Bee Gees Album: “Greatest”
 Description :
The Bee Gees: Maurice Gibb (vocals, guitar, bass); Barry Gibb (vocals, guitar); Robin Gibb (vocals); Alan Kendall (electric & steel guitar); Blue Weaver (keyboards, synthesizer); Dennis Bryon (drums, percussion).
<p>Additional personnel includes: Albhy Galuten (conductor); Joe Farrell (tenor saxophone); Joe Lala, George Perry, Stephen Stills (percussion); Ray Baretto (congas).
<p>Boneroo Horns: Bill Purse, Stan Webb, Neil Bonsati, Peter Graves, Whit Sideneer, Kenny Faulk.
<p>Producers: The Bee Gees, Arif Mardin, Karl Richardson, Albhy Galuten.
<p>Contrary to popular misconception, the bulk of the material the Bee Gees recorded was not really disco but soul-pop, inspired by the mid-'70s Philly International sound. The group's trademark high harmonies and fluttering falsetto voices lent themselves well to the style; they'd been exploring their variant on American R&B ever since the Otis-intended "To Love Somebody." This compilation concentrates exclusively on songs from the band's reincarnation as dancefloor deities.
<p>While it's impossibly to divorce such songs as "You Should Be Dancing" and "Stayin' Alive" from a gyrating, hair-sprayed John Travolta, it should be remembered that the music came before the movie, and the Gibb brothers' disco outings are simultaneously classier and more urgent than most. The group really shines on the lovely R&B ballads, the best of which ("How Deep is Your Love," "Too Much Heaven") bear a beauty that's truly transcendent, and could stand proudly alongside any American soul of the period.
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Track Listing :
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Album Information :
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UPC:081227996680
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Format:CD
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Type:Performer
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Genre:Rock & Pop
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Artist:The Bee Gees
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Guest Artists:Stephen Stills; Ray Barretto; Joe Farrell
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Label:Rhino Records (USA)
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Distributed:WEA (distr)
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Release Date:2007/09/18
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Original Release Year:1979
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Discs:2
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Length:111:23
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Mono / Stereo:Stereo
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Studio / Live:Studio
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W. Grandy (windsor, nova scotia Canada) - January 12, 2008
26 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
- Re-release of disco material
This 2cd set is not really the Bee Gee's greatest hits, but possibly the greatest hits through the disco era. Tracks are from 'Saturday Night Fever', 'Children Of The World' and other albums. The bonus tracks to fill out the double disc are reorchestrations of some of the original tunes which may make your hair stand up on end. For their real greatest hits package, go for 'Their Greatest Hits - The Record' which is incredibly good. Tom (Toronto) - September 20, 2007
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
- Fantastic re-release
From the superb packaging (including a cool pull-out poster) to pristine remastered sound to the generous bonus tracks, "Greatest" is a top-notch re-release. Even if you already own the original CD release, it's worth purchasing "Greatest" again, because this is the superior edition.
While it only focuses on the 1970s disco/R&B era of the Bee Gees, "Greatest" captures the trio at their peak.
What makes this really worth purchasing are the bonus tracks. A rare promo version of "Stayin' Alive" will undoubtedly be the draw here, since it's a rarity on CD. The revamped, remixed versions of "You Should Be Dancing", "If I Can't Have You", "Night Fever" and "How Deep is Your Love" don't stray too far from the originals but are updated enough to give them a more contemporary feel.
Relive the Bee Gees' most popular era with this excellent release.
11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
- Really Stayin' Alive
The music of the 1970's remains as distinctive and classic for the past several years. With great acts like The Police and Genesis who've recently reunited as well, it seems like classic music from the past has a noble re-introduction with reunions everywhere. That is also said through the music of the Bee Gees. Although it is very sad that it has been over four years since the heartbreaking death of Maurice Gibb, the brothers distinctive sound has been reintroduced to a whole new generation for die hard fans, and for those who seem to really be more into Paris Hilton, and those overexposed rap artists. Now, a returning hits records has still shown the Gibb brothers music is still as lively as ever.
The 2007 re-release of the Bee Gees double album Greatest, spans the group through the history of their second era of hits, the 1970's. The collection includes some great tracks that are just delightful to, as well as a few extra remixed versions of classic Bee Gees songs. The album has been remastered very well, and is the first time the album has seen the light of day in several years, since the Bee Gees catalog was recently moved from Universal, to Warner Brothers last year. The album includes some really great tracks including th soulful How Deep Is your Love, Jive Talkin', the often overlooked Nights On Broadway, and the classic #1 dance smash Stayin' Alive from Saturday Night Fever. Although, there are a lot of tracks that've been remixed here well, I honestly wish the album could've included I've Started A Joke, and a few other great classic songs.
All in all, while there have been so many Bee Gees greatest hits albums released the past several years from 2004's Number Ones, to 2005's Love Songs, Greatest stays true to the core as being a definitive hits album for new fans of The Bee Gees, and a reminder for longtime fans what classic guilty pleasures still sound like today. I absolutely recommend this as a great addition to your music library. It still shows classics are always Stayin' Alive.
Album Cover: B+
Songs: B 1/2+
Price: B
Remastered: B+
Overall: B 1/2+
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
- Some songs remastered with added instrumentation
Some songs were remastered with added instrumentation. This fact is not mentioned to the puchaser. If I had known this I would not have purchased the CD. I want the original Bee Gee's recordings. They do not need added instrumentation. 2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
- The Bee GEES at their creative zenith. The remastering is out of this world!!!!!!!...................
I bought this original Bee Gees Greatest Hits on a double LP album set in 1985. In 1986 I bought the first two cd set release of this greatest hits on RSO records cd. I will tell you the remastering on this cd makes this set worth buying again. Loud crisp, sound of these 1970s classics. The best I have ever heard them. The mixes are an extra treat that add more to this set. This Bee Gees Greatest Hits captures the Brothers Gibb at a zenith in their career that only a handful of music groups have approached or even come close to.
I thought this was just another Bee Gees greatest hits remaster of the same old songs, but after hearing the remastering of this greatest hits collection I'm glad I got this.
Even if you own older editions of this of this cd set, believe me, if you like the Bee Gees or disco you have to buy this Bee Gees Greatest Hits collection...........Ps: check out the images I posted for this Bee Gees Greatest Hits colllection.
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