Review
by Nicholas James |
 |
This album is that rare thing, the Bee Gees
singing songs written by song-writers other
than themselves. The group often criticise
this film for being an absolute disaster,
which it was. However, the album is actually
not that bad (and, of course, the
Lennon-McCartney songs are fantastic). As
well as the Bee Gees, the album also
features Peter Frampton, Steve Martin,
Earth, Wind & Fire, Alice Cooper, Aerosmith,
and many more. But the Bee Gees dominate the
recording.
On some of the songs, they are effectively
only on backing vocals ('Getting Better',
'Good Morning, Good Morning', for example),
but on most they take centre stage, and make
all the difference: 'Sgt Pepper's Lonely
Hearts Club Band', 'Nowhere Man' and 'Carry
That Weight' being songs that the Bee Gees
make their own.
However, on this album, the brothers really
shine when singing solo. 'Robin Gibb' does a
fantastic, emotional version of 'Oh!
Darling' and Maurice Gibb's 'Being For The
Benefit Of Mr Kite' is a lot of fun. Barry
Gibb's 'A Day In The Life' is possibly the
best of the three solo songs, being done in
a different, quite uniquely Barry Gibb,
style.
The album is arranged and produced by George
Martin, and he does a great job of achieving
a different sound from the Bee Gees than
they generally achieve themselves. For this
reason, it is worth buying. And, really,
please believe me when I tell you that you
should not let the film's poor reputation
put you off buying this album.
Why Buy
Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band?
To experience the Bee Gees singing songs
that they didn't write themselves, great
Lennon-McCartney songs as well. |
