Customer Reviews

Bee Gees 1st (Dig)

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4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
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Wrapped in a snug fold-out digipak, this Rhino re-issue of Bee Gees First is a wonder to behold. Being the first international album by the three brothers, Rhino has beautifully remastered the original into one CD that has all the original fourteen songs in Stereo and Mono. These are different sounding recordings and not simply Stereo condensed into Mono. Classics like, "To Love Somebody", "Holiday" and their first big hit "New York Mining Disaster 1941" are given new life. In fact, the latter song has four different versions included here.

Disc 2 contains fantastic Alternate Versions and preciously unreleased material. Compare Barry's lead vocal of "One Minute woman" to Robin's take. Or compare the orchestral and instrumental differences between originals and Alternate Takes of "I Close My Eyes" and Turn Of The Century". It must have been a tough decision to make regarding songs choices. The Bee Gees show a remarkable sense of humor with "Mr. Wallor's Wailing Wall" and Beatle-esque perfection with "Gilbert Green" and "House Of Lords". With 42 songs and a running time of well over 100 minutes, this is a long awaited release. This album made it to #7 on the Billboard charts in 1967! Also includes a colorful booklet packed with trivia, history, album and single photos as well as comments from Barry and Robin Gibb.

It seems that so many albums from the 60's were just a hit or two with a lot of filler. Not this one! I finally got around to ordering it, mainly because I just wanted a definitive version of "New York Mining Disaster 1941" which my father bought as a single when I was a child.

I was amazed at how wonderful this album is to listen to all the way through. Sure, they sounded sort of like the Beatles (at one time I actually thought Holiday was a Beatles song) but they were brilliant.

To me the real underrated jewel of this album is "I Can't See Nobody". This was the B-side of "New York Mining Disaster 1941" and is genuinely beutiful in it's own right, and I believe could have been a monster hit. Hearing it remastered through a quality sound system was mind-boggling.

So, my advice is to pay the money and find a place to relax and enjoy this masterpiece. And, if your only impression of the Bee Gees is from the Disco era (ah ah stayin' alive, stayin' alive) then you are in for quite a surprise!

Just thought I'd add that I got around to listening to the bonus disk and it was certainly worth it. Some of the alternate takes are really great.

It occured to me that some of this early Bee Gees sounds a lot like the progressive stuff that The Move was doing around that time. Really interesting.

"Is it, in fact, unfair to criticize a formerly great artist for his latter day sins?"

The above question, put forth by the character 'Barry'(memorably played by Jack Black) in the movie High Fidelity must be considered when analyzing this fantastic debut by The Bee Gees. Arguably, what was accomplished by the Bee Gees in this album leaves one to tear out their hair when they consider what became of them a mere ten years later. Yes, in this case, it is fair to lump a heaping helping of criticism at the Bee Gees for their latter-day sin of selling-out to the "Disco Craze" of the late 70's(although, admittedly, 'Stayin' Alive' and 'Jive Talking' were pretty incredible).

What is heard on this album is not just good music, but a mere confirmation of what made records of the 60's better than all the rest. 'Bee Gees' 1st' is highlighted by 'New York Mining Disaster 1941' and 'Every Christian Lion Hearted Man Will Show You', along with some other delights such as 'Craise Finton Kirk Royal Academy of Arts' and 'I Can't See Nobody'.

This particular package contains both the stereo and mono recordings of the album(Disc One) in addition to a bonus disc of outtakes and previously unreleased bonus tracks(Disc Two).

Hesitate not, ye grand appreciators of outstanding music. Get this album.

For anyone searching for pop music at it it's innovative best, your search is over! The Bee Gees 1st (their debut American album released in 1967) is by far (in my humble opinion) the best thing they have ever done. I compare these 14 original songs quite favourably to that of The Beatles, "Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band". No doubt, the more famous album by the world's premier recording artists sold tons more copies, and got far more air play. But nonetheless, "The Bee Gees 1st" is a classic! It spawned three hit singles, and the b-side of their debut single, "The New York Mining Disaster, 1941", "I Can't See Nobody" could of and should of been the a-side. It easily could have been a number one hit, but in those days only The Beatles received air play for the flip side (as their legendary chart success can attest). But on this fabulous album from the opening track "Turn of the Century" through the conclusion, "Close Another Door" I promise any listener will not be disappointed. I enjoyed this music when I first obtained it, and over forty years later I still revel in it's genius. The writing, (mostly penned by Barry and Robin,) the harmonies, the amazing production of each track, all blend together to ensure that this work will remain essential in the annals of music history. If there is a negative side to this production it is that subsequent recording did not keep pace, and eventually they developed that disco sound which I did not care very much for.

Although 1967's Bee Gees First is a fairly recent addition to my collection, anybody who knows anything about sixties music is bound to know at least a few tunes from this one. Besides having a bit of the heyday camp on the cover and in the music, First is also a bit of a tongue and cheek title to me. Barry, Robin, and Maurice had been plugging away at music in Australia before releasing this their `first English' record.

Turn of the Century leads off the album in true and quirky fashion. At first all the talk of bicycles and time machines is a bit hokey, but the tune is so catchy. Soon enough you'll be singing along.

Mood and melancholy however, make their first appearance on Holiday. Robin's somber voice takes over and already you realize there is something deeper to this group. Of course nowadays everyone knows this one from the live versions and Maurice's little side show antics.

Why do I find all these old songs and their lyrics so confusing? Red Chair Fade Away is too similar to other music of the time, which is odd to say on an artist's first album. Most people do a few covers or use other's songs on a primary release, but Barry, Robin, and Maurice prove here they are more than a passing invasion band. Oh yeah!

Outside of the few monsters on this CD, One Minute Woman might be my favorite. It is quite underrated in my opinion. Barry's easy delivery and nearly begging lyrics sold me on the first listen.

In My Own Time is touch and go with me. I like it, but the tone and vocals are a bit too Beatle imitation for me. I like my Bee Gees as The Bee Gees. I've heard fifty other songs that sound like Time. Are they catchy? Sure. Unique? No. Every Christian Lion Hearted Man Will Show You is unique. The first time I heard this on record I was all over the spectrum. It's so moody and churchy and chant-like, but the chorus is almost happy. Every listen gets my wheels churning. What are they saying? Who cares it sounds cool!

Quirky Craise Finton Kirk Royal Academy of Arts is the first all Robin song presented. Already on this album we witness the duel leads of Barry and Robin. Eleven of the songs here are also credited to only Barry and Robin, including all the biggies. Kirk again has an ambiguous story almost like poetry. Everyone can read something different, and I love the toy piano like stops and starts. Very nice indeed.

When the boys penned New York Mining Disaster 1941 in a jammed elevator in England, do you think they knew what a classic it would become? If casual fans tell me they like "Have you see my wife Mr. Jones?" I always get a great chuckle. Again people know more Bee Gees songs then they realize-and not from the Brothers `height' in 1977. This is 10 years prior! Disaster represents the early genius of the brothers in lyrics, story, mood, music, and hooks.

Besides the fact that the song Cucumber Castle is not on the later album entitled Cucumber Castle , this oddity gets points again for being like nothing else heard before. Who else can put medieval touches into sixties pop? The one seemingly understandable line "Cucumber Castle be ever so humble," is so contradictory. A castle? Where kings live? How can that be humble? It makes you curious for another listen.

If you don't like To Love Somebody, come closer so I can hit you. This has to be one of the classics. One of the penne ultimate Gibb songs. None of that Fever stuff. To Love Somebody says all the love in just the right way. The proof of musical genius here is evident. (We also reviewed Somebody, Disaster, and I Can't See Nobody on our Gold review.)


I like Barry's delivery in I Close My Eyes, but some of the twists are again a bit too Beatle for me. Actually there isn't much else to say about this song! Pity. Oh yes I Can't See Nobody! My niece digs this one. When I first heard it I thought it was Maurice, but Robin switches styles-showing early on his unique range. The lyrics here are also telling. When you are falling in or out of a relationship, the other person is everything, you truly are unaware of everything else. Robin's creaky ups and downs show the heartache, yet the rhythm of the music describe the heights you can feel. Wow.

Please Read Me sounds a lot like the early Australian tunes the boys did. The sweet harmony dominating here is the early bloom of what was to come, even if it is a bit short on words. You can't have it all on your first album! The fourteenth and final track Close Another Door starts off slowly. Robin showcases himself again near the end. Door picks up to an easy pace and bookends well with Turn of the Century. Pity on anyone who listens to the first and last song of an album. Look at all the good stuff in between!

First is a unique album in every sense of the word. It's really something special to go back and see classic Gibb music even then, and don't forget several gems here were very ground breaking at the time. To the fans that have been here since the beginning, I tip my hat to you!

I recently re discovered some of the "aussie" recordings the brothers did & liked the hooks & harmonies enough to take the plunge on this set. While I would not consider myself anything close to an avid BG's fan this 1st LP is impressive on several fronts. 1-this lp plays like anyone elses greatest hits including thier peers the Hollies or Beatles. 2-The recording process took just over 3 months they were'nt given too much time as they were still "unproven" . 3- The performances & most of the songs are stellar. 4-You get mono/stero versions. The stereo is very impressive as it spreads "stigwoods lavish production" over the stereo field ( I haven't heard it in mono yet) & you get a decent bonus disc which is in stereo. Some of the things on this debut that I don't like (small in #)are the somewhat flowery "pop" production by Stigwood & 1 of the brothers has a tendency to "quaver" his vocal chords a bit much, otherwise thier 3 part harmony stands with the best of best in the UK. If you're a fan of a group like the EasyBeats you will enjoy this as well. This reissue was nicely done.

Ah yes! The year was 1967 and a band led by 3 brothers born in the UK who had moved to Australia while still very young, was about to begin a now almost 45 year journey of masterful compositions, songs and albums that are both historic and timeless. The Bee Gees have seen many transformations and incarnations, but the song remains the same with these guys prior to Maurice's passing (RIP).

They produced amazing material and were one of those bands who changed the face of music. They are mostly and unfairly remembered for their incredible mid to late 70's material that was both influential and historic. However, this ablum, their debut, shows that this band was making great music from it's inception, yes, they were outstanding songwriters and performers in their adopted home of Austrialia as far back as 14 years old!

The first song, "Turn Of The Century" starts us off on a wonderous journey. You hear the brothers displaying their incredible 3 part vocal harmonies that while not unheard of at this time, was certainly at the head of the class at that time. They were beating groups like the Byrds and Beatles at their own game and they were just teens! "Holiday" is has such gorgeous orchestrations and vocals and you can hear the deep lyrical content the brothers were able to obtain even at such a young age.

"Red Chair, Fade Away", "One Minute Woman" & "In My Time" are great classic mid to late 60's rock and roll songs that shows the band having fun and enjoying the music that's being made. "Every Christian Lion Hearted Man Will Show You" is one of my all time favorites and along with "New York Mining Disaster 1941" truly showcases the brothers incredible concepts and lyrical content skill level. There's not a weak moment on this album and it truly was the beginning of something very historic and wonderful for those who loved good music.

While all 3 brothers were great songwriters, the primary writers listed on this and all of their subsequent albums were Barry & Robin. This is a shame cause Maurice, by all the brothers admissions, was the primary writer of all the melodies and played several intruments on all of their albums. They were every bit the writers of any of the other great writers of that or any time. They are not given credit for the brillant music they produced or at least they're not included in the same conversation with their British contemporaries like Townshend/Entwhistle, Jones/Jaggar/Richards, Jones/Page/Plant, Harrison/Lennon/McCartney, Waters/Wright/Gilmour, etc. They should be at the beginning of every conversation with the others when the topic of greatest songwriting tandems are discussed.

As a previous reviewer stated, this was not their "1st" album technically but their 3rd as a group. However, as also previously stated, it was their 1st international album and true exposure outside of their adopted home of Australia were they were alreday major stars and this album helped introduce the world to what would become the famed Brothers Gibb, truly one of the greatest bands, writers and singers of all time.

This album wasn't really the Bee Gees' First - two albums with the three Gibb brothers had been previously released in Australia. "The Bee Gees 1st" was their first internationally released album, and the first to come out after their return to Britain.

Musically it's one of their most succesfull early albums. There is a great basic approach that ofter was lost on their following albums, where the ballads often suffered from heavy orchestration.

Moreover the songwriting on this album is consistently of high standards. Three of their finest singles "New York Mining Disaster", "Holiday" and "To Love Somebody" is featured here along with other great tracks like "Red Chair Fade Away", "I Can't See Nobody" and "Cucumber Castle".

In fact, there are no throwaways on the albums, and the Bee Gees really do sound like a band on this album.

On this new digitally remastered version the sound is crystal-clear, and it a great pleasure to listen to these old songs again. The second CD features alternate versions of many of the songs, and several are at least as good as the originally released versions. I especially like "One Minute Woman" - which has only the basic band instrumentation.

A couple of the previously unreleased songs are quite good too - "Gilbert Street" and "I've Gotta Learn" are two.

Great release.

Dear Music Lovers,

I can't get enough of this album, I listen to it often. Every song is excellent. The Bee Gees ruled before they turned to Blue Eyed Soul/Disco, althouth for those styles, they did them well. Anyway back to Bee Gees 1st, starting with "Turn of the Century" the album never lets up, although it is one of my favourites. Don't deprive yourself of this collection any longer, buy this now!

Tastefully yours,

Master of Taste

Forty years later Bee Gees first uk release is given the Rhino Warner BroS,Treatment,New York Mining Disaster 1941 Its Flipside in the UK I Cant See Nobody, To Love Somebody, Every Christian Will Show You,All in Excellent Stereo The Mono Versions Of The Complete Album follow but in this case they are for Fun or Comparison Only As A Flick Of The Remote Will Show,Please Read Me is as the extensive and detailed booklet says sublime, Also two other versions of New York Mining Disaster 1941,Close Another Door, Holiday,also are a part of this essential sixties classic,Highly Recommended, listen to the track I Close My Eyes ,Its Noel and Liam great stuff