Review
by Nicholas James |
 |
It almost seems odd now, looking back. The
Bee Gees, one of the most creative,
experimental pop-rock acts of the 1960s and
1970s, teaming up with a middle-of-the-road
female vocalist in 1980. How could these
seemingly opposing forces work together?
Well, they did, and the results were
fantastic.
The album was entirely written by Barry
Gibb, with help from his brothers Robin and
Maurice on some tracks and his co-producer
Albhy Galuten on others. The album was also
produced in its entirety by Barry Gibb with
Albhy Galuten and Karl Richardson. Barry
Gibb also provided backing vocals and
acoustic guitar on most tracks. The
production team had already had a warm-up
for this album on the excellent
After Dark
album for Andy Gibb. But this was the album
that brought the team to international
prominence and would see a string of albums
written and produced by the same team,
making Barry Gibb one of the most successful
- not to mention wealthiest - record
producers in the world.
The album went to Number One, as did the
single 'Woman In Love' a perfect ballad for
Barbra's voice, with some seriously good
hooks, and lyrics that the listener would
never know were written by two blokes (Barry
and Robin Gibb). Barry and Robin Gibb's 'Run
Wild' is another beautiful MOR ballad, with
a lovely sweeping melody. The two duets with
Barry Gibb are also spot on. Barry and
Barbra's voices are perfectly matched, with
the two strong songs giving them both the
chance to show off their immense vocal range
and abilities. 'What Kind Of Fool' even
allows Barry a little bit of falsetto
singing! 'Life Story' and 'Make It Like A
Memory' also really play to Barbra's
strengths, sounding much like songs from
stage musicals.
Don't expect this album to sound like a Bee
Gees album. It rarely does; here Barry Gibb
has clearly been inspired by this artist and
the heritage that she brings with her. This
album really showed the world that Barry
Gibb was a record producer and composer of
the highest quality. Overall, this album
gave Barbra Streisand the best material she
had recorded for many years, possibly for
her entire career.
The DVD is also worth a look. Yes, they both
look much younger in the 1986 performances
of 'Guilty' and 'What Kind Of Fool', but
they are truly exceptional performances.
There is a real chemistry between these two
stars. The interview with Barry Gibb and
Barbra Streisand is a shortened version of
the one featured on the Dual Disc version of
Guilty Too,
as is the video of 'Stranger In A Strange
Land', one of the tracks from the new album.
Why Buy Guilty 25th Anniversary Edition?
To hear Barbra Streisand singing material of
the highest quality, all written by the Bee
Gees. The Barry Gibb duets are also pretty
special.
This is a special 25th Anniversary edition
of the album, featuring a DVD with an
interview with Barry Gibb and Barbra
Streisand plus live performances of 'Guilty'
and 'What Kind Of Fool'. This is released to
coincide with the new Barbra Streisand/Barry
Gibb album,
Guilty Too. |
