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 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.

Thank Jeebus disco happened.

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

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.

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)

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.

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

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.

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...

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 had no idea the Bee Gees had music like this. I only knew the typical disco hits. I think this sounds like a combination between the Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel and the Beach Boys Pet Sounds. Which is pretty cool to me. Not exactly the kind of music I like becouse I'm more of a rocker myself. But this is very cool and well done.

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.

Masterpiece!!

great album, first time listening to the bee gees. timeless

Okay, being honest, I'm not sure if this is a 10/10, maybe more of a 9/10, but hey, why should I care. This one spoke a lot to me. I'm not sure if it is, but it reminded me a lot of prog rock music, but with a little more sort of...softness to it, gentleness. I adored every song. It didn't feel too long, either. The guitars, the violins, keyboards...it all blends perfectly, to me at least. The album flow is amazing, which also reminded me of prog albums as well. The songs seemlessly blend into each other. The sound brings me back to memories of a warm spring walk by the river (Odessa, huh?). I like this a lot. Like a lot lot. I've been in a bit of rut recently due to medical issues but honestly? This just made me so damn happy. I was listening to this with a big smile on my face. And I think that says something. Beautiful work.

Amazing !!

Feel p much the same way ab this as I did ab trafalgar. Did not enjoy the song the album is named after and something about everything else just really worked for me.

4.5/5

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.

Wow. This is so different from the Bee Gees later material. I like it :-)

This feels like a better version of Trafalgar. Definitely has more of a theatrical/dramatic flair and less dancy but a cooler rock / pop album.

This was surprising. I know of these guys from the ridiculous harmonies and folk music, plus their later disco period with Saturday Night Fever and the remake of Sgt. Peppers. This record felt very progressive rock in places, probably due to the orchestration and the general trippy nature of some of the proceedings.

ambitious, psychedlic, sprawling - but all with a certain charm, and I prefer albums where the reachs exceeds the grasp of the makers, rather than albums where everyone plays safe, plays within known boundaries.

On first listen, and seeing some other reviews, I was ready to dislike and dismiss this album. And don't get me wrong, I didn't exactly love the album, there were moments that made me feel embarrassed for the band, BUT there were a few moments that really surprised and delighted me. Some were more groovy than expected, like in the jazzy breakdown in Whispers, others were just plain beautiful, like the melancholy melody in I Laugh In Your Face. Listening through this a few times added many more layers to the Bee Gees. So much more than Stayin Alive! They're really living! Ambition! I'm glad this album made the list ❤️

Very listenable

I only ever knew the Bee Gees as disco; that a great surprise of an album. This was interesting throughout. It was long but covered a huge amount of ground in tone, instrumentality, and focus. I'm glad to have heard this and think things like this being part of the list is important. It doesn't land it on every song but the ambition is fantastic. I'm glad they took the shot even though you can half hear it falling apart throughout the album.

The opening track alone almost comes off as an album itself. There is a version of this album in here with a couple tracks taken off that make it much tighter. The country song Marley Purt Drive causes some whiplash. Also Melody Fair could be cut. I Laugh in Your Face is a big song. I like Black Diamond, Edison, and I Laugh in Your Face. Some big production going on here. This is an ambitious album that got a little lost along the way.

A soft and smooth album. A lot of very pleasing to the ears songs.

Pre-disco Bee Gees are the best. Favorite song: I Laugh In Your Face

en plena forma. luego sobreviven con el falsete y la musica disco.

Most people know the disco phase of the Bee Gees - I'm including myself in this group. So I was pleasantly surprised to go into this baroque pop folky early album of the band which has lots of great music and lyrics. A great feel for all of it. The opener is something for the ages. Only the later tracks fizzle out a bit.

A reminder that the Bee Gees were a much weirder band than their Saturday Night Fever-era bangers suggest. I’m glad I heard this overlong, sometimes beautiful and deeply odd album.

Disco fun one of my faves with so many good and fun memories tied to it.

If this was labeled The Beatles people would flock to give it 5 stars. Because it’s The Bee Gees they can’t get the feel of velour and sounds of Stayin Alive out of their heads. The album is big (are double albums ever really necessary?) and the ideas are pretty grandiose. But the songwriting was sound. Big flourishes added feeling and there was depth in the content. I’ll listen to it again.

Overall I dug it - there was a lot of material here so a re-listen is necessary, but dug the vibes.

This is not at all what I expected out of the Bee Gees. I was thinking 60s pop/beach rock. This felt more like a rock opera or movie score. Seven Seas Symphony was great.

Funny album that had a combination of good 60s rock with some songs thrown in the second half of the album that sounded like they could be in a musical. When (International Anthem) came on I thought I was about to start the Olympics. This is a low 4/ high 3 but will go 4 because I really liked the singer

It's not my favorite Bee Gees album, but it still is a pretty damn good album!

I am more used to their mid to late 70s work, so this was a bit of a disconnect for me. Still an amazing album.

4.3 - This was great! Some really good tunes and feels quite epic.

Kinda blew me away...a double albums worth of music all songs I had never heard from a band that I though I knew well. I didn't find anything not to like about this album. Lots of nice melodies, beautiful harmonies and songs that sound from one turn like The Kinks to then The Band to then The Beatles. This is very much a roots music, Americana folk album that seems to transcend it's time and its influences. Bravo. 4 stars

4.0

if you gave me a million guesses to try and name what band this album was by i don’t think i’d ever say The Bee Gees. in the best way possible though! kind of early floyd, beatlesque, abba, king crimson at times. very cool

Non disco Bee Gee's is weird. I mean, I hate disco, but when someone says the band name Bee Gee's, what you expect to get is fuckin Stayin' Alive. This album is more soft rock/pop. It is apparently a failed attempt at a concept album about the sinking of a ship in 1899, and its a double album. The band fought so much about the direction of the album, and which songs should be released as singles, Robin Gibb temporarily quit the band. Favourite songs: Give Your Best, Marley Purt Drive, Lamplight, Melody Fair, First of May, Odessa (City on the Black Sea) Least favourite songs: The British Opera 4/5

Great album. A little long, too much filler. And I admittedly wasn't paying attention to the concept of the album. But some awesome songs. God they have some weird and wonderful voices Best tracks: Marley Purt Drive Melody Fair (sounds like McCartney / Lemon Twigs) Whisper Whisper Lamplight Sound of Love Give Your Best Never Say Never Again First of May