise for rereleasing these forgotten Bee Gees gems. I cant wait for the next three Bee Gees cd releases especially "Oddessa".The First Three Releases are highly recommended listening for any music fan.......................

I had given up hope that these albums would ever be remastered, the Polydor versions were bare bones striaght reissues. Now the Bee Gees' brilliant late 60s releases get their due. I was pleased from the first song, that bizarre garbled passage in Turn Of The Century has been corrected 39 years on. From there on, it's just one amazing song after another. The remastering is sharp and clear, to my ears the best sounding issues of these albums ever. Very attractive packaging, with the individual albums getting a double gatefold treatment, full of photos and informative liner notes (Andrew Sandoval, you are THE MAN!) and they even thought to add those 2 wonderful Coke commercials at the end of Idea! Pop music fans of all stripes should race to buy this one, a remakable reissue.

Next chapter....1969's Odessa....the anticipation is building!

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