Odessa

Well. Not just a Bee Gees album, but a Bee Gees concept album. Not just a Bee Gees concept album, but one where significant creative differences resulted in not just one but two Bee Gees concept albums. About a Ukranian port. The first song alone lasts 1 day, 7 hours and 34 minutes.

Expectation: Some funky Bee Gees beats to energise my day Reality: What the hell is this

The Bee Gees were a lot more successfull at ripping off black artists than they were at ripping off white artists

This album showcases two things, neither of them good. Firstly, it highlights the problems that arise when an artist takes themselves too seriously; secondly, it illustrates how concept albums, although sometimes excellent and often make the lists of the best albums of all time, can also be hugely overrated and misguided. This album, to me, takes all of the fun out of a band that have created a lot of good, danceable tunes, without providing anything with any genuine further substance. At over an hour long, this thing rambles along with ideas that aren't nearly as interesting or profound, or even just as epic-sounding, as the Bee Gees must have thought it was at the time of recording. Suddenly and Whisper Whisper were the highlights on this for me, being two good tracks that didn't go on forever and were enjoyable to listen to. The rest of it went down like the Odessa

Thank Jeebus disco happened.

This evening I found a cold wet washcloth behind the toilet in my kids' bathroom and found it more interesting than this album. I was actually looking forward to this, but the Bee Gees Odessa is terrible, has zero personality and was a huge disappointment.

I like the Bee Gees pre disco albums. This is sort of their magnum opus - a big sprawling concept album in the wake of Sgt Pepper's, with hints of Beach Boys/Pet Sounds, Dylan's more country inflected sound here and there, and maybe a bit of Nilsson? I'm a sucker for this sort of ambition. One thing that I think holds this album back is the lead singing style, which often comes across so melodramatically when they lean in on that vibrato. I can see how it can be a big turn off to some but to me it is just sort of funny - which I'm sure is not the intended reaction. This sounds like the soundtrack to a musical and I find it quite enjoyable. Drags on a bit towards the end though.

Well, I don't know what I was expecting but it sure wasn't a store-brand Beatles album. If it weren't for Gibb's ridiculous vibrato and the blatant rip-off nature of the album, it'd almost be good. But it's not.

Only *nine* reviewers in here gave a 5/5 grade to this. Including a 80-year old lady who stopped giving reviews in 2021 after a few of them. I hope she's doing fine and just got bored with the app. It was lovely reading her impressions. Nice call adding the dates to the reviews, by the way. About *Odessa* now... Knowing this double album's "reputation", I expected to hate its guts. Turns out that out of those four sides, I really enjoyed side two. Everything from "Marley Put Drive" to "Whisper Whisper" was nicely done, with Beatles-like undertones (in the latter's mock-novelty-cuts guise) and/or catchy melodic moments (see "Marley Put Drive" and "Edison"'s choruses). Unfortunately, everything else is just schmaltzy drivel plagued with saccharine layers of nothingness. Those added strings sound as if you're stuck in a mental institution--I can imagine the album being played through speakers in a scene right out of *One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest*. Such music is so ridiculous it sounds like a perverted parody of itself. The songs have no build-up, no sense of direction and no focus (and this concerns the lyrics as well, by the way). Questionable production choices make some moments incredibly awkward. And don't get me started on the Gibbs brothers' leaning to overindulge in those horrid vibrato-laden vocal parts. So grating. Disco would later save the Bee Gees' asses. Who didn't shake a leg on *Saturday's Night Fever*'s soundtrack? But when it comes to *Odessa*, c'mon guys, let's be a little serious for one second. An essential listen this album is *not*. Number of albums left to review: 760 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 120 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 58 Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more important): 63 (including this one)

Very weird coincidence to get this album on the day Russia invades Ukraine. Anyway, utter crap.

What a shocking album. I struggled to make it beyond the first track. It's billed as a concept album. That concept must be themed around crap. Lyrics such as "You know the neighbours that live next door, they haven't got their dog anymore..." don't help. I wish zero stars was an option.

The group members may disagree for personal reasons, but Odessa is easily the best and most enduring of the Bee Gees' albums of the 1960s. It was also their most improbable success, owing to the conflicts behind its making. The project started out as a concept album to be called "Masterpeace" and then "The American Opera," but musical differences between Barry and Robin Gibb that would split the trio in two also forced the abandonment of the underlying concept. Instead, it became a double LP -- largely at the behest of their manager and the record labels; oddly enough, given that the group didn't plan on doing something that ambitious, Odessa is one of perhaps three double albums of the entire decade (the others being Blonde on Blonde and The Beatles) that don't seem stretched, and it also served as the group's most densely orchestrated album. Yet amid the progressive rock sounds of the title track and ethereal ballads such as "Melody Fair" and "Lamplight" were country-flavored tunes like "Marlery Purt Drive" and the vaguely Dylanesque bluegrass number "Give Your Best," delicate pop ballads like "First of May" (which became the single off the album), and strange, offbeat rock numbers like "Edison" (whose introduction sounds like the Bee Gees parodying Cream's "White Room"), and "Whisper Whisper" (the latter featuring a drum break, no less), interspersed with three heavily orchestrated instrumentals. Even the seeming "lesser" numbers such as "Suddenly" had catchy hooks and engaging acoustic guitar parts to carry them, all reminiscent of the Moody Blues' album cuts of the same era. Moreover, the title track, with its mix of acoustic guitar, solo cello, and full orchestra, was worthy of the Moody Blues at their boldest. The myriad sounds and textures made Odessa the most complex and challenging album in the group's history, and if one accepts the notion of the Bee Gees as successors to the Beatles, then Odessa was arguably their Sgt. Pepper's. The album was originally packaged in a red felt cover with gold lettering on front and back and an elaborate background painting for the gatefold interior, which made it a conversation piece.

not my Bee Gees

How bout that opening track? The album really gets off to a good start - LOL. I find it hard to like anything on Side 1. The start of Side 2 is hopeful as the banjo comes out and they venture to the country on Marley Put Drive,  but there is way too much fussing over the vocals for the country sound to work. In the next track, Edison, they decide to repeat the phrase "Edison Came to stay" 100 times. I don't get it. Whisper Whisper ends the side. The keyboards, percussion  and guitar in that song are fun. Is this the turning point for the album? Nope. Side 3 starts with Lampshade which is hideous.The fiddle comes out for Give Your Best as they return to country. The fiddle is fine, but the Bee Jees ruin it. This would have been a hard listen if it were a single album. As a double, it's painful.

Wow, didn't expect this at all, I quite liked it. I wonder when they changed their style drastically, might investigate..

For me, it seems the inclusion if this album on this list works as possible form of enlightenment? I don't think I realized this band had been putting music out this early, nor did I know they sounded anything like this during this period. What I determined pretty quickly is I didn't hate it, but I didn't like it either. The baroque pop elements are good with interesting flourishes here and there, but it just doesn't quite get into areas that feel very deep. I also didn't care much for the vocals in places which is a big part of their sound. As an album, this feels like a dirge and lacks direction sort of leaving scraps behind. Also, Edison was not a good person, even though this song about him is pretty weird, and I kind of dig it.

oof... a Bee Gees concept album from when they were a 60s folk band? Nahh. Didn't make it through.

I never knew there was a pre-disco version of the Bee Gees. Turns out I didn't really need to know either. I'm not a disco fan. But I accept the iconic role the Bee Gees had in shaping that era in music and culture. However, "Odessa" feels like an also-ran in a late-60s era of much better, similar music.

Get these guys a statue. 2nd best band from the Isle of Man... Sexy Breakfast if you're wondering...

No disrespect to Redcliffe but this was average at best. Their harmonies sometimes sounds like Free Willy calling out for his mum when he was stuck in the fish tank. Suddenly and Whisper Whisper were good though.

Store-brand Beach Boys mixed with portentous orchestral arrangements with pseudo concept album nonsense sprinkled on top. Features some light-hearted, whimsical lyrics that don't match the instrumentation at all, which makes it worse. I hate this. Side note: It's hilarious to me that Robin Gibb left the band because his song Lamplight wasn't chosen as a single. Buddy, that song sucks. Pick your battles. Best track: You'll Never See My Face Again

Wow, this is incredible. Some songs sound like early Beatles which is a good thing and makes sense, because this is also from the 60.

Ambitious.

There is just too much greatness here to leave it at a 3. The run time is too long and the country tunes throw off the album, but the sound, harmonies, orchestration are so perfect.

Wasn't sure what to expect from pre-disco Bee Gees. What I got was a very pleasant baroque pop album.

This was definitely not what I expected. When you think of The Bee Gees, you think disco obviously. But this album could not be farther from that. This is a double album filled with some really beautiful pop songs, some orchestral elements, and just overall the complete opposite of what I thought this would be going into it. The album starts off at an incredible point, if the album had stuck at that level I might be willing to give it a five, but it does eventually slip. Only one or two songs are truly weak but overall the album sorta begins to drag. It's a double album, clocking in at over an hour, and it would be much better if it was just 20-25 minutes shorter. Still some really great songs in here, though.

I don't know what I expected from a 60s Bee Gee's record, but an hour long psychedelic baroque pop album about a ship wasn't it. It's not bad but it does drag a bit.

Beatles ripoff (complimentary)

This is an absolutely bizarre project, in a way that I am extremely partial for. Not entirely, perhaps due to being primed by Trafalgar first. In chronological order, that album comes across as a less interesting and slimmer version of Odessa. However, the songs here ride the edge of too cute for their own good, and there are maximal arrangements galore stretched out over a double album. Essential? Not on first listen, but this could be a favorite once the palette is cleaner.

While I may have gained a little appreciation for the Bee Gees beyond the “unbuttoned satin shirt and greasy chest hair” image we’ve come to know them for, this album and Trafalgar were both absolutely tedious to listen to. Odessa is the sound of a band ruminating in their own wind.

Shit Beatles, shit Beach Boys, shit Donovan, shit Kinks. So much variety. So shit.

I was saving this album for a glittery night of disco fun and was a bit sad to realize Bee Gees weren’t always the boogie they’re best known for bringing. I’m sure this album had more merit than my confusion allowed me to see, but ionno, not for me, man

better than expected but my bar was pretty low.

OMG, there are so many low points in the first few songs my head was spinning trying to decide the lowest. Was it the pompous and schmaltzy Odessa, inspired by Robin Gibb seeing a travel brochure? Or trying to sound backwoods West Virginia on “Marley Purt drive” (with a “gotcha” at the end, letting us know the 15 kids are actually from an orphanage) or the choir in a song detailing Thomas Edison’s accomplishments? Or possibly the three symphonic pieces on the second disc that sound like they were written for “Lassi Come home”? Wikipedia tells us “The album was not well received by the public or the music press on release, and led to a decline in the band's fortunes.” No kidding.

Sounded like a cover band except all they played were song I never heard. Thank god they found their sound later because it was painful to listen to them trying to sound like other bands. Sad.

Oh here comes a controversy one. I love Odessa so much it's like one of my all thime favorite track from Bee Gees (I'm not a fan for disco, obviously). It kind of transfers me to another time and space, like a spiritual journey on titanic or whatever the ship is. I love other songs in this album too, especially the strings, and that classic nostalgic 60s sounding is beyound satisfying, Seven Seas Symphony is huge. I love this one and I even think it deserves a 5/5.

Nicht gut?? Muss es denn immer nur rappen, kreischen und lärmen? Ich finde dieses Album großartig! Besser als das bald folgende Saturday Night Disco Gedöns! Volle Punktzahl!

Great

I was surprised that I liked this. It had Bee Gees sound- which I like a lot- but was different and somber. I could listen to this regularly.

I felt like a teenager again!

Majestic beautiful baroque and chamber pop and folk.

Loved some bits, bored by most

One of the best albums I've heard. It sort of invokes a certain feeling of evening tunes to listen to after a rough day . Loved the instrumentation and the vocals were top notch. Favourites have to be marley put drive and Edison

Such different from other Bee Gees albums and it is great

I LOVED this album. I need more Bee Gees in my life. Previously I though the Bee Gees were like a boy band from the 60s – bubble gum pop. But this album felt more like a Pink Floyd album: connected, thoughtful, and diverse.

love these guys

Nice a bit Experimental

I was really only familiar with their work on Saturday Night Fever. The Bee Gees were talented! I love the variety.

muito bom esse álbum tchê, não conhecia nenhuma mas muito agradáveis, instrumentadas con orquesta e voz agradável

_this_ is the Bee Gees? the same stayin alive bee gees. Mind blown, so good.

поразительно нежный и искренний альбом с отличными текстами и нежной мелодикой

А что, а как... это точно Bee Gees? Вообще полный шок. Поскольку ожидания от имени группы были совсем другие. Но музыка здесь оказалась настолько затягивающе разнообразной, что прям ах... Где-то это просто кантри-поп песни, где-то это перерастает в Пре-симфонические произведения, от которых даже мурашки по коже идут. Кода в финальном треке The British Opera, например: видимо, детство, проведённое за прослушиванием классики, даёт о себе знать приятными флэшбэками. Опять же, если вы ждали диско - надо ещё лет 8-10 подождать, потом кааак жахнут. Интересно, что их спровоцировало так резко сменить курс. Ну и забавно, что название альбома к Одессе имеет столько же отношения, сколько Великобритания к Чёрному морю.

The Bee Gees are one of those bands where I can only name five or so songs off the top of my head, but I’d bet that there are loads more that have fallen out of the confines of my petite brain. Let’s listen to an album in full today and see what we thing! Songs I already knew: none Favourites: Odessa, Melody Fair, First Of May There were times listening to this today when I had to check that I was still listening to the correct album. I had incorrectly assumed that the Bee Gees were entirely a disco band, but this album is far from it. It’s comparable to The Beatles at times, and has grandiose symphonies at others. First Of May leading into The British Opera gave me full body goosebumps and was something I’d never have thought would be the Bee Gees. If you’ve heard any Bee Gees disco music, regardless of whether you liked it or not, you should still give this a listen and see what you think.

This was not what I expected. As soon as I saw Bee Gees I almost didn’t even want to listen to it because I’m not a fan of disco at all. WOW. A genre-bending magical journey is the only way to describe this album.

It was really well done, and their original sounds with this album is fantastic. It’s either a hit or miss but don’t sleep on this, deserves a listen

Well this just smacks of quality. This isn't the Bee Gees I grew up with but it is top-notch!

I’m a big fan of The Bee Gees, but up until this project had not really looked into their 60s catalog of albums. It’s something I’ve meant to do, so I’m glad this project has finally jump-started this long overdue endeavor. The versatility and craftsmanship of The Bee Gees is quite evident when you consider the many decades and styles of music they have created. Now that I have listened to two of their 60s albums, I’m further impressed at their work. This album is fascinating, beautiful and ambitious and after a few listens I can now say I’m a fan of every decade of The Bee Gees. I loved the orchestral grandeur, the concept and backstory, and the songs. While they may not have the fierce hooks of some of their later hits, the songs on Odessa still have great melodies and complex arrangements and the songs opened up more with every listen. I only wish I was listening to the original flocked album!

Some fabulous Baroque pop that tickles my fancy greatly. Not what I expected from the Bee Gees though!

This aint disco. Reminds me of the beatles. Very cool stuff

Definitely influenced by The Beatles and the Beach Boys this album is great musically and can be put in the same category as some of the top albums of the 60s and 70s. Enjoyed this one a lot more than any other Bee Gees album I've heard.

nice

Oh! It's their Melody Fair!!

Listened twice in a row

This was beautiful, and sooooo different from what the Bee Gees are known. I mean, there was even some Country in there! Very pleasant listening experience.

This was an amazing album. I was well pleased.

I like them have many of their songs on my play list.

Bee Gees.

8/10

Boisterous, loud, interesting - and not disco. Worth a listen and quite good. Felt like a journey.

I had braced myself for an album of disco crap, and was pleasantly surprised by this mellow, pretty album!

I didn’t hate this as much as everyone else on here seemed to do. I’d really not heard any pre-disco Bee Gees and this is obviously a band trying to find their lane. A couple of songs sound like the Beatles, some CCR, some country. Eventually disco would become their thing and they excelled at it. It’s a journey.

Surprised by the opening to this album, given the only thing i know about Redcliffe's finest is all their disco shit, this was wildly different. I don't know what to even call the genre? Reminds me of the Beetles? Soft rock maybe? Either way this album is genuinely facilitating in terms of its range of sounds and switching up. The vocals were good but not really sucking me in as much as the instrumentals. Has that 60s feel to in terms of sound. Overall really interesting album and definitely something i would not have listened to without this 1001 gen. 4/5

You know what?? Screw all of you guys this was great! It was a very well written concept with album with beautiful melodies and lovable tunes! I’m sorry it wasn’t disco or anything, give the band a break!

I'm a sucker for a Slavic sound, however corny, so if the whole album had followed in the tone of the first track, I might be rating this a 5. But then it's got some so-so rocky and country stuff. Then again, "Seven Seas Symphony" and "With All Nations" and "The British Opera" -- basically the neoclassical instrumental ones -- are fun, and the variety of styles has its own appeal.

Big surprise here not what I was expecting some nice tunes

Très narratif, parfois épique, parfois presque comique, comme une somme des genres et styles. Toujours beau et mélodieux. Me fait beaucoup penser aux Beach Boys.

Quite enjoyable

I liked this a surprising amount. Pretty chill and hopeful.

Solid album! The opera influence at the end went dummy

These songs are beautiful. This is a whole new Bee Gees for me. I have only ever heard their more poppy, disco, 70’s music.

Always have preferred the earlier Bee Gees stuff over the later. Only knew "First of May" but the rest is also pretty good. Added this and some other older albums to favorites for future listening.

This one suprised me in a good way

I think this suffers from being too long in places but there is loads of it I really enjoyed and I like the overall concept feel of it. It seems they were trying to show the world they were more than just 'Stayin Alive' and job done, because I had no idea this sort of work was lurking in their catalogue and I'm glad to have found it now.

Really good, not what I was expecting, 4 stars.

I didn't care for the first 2 or 3 songs but liked the later ones. I still prefer the disco-type music that came later in their career.

This is a whole double album of Bee Gees songs I'd never heard before -- and it was great. I could see quite a few of these songs becoming hits; I don't know why there weren't any hits off this album. Will definitely listen again.

4-

Dripping with late 60s flavour. I wasn’t expecting to like this, the Bee Gees are mostly famous for their work in the 70s, much more upbeat and poppy. But this surprised me. Actually pretty good song writers and boy can they hear a melody…

This was not at all what I expected. There were times I couldn’t tell they belonged on the same album, so heavily influenced/mimicking the Beatles or Beach Boys.. but even on the same album there were so many different sounding songs, it was quite disjointed. Still was a decent listen, some songs missed the mark but some were great. 3.5/5

Not what i expected from the Bee Gees almost more of a folk album . 3.8

Early Bee Gees are the best Bee Gees.

Surprisingly enjoyable, shame the Bee Gees moved away from this sound into disco. This album feels more timeless and interesting. Also could have removed some of the songs to make a perfect single LP. Top tracks: Odessa, You'll Never See My Face Again, Melody Fair

Very good.

What a range. I listened to the album through several days instead of one sitting, but it felt like it was a different album every time I picked it up again. Really beautiful melodies and beats. What a unique album!

This was fantastic. I liked the fact that it was a long double album as I warmed up to the sound and songwriting more and more as the record progressed. I'll spin this one again. I was taken by the sprawling scope of the album, certainly played as an ambitious and serious endeavor, and while there were moments when the vibrottic trills were a little much (was that Robin? I don't know the distinctions of the brother's voices), the harmonies and symphonic treatment and grandness of the production were impressive and well executed. This might be a 5, there was too much to take in in my first listen, but these guys get more interesting the more you listen.

Never heard of this album before. I was a bit surprised by the backlash, I thought a lot of this was great. I generally dislike albums that are over 50 minutes so yeah this one starts to drag a bit but I had a really great time listening to the first few tracks. Fun album! Folksy, rock, psychedelic, orchestral, lots of different sounds to love here. Maybe that's why it's disliked since it's such a grab bag. And maybe that's what I liked about it.

Before they were Disco... 1969 Standouts: First of May, Lamplight, I Laugh in Your Face, Never Say Never Again. 3.75

colonisation type beat i liked it not the greatest bee gees album by far but still nice might go take over france or something 3.8/5

This is not The Bee Gees I knew as a kid. This is a good start. Could be my mood today but this just sounds like “the 60s” and nothing jumps out. Nothing remarkable to me so far. Just started Black Diamond. Marley purt Drive is grabbing me. This one I like. This album goes in and out of genius. Lamplight is a great tune. Sound of love. Great song. This album really finds its stride half way through. “I laugh in your face is a great song”. For real. How does this keep getting better? Never say never again. What a hook. I started out not liking this album and by the end I loved it.

Not what you imagine when you think of the Bee Gees. Some good stuff on here.