To Whom It May Concern (Bee Gees album)
Encyclopedia
To Whom It May Concern is the Bee Gees
' tenth studio album, released in October 1972. It was the follow-up of their American successful LP Trafalgar
, and continued its melancholic and personal sound. The album was recognised as "a farewell to the old Bee Gees". It was their last album recorded at IBC Studios, in London
, and their last work with Bill Shepherd who had guided them since 1967, and their last under their first contract with Robert Stigwood
. Even some of the songs were old ones finished up or rewritten for the occasion (in the case of "I Can Bring Love").
The album is also notable for containing a relative variety of song types – rock and roll ("Bad Bad Dreams"), power ballads ("Alive"), choral performances ("Please Don't Turn Out the Lights"), bizarre and psychedelic songs ("Paper Mache, Cabbages and Kings", "Sweet Song of Summer") and nostalgic love songs ("Sea of Smiling Faces"). The band never showed approval to the album, but for many fans it is an unusually authentic Bee Gees collection, closer in spirit to what the brothers found interesting to do than what they thought they owed the public. In the 2010 documentary In Our Own Time
, Maurice explains (in archival footage) that by 1972 they didn't really know who their audience was, hence the title To Whom It May Concern.
Another example of the contrast between the old and the new was the front cover showing Bee Gees performing in Japan
early in 1972, and the back showing them in 1963. The LP also had a gatefold with pictures of many business associates and family members on a drawing of the Bee Gees and a band. The band shows Barry
, Robin
and Maurice Gibb
, Alan Kendall and tour-only drummer Chris Karan
, with Bill Shepherd conducting the orchestra. The song "Paper Mache, Cabbages And Kings" was the last Bee Gees session with Geoff Bridgford as he left the group before their tour of East Asia, and was replaced by Chris Karan
.
The album was primarily recorded between June 1971 and April 1972 (except for "We Lost the Road", recorded in January 1971 during the Trafalgar sessions). The Bee Gees saved a non-album single, "My World", from the sessions which was released in January 1972, becoming a UK/US Top 20 hit. The album came in November 1972 supported by very positive reviews, and preceded by the UK Top 10 hit "Run to Me", in July. Despite the critical acclaim of the variety of styles and strong tracks, To Whom It May Concern only reached #35 in the US and became their third consecutive studio album to fail to appear in the UK album charts. It performed better in other European countries. In Italy reached #10, and peaked at #6 in Spain. The subsequent single "Alive" was a modest sized hit in the US, reaching the Top 40, and a major hit in Australia, reaching #4.
To Whom It May Concern has sold approximately 350,000 copies worldwide.
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...
' tenth studio album, released in October 1972. It was the follow-up of their American successful LP Trafalgar
Trafalgar (album)
Trafalgar is the Bee Gees' ninth album, released in September 1971. The album was a moderate hit in the United States, and peaked at #34. The lead single "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?" was the first Bee Gees' #1 single in the United States...
, and continued its melancholic and personal sound. The album was recognised as "a farewell to the old Bee Gees". It was their last album recorded at IBC Studios, in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, and their last work with Bill Shepherd who had guided them since 1967, and their last under their first contract with Robert Stigwood
Robert Stigwood
Robert Stigwood is an impresario and entertainment entrepreneur who relocated to England in 1954...
. Even some of the songs were old ones finished up or rewritten for the occasion (in the case of "I Can Bring Love").
The album is also notable for containing a relative variety of song types – rock and roll ("Bad Bad Dreams"), power ballads ("Alive"), choral performances ("Please Don't Turn Out the Lights"), bizarre and psychedelic songs ("Paper Mache, Cabbages and Kings", "Sweet Song of Summer") and nostalgic love songs ("Sea of Smiling Faces"). The band never showed approval to the album, but for many fans it is an unusually authentic Bee Gees collection, closer in spirit to what the brothers found interesting to do than what they thought they owed the public. In the 2010 documentary In Our Own Time
In Our Own Time
In Our Own Time is a biography of the rock group The Bee Gees. The story follows the Brothers Gibb, Barry, Robin and Maurice from their roots in Manchester, England through their emmigration to Australia in 1958 to their international stardom in 1967, right up to the present, with new interviews...
, Maurice explains (in archival footage) that by 1972 they didn't really know who their audience was, hence the title To Whom It May Concern.
Another example of the contrast between the old and the new was the front cover showing Bee Gees performing in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
early in 1972, and the back showing them in 1963. The LP also had a gatefold with pictures of many business associates and family members on a drawing of the Bee Gees and a band. The band shows 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...
, Robin
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....
and Maurice Gibb
Maurice Gibb
Maurice 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...
, Alan Kendall and tour-only drummer Chris Karan
Chris Karan
Chris Karan is a jazz percussionist, primarily a drummer, of Greek descent from Melbourne. He played in Mike Nock's trio in Sydney in the early 1960s...
, with Bill Shepherd conducting the orchestra. The song "Paper Mache, Cabbages And Kings" was the last Bee Gees session with Geoff Bridgford as he left the group before their tour of East Asia, and was replaced by Chris Karan
Chris Karan
Chris Karan is a jazz percussionist, primarily a drummer, of Greek descent from Melbourne. He played in Mike Nock's trio in Sydney in the early 1960s...
.
The album was primarily recorded between June 1971 and April 1972 (except for "We Lost the Road", recorded in January 1971 during the Trafalgar sessions). The Bee Gees saved a non-album single, "My World", from the sessions which was released in January 1972, becoming a UK/US Top 20 hit. The album came in November 1972 supported by very positive reviews, and preceded by the UK Top 10 hit "Run to Me", in July. Despite the critical acclaim of the variety of styles and strong tracks, To Whom It May Concern only reached #35 in the US and became their third consecutive studio album to fail to appear in the UK album charts. It performed better in other European countries. In Italy reached #10, and peaked at #6 in Spain. The subsequent single "Alive" was a modest sized hit in the US, reaching the Top 40, and a major hit in Australia, reaching #4.
To Whom It May Concern has sold approximately 350,000 copies worldwide.
Track listing
All compositions by Barry, Robin & Maurice Gibb, except where noted.- "Run to Me" - 3:13
- "We Lost the Road" (Barry Gibb/Robin Gibb) - 3:28
- "Never Been Alone" (Robin Gibb) - 3:15
- "Paper Mache, Cabbages and Kings" - 5:01
- "I Can Bring Love" (Barry Gibb) - 2:07
- "I Held a Party" – 2:37
- "Please Don't Turn out the Lights" – 2:01
- "Sea of Smiling Faces" – 3:09
- "Bad Bad Dreams" – 3:49
- "You Know It's for You" (Maurice Gibb) – 2:59
- "AliveAlive (Bee Gees song)"Alive" was the second single of the To Whom It May Concern album. As was customary for Bee Gees singles during this time, it was another piano ballad which Barry has noted that he doesn't even remember writing...
" (Barry Gibb/Maurice Gibb) – 4:04 - "Road to Alaska" – 2:41
- "Sweet Song of Summer" – 5:07
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 - 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, organ, mandolin - Alan KendallAlan KendallAlan Kendall is an English musician and was the lead guitarist for the popular band the Bee Gees, before they retired the band name due to the death of Maurice Gibb in 2003...
- guitar - Geoff Bridgford - drums
- Clem CattiniClem CattiniClem Cattini , is an English rock and roll drummer who was a member of The Tornados before becoming well known for his work as a session musician...
- drums