“ODESSA's all-embracing theme is the Bee Gees' boundless creativity. Simple acoustic songs mix with orchestral overtures; humble tales of love and friendship sit alongside complex stories of fantasy and the forgotten. The end result is a collection that grows richer with every play.”
- from new liner notes by Andrew Sandoval
Originally released as a 2-LP set in 1969, ODESSA marked an early and extraordinary creative peak in the legendary career of the Brothers Gibb - Barry, Maurice and Robin. Their only double studio album, the Bee Gees' pop masterpiece drew comparisons to the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band in its depth, vision and spectacular production. Reprise revisits this classic work on the occasion of its 40th anniversary with a three-disc ODESSA: DELUXE EDITION, featuring the original stereo and mono mixes as well as a full disc of previously unreleased material. The set, a milestone in the ongoing restoration of the Bee Gees historic catalog, is presented in packaging that reproduces the '69 release's lavish red-flocked cover.
Disc One of the DELUXE EDITION features the original stereo mixes of ODESSA's 17 songs. Classic tracks include the acoustic-based “Marley Purt Drive,” the orchestral “First Of May” and the epic title track, “Odessa (City On The Black Sea).”
Disc Two of the collection marks the U.S. debut of the original mono mixes of the original 17-song track listing (in 1969, the mono versions were released worldwide, but not in North America).
Disc Three introduces 22 previously unissued tracks, including demos or alternate takes for all but one cut from ODESSA, as well as two songs from the original sessions that weren't on the album - “Pity” and “Nobody's Fool.” Also featured is a rare 30-second spot promoting the release. Highlights include a demo and an alternate take on “Melody Fair” (the latter revealing Maurice Gibb's Mellotron artistry) and the demo for “Odessa.”
ODESSA: DELUXE EDITION contains new liner notes and track-by-track commentary from music historian, author, and musician Andrew Sandoval. His overview sheds light on the making of the album, which was mostly recorded during one week at the legendary Atlantic Recording Studios in New York City in 1968. Encouraged by their manager/mentor Robert Stigwood to pursue a more expansive work, further sessions in London resulted in the Bee Gee's only double studio album, a work that dramatically spotlights their genius.
“ODESSA's all-embracing theme is the Bee Gees' boundless creativity. Simple acoustic songs mix with orchestral overtures; humble tales of love and friendship sit alongside complex stories of fantasy and the forgotten. The end result is a collection that grows richer with every play.”
- from new liner notes by Andrew Sandoval
Originally released as a 2-LP set in 1969, ODESSA marked an early and extraordinary creative peak in the legendary career of....+Read More...
Saturday, November 14, 2009 - 7:20 PM
I had to listen to this record about three times before I could finally appreciate it. At first, it seemed like an overbloated concept album, with very few standout tracks, but one particular song "Seven Seas Symphony" (which occurs about two thirds of the way through) peaked my interest enough to come back for a few more listens. This instrumental, with an acoustic piano leading a beautiful melody builds up to orchestral crescendos backed by a chorus intricately arranged with a climax that includes harps-- the grandness of which so closely resembles a reprise to a soundtrack that it had me suddenly thinking to myself, "Hey, what did I just miss? Was I even really paying attention to this record?"... "Seven Seas Symphony" is a song so moving, it made me want to go back and start from the beginning, and this time really listen... so I did-- and though I can't say that I will ever love this record as much as their 1st album, it's definitely earned my respect. For the most part, this is orchestral pop, along with some country and hillbilly-sounding tracks along the way, but the more complex arrangements give this album it's unique "soundtrack" feeling... but there is no particular "story" or "theme" as far as I can tell-- or if there is, then it is definitely not as "in your face" apparent as "Days of Future Passed" or "The Wall" for instance... instead, it seems to aim for leaving much more to the imagination-- evoking different moods, imagery and interpretations with every repeated listen.
Sunday, November 22, 2009 - 5:26 PM
I got this for the song "Marley Purt Drive"-- a stripped-down country-rock song which sounds like it was written by "The Band"-- little did I know the rest of the album would sound absolutely nothing like it-- this is just plain terrible-- most of these songs makes me feel like I'm at the symphony- whatever you do, don't expect driving music, this record put me to sleep.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009 - 4:16 PM
After forty years, the Gibb Brothers have finally re-released their most classic and eclectic of albums, "Odessa". Released at the height of their first popularity and the start of their ultimate eighteen-month breakup, these three musicians, barely out of their teens, produced their only double studio album. Originally coated in a red velvet cover, this is one of the most extravagant re-releases to date. Originally seventeen songs, varying from the near operatic, "Odessa (City On The Black Sea)" to country flavored tunes like, "Marley Purt Drive" and "Give Your Best", the Gibbs cover nearly every style of pop music available, including rock, orchestral, country and R&B.
Originally slated to be titled, "An American Opera" or "Masterpeace", this double album epitomizes the height of talent of the Bee Gees boundless creativity. In addition to two new studio songs, "Pity" and "Nobody's Someone", there are alternate and demo mixes that will surprise in their originality, beat and alternate verses. "Edison", "Lamplight", First Of May" and "Whisper, Whisper" all are given special treatment, sometimes twice. "Whisper, Whisper" is actually Part Two, a welcome addition to a song that originally ended too quickly on a fast, rock driven pace.
Of the three discs (57 songs), the stereo had been remixed/remastered to absolute, crystal clear perfection, bringing out all the muffled sounds that the original LP contained. The Mono mixes present the songs with emphasis on different vocals and instruments, while the third disc contains all the previously unreleased material.
Fan Joe Brennan of website "Gibb Songs" has this great explanation of Stereo vs. Mono recordings: "Odessa was recorded on 1-inch 8-track tape reels. Each of the 8 tracks can be played separately, and each might have the input from one or more microphones. Each of the 8 could be recorded at different times and places (like New York and London), or erased and re-recorded. To make stereo, you have to mix down to 2 tracks, and for mono, mix down to 1 track. While doing this you get to decide how relatively loud each track should be. That's where the differences come from. The source is the same 8 track master. Mono was for old record players, and for AM radio, which was where you heard the latest tunes on your transistor radio or car radio".
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