Tales from the Brothers Gibb [Box set]

Bee Gees

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 19, 1990)
• Original Release Date: November 13, 1990
• Number of Discs: 4
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Polydor / Umgd
• ASIN: B000001FWW
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #56,972 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. New York Mining Disaster 1941

2. I Can't See Nobody

3. To Love Somebody

4. Holiday

5. Massachusetts

See all 25 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Lonely Days

2. Morning of My Life (In the Morning)

3. How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?

4. Country Woman

5. Don't Wanna Live Inside Myself

See all 17 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. Jive Talkin'

2. Nights on Broadway

3. Fanny (Be Tender With My Love)

4. You Should Be Dancing [Long Version]

5. Love So Right

See all 16 tracks on this disc

Disc: 4

1. He's a Liar

2. Another Lonely Night in New York

3. Woman in You

4. Someone Belonging to Someone

5. Toys

See all 13 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Their late-'70s image as white-suited disco kings has earned them cultural-icon status for all the wrong reasons. In their 4 decade recording career, the Bee Gees have built a singularly impressive body of work encompassing the eccentric art-pop that first made the trio unlikely pop stars in the '60s and the R&B-inflected, falsetto-laced dance pop of their Saturday Night Fever comeback. This 4 CD, 74 song set may be a mite too even-handed historically (thus giving short shrift to the group's prolific '60's output), but it presents a representative sampling of the ups and downs of the group, and includes all of the relevant hits and a generous assortment of rare items. --Scott Schinder

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Outstanding Collection of Hits & Rarities!, November 1, 2001

By	Tiggah "the Anglophile" (Calgary, Alberta Canada) - See all my reviews

With a selection of songs from virtually every album from 1967 to 1990, this fairly comprehensive four-CD set (with a total playing time of 4 1/2 hours) contains all the highlights in the careers (both collectively and individually) of the brothers Gibb. However, in addition to their many familiar singles, it is the inclusion of ten rare B-sides and three equally-as-rare singles, none of which had previously been included on any official (or officially-released) album, that transport this CD from being merely an outstanding "Best of" collection to being truly a collector's item.

Most notable of the rarities are the two country-flavoured singles ("Railroad" and "I'll Kiss Your Memory") released by Maurice and Barry respectively in 1970 during the temporary break-up of the Bee Gees. Also of special interest are the inclusion of two gentle ballads ("Elisa" and "King and Country") from 1973's unreleased studio album, A Kick in the Head is worth Eight in the Pants.

This gorgeous set is presented within the covers of a 6" x 10" 32-page book. The introduction is exceptionally well-written and informative, there are a number of stunningly beautiful studio portraits of the brothers, and each song includes a brief comment by one of the brothers. The source for each song is also included (ie. the album from which it came or the single for which it was a B-side).

Not only has this collection been beautifully packaged, it has been exceptionally well arranged. The material, which is presented in chronological order, culminates in a live medley of songs from 1989's One for All tour. The closing song is a performance of their very first number one hit, "Spicks and Specks"--a 1966 Australian release. Stylistically, this closing medley of early melodies beautifully encapsulates what is substantively a spectacular collection of songs from one of the most phenomenal musical groups of our time. This is truly a must-have CD to be treasured by every Bee Gees fan. Extremely highly recommended!

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Up and down with the Bee Gees, November 5, 2000

By	Catpeople "catpeople" (Aguascalientes, Mexico) - See all my reviews

The Bee Gees are the one of longest running acts in pop music (only the Rolling Stones have a longer career, and many will make an argument out of this). This box is the ultimate summary of their musical history. With this compilation there is no need, for starters, to look into their extensive record collection to approach their music. And for the old fans who lost the vinyl records, they can rest assured that the very best of their work can be found in this box.

What can be found also, is that the Bee Gees are more, MUCH more than disco music (only CD three deals with the disco era). One can discover, for example, echoes of Dylan in some of the older songs ("Jumbo"), hear their attempts at hard rock ("On time"), marvel at politically motivated anthems ("I've got to get a message to you") or rediscover the classic perfectionism of "Holiday", not to mention the beatlesque beauty of "Lonely Days".

As can be seen throughout this collection, the Bee Gees reinvented themselves many times; they are actually great musicians and excellent song writers. The collection testifies the entire creative process. They went from soft rhythmic ballads to psychedelic tunes; from nearly symphonic rock to disco music, and after reaching their lowest point in the eighties, come back to the public sight with yet another hit ("You win again"). Unfortunately, this compilation didn't come out in time to include the Still Waters album, which once again catapulted them into the pop mainstream.

Having dominated so many musical styles, it's not surprising how so many people acknowledged, explicitly or tacitly, the Bee Gees' influence on their music, from George Michael to Barenaked Ladies to Madonna, and even the hard-rock band Kiss, who used the guitar riff of "On time" in one of their songs. As of lately, even rap musicians have begun to dwell on the Bee Gees' case of treasures.

There are some pieces missing in this biography, mainly the Australian years and, alas, one or two later gems, such as "Paper Maché" and "Give your best". Otherwise I would give it 5 stars. But there are also a few surprises, like an extended version of "Wouldn't I be someone" and the surprisingly good songs from the never issued "A kick in the head..." album.

The Bee Gees - as many other bands - made quite a few mistakes in their career. Many fingers still pointing at them are from people who got tired of dancing their hits on the disco floors. If there was a time when no one wanted to hear of the Bee Gees again, it's time to bring them back to the place they justly deserve: one of the highest in the history of contemporary music. Gustavo Vazquez Lozano

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One Song Too Short!, October 23, 2000

By	Martin A Hogan "Marty From SF" (San Francisco, CA. (Hercules)) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (VINE VOICE)    (2008 HOLIDAY TEAM)

There is nothing more to say about this classic compilation than, "Good Job, Mates!" The collection is nearly completely exhaustive. It does mark some interesting historical moments. On the cassette box set, the listener is treated to three Barry Gibb songs from his "Hawks" album, not included on the CD set. True to the CD cover notes, nearly all singles, B-sides and rare songs are included. But, and this is a big one; "Living Eyes" is the only single in the trios history to be neglected. This single marked a noticably change in their music style, not to mention being a beautiful ballad. What happened? Bill Levenson of Polydor had included it in the set for quite a while until the Brothers changed the songlist at the last minute. Although the fourth disc contains some wonderful 'live' recordings, wouldn't it be nice to fill the 'more than adequate' space with some more of the Gibbs' solo singles? "Shine Shine", "Boys Do Fall In Love", "Fine Line", "Like A Fool" and "Childhood Days" all could have made this last disc 100% more interesting. So I guess one will just have to sit back and appreciate the rest of this great gift the Bee Gees gave the World.