Customer Reviews

Trafalgar

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Although "Odessa" has been stated to be a concept album, "Trafalgar" seems to be more consistent in it's theme and musical harmony. Taking the motif from the battle of Trafalgar, this album excels in diversity and vocal variety. "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart" was #1 in the United States for four weeks but "Israel" was only released in Europe as a single. No matter. "Israel" shows demonstrates Barry's flair for screaming rhythm and blues with a marvelously typical passion. "Remembering" and "Dearest" are two ballads that Robin and Barry suck sorrow from their gut that surpasses anything they have sung before this album. Maurice also excels with a strong, consistent heavy bass and a piano pounding energy in songs such as "Somebody Stop The Music", "Israel" and "Walking Back To Waterloo". He was quoted as saying that Barry loved all his multi-layered work on the song "Trafalgar" and told him not to change a thing. He stated he felt surprised and happy to gain brother Barry's unconditional approval. "When Do I" shocks the listener with Robin's vocal range, stretching his pronounced vocals to the limit. Robin also screams out the blues on "Lion In Winter", fading into a rising orchestral arrangement. Maurice gets his way with "It's Just The Way" with some nice overlayed guitar work. Want to rock? "Somebody Stop The Music" pulls out all the stops and proves the Gibbs can still belt them out. On a more somber note, I wonder why "Don't Wanna Live Inside Myself" was released as a US single. It is far too long for AM radio and somewhat sullen. However, it did get to #52 on the AM charts, so it couldn't have been that unpopular. What better a song to finish this masterpiece than "Walking Back To Waterloo", a grand finale. What make this album so consistent? All songs have a orchestral lushness that carries from song to song, giving it a rich and appealing feel. Once Maurice was joking that there were too many strings on this album, but in person he said he felt it was a "wonderful" disc. Now this is a concept album and it is no small wonder that Polydor chose to release it on Ultradisc Gold.

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

Although "Odessa" has been stated to be a concept album, "Trafalgar" seems to be more consistent in it's theme and musical harmony. Taking the motif from the battle of Trafalgar, this album excels in diversity and vocal variety. "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart" was #1 in the United States for four weeks but "Israel" was only released in Europe as a single. No matter. "Israel" shows demonstrates Barry's flair for screaming rhythm and blues with a marvelously typical passion. "Remembering" and "Dearest" are two ballads that Robin and Barry suck sorrow from their gut that surpasses anything they have sung before this album. Maurice also excels with a strong, consistent heavy bass and a piano pounding energy in songs such as "Somebody Stop The Music", "Israel" and "Walking Back To Waterloo". He was quoted as saying that Barry loved all his multi-layered work on the song "Trafalgar" and told him not to change a thing. He stated he felt surprised and happy to gain brother Barry's unconditional approval. "When Do I" shocks the listener with Robin's vocal range, stretching his pronounced vocals to the limit. Robin also screams out the blues on "Lion In Winter", fading into a rising orchestral arrangement. Maurice gets his way with "It's Just The Way" with some nice overlayed guitar work. Want to rock? "Somebody Stop The Music" pulls out all the stops and proves the Gibbs can still belt them out. On a more somber note, I wonder why "Don't Wanna Live Inside Myself" was released as a US single. It is far too long for AM radio and somewhat sullen. However, it did get to #52 on the AM charts, so it couldn't have been that unpopular. What better a song to finish this masterpiece than "Walking Back To Waterloo", a grand finale. What make this album so consistent? All songs have a orchestral lushness that carries from song to song, giving it a rich and appealing feel. Once Maurice was joking that there were too many strings on this album, but in person he said he felt it was a "wonderful" disc. Now this is a concept album and it is no small wonder that Polydor chose to release it on Ultradisc Gold.

A tale of two albums.

Great: "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" was the Bee Gees' first US #1 hit; "Israel" is a terrific & passionate song; "Somebody Stop the Music", "Trafalgar" and "Don't Wanna Live Inside Myself" are layered and interesting in a way the Bee Gees hadn't been since "Odessa"; and I have always loved the finale, the lush "Walking Back to Waterloo" (for many years my favorite Bee Gees song).

Awful: "Dearest" has got to be the worst song they ever recorded, embarassingly and comically bad. It's hard not to laugh when you hear it. "Remembering" is hardly better. For some reason, the songs where Robin takes the lead vocals just don't work on this album: "Lion In Winter" and "When Do I" are also bad.

For me, the great stuff on this album easily outweighs the bad, thus the high rating. But be prepared for some jarring potholes when motoring thru this album.

Well 'England Expects' doesn't really fit as a title. For many years my favourite Bee Gees recording was 'Life in a tin can' until the age of CD and re-release came upon us and I discovered this one. Bill Shepherd's accompaniment on this record make it one of the most finely orchestrated pop records made in my opinion (note I say pop and not rock). The song writing finds the Bee Gees in true introspective pre-disco mode, moody and reflective. Whereas their previous album '2 years on' seems to be little more than a collection of solo songs written while the brothers were apart this album could be said to be the true sequel to Odessa, being a far more cohesive work. Critics and fans vary on this record mainly because it is a sit down and listen as opposed to get up and dance Bee Gees record but it is probably their finest of their 'arty' period - from their first album to Mr Natural - so if you like that Bee Gees era this album comes highly recomended.

The variety of vocal attributes to this album are unbelievable. The brothers try every which way to produce hits in this album, in which they did in "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart". This is a lovely song and it reached #1 in the U.S. for almost a month. The other underdog hit of this album is "Don't Wanna Live Inside Myself". I love the chorus and I think it should've been a bigger hit. The hard rock type "Somebody Stop The Music" is also incredibly written. The title song "Trafalgar" sounds somewhat like the previous title song of "Odessa". But it also has a great melody. A lot of passionate truth is told in "Israel". "The Greatest Man In The World", a Barry Gibb single, is also a great song. "Remembering" and "Dearest" are not that great to me, but they deserve awards in the ballad category. Another one of my favorites is the BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN "Walking Back To Waterloo". Looking at the title of that song, I thought it would be ugly and dull. But the blend of voices and tunes makes this a breathtaking song. "When Do I" and "Lion In Winter", although are two very different songs, one in the ballad genre and one in the blues/ hard rock, are two great Robin Gibb/ a little bit of Barry songs. Maurice's song in this album is "It's Just The Way", and overall is a pretty well-written song. And overall, no doubt, this album deserves a perfect 5-star rating, with some great "what could've been hits" songs.

This CD is reviewed under any of my "Trafalgar" reviews. The GOLD edition simply brings out the layers of sound, including the immensely appealing orchestration that the Gibbs produced for this landmark album. If you intend to purchase this CD, buy the GOLD version. It is remarkable.

Critics be damned! This is a very beautiful collection of songs by The Bee Gess, recorded after a stormy two year separation.

From the soulful blues of "Israel" to the gorgeous "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart", this is one of the most even of any Bee Gee release.

"It's Just The Way" is a Maurice solo, and he shines. This track sounds like a great lost Beatles track. The guitar on this song is simply wonderful. It's a short track, but after one listen, you wish Maurice was given lead more often.

"Somebody Stop The Music" is another overlooked gem. The entire album is gold- absolutley no filler anywhere- looks like the filler went to their 1971 companion release "Two Years On".

True compassion in the song Israel shows this is a great album, starting off with the US #1 hit How Can You Mend A Broken Heart, to the less popular Don't Wanna Live Inside Myself. But the song that stands out the most is the beautiful Walking Back To Waterloo. Its Just The Way and Trafalgar are Maurice Gibb rarities and a hard bassed Lion In Winter also shows passion. Dearest and When Do I are well done and The Greatest Man In The World can also win an award. Overall, a BeeGee classic.

After a weird and unproductive break-up, the Brothers Gibb came back to high form with an album that is more musically consistent, covering all of their forms and styles than any previous recording. With several references to world history, this lush arrangement contains some of the Gibbs best work. Full orchestral back-up is maximized and the melodies range from Roy Orbison type tear-jerkers to hard driving rock 'n roll. "Somebody Stop The Music" and "Walking Back To Waterloo" push the toe-tapping tendencies. "Israel" is a screaming torch song and, of course, "How Can You Mend A Broken" went to #1 for four weeks. On GOLD DISC, you can hear every single guitar riff and violin squeak. Good in any mood of the day! Get out the headphones.

Listening to Trafalger, forgot a moment that the Bee Gees were four years shy of being the world's biggest disco band. If you have ever dismissed the bands 1960's early 70's work as softened British-Invasion-ish mush, Trafalger may be the ticket.

The album cuts away the psych-experimentation of Odessa and works with mater crafted pop songs. There is orchestration, but the arrangements are sharp and lean. Hear the hit "How Can You Mend A Broken Heat," with a melody almost McCartnet-esque. It could have worked next to "Uncle Albert" on Ram next to "Uncle Albert."

High end pop from this era worked best without artsy pretense, and with Trafalger, you get this delivered in spades. Nothing is better.