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Greatest

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The Bee Gees started the second phase of their extraordinary careers with 1975s stellar "Jive Talkin'" (#1 for 2 weeks in 1975) a song that heralded the beginning of their rule as disco masters. They continued their ascent with the equally danceable "You Should Be Dancing" (#1 for 1 week in 1976) and peaked a few years later with their trio of #1 hits from "Saturday Night Fever" - "How Deep Is Your Love" (#1 for 3 weeks in 1977), "Stayin' Alive" (#1 for 4 weeks in 1978), and "Night Fever" (#1 for 8 weeks in 1978). The brothers managed to stay on top of the music world with their next CD, "Spirits Having Flown," which yielded 3 more #1 hits - "Too Much Heaven" (#1 for 2 weeks in 1979), "Tragedy" (#1 for 2 weeks in 1979), and "Love You Inside Out" (#1 for 1 week in 1979).

"Greatest" was released in 1979, on the heels of this phenomenal late 70s success. In addition to these great #1 songs, the set includes their two other Top 10s from the period - "Nights on Broadway" (#7 in 1975) and "Love So Right" (#3 in 1976). One of my favorite songs here is "Fanny (Be Tender with My Love)" which only went to #12 in 1976 but is a beautiful ballad worthy of greater attention. The Bee Gees were so huge at the time that they even managed to score a hit on the country chart: "Rest Your Love on Me," the b-side of "Too Much Heaven," peaked at #39 in 1979.

I also really enjoy the non-hits, some of which were singles for others. "(Our Love) Don't Throw It All Away," for example, peaked at #9 in 1978 for their brother, Andy Gibb. In addition, two other songs from "Saturday Night Fever" are included: "If I Can't Have You" (#1 for 1 week in 1978 for Yvonne Elliman) and "More Than a Woman" (#32 in 1978 for Tavares). I particularly like "If I Can't Have You": their version adds some fantastic urgency to the lyrics - a really great song. Finally, some top-notch album cuts are here: "Love Me," "You Stepped Into My Life," and "Children of the World" (from 1976's "Children of the World"); "Spirits (Having Flown)" (from 1979's "Spirits Having Flown"); "Wind of Change (from 1975's "Main Course"). I'm really surprised that "Love Me" was never released as a single, as it sounds like a sure-fire hit.

I really love "Greatest," and the Bee Gees have been enjoying a critical and popular rediscovery in recent years; they were even inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. This collection, however, has gone out of print and been replaced by the subsequent "The Bee Gees - Their Greatest Hits: The Record," a 2-disc set with 40 songs. That collection comprises hits from their entire career, from "New York Mining Disaster" (#14 in 1967) to "Alone" (#28 in 1997). However, "Greatest" is much more focused on their disco era success and thus sounds very cohesive.

The Bee Gees would have been hailed as the second coming of the Beatles if the public weren't so quick to peg them as a disco band. Their "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack proved to be both a blessing and a curse for the trio-turned-duo, who hit pay dirt in the late seventies with signature dance hits like "Night Fever," "Staying Alive," and "More Than a Woman." While that soundtrack gave them international fame, they never really lived down their reputation as "that disco group." But if you strip their songs of their dance-heavy production, you will find killer hooks, above-average lyrics, and expertly crafted pop songs that rival anything by their rock peers. This hits collection compiles the band's era from 1975-79, and while it does feature the above mentioned "SNF" tracks, there are also other gems such as the underrated love song "You Stepped Into My Life" and the near-perfect "Tragedy." There's a more recent double disc set available, but I prefer "Greatest" because it compiles the group's work from 1975-79 more comprehensively. So if the Brothers Gibb still conjures up images of disco cheese, you owe it to yourself to give these two discs a spin and listen closer with an open mind.

An excellent disco era faze collection with two great double CD's has all the brothers Gibb Barry, Maurice and Robin. Boogie classics style funky music hits ever. Like songs they sing are highlighted with "Staying Alive", "How Deep Is Your Love", "You Should Be Dancing" and "More Than A Woman" from the Saturday Night Fever movie soundtrack phenomenon trilogy. These were most popular tunes that I remember back then from the past. Again the best works compilation disc ever included with 20 song tracks in this Bee Gees mid seventies CD right here!

It took me over two decades to realize the inevitable: The Bee Gees are timeless classics. In every hit song, even the falsettos I once found repulsive, sleazy and embarrassing. Yet, I still listened anyway. Okay, not every hit hit me favorably. But most in this two-CD collection did. Taking me back to my teen years, lovingly, nostalgically, surprisingly--willingly.

What struck me best, the band's lush string-prominent arrangements. Those were the days when music truly mattered, when real live musicians played real live instruments in the studio. None of this synthesized computerized jazz. Believe me, it makes a difference. It adds layers, dimensions, depth to songs, even those that are simply two-minute ditties.

The lushness is most noticeable in the Broadway," "How Deep Is Your Love?," "Fanny," and "Love So Right." Sweeping romantic melodies leaving me weak in the knees because they epitomize what a man would sing to a woman if he allowed his insides out. It's hard not to fall in love with the stories in each of these songs. The music supports the sentiment...of love lost but fought for with open vulnerability.

Whether they're acoustic or electric, pop or funk, the Bee Gees know how to mold any instrument, any genre to their own distinctively hypnotic soothing yet groove-filled style. The groove, as in "Jive Talkin'" and "You Should Be Dancing," is infectious. I was sitting at work the other day listening to my Walkman, bopping up and down in my chair, feeling slick, snazzy and sexy somehow. I either want to dance in the rain with my dream lover or boogie on a beach. Or stand there while he kneels before me begging for my hand in marriage. With the Bee Gees soundtrack filling the air, filling our every pore.

Their blend of tragic hunger in the lyrics juxtaposed against a backdrop of sweeping, lush, orchestral melodic genius draws me in. Or they just rock my butt off. And hey, they're not always just high-pitched for any ole reason. These guys can sing various octaves to changing intended effect. When it calls for a deeper bass background to match a particular mood introduced by a pause, in "Fanny," the voice goes there. When it calls for harmonizing to parallel the violins in a stunning stand out, the voices go there. Every sound makes sense and bring forth complexity hard to easily fathom. Hard because it sounds so effortlessly simple. The key is in their expert phrasing; they know when to hook you and how.

Sometimes the effort fails, falling into trite cornball. I offer up, "Too Much Heaven," which sounds just like a bunch of wailing around by wimps. But mostly in this "Greatest" CD, it succeeds.

Is it possible to listen to "Nights On Broadway" for eight hours straight without stopping? I almost forgot how cool this song was. And the band.

This is only "some" of the Bee Gees hits, representing the best songs they recorded from 1975 to 1979. Big Hits before 1975 are ignored. There are five upbeat #1 songs, five ballads containing two #1 hits, half a dozen other top ten hits and some popular covered versions. Only four can truly be considered disco songs. A nice blend of dance numbers, ballads, B-Sides, "R & B" and occasional great album cuts; this is a wonderful collection. The only single to be ignored is the funky, "Boogie Child" (?), but all is forgiven.

Special treats include the first released Bee Gees version of "(Our Love) Don't Throw It All Away" and the country flavored "Rest Your Love On Me", a Top 40 country hit.

This was the Bee Gees third #1 album in a row and is a great five year feat.

P.S. To the Amazon Editor: "Too Much Heaven" and "Love You Inside Out" were top singles and 'not bland'. Go wash your mouth out.

Bee Gees Greatest,a 1979 compilation chronicling the Bee Gees career from 1975 to 1979 is an excellent compilation of that time period.It features all eight #1 songs,a few top ten singles and a top twenty single.It also features three choice album cuts,two choice turntable hits and a few non album B-sides.It also features an unreleased version of (Our Love)Don't Throw It All Away which would become a hit for their brother Andy.When released in late 1979,it quickly climbed to the top of the charts and went platinum.

The eight #1's represented here are Jive Talkin',You Should Be Dancing,How Deep Is Your Love,Stayin'Alive,Night Fever,Too Much Heaven(which was actually written for UNICEF at the time),Tragedy and Love You Inside Out(To clarify here,the Bee Gees first #1 song was in 1971.That song was "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart?"This compilation compiles the years 1975 through 1979 when they had eight #1 songs total.For more information,see my review of Best of the Bee Gees Volume 2 Overall,they had literally nine #1 songs total).The top ten sigles are Nights On Broadway(#7)and Love So Right(#3).The lone top twenty single is Fanny (Be Tender With My Love)(#12).The three album cuts are Love Me(which would be a hit for Yvonne Elliman),Children Of The World ,both from the album "Children Of The World" and Spirits (Having Flown) from the aqlbum of the same name.The turntable hits are Wind Of Change(the B-side of Jive Talkin'respectively)and You Stepped into My Life(the B-side of Love So Right respectively).The non album B-sides are If I Can't Have You(which would be a #1 hit for Yvonne Elliman and the B-side of the Stayin'Alive single respectively)and Rest Your Love On Me(the B-side of the Too Much Heaven single respectively and like the (Our Love)song,would also be recorded by their brother Andy).This double disc compilation faithfully recaptures their late '70's period and doesn't lie when it comes to the title of ths set.

When initially released in 1979,the two record album featured photographs of the brothers to symbolize sides.Barry's photograph symbolized Side One.Maurice's photograph symbolized Side Two,Robin's photograph symbolized Side Three and a group photograph af all three of them symbolized Side Four.

So Bee Gees fans everywhere,Greatest must be in your CD library. When combined with Best of the Bee Gees Volumes 1 and 2,you have definitive Bee Gees.Every fan must have it.Once again,Enjoy.

"Bee Gees Greatest" covers the work of the Brothers Gibb during their most successful period of their careers, 1975-1979. This was the period when the Bee Gees adopted their trademark sound and became associated with the forefront of the "Disco" movement. This greatest hits collection contains 20 songs encompassing four albums: "Main Course", "Children of the World", "Saturday Night Fever", and "Spirits Having Flown". There are also 2 "B" side singles and one 'unreleased' song that are a part of the 20 songs. The nice thing is that this CD basically contains every song you would expect from a Greatest Hits collection by the Bee Gees with really the only weak point being that the work from their early period is missing. This collection was released in 1979. It is worth noting that the Bee Gees had put out several Greatest Hits albums already covering the early work and that there is a Boxed Set entitled "Tales From the Brothers Gibb".

My feeling is the strength of the Bee Gees has always been the vocals. Yes they had some catchy beats, but it was the unique harmonies of the Brothers Gibb that made those catchy beats and Disco-esque rhythms work. This collection will represent those strong vocals well - and of course contain those catchy beats.

The singles from "Main Course" are well represented. The album "Main Course" really launched the 2nd phase of the Bee Gees career which is what the "Greatest" collection focuses on. It contains the hits "Jive Talkin", "Nights on Broadway", "Fanny (Be Tender With My Love)", and "Wind of Change". The latter two songs "Fanny" and "Wind of Change" often are forgotten songs, but are two of the better songs done by the Bee Gees - both contain some great harmonies. "Fanny" reminds me of a "bridge" between the early work of the Bee Gees and what was still to come in the late 70s. "Wind of Change" has some absolutely terrific harmonies by Barry Gibb.

The album "Children of the World" is often forgotten when looking at the history of the Bee Gees, but "Greatest" represents it very well. "You Stepped Into My Life", "Love So Right", "Love Me", "Children of the World", and "You Should Be Dancing" are included. Yes, "You Should Be Dancing" was on the Saturday Night Fever album and movie to follow, but it was actually a 1976 song by the Bee Gees. Apparently John Travolta used this song to rehearse his dancing in SNF and lobbyed hard to get it included in the movie - thus it was included in the soundtrack.

All of the big hits from "Saturday Night Fever" that were contributed by the Bee Gees are here. These need no explanation here. "Stayin Alive", "How Deep is Your Love", "Night Fever", "More Than a Woman" (Bee Gees version), and "If I Can't Have You" are on here. "If I Can't Have You" was actually sung by Yvonne Ellman on the SNF album, but it also was a B side to "Stayin Alive" (the Bee Gees are the actual authors of this song). Simply put - the Bee Gees version is superior and I am glad they included it on this collection (part of it almost sounds like a precursor to 'Tragedy'). Technically "Jive Talkin" and "You Should Be Dancing" were also on the SNF album.

"Spirits Having Flown" was the monster follow-up to SNF. That album was the last big selling studio album done by the Bee Gees. "Too Much Heaven", "Tragedy", "Love You Inside Out", and "Spirits Having Flown" are represented on here. There is also a B side from "Too Much Heaven" called "Rest Your Love on Me". I find this song most interesting - it has almost a country-western feel to it. It is a nice change of pace.

The unreleased song is "Our Love (Don't Throw it Away)". This technically wasn't an "unreleased song". This song is most remembered on the incredible 1998 album "One Night Only" in which the Bee Gees 'sing' with the recorded track of their late brother Andy Gibb. In that performance I remember feeling the emotion of how they lost their younger brother. This song was actually a song written by the Brothers Gibb for Andy Gibb's "Shadow Dancing" album. The version included here is the Bee Gees recording of it.

As for the layout of the collection, one thing that is also disappointing is that the songs are not in chronological order. I usually prefer a greatest hits collection to follow a sequential format and with today's CD randomization capabilities, I will then let the technology randomly select my songs. Perhaps the Brothers Gibb were looking to mix things up back in the days of LPs, 8 Tracks, and Cassettes which was the norm for this period of time. It is also worth noting that when this collection was released in 1979, it was released as a double LP. This collection is also a double CD and each CD contains 10 songs. The liner notes do a nice job at listing the songs and credits. It also does a nice job at mapping the albums back to the songs. The weak part is that the lyrics aren't included. I also would have liked a writeup about this period of their careers as well - but I do realize this was originally an LP and not a CD and that just wasn't as common back in 1979.

If you are looking to capture the hits of the Brothers Gibb at their peaks, this is the CD to buy. Keep in mind it does cover a limited period and doesn't fully represent the body of work the Bee Gees would do from a recording and a songwriting standpoint.

Is there a group that better symbolizes the disco era than the Bee Gees? In my opinion, they're definitely the best disco group of the 70's. This is a definitive for any fan of the Bee Gees. Whether it's disco fever like "Jive Talkin'" or "Night Fever" or great love songs such as "More Than A Woman" or "How Deep Is Your Love" , you simply can't go wrong with Bee Gees greatest hits. Every song on both of these cd's are great. Any disco or Bee Gees fan should enjoy this album.

If you ever want to reminisc about the disco times or just want to hear some great disco music, this cd is for you.

Bee Gees finished off with the disco era with their album Spirits Having Flown. After writing the song Don't Throw It All Away (Our Love) for Andy Gibb, their younger brother, they released this double LP. All the songs in this album are picked from Main Course (Night on Broadway, Jive Talkin', Fanny (Be Tender With My Love), Wind of Change), Children of the World (Children of the World, Love Me, Love So Right, You Should be Dancing, You Stepped Into My Life), Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack (Stayin' Alive, How Deep Is Your Love, Night Fever, More Than a Woman), and Spirits Having Flown (Tragedy, Too Much Heaven, Love You Inside Out, and Spirits (Having Flown)). With some songs from the singles A and B sides: Stayin' Alive (If I Can't Have You),and Too Much Heaven (Rest Your Love on Me).
Don't Throw It All Away was recorded during this LP since it was never released elsewhere before other the Andy Gibb's CD.

If you are a Bee Gees fan, you should invest in the much more comprehensive box set, "Tales From the Brothers Gibb," which boasts great sound and revealing liner notes from the brothers. This collection gathers some big hits (many from the "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack) and some non-hits, then has the nerve to call itself the "Bee Gees' Greatest." Familiar tunes like "If I Can't Have You" and "Love Me" were chartbusters for Yvonne Elliman, NOT the Bee Gees, whose versions are included here; also, late brother Andy's hit "(Our Love) Don't Throw It All Away" is here, but not by him--it's the Bee Gees again. Other tracks simply don't belong on this collection: "You Stepped into My Life," "Rest Your Love on Me," "Spirits Having Flown," "Wind of Change," and "Children of the World" were not U.S. hits, so why were they included when more popular hits ("Boogie Child" and "Edge of the Universe") were omitted? Instead of pondering that question, pick up the box set, which includes all the big hits from 1967 through the late 1980s.