Customer Reviews

Mr Natural

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Mr. Natural only reached #78 on the Billboard charts and comprises a significant transition period for the Bee Gees. With the help of veteran producer Arif Mardin, the Gibbs put together a smattering of different styled songs, ranging from rock to R&B to ballads. Their album before (A Kick In The Head...) was not released and the album afterwards (Main Course) skyrocketed up the charts with a #1 single and started the Bee Gees on the present course they enjoy now. Although none of the singles (Throw A Penny, Mr. Natural and Charade) made much of an impact, it still is a "which style do we go with guys?" album. However, it is one of the most diverse albums of the Bee Gees career. Oddly, the stations seemed to play "Dogs" now and then, even though it was not released as a single. "Give A Hand, Take A Hand" was an older song from 1969 that the Gibbs rerecorded after The Staple Singers did well with it. The song styles waver through soft, sensual ballads like "Charade" and then jump into a strange, heavily transitioned song "Throw A Penny" into a fast rock number called "Down The Road", which was a staple in their concerts. "Mr. Natural " comes closest to a true R&B song, but seems forced. "Lost In Your Love" is a trademark Bee Gees tear-jerker and "Voices" really takes advantage of Robin's great vocals. "Heavy Breathing" is a simple, but rocking song, but is then followed by an obligatory tear-jerking ballad "Had A Lot Of Love Last Night". What a variety! It's clear that the Gibbs maintained a grip on their older style while diving into a new style that would make the public give it a good, hard listen. Should you buy it? (as if you don't have 5 copies already). Yes, there are many memorable tracks. On this album you can really feel the 'hunger' the Gibbs had!

I would put this album in my top 5 Bee Gees favorites. Maybe it's because some of their other albums were overplayed (like Children of the World). But I can't stop listening to Mr. Natural. This is as much of a transition album as Main Course. And really for a Bee Gees fan, Main Course only makes sense if you know Mr. Natural. While this got panned by their record company, it is not because it doesn't have great music. I would argue that it just doesn't "fit" anywhere--R&B, country, rock. That's what I love about it.

In early 1974,the Bee Gees were in a desperate situation.Their label RSO and it's U.S. distrubutor,the ATCO division of Atlantic,collectively rejected an album of theirs entitled "A Kick In The Head Is Worth Eight In The Pants".Stigwood and Atlantic/ATCO were collectively stating the Ultimatum:"Create an album that will reach the American audiences or else!"The brothers would eventually be paired with Atlantic staff producer Arif Mardin.To hype the album,a single entitled Mr. Natural would be released in February 1974.It climbed to #93.Likewise,the album of the same name would be released in July of the same year.Mr Natural would become their weakest selling album.It climbed to #178 in the U.S. only(no known U.K.placing of either single or album as of yet)before disappearing without a trace.The Bee Gees would avoid recording another album for a year as a result of this failure.

It's a shame that this album suffered the fate that it did.The Bee Gees second RSO offering was another helping of some very good and well written songs.The songs are originals of course.Once again,we're treated to some beautiful ballads(Charade,Give A Hand,Take A Hand,Lost In Your Love and Had A Lot of Love Last Night)The brothers also deliver some fusion drenched R&B songs you can actually dance to(Down The Road and Heavy Breathing),as well as some dancable basic R&B numbers(Dogs,Throw A Penny,Voices,title track and I Can't Let You Go).In context,the brothers were going in newer directions that they were not afraid to go into.It also shows that their roots are in R&B/Soul.Mr.Natural proves this in all of it's eleven songs.

Mr. Natural features some of their finest songwriting moments.Charade is perfect when you want to spend a nice romantic evening with your lover.Throw A Penny is a song about a man depending on stranger's kindness to help his children(I think if Marvin Gaye had the chance,he'd probably cover this song and it probably would've been a hit.It's the type of song he would sing.Marvin probably influenced it.)Give A Hand,Take A Hand continues this cycle by emphasizing while you should give of yourself,there's nothing wrong with taking it back even if you feel you don't need it.Dogs shows that our four legged best friends need freinds as much as humans do.Down The Road became part of their live staple and it was also a radio hit.These and the remainder of the songs on this album show the Bee Gees going in a very admirable change in artistic direction.

Arif Mardin delivers a very unique album of music to create a unique aural experience.He combines pop,fusion(i.e Rock and Jazz)and R&B/Soul to create a new Bee Gee trademark.In fact,Heavy Breathing contains some of the finest horn section arrangements that would rival Tower of Power and even bring tears to Chicago's eyes.On the commercial side,it was a huge disaster.However,on the artistic side it was a precursor of better things to come.

Overall,Mr.Natural is a very good album that no Bee Gees fan should be without.

It's no accident that Mr. Natural is at or near the top of CD Now customer's 'listmania.' This is a fabulous cd. While 'Spirit's','Children of the World' and to a lesser degree 'Main Course', sound dated, Mr.N still sounds fresh.
People that I know who don't like the Bee Gees grudgenly admit that Mr. Natural is a mighty fine record.
It has a little bit of everything-- fast, slow, and in between; gospel, soul, country, jazz, and rock. You name it MN has it. Some of the best vocal work ever recorded is right here. period.
I had the good fortune of seeing the Bee Gees just as 'Main Course' was about to be released. There were probably less than 1500 people in attendance. But these proud professionals put on a show that was amazing, and luckily they did several cuts from MN. They closed the show with a 15 minute rendition of 'Heavy Breathing', and I have never been to a concert where such a frenzy in an audience was created.
If you buy just one Bee Gees Cd pre or post 'Fever', Mr Natural has to be it. A hit it never was, but it damn well should have been.

Note: This is a re-issue until Rhino Records releases the Remastered Expanded version.

Mr. Natural only reached #198 on the Billboard charts and comprises a significant transition period for the Bee Gees. With the help of veteran producer Arif Mardin, the Gibbs put together a smattering of different styled songs, ranging from rock to R&B to ballads. Their album before (A Kick In The Head...) was not released and the album afterwards (Main Course) skyrocketed up the charts with a #1 single and started the Bee Gees on the present course they enjoy now. Although none of the singles (Throw A Penny, Mr. Natural and Charade) made much of an impact, it still is a "which style do we go with guys?" album. However, it is one of the most diverse albums of the Bee Gees career. Oddly, the stations seemed to play "Dogs" now and then, even though it was not released as a single. "Give A Hand, Take A Hand" was an older song from 1969 that the Gibbs rerecorded after The Staple Singers did well with it. The song styles waver through soft, sensual ballads like "Charade" and then jump into a strange, heavily transitioned song "Throw A Penny" into a fast rock number called "Down The Road", which was a staple in their concerts. "Mr. Natural " comes closest to a true R&B song, but seems forced. "Lost In Your Love" is a trademark Bee Gees tear-jerker and "Voices" really takes advantage of Robin's great vocals. "Heavy Breathing" is a simple, but rocking song, but is then followed by an obligatory tear-jerking ballad "Had A Lot Of Love Last Night". What a variety! It's clear that the Gibbs maintained a grip on their older style while diving into a new style that would make the public give it a good, hard listen. Should you buy it? (as if you don't have 5 copies already). Yes, there are many memorable tracks. On this album you can really feel the 'hunger' the Gibbs had!

This is one album that takes a little listening to in order to truly appreciate. I had to listen to it 3 times before I caught on, but once I did, I fell in love with it. The beginning track and a half are deceptively slow, almost easy listening, but it quickly picks up. Down the Road should have been a hit, but '74 was not the right time for this sort of upbeat tune. Dogs is well-crafted and worth the cover price by itself. Mr. Natural, the track, has great vocals by Robin in the chorus. (And I WANT that neon sign on the cover!)

This is one Bee Gees album that is bubbling with great music...Though not a strong seller when issued in '74 it certainly set the foundation for the next album, '75s Main Course. This album sounds exceptionally well on CD and if you dig the Bee Gees Soulful/R&Bish approach to their music and are not acquainted all that well with this album you are missing some really terrific tunes that are nothing at all in the style they hit on during the Disco/Dance craze. "Charade" will melt you away with its shimmering textured vocals & instrumentation. This tune will have you glowing in the dark and hopefully not alone! The Funk is delivered on "Heavy Breathing" hot & heavy while on the 2 very Soulful Bluesy gems "Give A Hand, Take A Hand" & " Lost In Your Love" you may even cry! Why this album was not noticed when first issued surprises me because it is a well crafted collection of tunes that stick in your mind, not fluff. Other top choices? Easily the title tune "Mr. Natural," "Throw A Penny" & the Rocking "Down The Road". Enough said! Do yourself a favor and treat your eyes to something good. pick up this CD because as part of the PGD Sound Savers series, you can't beat it!

I bought the vinyl version when it first came out. I think I wore the grooves out from listening to it so much. I then went a couple of decades without hearing it until my brother got me the CD for Christmas. If you could wear out grooves on a CD, I would be doing that. I never listen to this album just once in a sitting; it's always two or three times. It is filled with beautiful sounds and captivating rhythms and varied styles. And of course, the harmonies are stellar. Some might think I'm overstating here, but I think this is one of the great albums in rock music history. It is beyond me that it failed so miserably in commercial terms. I know I talked it up, but the only person I knew of who knew anything about this album was my brother, who lived in the same house as I and who helped me wear out the grooves on that vinyl. This album is a hidden gem.

"Mr. Natural" follows in the tradition of previous Bee Gees albums since "Two Years On"; nice but variable in quality. Unfortunately on this album there is a revisit of the bland MOR/country styled pop of the dreadful "Cucumber Castle" period, along with a few hints at what was to come with the next LP and the disco era. The title track is definitely the best of the lot here. It is excellent. "Heavy Breathing" and "Had A Lot of Love Last Night" are two more noteworthy tracks, but this album overall is something of a snorer compared to their art-rock masterpieces of the late '60s.

BARRY ROBIN MAURICE ARE GREAT SINGERS & SONGWRITERS THIS ALBUM IS GREAT I LIKE THE WHOLE ALBUM MY FAVORITE SONG ON THERE IS CHARADE BARRY & ROBIN VOICES ARE GREAT TOGETHER!

I GIVE THIS ALBUM A 5 STARS!

FROM A BIG BEE GEES FAN KIRSTEN