Customer Reviews

Still Waters

5 star:		(50)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

STILL WATERS the CD was a gift I received shortly after the death of Maurice Gibb. It is one of their last recordings, released in `97, a few years before THIS IS WHERE I CAME IN. The Bee Gees have gone the way of Led Zeppelin now, and smart people will make this recording a classic. Here are a few of my observations about the CD. I hope they'll be helpful to you.

ALONE/STILL WATERS: I think people tend read how other people describe a song and agree with it. I don't. I think ALONE is very Celtic-sounding. I hear bagpipes when I hear this song. It's also very folksy, even as it is a toe-tapper.

I SURRENDER/WITH MY EYES CLOSED/STILL WATERS: As a black teenager in the 70's I remember hearing Jive Talking on the Midnight Special (before the disco era ruined it) and realizing The Bee Gees had some definite black roots! Point of fact, they were doing rap before it became mainstream; they certainly pre-date Hall and Oates among the white groups experimenting with the sound. STILL WATERS RUN DEEP is also a lilting toe-tapper that shows me an early Motown influence with the use of the tambourine (How Sweet It Is), plus my ears hear the old Four Tops song of nearly the same name in the rhythm. These two honor their black influences, yet their originality comes through with crystal clarity.

These are hands-down my favorite tracks. The bass is kickin' and it brings me back to the days when I had a serious jones for Barry Gibb...and I wasn't the only one at my school who did, either!

IRRESISTIBLE FORCE/SMOKE AND MIRRORS: Poor Robin always sounds like someone who's in incredible pain, you almost want to shoot him to put him out of his mystery. ...Couple that with the fact that Robin's looks have improved 100-fold as he's gotten older, and you've got the true enigmatic figure in the group.

OBSESSIONS/MIRACLES HAPPEN: I read a reviewer that said the song "Obsessions" frightened them. Are they insane? Well, I'm not going to rate another review if that's how they really feel, but let the record show that I couldn't disagree more. This song, which could be covered by any number of boytoy groups out nowadays, to me has all the frightening elements of the Piglet movie. Now, Miracles Happen has more ominous undertones than the other. But again, most Bee Gees material is fairly tame. As for me, I love the vocal layering, even the synthesizer works, and I always dig Barry's vocal punctuations throughout.

CLOSER THAN CLOSE: I couldn't review this CD without a passing nod to Maurice, who does the lead for this song. I don't recall ever getting to hear his singing voice in a Bee Gees recording before, and I have to say unlike his twin, he has a very pleasant voice. I'm sorry he didn't get more opportunities to do more than a super-high falsetto harmony on most songs.

This recording is definitely a new favorite of mine, and I highly recommend it to those who hadn't listened to the Bee Gees for a while. Current Bee Gees fans bought it, regardless. I personally think it's wonderful to listen to a recording with the knowledge that the singers are playing real instruments and are ... good at it, too.

"Still Waters" closed out the Century as the Bee Gees last studio album. Featuring the big hit "Alone"; cuts "I Surrender", "Still Waters Run Deep" and "Smoke And Mirrors" could all have been big hits. "Irresistible Force" brings the famous trio in to a round-robin vocal that is truly unique. "My Lovers Prayer", "I Could Not Love You More" and "I Will" harken back to the power ballads the guys are so famous for. "Closer Than Close" and "Miracles Happen" seem out of step with the rest of the CD, but, hey, it's all good stuff.

Last Note: If you can find the CD single or IMPORT CD with "Rings Around The Moon" and "Love Never Dies" you are in for a real treat.

Out of the four albums released by the Bee Gees during the 90's, I must say that "Still Waters" is possibly the best. As the biggest hit for the Bee Gees since the "Spirits Having Flown" album in 1979, "Still Waters" was huge. Released in the year where the Bee Gees were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, picked up numerous lifetime achievement awards around the globe, and kicked off the first of the One Night Only world tour shows, the album peaked at number 11 on the US charts and number 2 on the British charts, and contained three top twenty singles: "Alone", "Still Waters (Run Deep)" and "I Could Not Love You More". This album was literally what the Bee Gees needed to boost their popularity in the US in 1997. Apart from the three hit singles, the whole album contains a large amount of commonly overlooked gems. "I Surrender", which was almost (and should've been) released as a fourth single, is my favorite track. Also outstanding is the ballad, "My Lover's Prayer". Barry's clear vocal range is apparent as he switches from his amazing non-falsetto lead in the verses to the falsetto driven harmonies during the chorus. "Irresistible Force" and "Closer Than Close" are the first two Robin and Maurice leads of the album. "Irresistible Force" is a fantastic song performed by Robin, with an almost 80's flavor to it, while "Closer Than Close" is an enjoyable track; a true favorite amid the Maurice Gibb fans. An instant Bee Gees classic, "I Will" is a wonderful song, beautifully sung by Robin. All in all, "Still Waters" is a great effort from the Bee Gees. As an instant favorite with fans, and an enormous chart buster around the world, "Still Waters" exceeded everyone's expectations. Great job with this one, Barry, Robin, and Mo!

I'm sad to say that I first heard of the Bee Gees in November 1998 when they came to South Africa to do their "One Night Only" concert. Since then I've been a die-heart fan of them. Early 1999 my dad bought me the "One Night Only" cd of the show they did in Las Vegas in 1997. Soon after this I bought the "Still Waters" album and when I first heard songs like "I Could Not Love You More", "My Lover's Prayer" and "I Will", it almost brought a tear to my eyes. This songs is really beatiful but I still think "Paradis" of the "Living Eyes" album of 1981 is the most beatifulliest songs in the whole wide world. My favorites are "Alone", "I Could Not Love You More", "My Lover's Prayer", "I Will" and "Miracles Happen." I love the funky "I Surrender" and "With My Eyes Closed." Robin really sings of the truth on "Irresisteble Force" and "Obsessions" are a little scary but beatiful. As always, Maurice does his thing on "Closer Than Close" and the title track, "Still Waters Run Deep" also tells much truth. We would almost think that we don't know the Bee Gees, if we listen to the last song, "Smoke And Mirrors" which is also beatiful.

This is a great comeback album for the Bee Gees since their 1993 album, "Size Isn't Everything." Though they should've sang more of the tracks from the "Still Waters" album on the "One Night Only" concerts.

I think these three men, Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb will always be there with their great melodies and lyrics to fill our hearts with joy and happines.

Go Bee Gees, we all love you.

The Bee Gees are back better than ever! This CD simply cannot be described in words. It is the best "come-back album" I have ever heard. Harmonies like only the Gibb's could do and lyrics that blow your mind away. This is truly the best recording by far that any artist could do. If you didn't like the Bee Gees before, you'll be a die hard fan after hearing this CD. I recommend you buy it immediately if you haven't already. :-)

The Bee Gees have delivered one of their best efforts! Still Waters was huge everywhere in the world, except the U.S. where "Saturday Night Fever" still haunts the Gibb Bros. That's a shame because a lot of people are going to miss out on some excellent music.

Some of the songs do suffer from the producers trying too hard to give the Bee Gees a 90's urban groove, but the ballads make all forgiven. Standouts are "Alone", "My Lover's Prayer" (absolutely beautiful!), the title cut, and the 3 part harmonies of "I Will". The songwriting is excellent as always. And yes, you can understand the lyrics without a cheat sheet!

If you think disco and "Stayin Alive" when you hear mention of the Bee Gees, put aside your preconceptions and give this excellent album a listen.

I remember buying the Bee Gees first album a long time ago and I thought that they had incredible catchy songs. Very unique with their own sound. I used to listen to it a lot. Well they still have that unique sound and present it in a lush, wonderfully rich sounding cd. All songs on this cd stand starting with Alone are very well put together and sound great. Quality never disappears, and it is displayed all throughout this cd.

I believe that Still Waters is nearing the Top 5 list as my favorite Bee Gees album. I absolutely think it's fantastic how they created this compilation because of its emotion and a song-you-don't-want-to-miss type aspect of this CD.

Alone is the start of great music with its up-to-date style atmosphere, but it's a traditional Bee Gees song that never fails to please. Robin's voice talents can be deeply shown in this song. I Surrender, I'm not sure -- it's not interesting as its steady and somewhat unchanging tune doesn't captivate me. Barry has a good memoriabilia type voice when at the beginning at the song which did interest me, but the song just dragged on for me. Now, I Could Not Love You More, this is the real Bee Gees type ballad/calm song that will be hard to NOT listen to. I like Barry's and Marice's chorus in parts of the song--it shows a lot of emphasis towards the song. Still Waters Run Deep, I really like this song too. Again, it's more like the Bee Gees real music your listening to--right on target--I also like Robin's addition into a segment of the song -- unique. My Lover's Prayer is probably one of my favorite songs on this album. This song will remind you alot as a mix of "Reaching Out" from Spirits' and "Too Much Heaven" -- you seriously cannot skip a second of this. Barry, Robin, and Maurice all blend their falsetto voices with a gladfully returning tradition to this song -- reminds so much from Spirits Having Flown album. With My Eyes Closed didn't capture my attention like the other ones did -- it's OK, but it's not like the rest of this exceptional album. Closer Than Close -- it's a bit far off in the woods for a Bee Gee's song -- it's different, but oh well--respect them for trying. Same for Closer Than Close -- they put another song that sounds different, to me, because it has an unfamiliar plan to the song. I Will is a great uprising. The atmosphere of this song sounds 80's style --I like the way it sounds, and it is very intriguing. The three Brother's voices blend in and will make make you listen to every single sound of this song -- it's that great. Obsessions has great lyrics and entrancing emotions you shall not miss -- this song becomes increasingly better--the song accumulates into a very powerful, synthesising conclusion. Actually, that might be my favorite on here too. Miracles Happen and Smoke and Mirrors are emotional pieces of music that are perfectly arranged and I absolutely praise the way each song is orchestrated.

This album has to be one of the top 5 favorites of mine. Its emotion and extreme potential in instruments, arrangements, and most importantly, the voices -- absolutely wonderful..

Trust me, you won't regret getting this CD. You'll love it.

I just wore out the tape I bought of this album when it came out just two years ago. Maybe that tells you how great it is! The Bee Gees just keep getting better and better. Just when I thought they couldn't get any better, they present us with "Still Waters". "Still Waters" is a wonderful showcase of the extraordinary talent and sensitivity of the brothers. Maurice's sensual voice is just perfect for "Closer than Close". The effect is magical! "Still Waters", is spectacular, with the perfect blending of their a cappella voices, that only they can do so well. "I Could Not Love You More" is so effective that it still gives me the chills and "I Surrender" still makes me want to dance. In short, it's incredible!"

Barry, Maurice and Robin Gibb are legends. This album is awesome and among my highest rated of their amazingly long list of enjoyable music they have given us in their 35 year career. 35 years! Wow, who else can we say that about? They truly are icons and this album is not a disappointment to any fans or those who haven't given them a listen since the disco days. The songs such as Alone and Still Waters will not disappoint. I Could Not Love You More still brings a tear to my eye every time I hear it, which is often. Lover's Prayer is another awesome song. What can I say? They're all great. Have a listen, the Bee Gees are the among the greatest songwriting team ever (alongside Lennon & McCartney) Now with the passing of one of that team (rest in peace sweet Maurice) who knows what the future holds. So, grab up this CD and hear the amazing sounds and songs of a legendary group, you won't be disappointed.