The Bee Gees - Morning Of My Life: The Best of 1965-66 (13/04/2013)
The music world is full of “Overnight successes” that were actually a good decade-in-the-making. The Bee Gees are just one case where their overseas, debut LP was titled The Bee Gees 1st even though it was actually their third one (after they’d released two albums in Australia). But one possible redress of this oversight is their latest compilation, Morning of My Life.
Although it’s billed as The Best of 1965-66 the actual content differs from your typical “Greatest hits compilation”. This album is not a collection of singles. Instead, it draws together the songs from their much maligned and overlooked period from their early career.
It means their origins are finally getting a proper look-in as the vaults have been opened on 24 recordings done in Sydney and Hurstville over two years. They’re predominantly written by Barry Gibb and are the finest tracks from what is now considered their rare, Australian output. The songs sound especially crisp after having been re-mastered from analog tapes so that every melody, hook and tone shines through with the same youthful abandon of the time.
The biggest hit on this set is the catchy, opening track, “Spicks & Specks”. It is also backed by its then b-side, “I Am the World”, a romantic pop ballad lead by Robin Gibb on lead vocals. The music is predominantly from the sixties pop genre but “Exit Stage Right” would actually be more at home on the Nuggets compilation thanks to its trashy garage rock and psychedelic feel. Coincidently, the following track, “Like Nobody Else” was included on the Australian equivalent of the aforementioned compilation.
“All Of My Life” is easily the song that most closely resembles the early Beatles material, from the pleasant, jangly guitars through to the harmonies. It’s a similar vibe at least musically in “Jingle Jangle” where the guys sing about the kind of guitar tones they’re producing, before they take us on a spirit walk to the desert in “Glass House” and they mix things up yet again on “The Storm” where a cavalcade marches in.
Morning of My Life- The Best of 1965-66 may be a bit of a misnomer but it does combine some great cuts from the brief period when the brothers were living and working in Australia. It was an important time where they learned the ropes. The set ultimately shows the brothers Gibb in good form and as some worthy contenders as Australia’s answer to The Beatles and others. Plus, if you listen real closely you might even notice a glimpse of the even bigger things to come in the afternoon, AKA the seventies...
Natalie Salvo
Although it’s billed as The Best of 1965-66 the actual content differs from your typical “Greatest hits compilation”. This album is not a collection of singles. Instead, it draws together the songs from their much maligned and overlooked period from their early career.
It means their origins are finally getting a proper look-in as the vaults have been opened on 24 recordings done in Sydney and Hurstville over two years. They’re predominantly written by Barry Gibb and are the finest tracks from what is now considered their rare, Australian output. The songs sound especially crisp after having been re-mastered from analog tapes so that every melody, hook and tone shines through with the same youthful abandon of the time.
The biggest hit on this set is the catchy, opening track, “Spicks & Specks”. It is also backed by its then b-side, “I Am the World”, a romantic pop ballad lead by Robin Gibb on lead vocals. The music is predominantly from the sixties pop genre but “Exit Stage Right” would actually be more at home on the Nuggets compilation thanks to its trashy garage rock and psychedelic feel. Coincidently, the following track, “Like Nobody Else” was included on the Australian equivalent of the aforementioned compilation.
“All Of My Life” is easily the song that most closely resembles the early Beatles material, from the pleasant, jangly guitars through to the harmonies. It’s a similar vibe at least musically in “Jingle Jangle” where the guys sing about the kind of guitar tones they’re producing, before they take us on a spirit walk to the desert in “Glass House” and they mix things up yet again on “The Storm” where a cavalcade marches in.
Morning of My Life- The Best of 1965-66 may be a bit of a misnomer but it does combine some great cuts from the brief period when the brothers were living and working in Australia. It was an important time where they learned the ropes. The set ultimately shows the brothers Gibb in good form and as some worthy contenders as Australia’s answer to The Beatles and others. Plus, if you listen real closely you might even notice a glimpse of the even bigger things to come in the afternoon, AKA the seventies...
Natalie Salvo