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
Three-disc expanded Deluxe Edition of Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb's 1969 double-LP pop masterpiece, presented in deluxe packaging that reproduces the original release's red-flocked cover, including a poster and sticker.... more » Disc one features the original stereo mixes of the title's 17 song sequence. Disc two marks the U.S. recording debut of the original mono mixes of the same 17 songs. Bonus disc 3 boasts 22 previously unreleased recordings, including 20 alternate takes and demos plus two songs not featured on the original album-'Pity' and 'Nobody's Someone.'« less
Three-disc expanded Deluxe Edition of Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb's 1969 double-LP pop masterpiece, presented in deluxe packaging that reproduces the original release's red-flocked cover, including a poster and sticker. Disc one features the original stereo mixes of the title's 17 song sequence. Disc two marks the U.S. recording debut of the original mono mixes of the same 17 songs. Bonus disc 3 boasts 22 previously unreleased recordings, including 20 alternate takes and demos plus two songs not featured on the original album-'Pity' and 'Nobody's Someone.'
CD Reviews
A classic gets the royal treatment
Lou1972 | 01/14/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There's no doubt that the Gibb brothers are masters at writing timeless music with great melodies, catchy lyrics and perfect 3-part harmony, but delving deep into their vast catalog of music finds, "Odessa", the grandest of them all. Coming off three hugely successful albums, with the most recent being the joyful "Idea", The Bee Gees set out and created an album with many varying styles, with grand orchestration and moving epics such as the title track, Odessa (City On The Black Sea) and beautiful ballads such as Melody Fair. There were several choices for singles such as "Never Say Never Again" and "Marley Purt Drive", but the first and only single was ultimately "First Of May", a wonderful choice in its own right.
The packaging on the Deluxe Edition is first rate. The original red velvet cover has been restored as well as track by track details, plus several photos from the period. The bonus disc "Sketches For Odessa" gives us a glimpse into the evolution of these great songs as well as some unreleased tracks that were left off the original album. This is a must for any Bee Gees fan or any fan of 60's baroque pop."
Masterpeace
R. Betts | Central Pennsylvania | 01/16/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ok, so I bought the original album when it came out. ok, so I bought the album on reel to reel. Ok, so I bought the album when it came out on cd. Ok, so I bought the UK mono Odessa because it was never released in the U.S. I think I've pretty well covered any aspect of this classic release other than 8 track. I have been waiting for this remaster like the 1st, Horizontal, Idea package. I can't take it out of my disc player.
The best side 1 of any recording I have ever heard-Odessa, You'll Never See My Face Again, Black Diamond. It's not just pop music, it's not just rock, it's not just harmony vocals, it's not just the orchestral backing, it's not just country influences, this encompasses the spectrum of music. Marley Purt Drive, love it, Give Your Best(ow!), Whisper Whisper, where'd this come from, Vince Melouney the forgotten lead guitarist, where'd he go. Disc 3 with demos and the scat singing that is how they developed their songs is just wonderful to listen to. Melody Fair, Edison and those fantastic three part harmonies. Maurice and his prowess as one of the first masters of the mellotron shines on disc 3. Wow. All that and nothing said about 1st of May........I'll take side b-Lamplight and the two versions on disc 3. Take it all in, it's a classic from a golden era of popular music."
FINALLY..."Odessa" done right (aside from the original vinyl
Larry Davis | NYC/Long Island, NY | 01/13/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"First off, the packaging...in a lovely, luxurious red velvet BOX, not a slipcase as I originally thought it would be...with the title gold embossed. Open it up and the treasures flow out...first a round red Bee Gees sticker, then a huge poster (double-sided), then a great photo-packed booklet (love the B&W cover, and Robin's buggish sunglasses...he looked downright alien-ish...a precurser to Flaming Lips head genius Wayne Coyne!!)...with incredible, informative liner notes that said what we've always known...prior CD issues were crap (abridged, bad sound, etc) and this was an opportunity to give "Odessa" the full glory treatment, and info on EVERY song...all versions.
Now, the songs, oh man, THE SONGS!!!! There are 3 CDs (as I guessed it would be when I first heard of this deluxe (an understatement if there ever was one) release...CD1 is the 17-track album in stereo, CD2 is the album in MONO (first time released in the US) and CD3 is the REAL treat, the 23-track "Sketches For Odessa"...cool and fascinating demos, alternate takes (sometimes both), 2 UNRELEASED tracks and a promo spot for the album from some record stores, not the radio.
I won't go into the riches of the songs TOO much, but the lovely folks at Reprise/Rhino must have known about how grand this album is (possibly the Bee Gees' best album ever, a true masterpiece) and how crap prior issues were, so they pulled out all the stops and made this clearly the best-sounding CD version of the album. I don't know what is better, the stereo or the mono...they both sound great. I love the songs on "Odessa", exquisite orchestral pop with killer melodies & 3-part harmonies and excursions into alt-country/rootsrock a la The Band, and orchestral interludes...it works best playing from beginning to end as one piece, yet each track coulda worked as a killer single (except the 3 instrumentals of course). Faves are def "Melody Fair", "Marley Purt Drive", "Give Your Best", "Never Say Never Again" (ESPESH the CD3 alt version with the fuzz guitar, AWESOME, it rocks a la Jesus & Mary Chain!!!), "I Laugh In Your Face", the awesomely cool Maurice-led "Suddenly"...on and on, one of THE great pop/powerpop albums EVER made, and that's an understatement...
Now, the REAL treats are the TWO unreleased tracks, "Nobody's Someone" & "Pity"...those songs are AMAZING, and it's wild to know they were in the vaults for 40 YEARS!!!!!!!!!! They could have been hit singles easily, they sound finished and complete, with great hooks and harmonies, just killer. Another thing is the album was not done justice by the choice of single released, "First Of May"...nothing against the song, it's lovely, but it would NOT have been my first choice of first single..."Melody Fair" or "Marley Purt Drive" or the title track would have caught people's attention, and the album would have done better, not widely forgotten except for collectors, hardcore fans and powerpop freaks...
NOW, with this GRAND 3CD reissue, people will realize what they truly missed, the treasures in store for them.
So far, best reissue of 2009...nothing will top this."
"The Bee Gees get flocked" or "Double your pleasure"
E.I.E.I. Owen | Philadelphia, Pa United States | 01/14/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"So its 1968 and Robert Stigwood decides that his young charges, The Bee Gees, need to make a big musical statement and the way to do it is with a double album. Heck, it worked for The Beatles, Bob Dylan; even The Mothers of Inventions debut was a double.
Thus "Odessa" was born.
When originally released, it was a 2 record set in a red flocked cover (you can still find decent used copies for cheap) but unlike the previous studio albums there was more of a feel of sophistication in the music and in the songwriting. Side one begins with the line "14th of February 1899, the British ship Veronica disappears without a sign" which is a clear indicator that the album is treading into "conceptual" waters but there really is no concept per se. The concept seems to be how much more orchestration can be added to the songs. And the beautiful thing is that it works.
This has to be the Bee Gees most varied album up to this point. With country numbers like "Marley Purt Drive" and "Give Your Best." Conceptual pieces like the title track, straight pop like "Melody Fair and the orchestral interludes "With All Nations" and "Seven Seas Symphony the group shows just how far they have come since their debut to an international career in 1967. And all before Barry turned 21. But then this is also the album that caused Robin to leave the group and caused a schism between the Brothers Gibb that would last for 2 years
This set is deluxe re-issue of "Odessa" spread over three CDs and contains the following:
CD 1 contains the original stereo mix of the two record set.
CD 2 contains the original mono mix of the album, which has its debut here in the U.S. since the album was only released in the stereo format on this side of the Atlantic.
CD 3 is titled "Sketches for Odessa" and contains early demos, alternate mixes, un-dubbed tracks, as well as unreleased material as well as the tracks "Nobody's Someone" and "Pity" which was recorded for the album but did not make the final hurdle
The package comes in a red flocked box (just like the original vinyl version) and contains a poster, a Bee Gees decal, and a booklet giving track-by-track annotation and session information. Unfortunately, neither Barry nor Robin was interviewed about their thoughts about the sessions, which is probably because of the growing rift between Barry and Robin at the time. Best to leave sleeping dogs lie.
"
Well Worth the Wait!
D. Loiacano | Kalamazoo, Michigan United States | 01/21/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Rhino has done it again! This deluxe edition of the Bee Gees classic Odessa is beautifully packaged and is some of the best remastering work I have heard. It is far superior to the earlier CD releases. As others have pointed out, it is astounding that these 40-year-old recordings can still sound so beautiful. They have been lovingly remastered by people who really know what they're doing. The clarity of the guitars, vocals and lush orchestrations is really breathtaking. The low end (i.e. Mo's great bass work) has also been brought out like never before. There is an incredible warmth to these recordings that has been faithfully brought forward into the digital age. For audiophile purists who say CD's just can't sound as good as vinyl, this CD release is worth a listen.
As for the album itself, Odessa is not quite a masterpiece, but it is an astonishing achievement from 3 brothers who were barely old enough to be high school graduates! The style is eclectic to say the least, with influences from blues, folk rock, country and orchesteral recordings. There are many outstanding songs, as well as a few clunkers. The title track, Melody Fair, Marley Purt Drive, Sound of Love and Lamplight are among the Bee Gees best songs. A few, such as Edison, don't hold up as well.
All in all, this release is a must-have for any Bee Gees fan. It is well worth the price, and was well worth the wait. Thank you Rhino, for the respect and attention you gave to these classic recordings!"
Track Listings (17) - Disc #1