Vinyl-a-Day 22: The Bee Gees - 1st, Horizontal & Idea (Polydor/Atco, 1967-1968)

I think most Bee Gees fans would agree that it is acceptable to include this trio of stellar albums in one fawning entry as there is a certain continuity of sound that differs from the early-70s output and, of course, their late-70s disco sound. Most fans will know that “Bee Gees’ 1st” was actually their third album, but it was their first big international release after leaving Australia for England where they recorded these three albums with producer Robert Stigwood. The Bee Gees’ 60s output is truly some of the greatest psychedelic/baroque/folk pop ever recorded, featuring their now-underplayed hits “New York Mining Disaster,” “To Love Somebody,” “Holiday,” “World,” “Massachusetts,” “I Gotta Get a Message to You,” and “I Started a Joke.” It may come as no surprise to some that Robin Gibb’s beautiful, quivering falsetto (whether lead or back-up), punctuated by that gorgeous mellotron, REALLY does it for me. If you haven’t heard these albums, do yourself a favor and listen ASAP - and don’t stop there, push on to “Odessa,” “Cucumber Castle” and “2 Years On!”