Words - The Bee Gees Podcast

Spirits are flying high with this seminal 1979 release from the Bee Gees. Rounding off half a decade of chart topping singles and albums, 'Spirits Having Flown' epitomised the Brothers Gibb at the height of their game. Spotless production and arrangements, pitch-perfect falsettos and a refinement of the disco and ballads styles which had defined their recent material, all culminating in one of the...

Stuart and Cristiano return to the youngest Gibb brother for Andy's second album, 'Shadow Dancing'. Released in 1978, this is an album of two halves; side one: Barry, and side two: Andy. With a majority of the latter's compositions being relegated to the album's second side in favour of his elder brother and Blue Weaver's single-worthy material on side one - which included chart-topping hits such...

Stuart and Cristiano are joined by Andrew Sandoval, curator of Bee Gees reissues, author of 'The Day-By-Day Story 1945-1972', contributor to the 'Ultimate Biography' and renowned radio host, music producer and performer. Sandoval discusses his journey through the Gibb catalogue, from his 1997 recording of 'Nobody's Someone', to the joys and tribulations of reissuing the Bee Gees' music, through to...

From the Odyssey Disco dancefloor to Pepperland and all the way to Rydell High, the Bee Gees' output across 1977-78 is unparalleled. With a chart topping soundtrack album, and a collection of songs which are renowned as some of the finest in popular music, the brothers Gibb were at an all time high that not even the failure of the fever dream 'Sgt. Pepper's...' project could diminish. Stayin' Aliv...

Stuart and Cristiano explore the early songs and debut album by Andy Gibb. From teenage singer-songwriter beginnings in Australia, to chart-topping singles in 1977, Andy Gibb proves to be just as prolific and productive in his formative years as his brothers before him. Zenta recordings from Trevor Norton here: Trevor Norton - YouTube This episode features 'Twinky', with thanks to Andrew Sandoval....

Preceded by the radio and dancefloor chart-topper 'You Should Be Dancing', and succeeded by further top ten album singles, 'Children Of The World' is as commercial as they come, whilst the double live LP 'Here At Last...' encapsulates the Bee Gees on stage and riding high on their newfound success. Stuart and Cristiano delve into these two albums, and are honoured to have Vince Melouney answer the...

Stuart and Cristiano discuss the Bee Gees’ breakout release from 1975. The realisation of Barry’s falsetto, the developing R&B and disco influences, and the input from new surroundings in America and collaborators Blue Weaver and Albhy Galuten result in a commercial, critical and chart success of an album for the Brothers Gibb. It’s time for the ‘Main Course’… Country Lanes Vocal Only - Bee Ge...

Renowned radio host, travel writer and Bee Gees fanatic Tim Roxborogh joins the podcast to share his thoughts and memories of 'Mr. Natural'. Stuart and Cristiano also go through listener opinions and critical reviews, and conclude their thoughts on the album that is too frequently overlooked by history (and the Bee Gees!). The Roxborogh Report Find us on Instagram and Facebook @wordsbeegeespodcast...

Stuart and Cristiano return to pick up where they left off, starting in 1974 with 'Mr. Natural'. Working with the prolific and renowned R&B producer and arranger Arif Mardin, the Bee Gees uncovered a new sound, and one which would come to define their music forever. Soft keyboards, luscious strings and breathy vocals, all blended with Mardin's R&B and American touch, results in one of the...

Stuart and Cristiano reach the end of their travels through the Bee Gees' formative years in Australia, and wrap up Season 2, by discussing the rest of the brothers' music and activities of 1966. Throughout the remainder of this year, the Bee Gees gave a large amount of material to other artists, and they recorded a collection of covers of musical standards remaining as productive and prolific as...

It’s 1966, a revolutionary year for the commercial music landscape, which has dramatically changed since the Gibb family arrived in Australia. The new studio space and endless time spent there allows the Bee Gees to let loose and produce a vast and eclectic amount of material over the course of this year. Maurice has his first compositions and collaborates with Nat Kipner, Robin also debuts his so...

Stuart and Cristiano follow the wind and travel to 1965 for the second part in their journey through the Bee Gees’ early years in Australia. With a notable change in songwriting style, and various notable debuts, including Bill Shepherd’s first involvement with the Gibbs, the release of the Bee Gees’ first ‘studio’ album, and the first known lead vocal from Robin, 1965 is a year of change. The mus...

Stuart and Cristiano begin their journey through the Gibb's music composed, recorded and released during their time in Australia. Having emigrated to Australia in 1958, Barry, Robin and Maurice soon put their musical gift into practice, recording material for themselves and other artists. The result is a long, long list of compositions (many still unreleased), all of which in Part 1 are written by...

Recorded at the Record Plant in late 1972 for an intended 1973 release, before ultimately being shelved, ‘A Kick In The Head Is Worth Eight In The Pants’ is the holy grail of any Bee Gees collection. Stuart and Cristiano try to make sense of the story surrounding this album and its fate. Was it cancelled because of 'Wouldn't I Be Someone's' poor performance? And was it RSO or the Bee Gees themselv...

Stuart and Cristiano open the lid on the Bee Gees’ ‘Life In A Tin Can’ and discuss their (mis)interpretations of the album’s loose concept. Released in January 1973 - only three months after ‘To Whom It May Concern’! - and recorded in L.A. with arranger Johnny Pate, this is an album that saw the brothers covering new territory. Despite garnering little chart action, Stuart and Cristiano uncov...

We're joined for this special episode by Joseph Brennan. Having founded the 'Gibb Songs' website, Brennan went on to contribute to the 'Ultimate Biography' and later album reissue projects. We talk to Joseph about the origins of 'Gibb Songs', the Bee Gees' unreleased material, his involvement with the reissues and the 'Ultimate Biography', and the brilliance of Maurice Gibb! Find us on Instagram a...

Stuart and Cristiano hold a party and delve through this eclectic 1972 release from the Bee Gees. 'To Whom It May Concern' displays the Bee Gees let loose and at their truest selves, the album brimming with creativity and showing everything that the brothers have to offer. The music ranges from rollicking blues to pretty Barry ballads, and from Moog melodies to paper mache, cabbages and kings! But...

Journey back to 1971… or 1805… as Stuart and Cristiano peel back Pocock’s ‘The Battle of Trafalgar’ painting to examine the Bee Gees album beneath. 'Trafalgar' sees the Brothers Gibb return to the majestic, almost-concept album territory of ‘Odessa’, with an abundance of beautiful ballads, soaring vocals and heartfelt lyrics. With various leftover tracks, including commercial jingles and a ninetee...

Stuart and Cristiano return to explore the Bee Gees' comeback album, '2 Years On'. Released in November 1970 after the reunion of Robin, Maurice and Barry, and including the hit single 'Lonely Days', this is a crucial album in the Gibb timeline; but how does it fare over half a century later?  Find us on Instagram and Facebook @wordsbeegeespodcast, and on Twitter @wordsbeegeespod. Email us: w...

Stuart and Cristiano discuss the follow-up to ‘Robin’s Reign’ that never was. Compiled from material composed and recorded in 1970, ‘Sing Slowly Sisters’ is filled with Robin’s signature story lyrics, earworm melodies and haunting arrangements - but would it have made a worthy second album, or should it have been combined with Maurice and Barry's abandoned solo works of the time to make the Bee Ge...

Amidst the disarray surrounding the Bee Gees in 1969 and 1970, Barry composed and recorded a collection of material that has become known as ‘The Kid’s No Good’. However, the pretty acoustic ballads and forays into country, as well as his studio work with P.P. Arnold and a collection of poems all prove that Barry couldn’t be further from the moniker of ‘no good’. GSI Barry Gibb poetry collection:...

Stuart and Cristiano explore the mostly unreleased material from Maurice Gibb recorded between 1969-1970, which has become known collectively as ‘The Loner’. Often regarded as the ‘man in the middle’ amidst his brothers, these recordings instead prove that Maurice has plenty to offer on his own, with music that ranges from pastoral instrumentals to swamp rock musings.  Check out PJ's article...

Stuart and Cristiano enter the realm of Prince Frederick and Prince Marmaduke to discuss ‘Cucumber Castle’, released April 1970. With the absence of Robin and the resulting country and ballad tendencies, this is a unqiue album in the catalogue. But how does Barry and Maurice's efforts compare with the Bee Gees’ other work? Find us on social medias @wordsbeegeespodcast. Email us: wordsbeegeespodcas...

After some creative differences with his brothers, Robin (temporarily) bowed out from the Bee Gees in 1969, and in February 1970 released his debut solo album ‘Robin’s Reign’. Stuart and Cristiano take a look at this first solo release from the Brothers Gibb. Find us on Instagram and Facebook @wordsbeegeespodcast, and on Twitter @wordsbeegeespod. Email us: wordsbeegeespodcast@gmail.com Hosted on A...

Having discussed all of the album tracks, Stuart and Cristiano take a look at additional material, critical reception and album packaging, as well as sharing the listeners' thoughts, and concluding their own views on the Bee Gees’ double album. Find us on Instagram and Facebook @wordsbeegeespodcast, and on Twitter @wordsbeegeespod. Email us: wordsbeegeespodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast...