Jumbo (Bee Gees song)
Encyclopedia
"Jumbo" is a single released in 1968 by English band Bee Gees
.
Following a string of Top 20 singles on both sides of the Atlantic, "Jumbo" was the first A-side to miss that mark in both the United Kingdom and the United States. It's a peppy guitar-heavy number with two tracks of guitar laid done by Vince
, and Barry
singing so fast at the end that it is hard to make out the words. Many, including The Bee Gees themselves, have felt that the flip side was the stronger of the two songs and should have been promoted as the A-side. "Jumbo" managed to reach number 25 in the UK but stalled at number 57 in America, breaking a streak of five consecutive Top 20 singles. Until the release of the box set Tales from the Brothers Gibb
, "Jumbo" was available only on vinyl.
for the release of the Tales from the Brothers Gibb box set.
The instrumental version of this song was included on their "Unrealeased Demos (1966 - 1972)" but still unrealeased.
Bee Gees
The Bee Gees are a musical group that originally comprised three brothers: Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. The trio was successful for most of their 40-plus years of recording music, but they had two distinct periods of exceptional success: as a pop act in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and as a...
.
Following a string of Top 20 singles on both sides of the Atlantic, "Jumbo" was the first A-side to miss that mark in both the United Kingdom and the United States. It's a peppy guitar-heavy number with two tracks of guitar laid done by Vince
Vince Melouney
Vince Melouney was a founding member of Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs, playing with the band as lead guitarist from 1963 to 1965, which was followed by a short-lived duo with fellow Aztec Tony Barber, called Vince & Tony's Two.In 1967, after moving to the UK, he was invited to join the Bee Gees...
, and Barry
Barry Gibb
Barry Alan Crompton Gibb, CBE , is a singer, songwriter and producer. He was born in the Isle of Man to English parents. With his brothers Robin and Maurice, he formed The Bee Gees, one of the most successful pop groups of all time. The trio got their start in Australia, and found their major...
singing so fast at the end that it is hard to make out the words. Many, including The Bee Gees themselves, have felt that the flip side was the stronger of the two songs and should have been promoted as the A-side. "Jumbo" managed to reach number 25 in the UK but stalled at number 57 in America, breaking a streak of five consecutive Top 20 singles. Until the release of the box set Tales from the Brothers Gibb
Tales from the Brothers Gibb
**On releases of Tales outside North America, three Barry Gibb solo tracks were added to Chapter IV from the "Hawks" soundtrack right after Robin Gibb's "Toys": "My Eternal Love", "Where Tomorrow Is" and "Letting Go"....
, "Jumbo" was available only on vinyl.
Versions
This song, along with "The Singer Sang His Song", were only released on a single in 1968, so it was mixed only to mono at that time. It wasn't until 1990 that a stereo version was prepared by Bill InglotBill Inglot
Bill Inglot is an American music engineer and producer, best known for remastering older recordings to high quality digital standards.Inglot worked for Rhino Entertainment and other Warner Music Group labels from 1982 to 2007. He was largely responsible for reintroducing historically popular pop...
for the release of the Tales from the Brothers Gibb box set.
The instrumental version of this song was included on their "Unrealeased Demos (1966 - 1972)" but still unrealeased.
Personnel
- Barry GibbBarry GibbBarry Alan Crompton Gibb, CBE , is a singer, songwriter and producer. He was born in the Isle of Man to English parents. With his brothers Robin and Maurice, he formed The Bee Gees, one of the most successful pop groups of all time. The trio got their start in Australia, and found their major...
- vocals, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with... - Maurice GibbMaurice GibbMaurice Ernest Gibb, CBE was a musician, singer-songwriter and record producer. He was born on the Isle of Man, the twin brother of Robin Gibb, and younger brother to Barry. He is best known as a member of the singing/songwriting trio the Bee Gees, formed with his brothers...
- bassBassBass or Basses may refer to:*Bass , describing low-frequency sound*Bass , various freshwater and saltwater species*Bass Brewery, a British brewery-Music:*Bass clef, the musical clef used for lower-sounding instruments and voices... - Vince MelouneyVince MelouneyVince Melouney was a founding member of Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs, playing with the band as lead guitarist from 1963 to 1965, which was followed by a short-lived duo with fellow Aztec Tony Barber, called Vince & Tony's Two.In 1967, after moving to the UK, he was invited to join the Bee Gees...
- guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with... - Colin PetersenColin PetersenColin Petersen is a former child actor and rock drummer. He played as a member of the Bee Gees on their first five albums.-Biography:Petersen began his acting career at the age of seven...
- drums - John PantryJohn PantryJohn Pantry is a musician, singer, songwriter, audio engineer and record producer from Harrow, Middlesex, England. He's been active since the late 1960s...
, Damon Lyon Shaw - engineerEngineerAn engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
Chart performance
| Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Netherlands | 3 |
| China | 4 |
| Germany | 5 |
| Austria | 9 |
| Canada | 16 |
| Belgium | 18 |
| Australia | 20 |
| France | 25 |
| United Kingdom | 25 |
| United States | 57 |