Rating: ***
Take yourself back to the disco heyday of the ’70s and you’ll no doubt conjure a catalogue of tracks by the Bee Gees: Stayin’ Alive, Night Fever, Jive Talkin’, Tragedy…
Collectively, brothers Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb produced the soundtrack to a generation, comprising their own songs as a trio, and tracks for other artists – think Diana Ross’ Chain Reaction or Islands in the Stream by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers.
While the ’20s might be considered as the new disco era, on his latest effort Gibb veers away from that sound in favour of a more mellow, country-tinged direction, which reunites the star with Parton for a duet on Words – the Bee Gees’ 1967 UK Top 10 hit.
The sonic landscape of Greenfields may be questionable to some – the group attempted to tread into country territory on their 1970 LP, Cucumber Castle, which received a lukewarm response and saw the group descend down the charts, not to rise again until their late ’70s disco success.
However, with a stellar line-up of stars, including Sheryl Crow and Olivia Newton-John, the collaborations on Greenfields showcase not only the enduring talent of Barry Gibb, but the sheer versatility of his and his brothers’ songwriting.
It’s a bittersweet moment, of course, coming following the passings of Robin and Maurice, who died in 2012 and 2003, respectively, leaving Barry as the sole surviving member of the classic line-up.
“[It’s been] incredibly, incredibly hard. Because we’d never, was never not been together, you know? It was really tough,” Barry tells CBS Sunday Morning.
“The first year after the last brother passed, Robin, that was the most difficult period for me… It’s lonely [on stage] when you haven’t got your brothers.”
He too has admitted his reluctance to accept his brothers’ deaths and it’s contradictory, therefore, that Barry should choose to revisit such poignant songs, including How Can You Mend A Broken Heart, Lonely Days and To Love Somebody.
However, the collection – a true Nashville album – works thanks to the stellar performances from the host of guest stars involved and the air of nostalgia surrounding the songs included.
Words, through the eyes of two ageing stars, comes out on top with those reflective lyrics packing more of a punch than ever, while the weathered voices of Barry and Olivia Newton-John are complimentary on Rest Your Love On Me.
On a number of tracks, though, the impact of the guest stars fails to leave its mark on the music, making for a perfectly pleasant listen, but nothing that you’ll be rushing back to for more.
Throughout the years, numerous acts – Pet Shop Boys, Steps, Boyzone… – have covered the Bee Gees’ songs and scored hits, proving there’s an enduring demand for the group’s inimitable style and irresistible melodies.
Greenfields is labelled as Vol 1, suggesting future instalment are to come and, if that’s the case, we’d love to see a more experimental collection that explores different genres and redefines the group’s classics for the modern listener.
