Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A True Gem!, February 6, 2000
In the spring of 1975, a producer named Robert Stigwood sent thousands of copies of a single with no artist's name on them, with a title called "Jive Talkin'". It was an immediate hit and people wanted more. Remember, that in 1967, Mr. Stigwood pulled this same stunt with "New York Mining Disaster 1941", teasing the public into thinking it was the Beatles trying to see if they could make it under a different band title. The resulting surprise was that it was the Bee Gees; that tear-jerking, ballad writing trio that had faded into an old record collection that millions of record buyers owned. "Jive Talkin'" went to #1. "Night On Broadway" followed with two versions - one with the slow bridge and one without. "Fanny (Be Tender With My Love)" was the third hit off the album. This latter one being a studio gem, but virtually UN-singable in public due to the intense over layered vocal work. Being a 'single' oriented group in the past, the Bee Gees had finally crafted an album worthy of all ten songs being memorable. "Wind Of Change" was actually the first demo sent to Stigwood, but became a concert staple instead with it's strong beat and funky rhythm. If you still longed for the old Bee Gees sound, "Songbird" fits the bill (no pun intended). It's as strong a love ballad as any they have had in the past. "Country Lanes" is nearly an anthem in it's perseverance of commitment to a lover. "Edge Of The Universe" and "All This Making Love" are, admittedly, novelty songs, but "Baby, As You Turn Away" is a grand finale. What better way to also compliment your latest album production than to have another artist (Olivia Newton-John) make a hit out of "Come On Over"? Given the times, the music and the variety, Main Course is no doubt one of the most important albums the Bee Gees have had in their roller coaster career.
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Bee Gees Best Album Ever, April 20, 2001
Before I review this great album, I feel that I need to get something off my chest. I'm sick and tired of not only so-called "music lovers and experts" bashing the Bee Gees but all of American radio. It is my sincere hope that everybody will give the Brothers Gibb's new CD This Is Where I Came In a fair chance. People who think that the Bee Gees are nothing but disco need to listen to their first 4 albums especially Odessa or some of their later stuff like One and Size Isn't Everything. Then they would realize how stupid and ignorant they really are when they "discovered" that the Bee Gees did other types of music besides disco. Well, enough about that--on to Main Course. This is without question their most consistent and endearing album that they ever did. While Saturday Night Fever (which is technically not a Bee Gees album)and Spirits Having Flown had the bigger hits, Main Course has the better songs. Here's a track listing and my thoughts on each: 1) Nights On Broadway -- One of my all-time favorite Bee Gees songs! It is criminal that this song only reached #7! I love the bridge! 2) Jive Talkin' -- The song that really started their comeback as it became their second #1 in the US. Personally, it's okay, but there are other songs on this CD that I listen to more. 3) Wind of Change -- A pretty popular B-side that would later show up on their double CD, Greatest. It has a good funky beat to it. 4) Songbird -- The first slow song or ballad on this album. It features a harmonica and great harmonies. 5) Fanny (Be Tender With my Love) -- Another one of my all-time favorite songs by them! Only reached #12 on the singles chart which I thought was a joke compared to what else was out there. Very complex harmonies that featured many layers. 6) All This Making Love -- A bizarre song which is okay but is probably my least favorite on the album. 7) Country Lanes -- Another of one of my all-time favorite Bee Gees songs! This has to rank right up there with And the Sun Will Shine and For Whom the Bell Tolls as one of their most underrated songs. Robin's performance always sends chills down my spine. 8) Come On Over -- A solid song that would later become a minor hit for Olivia Newton-John and a country hit for Conway Twitty. A great song for the musical ignoramuses who think the Bee Gees are nothing but disco to listen to. 9) Edge of the Universe -- A song that would become a minor hit but only when it was done live. The lyrics to this song doesn't make any sense. However, I like it over some of the other songs on this CD. 10) Baby As You Turn Away -- A great song to close out a great album. All 3 brothers do a good job in harmonizing on this ballad. All in all, get this album because of Nights On Broadway, Wind of Change, Fanny, Country Lanes, Come On Over, Edge of the Universe, and of course, Jive Talkin. If you decided to get only 1 of the 20+ Bee Gees CDs, this one would have to be your choice. If you like great music like me, I guarantee that you won't be sorry if you buy this.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best album?, December 14, 2002
This may be the top of the list of BeeGees albums. With many great hits and a sweet variety of tunes, each and every song deserves a ten out of ten star rating. Starting with my top pick and also 2nd overall favorite BeeGees song, Nights On Broadway. This original version is better than any and is so, so sweet. Also considered a great hit is my second pick Fanny Be Tender. I love the chorus and its one of Barry's bests. All This Making Love is more of a hard rock change of tune and Edge of The Universe is a sad nice little tune, rather long. Wind of Change is another hit although wished to be sung a bit clearer. There's also Country Lanes and Come on Over, each great ballads in their own way. More of a country for Come On Over. Baby As You Turn Away is just outstanding and all three of them use a great harmony in the chorus. Songbird has awesome instruments and a great harmonic tune towards the end. Then there's Jive Talkin, a big hit at the time in the U.S., written on account of a train track. Still a top song. Put together these great hits and you've got a masterpiece in Main Course.
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album Main Course 
