Customer Reviews

Best of

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When the Bee Gees first charted in 1967 with "New York Mining Disaster, 1941," Barry Gibb was 19 and his twin brothers Robin and Maurice were 17. Despite their youth, their Beatles-inspired pop would return them to the Top 40 seven more times over the next two years and they're all here.

For this aging Baby-Boomer, this is the Bee Gees at their best--not a disco song in sight--just the Gibb brothers' voices wrapped around timeless melodies like "To Love Somebody," "Holiday," Massachusetts," "Words" and "I've Gotta Get a Message to You." ["I Started a Joke" is an equally exquisite song, but am I the only one completely baffled by the lyrics?]

As has been noted earlier, this is not exactly the original Best of the Bee Gees released in 1969. "Spicks and Specks" (which topped the charts in Australia before the band broke out in the U.S.) has been replaced by the duet "Tomorrow Tomorrow' (a minor hit at #73 and recorded during Robin's two-year hiatus from the group). [Attention Polygram: Why only 12 tracks and 37 minutes? Couldn't you have left "Spicks and Specks" on the disc? And while you're at it, why not also add the minor hit "Jumbo" (#57) from 1968?]

After getting this CD, get Best of Vol. 2 and you'll have all of the big hits and also-rans from the pre-disco Bee Gees. [Note: Vol. 2 has a more generous 14 tracks and runs nearly sixty minutes.]

If you're old enough to remember the Bee Gees before they became the reigning kings of disco in the Seventies, this is a must-have purchase. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Released in 1969 when the three brothers were in the midst of a breakup, this collection represents not just the singles, but the very best they had to offer from four albums. While most of the songs are culled from "Bee Gees 1st" ("NY Mining Diaster 1941", "Holiday" and the much copied "To Love Somebody"), the rest are singles hits. There is the obvious omission of "Jumbo", a strange break in style for the group and the inclusion of their first international single "Spicks & Specks". When released as a CD, "Spick & Specks" was replaced by the overlooked ballad "Tomorrow, Tomorrow". So many artists have copied these songs it reaches into the hundreds and there is an urgency present that will make you nod your head in delight when you realize the incredible foresight that manager Robert Stigwood possessed. In the CD transition, Polydor had remastered "Spicks & Specks" into stereo, but held it back. With so many songs to be chosen, it's a wonder that most albums of that period were limited to twelve songs or why this CD was limited as well. Regardless, it reflects a fresh, crisp blooming of genius that few knew at the time would reach so far.

It is probably accurate to say that those of us old enough to remember the original incarnation of the Australian supergroup "The Bee Gees" recall their singular vocal and harmonic sound and the string of smash hits they had in quick succession in the 1960s. Most of those original hits are included in this compilation of their early work, from an ethereal "Holiday" to a plaintive "Got To Get A Message To You". Indeed, they had a rapid succession of monster hits along the lines of favorites like "Words", "I Started A Joke", and "First Of May".

Really, then, until one listens to the CDS, it is easy to forget just how many times they rolled songs up to the top of the charts in that brief three or four year period. Of the twelve hits included here, my own personal favorite is, of course, "Massachusetts", but I also like "To Love Somebody", "New York Mining Disaster", and the strange but memorable "Every Christian Lion-Hearted Man Will Show You". Indeed, the Bee Gees (for Brothers Gibbs) cut a wide and special swath through the history of sixties pop music, and this album showcases their talent and their memorable lineup of hits. I can heartily recommend this CD. Enjoy!

The Bee Gees's hits from SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER are now considered oldies, but a decade before that movie and album, they were producing some of the finest pop of the sixties. THE BEST OF THE BEE GEES, Vol. 1 collects their finest singles from that period. I actually like SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, but to me the true BEST of the Bee Gees will be these incredible singles.

There are two reasons that this album stands out. The first is their extraordinary harmony singing. Like so many other brothers' singing acts (the Shoes, the Louvin Brothers, and, of course, the Everly Brothers), their voices just blend together better than most others' voices.

The second reason for their success are the excellent songs. All of the songs are at least decent, and several are masterpieces. "Holiday," "Words," "To Love Somebody," and "Massachusetts" are classics that have been recorded over and over by various recording artists over the years.

I am not sure that all fans of the later music of the Bee Gees will love this album, but I know that all fans of sixties pop will adore it.

Perhaps best appreciated with the perspective of recalling how poingant these songs were when they were first being heard. Nonetheless, those who remember the Bee Gees as disco (or post disco craze), need to take a listen to this compilation of their early work.

An outstanding compilation of songs with one vision - unconditional love. Their orchestration, which included strings, trumpets and even a harp was unmatched by anyone at the time, and was a harbinger of things the Moody Blues were to do later at another level. Even a wall of sound that Phil Specter could love was never strong enough to overwhelm great vocal work.

The lucky ones of us (read: us old heads)can never hear "Words", "I Can't See Nobody", "First of May", "Tomorrow, Tomorrow" and of course "To Love Somebody" without the most delicious heartache.

A must own!

This is a reissue of the first Bee Gees best-of album, which covers only their early, lush pop era. Later converts be forwarned: There is nothing approaching a danceable song on this album. This is pop, and nothing but pop. But what great pop. There are more than a few bonafied standards on this set, including "Words", "I Started a Joke", "To Love Somebody" ,etc. This material is more than enough to justify an entire career.

Two complaints about this collection: 1) It's short--just 12 tracks. That was fine in the vinyl era, but is very chintzy in the CD age. A more complete single CD compilation combining the best of "Best Of" vols 1 and 2 would be a fairer deal for the consumer. But at least what's here is mostly top-notch. 2) Although this CD sports the same cover as the original vinyl album on Atco, one track substitution has been made: Spicks and Specks has been replaced by Tomorrow, Tomorrow. This is an unfortunate substitution, but was probably required due to licensing problems for the original track (which was originally issued prior to the Bee Gees signing with RSO).

Those caveots noted, this is still a great listen. The one star this has been docked is for the shortness of the comp.

dap

This is one of my all time favorite CDs. The Brothers Gibb do soaring, strange, lush, tenor vocals on a dozen 60s songs. They were revolutionary at the time and the music still holds up. "The First of May" is my favorite song on this CD, but they're all good. Don't, however, try to make any sense of the words on some cuts. The Beegees are about sound -- and secondarily stories, meaning, and relevance. They should be rated, in my view, much higher on the "greatest artists" lists than they usually are.

Best of the Bee Gees Vol.1,their 1969 compilation is a great introductory piece to the greatest family musical outfit the world has ever known. The twelve tracks represented here are a great example of the brothers excellent songwriting talent,imstrumental ability and versatility.

This first compilation is proof that the Bee Gees are a talented English trio(they were actually born in Manchester England.They only emmigrated to Austrailia). It also proves that they are not a disco group(I've always hated it when anyone mentions "DISCO" in reference to them. I still do).

As for the songs,their first American top forty hit is on here(New York Mining Disaster 1941-which for you trivia buffs was actually about a mining disaster in Wales where many young children were crushed to death).It's B-side is also featured(I Can't See Nobody). It's follow up(To Love Somebody-which later became a hit for Michael Bolton and Jimmy Somerville and would also be recorded by Janis Joplin),as well as beautiful balladry(Holiday and it's B-side Every Christian Lion Hearted Man Will Show You and Words). Their first introspective single(I Started a Joke).Their first stateside top ten(I've Gotta Get A Message To You-which was probably Dylan influenced),and a few reflective songs(Massachusetts,First of May,World,and Tomorrow,Tomorrow).Each of these songs the brothers wrote,recorded and also co-produced with their then manager and mentor Robert Stigwood(who actually worked alongside Brian Epstein,the Beatles manager,for a while)and long time friend Ossie Byrne shows the extraordinary talent and timeless virtuosity of the brothers.

The only disapointment is that Polygram edited out Spicks and Specks and replaced it with Tomorrow,Tomorrow. "WHY?" They should've left Spicks and Specks(which was their first Austrailian #1) on here alongside Tomorrow,Tomorrow.Plus,they should've added other great songs(i.e.Marley Purt Drive and Jumbo).It would've made this compilation more complete.It would've also merited an extra star if they(Polygram)did.Despite this unfortunate editing,it is still a great introductory piece to their music and a compilation to own.

If you want to discover the extraordinary talent,versatility and exquite songwriting of the Bee Gees,this is a good place to start.Don't listen to detractors(who keep giving them the "INSANE" disco tag time after time).This is also a CD for the true fan who truly appreciates the true artistry the Bee Gees are universally known for.If you don't have it, by all means get it. No fans CD library is complete without it.Enjoy!

I swore a long time ago I would never buy a Bee Gees product.That was the disco era.Then I heard "Message" and well...I just love these songs! "Massachussetts" is absolutely beautiful.I still don't have their disco stuff (NEVER will) but for sheer pop magic this collection is right up there with the Beatles or Beach Boys! BUY IT-I did!

I can honestly say I grew up listening to the 70's pop/disco Bee Gees. While I have no regrets (or shame), I felt I was selling myself short of a group that had established themseves a decade earlier. So I purchased this Cd.....man was I taken by suprise! First off, Robin is featured a lot in this compilation. His voice is odd, but very beautiful. Their sound is very folk-ish/Dylan-ish with the classic Gibb harmonizing included. Songs like "I can't see nobody" and "I started a joke" really stand out. A must for anyone who calls themselves a "Bee Gees fan". They are much more than Saturday Night Fever.