I have never been a fan of the Bee Gees, and I didn’t care much about their soundtrack for the 70’s film Saturday Night Fever. However, I have always held Barry Gibb in high regard; he is a genuinely fantastic songwriter, even if the music may not be to everyone’s liking. Barry has always been a massive fan of country, and I am not in the least bit surprised he has written for such icons in that genre as Dolly Parton and the late Kenny Rogers. This album is for Barry and what he likes. It is predominantly country with some soul chucked in with various guests renowned in the music industry. 

Now, I know I said I don’t like the Bee Gees. Still, Barry, flanked by producer Dave Cobb, has given the back catalogue by the band that featured his late brothers a lease of new life with the songs reimagined. You might forget what the songs are like in their original guise because they are suited wholly to country. Barry returns to the music that inspired him when he lived in England and Australia, respectively. He has delved into country, bluegrass, blues, skiffle and added some soul tracks to the mix.

You have Brandi Carlile bringing a more aggressive approach to “Run to Me” (One of my standouts on the record.). Then Jason Isbell (Another artist and guitarist I highly respect along with his wife Amanda Shires.) brings an almost church-like presence to “Words of a Fool”, but Barry’s distinctive falsetto vocals still rise above all else on the album. Of course, you have Dolly Parton, Keith Urban, and other icons on the record, but another track that catches your ear is “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” featuring Sheryl Crow (I can’t help but feel Al Green was overlooked for this. He has done a stunning rendition of the song.).

Yes, it is a Barry Gibb album with him having the majority of the spotlight; however, it isn’t always that way, and in some tracks, I have highlighted in the paragraph as mentioned above, Barry lets Brandi and Jason take over with their vocals on those individual tracks, and blends in like he was an instrument over Dave’s lavish production. Even after all these years of sharing vocals with his late brothers Robin and Maurice in the Bee Gees, Barry still is very democratic with vocal performances, even though this is his record.

Song recommendations: “Run to Me”, “Words of a Fool”, “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart”

8/10