Alan Gibbs: Organ Works

Advantages: Classic Bee Gees songs.
Disadvantages: Won't win any new fans

...Well, OK, I know some people out there will call me sad for admitting to liking the Bee Gees, as they are not fashionable for a 21 year old to like, however one thing is for sure, they cannot be overlooked, and must be respected for being some of the finest songwriters in music history. I'm sure everyone out there knows the history of the Bee Gees achieving phenomenal success for the past 35 years with their most famous work being that of the soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever, and the disco classics such as Stayin' Alive. However, they have released many albums throughout the years, and after the tragic death of Maurice Gibb, (RIP Maurice, you will be missed.) I have started to listen again to some of their older material, and some of the lesser known albums. One of these is the 1975 album called Main Course. With every track written... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Good varied mix of musical styles, some a little unexpected
Disadvantages: A couple of rather bland songs

...It may have been more than 30 years since their first UK hit, but the Gibb Brothers seem to have reinvented themselves yet again. On this new album there's little in the way of strings, and even the keyboards and synths are used sparingly. Whereas some of their previous albums have veered close to formularised self-parody, with too much of the breathy, quavering vocals, this keeps the tendency well within bounds. And there's none of the white suit and medallion man 'Night Fever'-style dance stuff revisited, either. An extended version of the title track, a Top 20 hit in the spring, opens the album. This must be their first single ever which isn't soaked in strings or brass, and just relies on acoustic and electric guitars and a rhythm section. Those Beatles comparisons aren't really out of place here or on track two, the rocking... Read review

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Advantages: Short, sweet sampler of a fine back catalogue
Disadvantages: You want all the original CDs

...Well, if you have to get a "best of" while you're saving up to re-buy all the Alan Parsons CDs that your ex-wife kept when you split, then so be it. I've never been a fan of compilations but you do get a great feel for what is a surprising variety of music given Alan Parsons reputation for "concept" work. How the chosen tracks were chosen, who knows. The good thing about Alan Parsons is that each "concept" album is really that - laugh if you like, but the range of topics covered in each individual album is great - my personal favouorite is the Gaudi one with all the flamenco musical backdrops. And there's always a good rocking track with great vocals and guitar solo. For sheer quality of recording and daft subject matter, he's hard to beat. The musicians are always almost famous people with huge talent. I envy them. And I want my... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful