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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Another Unmistakably Very Good Album., November 21, 2000
The year 1973 was the beginning of a new era for the Bee Gees.They were now signed to the newly formed RSO(Robert Stigwood Organization)Records.A label started by their then manager and mentor Robert Stigwood,which was designed exclusively for artists he managed and directed.The brothers recorded their first RSO album at the famed Record Plant recording studio in Los Angeles.To hype the album,a single entitled Saw A New Morning was released in March 1973,it tied with I.O.I.O.(see Cucumber Castle review for more information)as their weakest selling single when it reached #94.Life In A Tin Can would be released at the same time,It would be another commercial disappointment when it reached #69.
Once again,another underrated effort by the Bee Gees.Their first RSO album was another example of the brothers displaying that they weren't afraid to experiment.With Life In A Tin Can,the Bee Gees were experimenting with American Folk-Rock and Country.The Bee Gees show that they can play folk-rock and country as good as any American artist.In fact,this album sounds so folkie,that it would rival Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger.The Bee Gees would also produce this album by themselves(The first time they would ever solely produce an album).
Of the eight songs on this album,half are written by all three brothers collectively(Saw A New Morning,Living In Chicago,My Life Has Been A Song and Method To My Madness).The remaining half are written solely by Barry(I Don't Wanna Be The One,South Dakota Morning,While I Play and Come Home Johnny Bride).
Musically,the Bee Gees display their fine talents.Barry again displays his virtuosity on acoustic guitar on Saw A New Morning,I Don't Wanna Be The One,South Dakota Morning,Living In Chicago,While I Play and Come Home Johnny Bride.Maurice also aids on acoustic guitar and contributes some very good bass work.Maurice again displays his versatility by playing clavinet and electric twelve string guitar on While I Play.Aiding and abetting are a nice array of Atlantic staff session musicians.For example,Sneaky Pete who plays KILLER steel guitar on South Dakota Morning and Come Home Johnny Bride.Jim Keltner also displays some fine drumming on the vast majority of songs(Living In Chicago has no drums).Jerome Richardson plays a beautiful flute solo on Living in Chicago.Alan Kendall(who would later play on the Main Course album.See Review for more information)plays a fine lead guitar on Saw a New Morning and I Don't Wanna Be The One.Rik Grech also plays Bass and violin on While I Play and plays violin on Saw A New Morning.Mr.Grech's style of violin playing would even make Charlie Daniels jump for joy.Last but not least is Tommy Morgan,who plays a nice harmonica on South Dakota Morning and My Life Has Been A Song.The only non-Atlantic staff musician is Jane Getz(who worked for RCA Records at the time),who plays a beautiful piano on Come Home Johnny Bride.The Bee Gees,alongside the array of Atlantic staff musicians create a fine ensemble.Under the brothers and Johnny Pate's(arranger and conductor)direction,they deliver a "nice,feel-good" type of album that will make you jump for joy.It might even make you feel like dancing.The combination of folk-rock and country would rival Bob Dylan,Pete Seeger,Tom Paxton,Johnny Cash,Glen Campbell and Hank Williams Jr.
Vocally,the Bee Gees faithfully deliver some very good moments.Barry solely does lead on South Dakota Morning and While I Play.Barry and Robin display a fine duet on My Life Has Been A Song(the B-side of Saw A New Morning).All three brothers collectively do lead on the rest of the album.In fact,Come Home Johnny Bride features the best harmony vocals heard on any Bee Gees album.The harmonies on this particular song would rival The Statler Brothers or even The Oak Ridge Boys.Life In A Tin Can may not be their best album.But it's darn tootin' good.Ya hear?
Overall,Life In A Tin Can is a very good album that no fan should be without.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
SOME GREAT LIFE IN THIS BEE GEES TIN CAN!, March 17, 2001
If any Bee Gees album got stuck with the term 'underdog' Life In A Tin Can issued in '73 on RSO Records is the album that takes the prize. Considering their success the year before with the hit single "Run To Me", this release was a complete turn-around from what was expected from them. Though this album spawned the minor U.S. hit (cult hit) "Saw A New Morning" both the album & single made hardly any impact on the charts and disappeared from the stores as quick as it hit them. To be honest with you...There are some fine tunes included and of the 8 that made up this very under-produced release "Saw A New Morning", "I Don't Want To Be The One", the Country Rockin' "Come Home Johnny Bride" & the gorgeous acoustic ballad "South Dakota Morning" are 4 tunes that make LIATC worth picking up on CD now that it has been reissued by Polydor. Sadly, the original LP 'die cut' cover & centerfold have not been reproduced on the CD issue, but at least we finally got this 'underdog' title on CD. The sonics are cool and if you thought one 'underdog' from the Bee Gees was enough...Their next release, '74's Mr. Natural was surprisingly 'underdog #2' (for more on Mr. Natural see my review). Worth picking up if your into solving the Bee Gees musical puzzle of musical missing links.
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Close To Country Rock, But Too Short, June 5, 2001
Even though this CD barely garnered a hit, "Saw A New Morning" and was poorly received by the public, the concerts were still going strong during this period (1973). Hedging more towards country, The Bee Gees crafted some fine acoustic work here with, "South Dakota Morning, "Living In Chicago" and the upbeat rocker, "Come Home Johnny Bride". "I Don't Wanna Be The One" and "My Life Has Been A Song" are a tad bit of the old cornball ballads. However, "While I Play" is a Barry Gibb standout cut. Recorded with such celebrated studio musicians as, Jim Keltner on drums, pianist Jane Getz, 'Sneaky Pete' on steel guitar and the Bee Gees own, Alan Kendall, this album is first rate. It is a shame it only clocks in at less than 33 minutes.
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