Customer Reviews

The Studio Albums (6lp)

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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 also 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.