Hawks - Part 1

1991's 'High Civilization' had producer Femi Jiya working with the Bee Gees to create a sound that emphasised percussion, rhythm and abrasive, industrial soundscapes. The result is a departure from the traditional Bee Gees sound, and an album that has often divided opinion. Despite continued lack of promotion and success in North America, the album and subsequent tour proved to be a hit in Europe. Stuart and Cristiano compare their varying perspectives on this album, running through the five songs on side one, and uncovering a lost concept album along the way. Are you ready for high civilization?Find us on social media @wordsbeegeespodcast. Email us: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Across April-December 1989, the Bee Gees undertook a world tour to accompany the album 'One'. With the Melbourne concert appearing in the 2014 'Warner Years' compilation, and a 2018 release of the 'Live In Australia' concert footage, there is plenty of reference material for this all-encompassing tour, and Stuart and Cristiano look through the setlist and compare the live renditions to the original studio recordings. In 1990, the Bee Gees released an extensive compilation titled 'Tales From The Brothers Gibb', chronicling the Gibb catalogue from 1967-89, and Stuart and Cristiano reflect upon this release and its significance.Find us on social media @wordsbeegeespodcast. Email us: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The second side of 'One' continues with the album's smooth, AOR style, with Robin's R&B pop 'Tokyo Nights', Maurice's smoky 'House of Shame' and the album's centrepiece tribute to Andy, 'Wish You Were Here'. Stuart and Cristiano consider the album as released on CD in the UK, with 'Wing And A Prayer' as the closing track, and also discuss the Bee Gees' song for the 1988 Olympic Games. Find us on social medias @wordsbeegeespodcast. Email us: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

First released in April 1989, 'One' was the Bee Gees' second offering with label Warner, and like its predecessor 'E.S.P.', it would follow the trajectory of scoring high in Europe whilst struggling with the North American market. Despite this, Stuart and Cristiano discuss the album's American-sounding adult-oriented-rock production, and how this was an album shaped by the recent tragic events in the Gibb's lives. With two incredible ballads, two lead singles and a possible Michael Jackson reject composition, the five songs on side one represent the mood of the album. "Say goodbye, cruel world. No pity, no pain tonight. Whatever the cost, all is lost. And if it's love with no name, then it's all in the stars."Find us on social medias @wordsbeegeespodcast. Email us: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pat O'Grady joins the show to discuss his publication 'Bee Gees, Process and Latent Elements in Music Production', breaking down his process of constructing the text and how he has interpreted different elements of the Gibb's music, such as examining the use of space and reverb in 'New York Mining Disaster 1941', or competent layering in 'You Win Again'.To find out more about the book and Pat O'Grady's work and career: Research Publications – Dr Pat O'Grady – Music Researcher, Educator and ArtistInstagram: Pat O'Grady (@pogmusic) • Instagram photos and videosFind us on social media @wordsbeegeespodcast. Email us: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was during a stormy drive in the early 1980s that David English and Barry Gibb came up with the carpe diem concept that would become the film 'Hawks', released in 1988. To accompany the film, a soundtrack was released containing mostly new Gibb songs recorded across 1986-88, and this would become Barry Gibb's second solo studio album.Find us on social media @wordsbeegeespodcast. Email us: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stuart and Cristiano try a little moonlight madness and discuss the five demos for Barry's second solo project of the 1980s. Following on from 'Now Voyager', these compositions see Barry taking a more rhythmic and percussive approach, with long-form song structures that contain winding and developing verses.Vocal split extracts created through LALAL.AI: Vocal Remover & Instrumental AI Splitter | LALAL.AIFind us on social media @wordsbeegeespodcast. Email us: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stuart and Cristiano explore Andy Gibb's work surrounding and following on from his three studio albums, covering Andy's roles in musical theatre, hosting entertainment shows on television, live tours, and a handful of demos recorded with his brothers. This episode is dedicated in his memory, celebrating the life and music of the youngest Gibb brother.Vocal split extracts created through LALAL.AI: Vocal Remover & Instrumental AI Splitter | LALAL.AIFind us on social media @wordsbeegeespodcast. Email us: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Roxborogh returns to the podcast for a discussion of all things 'E.S.P.', running through the tracks on the album and its legacy.Follow Tim's work here: The Roxborogh Report - Travel & Music. By New Zealand broadcaster & writer Tim Roxborogh.Find us on social media @wordsbeegeespodcast. Email us: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stuart and Cristiano flip over 'E.S.P.' and discuss the second side of the album, which proves to be an eclectic handful of songs, going from the career-spanning more-rap-less-crap 'This Is Your Life' to the Motown pastiche 'Crazy For Your Love', and all the way to the funky grooves of 'Backtafunk'.Find us on social media @wordsbeegeespodcast. Email us: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.