Spicks and Specks (1966) is the Bee Gees’ second studio album, recorded at St. Clair Studios in Hurstville, Australia. Those familiar with the Bee Gees’ 70s hits may be surprised to hear these earlier tracks, laden with rich harmonies and bittersweet lyrics, backed by delicate, predominantly acoustic instrumentation. Originally presented as ‘Monday’s Rain,’ the album’s title was ultimately changed […]
The group takes a psychedelic turn, adding lush orchestral arrangements to the group’s tight harmonies and narrative lyrics. The album was recorded at the famed IBC Studios in London. Barry Gibb commented that their recording process was one of impromptu creativity, in which they’d “think up a subject, then write a song on the spot.” […]
The Bee Gees followed up the psychedelic stylings of ‘Bee Gees 1st’ with ‘Horizontal’ in 1968, a darker, heavier album that placed their songwriting skills at the forefront. The group jumped back into the studio just three months after the release of ‘Bee Gees 1st.’ Barry Gibb has been quoted as saying that ‘Bee Gees […]
‘Idea’ was the second album the Bee Gees would release in 1968, the crisp autumn response to winter’s darker ‘Horizontal.’ Robin Gibb’s unique vocals shine in “In the Summer of His Years,” and on the stunning often-covered single, “I Started a Joke.” Barry Gibb delivers a gorgeous performance on the affecting ballad “When the Swallows […]
‘Odessa,’ released in March of 1969, was the Bee Gees’ first double album, recorded in both New York and London. Of all of the group’s ’60s-era releases, ‘Odessa’ is the most ambitious. Psychedelic artwork was replaced with a simple, yet stately crimson felt with gold lettering. The Bee Gees’ tell-tale romantic ballads share space with […]
Cucumber Castle (1970) is the only Bee Gees record to not feature Robin Gibb, who, at the time, was working on a solo album. The name “Cucumber Castle” should be familiar to Bee Gees’ fans: it’s also the title of a song on Bee Gees 1st and the name of their 1970 television special. The […]
2 Years On (1970) reunited the three brothers and added drummer Geoff Bridgford. This album features the single “Lonely Days,” which made it to no. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the first Bee Gees’ hit to break the Top Five in the United States. The song opens with melancholy piano, then alternates […]
Trafalgar (1971) included The Bee Gees’ often-covered hit single “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?” The song also earned the group a Grammys nomination for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. Recorded just two months after The Bee Gees finished laying down tracks for their previous album, 2 Years On, Trafalgar […]
To Whom It May Concern (1972) is a graceful follow-up to the previous year’s Trafalgar and an accompanying American tour. Critic Bill Eder of All Music called the album one of the Bee Gees’ “most fully realized works, with pleasing and memorable songs from beginning to end.” The album’s opening track and hit single, “Run to […]
Life in a Tin Can (1972) saw the Bee Gees move from recording in England to sunny Los Angeles. This is one of the group’s shorter albums, at just eight songs. It’s also a more acoustic album than the sweeping orchestral feats of Odessa and Trafalgar, allowing crisp vocals to shine. Rock and country prevail on […]
