Review
by Nicholas James |
 |
Bee Gees Songbook is an exquisite collection
of classic songs written by the Bee Gees and
sung by numerous other artists. The album
can be almost split into two: songs written
and produced by the Bee Gees for other
artists and cover versions of Bee Gees hits.
Dealing with the 'productions' first, the
album features the old standards, 'An
Everlasting Love' and 'Heartbreaker'. But it
also features songs they wrote especially
for other artists that are less well-known
and often overlooked by fans. A case in
point is 'Let Me Wake Up In Your Arms', a
Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb composition
written for Lulu. Produced by Barry and
Maurice Gibb in 1993, it featured on her
Independence album, and is a great song, but
few fans have come across it. With a beat
taken straight out of Phil Collins's 'You
Can't Hurry Love', it is an infectious
little ditty and shows what the Gibbs might
have been doing had they been writing for
other artists instead of concentrating on
their own careers at this time. The album
also features the superb song 'Emotion',
written by all three Bee Gees and produced
by Barry Gibb back in 1978. Made more famous
now by the Destiny's Child cover version,
the original is far superior and sounds just
like a late 1970s Bee Gees song (is that
really Samantha Sang singing, or Barry
Gibb?)
The album also features several well-known
cover versions from the 1970s ('If I Can't
Have You', 'More Than A Woman'), and those
from more recent years ('Stayin' Alive' by
N'Trance, 'Words' by Boyzone and 'You Should
Be' by Blockster). However, again it
includes several less well-known tracks.
'Don't Forget To Remember' by Daniel
O'Donnell, 'How Deep Is Your Love' by
Michael Ball and 'Nights On Broadway' by Tom
Jones with Paul Anka are rare tracks that
will not be known by most fans.
The best track is probably 'Heart (Stop
Beating In Time)' by Leo Sayer. Produced by
Arif Mardin, this is a really good track,
with one of the most heart-rending melodies
you will ever hear, helped along by Leo
Sayer's impassioned vocals. The album is
worth buying for this song alone.
This compilation is therefore very well
considered and comes highly recommended.
Why Buy
Bee Gees Songbook?
To hear songs written by the Bee Gees for
other artists that you may not have heard
before and to hear some very rare cover
versions of Bee Gees hits. |
