Odessa (album)
Encyclopedia
Odessa is the sixth studio album by the Bee Gees
, released in 1969. It was the group's fourth album released internationally, and their first released as a double
LP
. Odessa is noted in Robert Dimery's book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die
.
Odessa would be the final album for the band's original incarnation. Guitarist Vince Melouney
would pursue other interests, and Robin Gibb
would leave the band over personal and artistic differences with brother Barry Gibb
. Barry and Maurice would continue to record with drummer Colin Petersen
as the Bee Gees, but disintegrated when Petersen was fired.
left the group amicably, wanting to pursue a more bluesy direction. Prior to release there were disagreements over which song was to be released as a single (the Robin led "Lamplight" lost out to "First of May" a Barry solo vocal). This led to Robin Gibb
leaving the group in late 1968, though he would rejoin the group in 1970.
Odessa was initially released on Atco Records
in a red flocked
cover with gold lettering. Due to the high cost of production, as well as allergic reactions among workers during assembly, this design was discontinued. It was later reissued in 1976 as an edited single-disc album with a plain red cover on RSO Records
.
Rhino Records had previously planned on an August 2008 release of the album containing three discs, which would contain mono and stereo versions along with selected rarities. The release of the re-issue had been delayed until January 13, 2009. This edition restored the red flocking originally found on the LP.
Side two
Side three
Side four
The 1976 single LP reissue deleted tracks 3, 5, 7-9, 12, and 17. Some early CD and cassette editions also omitted the track "With All Nations (International Anthem)".
released a 3-CD set of Odessa, complete with remastered stereo and mono version of all 17 tracks, plus a bonus third disc with demos, alternate version, and three unreleased tracks. To date, Odessa was the last non-compilation album to be released, and the status of the re-release program is unknown.
Disc 1: stereo/Disc 2: mono
Disc 3: "Sketches for Odessa" [all tracks previously unissued]
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...
, released in 1969. It was the group's fourth album released internationally, and their first released as a double
Double album
A double album is an audio album which spans two units of the primary medium in which it is sold, typically records and compact discs....
LP
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
. Odessa is noted in Robert Dimery's book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die
1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die
1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die is a musical reference book edited by Robert Dimery, first published in 2005. The most recent edition consists of a list of albums released between 1955 and 2010, part of a series from Quintessence Editions Ltd...
.
Odessa would be the final album for the band's original incarnation. Guitarist Vince Melouney
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...
would pursue other interests, and Robin Gibb
Robin Gibb
Robin Hugh Gibb, CBE is a British singer and songwriter. He is best known as a member of the Bee Gees, co-founded with his twin brother Maurice , and elder brother Barry....
would leave the band over personal and artistic differences with brother Barry Gibb
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...
. Barry and Maurice would continue to record with drummer Colin Petersen
Colin Petersen
Colin 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...
as the Bee Gees, but disintegrated when Petersen was fired.
Background
After the recording of side one of the album, guitarist Vince MelouneyVince 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...
left the group amicably, wanting to pursue a more bluesy direction. Prior to release there were disagreements over which song was to be released as a single (the Robin led "Lamplight" lost out to "First of May" a Barry solo vocal). This led to Robin Gibb
Robin Gibb
Robin Hugh Gibb, CBE is a British singer and songwriter. He is best known as a member of the Bee Gees, co-founded with his twin brother Maurice , and elder brother Barry....
leaving the group in late 1968, though he would rejoin the group in 1970.
Odessa was initially released on Atco Records
Atco Records
ATCO Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group, currently operating through WMG's Rhino Entertainment.-Beginnings:Atco Records was founded in 1955 as a division of Atlantic Records. It was devised as an outlet for productions by one of Atlantic's founders, Herb Abramson, who...
in a red flocked
Flocking (texture)
Flocking is the process of depositing many small fiber particles onto a surface. It can also refer to the texture produced by the process, or to any material used primarily for its flocked surface. Flocking of an article can be performed for the purpose of increasing its value in terms of the...
cover with gold lettering. Due to the high cost of production, as well as allergic reactions among workers during assembly, this design was discontinued. It was later reissued in 1976 as an edited single-disc album with a plain red cover on RSO Records
RSO Records
RSO Records was a record label, formed by rock and roll and musical theatre impresario Robert Stigwood in 1973. The "RSO" stands for the Robert Stigwood Organisation. The company's main headquarters were at 67 Brook Street, in London's Mayfair...
.
Rhino Records had previously planned on an August 2008 release of the album containing three discs, which would contain mono and stereo versions along with selected rarities. The release of the re-issue had been delayed until January 13, 2009. This edition restored the red flocking originally found on the LP.
Original LP
Side one- "Odessa (City on the Black Sea)" – 7:33
- "You'll Never See My Face Again" – 4:17
- "Black Diamond" – 3:29
Side two
- "Marley Purt Drive" – 4:26
- "Edison" – 3:06
- "Melody FairMelody FairMelody Fair is a song by the Bee Gees. Originally written in 1968, it was included on the 1969 double album Odessa. The song was featured in the 1971 movie Melody, was included in the soundtrack album, and was released in May 1971 as a single in Japan...
" – 3:50 - "Suddenly" – 2:30
- "Whisper Whisper" – 3:25
Side three
- "Lamplight" – 4:47
- "Sound of Love" – 3:29
- "Give Your Best" – 3:28
- "Seven Seas Symphony [instrumental]" – 4:10
- "With All Nations (International Anthem) [instrumental]" – 1:47
Side four
- "I Laugh in Your Face" – 4:10
- "Never Say Never Again" – 3:29
- "First of MayFirst of May (Bee Gees song)"First of May" is a song recorded by the Bee Gees with lead vocals by Barry Gibb, released as a single from their 1969 double album Odessa. The flip side of a single was "Lamplight" on which Robin Gibb sang the lead. Robert Stigwood, the Bee Gees manager chose "First of May" for the A-side...
" – 2:50 - "The British Opera [instrumental]" – 3:16
The 1976 single LP reissue deleted tracks 3, 5, 7-9, 12, and 17. Some early CD and cassette editions also omitted the track "With All Nations (International Anthem)".
Deluxe edition
On January 13, 2009, Reprise RecordsReprise Records
Reprise Records is an American record label, founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operated through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:...
released a 3-CD set of Odessa, complete with remastered stereo and mono version of all 17 tracks, plus a bonus third disc with demos, alternate version, and three unreleased tracks. To date, Odessa was the last non-compilation album to be released, and the status of the re-release program is unknown.
Disc 1: stereo/Disc 2: mono
- Odessa (City On The Black Sea)
- You'll Never See My Face Again
- Black Diamond
- Marley Purt Drive
- Edison
- Melody Fair
- Suddenly
- Whisper Whisper
- Lamplight
- Sound Of Love
- Give Your Best
- Seven Seas Symphony
- With All Nations (International Anthem)
- I Laugh In Your Face
- Never Say Never Again
- First Of May
- The British Opera
Disc 3: "Sketches for Odessa" [all tracks previously unissued]
- Odessa (Demo) -
- You’ll Never See My Face Again”(Alternate Mix)
- Black Diamond (Demo)
- Marley Purt Drive (Alternate Mix)
- Barbara Came To Stay
- Edison (Alternate Mix)
- Melody Fair (Demo)
- Melody Fair (Alternate Mix)
- Suddenly (Alternate Mix)
- Whisper Whisper – Part Two (Alternate Version)
- Lamplight (Demo)
- Lamplight (Alternate Version)
- Sound Of Love (Alternate Mix)
- Give Your Best (Alternate Mix)
- Seven Seas Symphony (Demo)
- With All Nations (International Anthem) (Vocal Version)
- I Laugh In Your Face (Alternate Mix)
- Never Say Never Again (Alternate Mix)
- First Of May (Demo)
- First Of May (Alternate Mix)
- Nobody’s Someone
- Pity
- Odessa Promotional Spot
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, guitar - Robin GibbRobin GibbRobin Hugh Gibb, CBE is a British singer and songwriter. He is best known as a member of the Bee Gees, co-founded with his twin brother Maurice , and elder brother Barry....
- vocals, organ, piano, mellotron - 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...
- vocals, bass, piano, guitar, mellotron - 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...
- guitar - 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 - Bill KeithBill KeithBill Keith may refer to:* Bill Keith , painter, photographer and visual poet* Bill Keith , banjo player and innovator of the "melodic style" of banjo playing...
- banjo - Tex Logan - fiddle
- Paul BuckmasterPaul BuckmasterPaul John Buckmaster is a Grammy Award-winning English artist, arranger and composer.He began learning the cello at the age of 4 and graduated from the Royal College of Music at age 16....
- cello - Adrian BarberAdrian BarberAdrian Barber is a musician / producer who is responsible for recording the Beatles "Gray Zone" Live! at the Star-Club in Hamburg, Germany; 1962.-Musician / electronics:...
- engineer