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Rating: Ambitious, unmistakable, overflowing: not content with the excellent artistic outcome of "Idea," in 1969 the Bee Gees go further with "Odessa"; there is a desire for grandeur in the Gibb house: red velvet cover with golden letters, later abandoned due to the high processing costs for this powerful double LP, perhaps a response to the Beatles' "White Album". The double album is a rather risky choice: fillers and excessive verbosity are always lurking, as Elton John knows with his "Blue Moves" and even with the much-acclaimed "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," but this is not the case: although characterized by slightly more homogeneous sounds compared to "Idea," "Odessa" easily withstands all of its 64 minutes duration, which flows by in a fantastic string of great songs, brilliant ideas, melodies that delight the auditory nerve, and many different moods and atmospheres united by a common thread, obviously of fine red velvet.
Before "Odessa," a Bee Gees song rarely exceeded three minutes in duration, now the over seven minutes of the title track look towards typically prog scenarios: echoing choruses, almost distant and arcane, subtle orchestrations, moments of serene melody that ease an almost surreal atmosphere, then the unease and the tempo changes return to dictate laws; an obsessive background cello, acoustic guitars that sketch changing and moody melodies, then again those reverberated vocal lines, talking of shipwrecks and ghost ships: clearly, this album is not a bluff, but the surprises don't end here, indeed, the best is yet to come: the instrumental "Seven Seas Symphony", with orchestrations, choruses, and mellotron in the foreground, is a wonderful four-minute symphonic spleen, imbued with suggestion and melancholy, "Edison," a quirky homage to the inventor of the light bulb, makes the hypnotic and sing-song repetition of the refrain its winning weapon; "Suddenly," "Whisper Whisper" and "I Laugh In Your Face", even if simpler and more canonical, all have a peculiar aftertaste, "eerie" as the English would say: captivating melodies with a hint of obsessiveness and madness; never before had they offered similar sounds, and in the subsequent records, these will be sporadic and isolated episodes.
"Marley Purt Drive" and "Give Your Best" present a distinctly country style, even bluegrass for the latter, also unprecedented for the Bee Gees, and are two of the album's most enjoyable and bright episodes; ballads like the playful and carefree "Melody Fair", the intense "Black Diamond", and the heartfelt "Sound Of Love" and "You'll Never See My Face Again" represent an evolution of what had already been shown in the two albums of 1968, and finally, there are the two apples of discord: the Christmas-themed "First Of May", sung by Barry, and "Lamplight", the album's masterpiece ballad, imbued with heartfelt and passionate folk sounds, Robin's flagship: the dispute over which of the two songs should be the launch single was won by Barry, despite the stylistic superiority of "Lamplight", and Robin will leave the group: the division will last only a year, yet it is enough to write the final word on the band's most golden period, of which "Odessa" represents the ideal crowning.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Odessa (City on the Black Sea) (07:33)
Fourteenth of February , eighteen ninety nine.
The British ship Veronica was lost without a sign.
Baa baa black sheep, you haven't any wool.
Captain Richardson left himself a lonely wife in Hull.
Cherub, I lost a ship in the Baltic sea.
I'm on an iceberg running free.
Sitting, filing this berg to the shape of a ship;
Sailing my way back to your lips.
One passing ship gave word that you have moved out of your old flat.
You love the Vicar more then words can say.
Tell him to pray that I won't melt away.
And I'll see your face again .
Odessa, How strong am I?
Odessa , How time goes by.
Treasure , you know the neighbours that live next door.
They haven't got their dog anymore.
Freezing, sailing around in the North Atlantic.
Can't seem to leave the sea anymore.
I just can't understand why you just moved to Finland.
You love that Vicar more then words can say.
Ask him to pray that I won't melt away.
And I'll see your face again.
Odessa, How strong am I?
Odessa, How time goes by.
Fourteenth of February , eighteen ninety nine.
The British ship Veronica was lost without a sign
04 Marley Purt Drive (04:26)
Sunday morning, woke up yawning; filled the pool for a swim.
Pulled down the head and looked in the glass just to see if I was in.
Went up the stairs and kissed my woman to make her come alive.
'Cause with fifteen kids and a fam'ly on the skids,
I got to go for a Sunday drive.
Fifteen kids and a fam'ly on the skids,
I got to go for a Sunday drive.
That's how they are, so I grabbed out the car;convertible fifty-nine.
Headed to the freeway; tried to find the Pasadena sign.
Ten miles and three quarters more I wasn't feeling any more alive.
'Cause with fifteen kids and a fam'ly on the skids,
I got to go for a Sunday drive.
Fifteen kids and a fam'ly on the skids,
I got to go for a Sunday drive.
I used to be a minstrel free with a whole lot of bread in my bag.
I used to feel that my life was real, but the good Lord threw me a snag.
Now I'm gonna be the same as me,no matter how I try.
'Cause with fifteen kids and a fam'ly on the skids,
I got to go for a Sunday drive.
Fifteen kids and a fam'ly on the skids,
I got to go for a Sunday drive.
Turned 'round the car and headed for home; I guess I realized my fate.
Ten miles and three quarters more I pulled up outside the gate.
Twenty more kids were stood inside and that made thirty-five.
'Cause with an orphanage full of thirty-five kids,
I got to go for a Sunday drive.
An orphanage full of thirty-five kids,
I got to go for a Sunday drive.
Sunday morning woke up yawning; filled the pool for a swim.
Pulled down the glass and looked in the mirror just to see if I was in.
Went up the stairs and kissed my women to make her come alive.
'Cause with an orphanage full of thirty-five kids,
I got to go for a Sunday drive.
And orphanage full of thirty-five kids,
I got to go for a Sunday drive.
05 Edison (03:06)
He made electric lights to read. He gave us light today.
He gave us cylinders to please.
When Edison came to stay. Edison came to stay.
Edison set the world on fire. He really made the day.
Station to station ; many wires.
Edison came to stay. Edison came to stay.
Oh, how , look at us now. We've still got a lot to learn.
But it's someone else's turn.
Edison's here to stay. Edison's here to stay.
All of the world can taste his glory. All of the people say.
You be the man to write his story. Edison's here to stay.
Edison's here to stay.
Oh, how, look at us now. We've still got a lot to learn.
But it's someone else's turn.
Edison's here to stay . Edison's here to stay.
He made electric lights to read. He gave us light today.
He gave us cylinders to please, when Edison came to stay.
Edison came to stay.Edison came to stay.Edison came to stay.
You be the man to write his story. Edison came to stay.
Edison came to stay.
All of his world can hear his story. Edison came to stay.
Edison came to stay . Edison came to stay. Edison came to stay ..
Edison came to stay (keep repeating and fade out )
06 Melody Fair (03:50)
Who is the girl with the crying face looking at millions of signs?
She knows that life is a running race,
Her face shouldn't show any sides.
Melody Fair won't you comb your hair? You can be beautiful too.
Melody Fair , remember you're only a woman .
Melody Fair, remember you're only a girl. Ah...
Who is the girl at the window pane, watching the rain falling down?
Melody, life isn't like the rain ; its just like a merry go round.
Melody Fair won't you comb your hair? You can be beautiful too.
Melody Fair, remember you're only a woman.
Melody Fair, remember you're only a girl. Ah...
Who is the girl with the crying face, looking at millions of signs?
She knows that life is a running race.
Her face shouldn't show any lines.
Melody Fair won't you comb your hair? You can be beautiful too.
Melody Fair , remember you're only a woman.
Melody Fair, remember you're only a girl. Ah ....
07 Suddenly (02:30)
How can you tell by looking at me ?
How can you tell you like what you see?
Suddenly there's a boy in the rain alone.
Suddenly there's a girl in the rain alone.
How can you humans are real ?
How can you tell you like what you feel?
Suddenly there's a girl in your heart oh boy.
Suddenly there's a boy in your heart oh boy.
Ah....
How can you tell by looking at me?
How can you tell you like what you see?
Suddenly there's a boy in the rain alone.
Suddenly there's a girl in the rain alone .
Ah...
08 Whisper Whisper (03:25)
Whisper, whisper. What have you got ?
I got something that you need a lot .
Stop me and buy one.
You can see better but you better not.
Listen mister can you help me ?
It's my sister . Show her how to fly.
Stop me and try one.
You can see ev'rything blowing by.
Whisper whisper. Keep it quiet.
If you like it you can try it too.
Stop me and buy one.
I am illegal that mean so are you
Whisper whisper what have you got?
I got something that you need a lot.
Stop me and buy one.
You can see better but you better not.
Whisper, whisper, whisper, whisper
I am man and you are women.
Who needs marriage? We are humans all.
If I could please you, arouse and ease you ,
then it would please you if I should call.
Doesn't matter what your name is.
I can do a million things to you .
No explanations; sexual patience.
Most of the nation's doing it too.
No no no no no
09 Lamplight (04:47)
Alons, viens encore, cherie.
J'attendrai patiemment sous la lampe dans la vieille avenue.
Then I may end.
She had things to buy.
I close my eyes.
Yet I don't know why.
I gave her money; said she knew someone.
And she said she won't be long.
Lamplight
keep on burning while this heart of mine is yearning.
Lamplight
keep on burning till this love of yours is mine.
I sat alone with my thoughts and laughed .
Then saw your face in an old photograph.
I didn't think that I could live without you but what am I to do ?
Lamplight
keep on burning while this heart of mine is yearning.
Lamplight
keep on burning till this love of yours is mine
Come home again dear.
I have waited year after year under the lamp in our old avenue.
If all in the world that's laughing, why should it make us cry? Ah...
11 Give Your Best (03:28)
(spoken)
It's a square dance Mr Marshall. It's a square dance on the floor.
It's a square dance Mr Perkins. It's a square dance to be sure, to be sure.
Ev'rybody, grab partners ...
I'm just a clown that used to run around .
I used to have a million friends.
I used to start where ev'rybody ends.
But I just give my best to my friends .
I've done my shows. Ev'rybody knows .
I nearly sold all my clothes.
One man can give; another has to lend.
So I just give my best to my friends.
(spoken)and so you should .
And when you think that your life isn't right.
You know the day isn't always like night.
You've had your peace now it's time for you to fight.
Just give your best to your friends.
I'm just a clown that used to run around .
I used to have a million friends.
I used to start where ev'rybody ends .
So I just give my best to my friends.
And when you think that your life isn't right.
You know the day isn't always like night.
You've had your peace now it's time for you to fight.
Just give your best to your friends.
(music)
And when you think that your life isn't right .
You know the day isn't always like night .
You've had your peace now it's time for you to fight .
Just give your best to your friends.
Just give your best to your friends.
14 I Laugh in Your Face (04:10)
The circus is coming to see you .
The elephant smiles.
Ev'rybody can hear you say that's out of style.
My brother is friendly for reasons, if I am the same.
Just for four hundred seasons we all live in rain.
So I laugh in your face. Your only one race.
Yes I laugh in your face and I'm right.
You lie just like the rest. But there's nobody best.
So I laugh in your face and I'm right.
I'll pull out your plug so your small.
You'll slide down the drain .
On the steps of St. Peter's you all look the same.
So I laugh in your face. Your only one race.
Yes I laugh in your face and I'm right.
You lie just like the rest . But there's nobody best.
So I laugh in your face and I'm right.
The circus is coming to see you . The elephant smiles.
Ev'rybody can hear you say that's out of style.
So I laugh in your face. You're only one race.
Yes I laugh in your face and I'm right.
You lie just like the rest. But there's nobody best.
So I laugh in your face and I'm right.
16 First of May (02:50)
When I was small, and Christmas trees were tall
We used to love while others used to play
Don't ask me why, but time has passed us by
Some one else moved in from far away
(Chorus)
Now we are tall, and Christmas trees are small
And you don't ask the time of day
But you and I, our love will never die
But guess we'll cry come first of May
The apple tree that grew for you and me
I watched the apples falling one by one
And I recall the moment of them all
The day I kissed your cheek and you were mine
(Chorus...)
When I was small, and Christmas trees were tall
Do do do do do do do do do...
Don't ask me why, but time has passed us by
Some one else moved in from far away
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