The group members may disagree for personal reasons, but Odessa is easily the best and most enduring of the Bee Gees' albums of the 1960s. It was also their most improbable success, owing to the conflicts behind its making. The record started out as a concept album, to be called "Masterpeace" and then "The American Opera," but musical differences between Barry Gibb and Robin Gibb that would split the trio in two also forced the abandonment of the underlying concept. Instead, it became a double LP -- largely at the behest of their manager and the record labels; oddly enough, given that the group didn't plan on doing something that ambitious, Odessa is one of perhaps three double albums of the entire decade (the others being Blonde on Blonde and The Beatles) that don't seem stretched, and it also served as the group's most densely orchestrated album. Yet, amid the progressive rock sounds of the title track and ethereal ballads such as "Melody Fair" and "Lamplight" were country-flavored tunes like "Marlery Purt Drive" and the vaguely Dylanesque bluegrass number "Give Your Best," delicate pop ballads like "First of May" (which became the single off the album), and strange, offbeat rock numbers like "Edison" (whose introduction sounds like the Bee Gees parodying Cream's "White Room") and "Whisper Whisper" (the latter featuring a drum break, no less), interspersed with three heavily orchestrated instrumentals. Even the seeming "lesser" numbers such as "Suddenly" had catchy hooks and engaging acoustic guitar parts to carry them, all reminiscent of the Moody Blues' album cuts of the same era. Moreover, the title track, with its mix of acoustic guitar, solo cello, and full orchestra, was worthy of the Moody Blues at their boldest. The myriad sounds and textures made Odessa the most complex and challenging album in the group's history, and if one accepts the notion of the Bee Gees as successors to the Beatles, then Odessa was arguably their Sgt. Pepper album. The album was originally packaged in a red felt cover with gold lettering on front and back and an elaborate background painting for the gatefold interior, which made it a conversation piece just to look at. The CD reissue is surprisingly well-mastered and a bargain at mid-price. Ironically, the making of Odessa was to herald a split between the Gibb brothers that would leave the group sidelined for most of the next 18 months, and was the last to be heard from them as a trio for two years. ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide
Odessa is a studio album by the Bee Gees, released in 1969. It is their sixth album, the group's fourth album released internationally, and their first released as a doubleLP. Odessa is noted in Robert Dimery's book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.[1]
After the recording of the album, guitarist Vince Melouney left the group amicably, wanting to pursue a more bluesy direction. Prior to release there were disagreements over which song was to be released as a single (the Robin led "Lamplight" lost out to "First of May" a Barry solo vocal). This led to Robin Gibb leaving the group in late 1968,[2] though he would rejoin the group in 1970.
Odessa was initially released on Atco Records in a red flocked cover with gold lettering. Due to the high cost of production, as well as allergic reactions among workers during assembly, this design was discontinued.[1] It was later reissued in 1976 as an edited single-disc album with a plain red cover on RSO Records.
Rhino Records had previously planned on an August 2008 release of the album containing three discs, which would contain mono and stereo versions along with selected rarities.[3] The release of the re-issue had been delayed until January 13, 2009. This edition restored the red flocking originally found on the LP.
Track listing
All compositions by Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb.
The 1976 single LP reissue deleted tracks 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 12, and 17. Some early CD and cassette editions also omitted the track "With All Nations (International Anthem)".
Deluxe edition
On January 13th, 2009, Reprise Records released a 3-CD set of Odessa, complete with remastered stereo and mono version of all 17 tracks, plus a bonus third disc with demos, alternate version, and three unreleased tracks.
Disc 1: stereo/Disc 2: mono
Odessa (City On The Black Sea)
You’ll Never See My Face Again
Black Diamond
Marley Purt Drive
Edison
Melody Fair
Suddenly
Whisper Whisper
Lamplight
Sound Of Love
Give Your Best
Seven Seas Symphony
With All Nations (International Anthem)
I Laugh In Your Face
Never Say Never Again
First Of May
The British Opera
Disc 3: “Sketches for Odessa” [all tracks previously unissued]
Odessa” (Demo)
You’ll Never See My Face Again”(Alternate Mix)
Black Diamond (Demo)
Marley Purt Drive (Alternate Mix)
Barbara Came To Stay
Edison (Alternate Mix)
Melody Fair (Demo)
Melody Fair (Alternate Mix)
Suddenly (Alternate Mix)
Whisper Whisper – Part Two (Alternate Version)
Lamplight (Demo)
Lamplight (Alternate Version)
Sound Of Love (Alternate Mix)
Give Your Best (Alternate Mix)
Seven Seas Symphony (Demo)
With All Nations (International Anthem) (Vocal Version)
