The Bee Gees were afraid of nothing. They would tackle anything that came into their heads. You can now see that this is a sequel to "Black Diamond". The ship was wrecked and the sailor stranded on an iceberg hoping to return to his love. She fell in love with the vicar and moved away so he hopes the vicar will pray that he "won't melt away". Doesn't a sailor's life look like a load of laughs? That water in the North Atlantic is COLD! This is where Robin's interest in the Titanic began resulting in his orchestral Titanic Requiem years later, that he was sadly to ill to attend. The acoustic guitar, piano, harmonies and orchestration here are magnificent. Mo - vocals, bass, piano, guitar. Barry - vocals, guitar. Robin - Piano, lead vocal. The Odessa album came at a time when the band were at each others throats unfortunately so perhaps became a bit disjointed. Robin's inspiration for the song was a 1925 silent Russian film about a mutiny on a Russian ship and the tragic aftermath. He said it affected him and inspired the song about a shipwrecked sailor.
The most powerful parts of this song seemed to be distracted because of the video! The Bill Shepard orchestra & the cello player & of course Robin's vocals & the ending background vocals. A masterpiece of work by the Gibb brothers.
I love this song and Robin's vocal, and yes, he was the principle writer on this one. The harmonies are beyond real. The more you listen to Odessa the more you appreciate it.
Don’t over expect that the album will tell a tale. It was INTENDED to be a concept album that their manager Robert Stigwood could then use for a rock opera. The shipwreck theme was obviously the theme with Black Diamonds, Odessa (Side 1/Song 1), Lamplight (2/1), and the 3 classical instrumentals (3/4, 3/5, 4/4) easily fitting the theme, but not at all on the album in an order that would tell a story. Some of the others might fit into the unknown story line, but without more help from the source, it’s not clear. I would say that the tale it actually tells us of the Bee Gees themselves, including Colin and Vince. (Colin suggested the Country songs just after The Band’s The Weight began hitting the US airwaves.... thus came Marley Purt Drive.) A couple of previously unreleased tracks were later released, including one titled “Pity,” which kind of sums that period of time up. I’m looking forward to your reactions, and then for you to be able to listen to their “Masterpeace,” but just don’t want you to go into it with the wrong expectations. Just listen and enjoy. It definitely does not tell a cohesive tale, because they broke up before it could be finished. I am thankful on this beautiful Sunday morning that the Gibbs reunited, and I am thankful for you. Praying you feel better soon!
Thank you so much for doing this Chad. I know its not everybody's cup of tea but it shows their diversity. People who think they were just disco should listen to this stuff. There are a lot of good songs on this album
As big a fan as I am of the Bee Gees, I just never got around to getting into Odessa, so imagine my shame when I saw Emma Stone's Cruella and heard a song on the soundtrack that sounded familiar, I just knew the lead singer was familiar, but i couldn't place it. It of course was Barry, doing his best John Lennon in Whisper Whisper!
Bee gees always went where no others would go it seems. 👍👍. Robins voice 🎶🎶💞. The music 🎶🎶🎶💞💞💞. Mo & Barry. ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥. Sweetie,. Take care of yourself. We love your marathon s,. But not at your health expense.🥺. Luv you.
Para mí es uno de los mejores álbumes del grupo, aunque fuera el de la separación y por eso no hay ninguna foto de ellos. Robin está como siempre insuperable en esta canción, y nos sorprende con ese sonido a música clásica que no volvió a escribir hasta Don’t Cry Alone
Thanks, Chad, for getting our marathon started even though you're under the weather. Yes, this album is meant to be listened to as a continuing story, released as a concept album in March of 1969. It's actually considered one of their greatest albums today and, according to Wikipedia, it's listed as one of the "1001 albums that must be listened to before you die".
I had to see that list. I am good with a lot of those albums until about 1984, and then I don't know so many. I was just listing to "Chicago Transit Authority" today, and it was on the 1969 list with CSN. Trafalgar and Tapestry were on 1971. I knew pretty much all the albums from 1970, 52 years ago. Does that say something about how old I am, Oh No!!
Wow, thanks a million. At last! Since I've been following you, I've been expecting your reaction. Odessa is my favorite BG's song. So since I bought the album on summer 1970, I can't remember how many times I've listened to it. Love the harmonies, the symphonic, accoustic and spanish-esque arrangements, the melancolic atmosphere, etc. The lyrics are esoteric but I don't mind, I love what's mysteroius. And here Robin's rendition is fire.
The Bee Gees never fail to impress me with the range they have with their music. So many different types of songs in their catalog! This was a completely different song than I'm used by them. Thanks for the selection. Hope you're feeling better!
Yes! I’m so happy you’re finally getting to this experimental masterpiece. Check out Marley Purt Drive (Barry) and Suddenly (Mo) and you will see all of the different styles and directions they were taking their music. They were geniuses.
It's mysterial, filled with enigmas. Hearing it first as a 15 year old boy got me into kinda labyrint, tryin' to find the way out. Lost without a sign. But not only the lyrics and the voices, also the instrumentation made me dive deeper and deeper. The cello is great, the acoustic-guitarwork is stunning and when bass comes in the whole song starts to grow, like an iceberg, running free in front of you. Very dangerous, so his direction is crossing your route. Had no chance, to escape from Bee Gees art of music. Chad, please stay healthy!
WOW I haven’t heard this before!! Robin is simply amazing and the harmonies are great as well. I am always amazed when I hear a bee gees song that I’ve missed out on...❤️👏👏👏
The chorus always gives me chills. Maybe the most beautiful song Robin wrote. He was a genius! And anyway Chad, you could say you didn't like it.. we don't bite! 😂😉
They were telling a story, maybe more than one. Odessa was a concept album; the kind of thing someone (like Robert) could make into a rock opera. On the surface, it is about the loss of a ship (fictional, not historical), so there is a solemn sound in several cuts. But wow, the instrumentals in this one, with cello and guitar knock me out still. That's our Mo playing the flamenco guitar!!
@@natashyahendrix2 - Hi. It's been in the high 90's and humid like crazy here in Canada too so I feel your pain. This has been going on for 4 days. Thankfully I have AC but not everyone does. The dog (Scottie) goes out to pee and knocks on the door to come in. Black dogs with long hair and short legs are not impressed by this weather. He likes the winter like in the Scottish lochs and mountains!
Parts sound like a whole choir. I like the boys for their diversity. Never afraid to try new, different techniques, styles, stories. I feel Robin so much In this. Thank you, Chad. Feel much better!
Thank you, Chad! You are one of the best and your knowledge and understanding of The Bee Gees and their musical genius has come a long way! It’s good to listen to someone who takes this seriously and goes the extra mile to find and give interesting little facts that add an extra layer to the mix. Keep on doing what you do! I’m a big Bee Gees fan and a big “Chad” fan! Thanks for your input and honest reactions!
This song took me quite a few listens to begin to appreciate, but it is now on my youtube playlist along with several other orchestral (classic?) pieces from this album. I just love the variety these boys bring - thanks for exploring all corners! It's nice to be amongst fans (my family can only tolerate so much of me going on and on about the diverse and talented Bee Gees).
Never heard this. Very unique and different from other music but beautiful too. These guys never cease to amaze with their songwriting and vocals. Always love their talent!! Thank you for this Chad. Oh no sorry you aren’t feeling well. Take care of you and you will be in my prayers. I’ve also not felt well and would appreciate your prayers as well.
Yes, the combination with the video is very appropriate, at 6:30 those stunning harmonies are even stronger and more imposing than the waves of the sea. I read somewhere that Robin got the idea from a book about a shipwreck, which had a photo of a child sent in a life boat, that was the beginning of the story and then they developed the rest based on that.
The book "Decades" said it was actually from a 1925 Russian silent movie (Battleship Potemkin) about a mutiny on a Russian battleship and the disastrous outcome. The inner gatefold of some versions of the LP show a child being tossed from a sinking ship to someone in a lifeboat. This song was another source of contention at the time because Stigwood kept calling Robin night and day telling him what a wonderful song it was and Robin thought it would be a single. The ever sensitive Robin of course was po'd. The album was recorded in both London and the US since they had arranged to go to the US but Robin collapsed from exhaustion and had to stay behind so the others did some tracks. The album really was never finished as they hoped because it was the beginning of the break up.
@@susieq9801 I remember also reading that part of the child being tossed to the lifeboat, so now what you said makes more sense but I didn't see that, just read it somewhere.
I don’t know actually 🥺… the song kinda cast a spell on me… I felt scared but still charmed by it and don’t want it to end though!!!! It’s almost an Opera musical or so 😁 Still I did like it a lot, thx Chad 😄
When the Gibb brothers arrived in England, they almost immediately hooked up with Apple, Stigwood and the rest of the Beatles production people. And they were all a perfect fit for each other. This song is a magnificent tribute to the level of music they were capable of.
The Beatles famously refused to work with Stigwood - an autocrat - although Brian Epstein had more time for him and Stigwood worked for Epstein's NEMS until, after the latter's death, he took a golden handshake and set up RSO. For me, Odessa was a great missed opportunity and whilst I love it, it is a bit of a mess.
One of my children located an original Odessa album at a thrift music store and gifted it to me. It is velvet. I have yet to listen to it in its entirety. Maybe soon….
Chad, for this one you really should react to the album, Odessa, as an entirety, as it was meant to be listened to. It is a unified whole, or at least in its conception was intended to be.
Sorry, I didn't get around to this reaction any sooner. Just enjoying my holiday 😎. Hopefully you'll feel better now. Take care and get well. Cheers! Thanks for the reaction!
This song is definitely different and interesting! Not really one I'm into. I've listened to the whole “Odessa” album, I think, twice on RU-vid Music before and I never realized that some of the songs on it went together to tell a whole story! That's really cool! Now, I'm gonna have to listen to that whole album again and see if I can pick up on that! I'm sorry you're feeling so poorly! You don't need to pump out more videos if you don't feel well enough to do so. Just do as many as you feel like doing, even if that means this is the only video you put out this weekend. Your health and how it makes you feel is way more important than putting out RU-vid videos. I hope it's nothing serious and that you feel better soon!
Sorry you're feeling out of it. I hope it's nothing serious. I'm just getting to this. I'm busy with work and trying to move into my new apartment so I'm a little behind. I think I'm going to have to listen to the whole album to make a judgement on this song. But hey it's Robin flexing his operatic voice. He can make anything sound good and interesting. I hope you get around to Mo's Please Lock Me Away. It's a young Mo but it's a pretty song. I think you'll like it. Get well soon and keep us updated.
chad that double LP has many great songs, i think you havent reacted to NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN and YOU'LL NEVER SEE MY FACE AGAIN, but i think you reacted to LAMPLIGHT and FIRST OF MAY
Mixed emotions for me about this one. On the plus side were Robin's magnificent operatic voice, the harmonies, the acoustic guitar and the cello. Didn't care for the incoherent lyrics or the distracting video. Your "Okay" comment at the end Chad summed it up perfectly. Hope you feel better 💙
First hope your feeling better hun , and this track not for me bit morbid but saying that I adore 🐝🐝🐝Gees so little bit of cheerful music more for me 😘👍
Just getting around to this one. Love it. I hope to listen to the whole album this weekend, in remembrance of Robin. I have always wondered if this album was somehow rooted in two long sea voyages the guys took in their youth - one when they immigrated to Austrailia and another when they returned to England. I believe I saw an interview where Barry said the ship was in a hurricane on their way back to England. What an adventure their lives were!
I'm a disco era woman. Absolutely love all their music except for the 60's? I just can't seem to get into these as much as the ones from the 70's and on. Wish I could but it's too different. Just my opinion. I'm sure there are a lot of people who prefer these. God bless and thank you for your rdedication to this awesome group!
That's unfortunate, your choice is limited to a few LPs! The Bee Gees had songs in a movie about disco but they said they were R&B. Who would you believe?
Wanna helpya! Believe me, without their great success as young musicians in the sixties, the so called 'Disco' era (to me danceable, funky R&B) of them, wouldn't exist at all. To find the door into songs like that one is truly difficult, but possible ifya try. No love at first sight thing like many of their other, kinda weird ones. But they offered also sort of mainstream songs, those days. So at first, listen to 'Spicks and Specks' (Beat-style), 'To Love Somebody' (Soul), 'Words' (Ballad), 'Massachusetts' (a reaction of them to Flower-Power), 'I've Gotta Get A Message To You' (midtempo rockballad) and 'First Of May' (timeless classic ballad). Next steps could be found in tracks like 'And The Sun Will Shine', 'The Change Is Made', 'Please Read Me', 'Holiday', 'With The Sun In My Eyes', 'I Cant See Nobody', 'Idea', 'I Started A Joke' and 'Birdie Told Me'. Could be, your interest is awaked, after doin' that journey, so find your own way to go on. If not, so what. But tell me about what happened.
@@francisxray9900 Most people forgot those songs! They mentioned by '73,'74 they were playing in nightclubs, nobody cared about those songs, they were old. They reinvented themselves into the R&B funk and or with intense vocals.
Odessa is in the news today. Air defense shells are doing great damage to the port city that controls much of the world’s grain supply. Depressing topic that definitely calls for revisiting this song. All roads lead to a Bee Gees song at some point.
Hi Chad , hope you're feeling better now. The Odessa album never got fully past the editing phase of the production. That's why it all sound so incoherent. It took a while for me to appreciate the whole, so I suggest you give it some time and a few listenings as well. The album had suffered a lot from time pressure. The deadline was short and a lot of songs weren't finished. Robert Stigwood demanded a full album and they compiled the songs they thought were most suitable. If that was't enough, after a short period of recording Vince Melouney parted ways with the Bee Gees (on good terms) in search for new experiences with other bands. This album (especially the tracks First of May and Lamplight) is the reason why the boys split up in 1969. Stigwood preferred Barry's lead on First of May on the A side of the single release, resulting in Robin's lead on Lamplight ending on side B. Overtime the album started to grow on me, especially when I tried to understand the building structures of songs (there are also demo's on the remastered editions, very interesting to hear). Greetings from the Netherlands
Good comment. This album is much better appreciated when one understands the troubled story behind its production. A great missed opportunity IMO, and I blame Stigwood for that, although the brother's were having ego battles at the same time too which can't have helped.
Really, it should be listened to as a sort of overture for the concept album to follow; except that they famously lost their way with the concept. Great album still though!
As other mentinoed, to add clips of fishing industries in earlier years has nothing to do with the story of a lost ship in the baltic see. At the beginning of the clips by the way you can see the rock „Lange Anna“ at the northern top of the island Helgoland close the the German coast. Not the baltic see.
True. I'm not sure why he watched that music video - it's fan work and a long way from the original concept* of the album. The album was a glorious mess in the end (not to say it isn't good - I love it) with a *minimum of two concepts involved and a manager (Robert Stigwood) pushing for product and a hit single. The brothers also famously split up over this album; they were at 'peak ego'. I'm going to give Chad a pass on this one because he admits he is not feeling well, but I'd urge him to listen to the whole album (not an easy listen but a rewarding one) and review this song again, next time in context.
