(#2004-4954) - Topics this issue: 1) glad to be back, 2) Marbles and Lawries, ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2004 18:23:38 -0500 (EST) From: Rose M Subject: glad to be back --0-96886540-1073517818=:70827 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Hi everyone, I have been subsrcibing for some time now, and was just beginning to get to know a few of you when my computer died. I have been offline for several months and have really missed my words emails. I have a new (to me) computer and I am so very happy to be Sincerely, Rose Morgan --------------------------------- Post your free ad now! Yahoo! Canada Personals --0-96886540-1073517818=:70827-- ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 07 Jan 2004 22:56:05 -0500 From: Joseph Brennan Subject: Marbles and Lawries A couple of UK imports have reached me within the past few days. THE MARBLES, on the Repertoire label, UK, is the first CD reissue of all of the Marbles' recordings from 1968 and 1969. The previous Australian CD 'Marbleized' reissued their LP but missed the two Gibb B sides. The five Gibb originals recorded only by the Marbles are really the best of the lot. The only other one I really like is Graham Bonnet's song 'Laughing Girl'. If only they'd done more of those. Of the others, well, maybe the less said the better. Whoever was in charge actually thought these excruciating versions of 'I can't see nobody' and 'Breaking up is hard to do' made good singles. The Gibb originals are 'Only one woman', 'By the light of the burning candle', 'The walls fell down', 'Love you', and 'Little boy'. And they are Bee Gees songs-- the sound of Maurice's piano and bass is unmistakable, and Colin's drumming and Barry's guitar, together with Bill Shepherd's harps, horns, and strings. 'Only one woman' was the big hit (well, number 5), but after a few listens just now I think the similar followup 'The walls fell down' is even better. Man, that Bonnet can sing. Notice Colin using the percussion effect from 'Gotta get a message to you' on the last verse of 'The walls fell down'. And the guitar-piano-drums banging, and the McCartney-esque bass... well, we lost that sound a long time ago. 'Love you' has Robin written all over it, the slightly 'off' lyrics and the simple melody, and that organ part there even sounds like it is within Robin's abilities. All five are essential if you're into this Bee Gees period. And who isn't? I don't know how many of us may have these songs only on worn-out vinyl, or off-speed cassette dubs of someone else's worn-out vinyl-- you know who you are. This is your chance to get 'em as clear as they can be. By the way, you want to listen to the MONO mixes at the end of this CD. For some weird reason, none of the five Gibb originals is in stereo. The three on the LP were "reprocessed to simulate stereo" as they used to say. The real mono has more punch to it. My congrats to whoever decided to "repeat" three songs in mono. Sometimes the record company weasels don't understand doing that. LULU has put out a new Greatest Hits that concludes with the first release of her television show duet with Maurice on 'First of May' from 2002. Get out the tissues. They do their first duet unknowingly in the last year of his life-- and this regretful song about past happiness is almost too much. What gets me is Maurice's vocal. For real, a live solo vocal track! First of all, I've said his vocal has no attack, but it sure does here. But after a strong couple of lines-- it's the second verse, "the apple tree, it grew for you and me"-- he starts half-speaking. He didn't like singing lead. As soon as Lulu comes back in to rescue him, listen to him cut over to doing supporting vocals on selected lines, his strength as a singer. Very nice. I'm sorry to say that 'From crayons to perfume' is probably still the better Lulu hits collection. This one has more obscure duets with famous names than it needs, and lacks gems like, oh, 'Everybody clap' just to name one at random :-). Joe Brennan ------------------------------ End words@brothersgibb.com Digest [01/08/2004 00:01] ----------------------------------------------------