As a member of the Bee Gees, which he co-founded with his brothers, Maurice and Robin, in 1958, Barry Gibb has sold more than 200 million albums worldwide.
Those numbers make the brothers Gibb one of the most successful vocal groups in rock ’n’ roll history.
They racked up single after single on the pop and disco charts for more than 20 years and earned a host of accolades, from Grammy Awards and membership in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to being named commanders in the Order of the British Empire.
At 74, you might expect Gibb to start thinking about retirement, but the last surviving member of the Bee Gees is not ready to hang it up yet.
In fact, he’s stepping things up.
The lifelong fan of bluegrass and country music, who has long dreamed of working with some of the country artists he most admires, has just made that dream a reality.
Gibb has released Greenfields: The Gibb Brothers Songbook, Vol. 1, which features collaborations with some of the biggest names in country music.
Alison Krauss, Miranda Lambert, Keith Urban, Little Big Town and Dolly Parton are among those to join Gibb for this outing.
Helmed by Grammy Award-winning producer Dave Cobb, this set features some inspired pairings, like having Jason Isbell duet with Gibb on Words of a Fool or having Little Big Town and legendary Australian guitarist Tommy Emmanuel join him for How Deep Is Your Love. Little Big Town also aces Lonely Days.
Sheryl Crow was a perfect choice to duet with him on How Can You Mend A Broken Heart, and bringing in Gillian Welch and David Rawlings for Butterly fares almost as well.
Lambert fans won’t be disappointed by her appearance on Jive Talkin’.
Parton sings Words like it was meant for her and Olivia Newton-John will win hearts with Rest Your Love On Me.
Gibbs says making the record was a joy.
“From the first day we stepped into RCA Studios in Nashville (the very place where Elvis, Willie, Waylon, Roy, the Everly Brothers and so many other legends made their magic) the album took on a life of its own,” Gibbs said.
“I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to work with Dave and all the artists who stopped by. They were all incredibly generous with their time and talent.”
He said brothers Maurice and Robin would have loved this album for different reasons.
FAST FACTS
- Barry Gibb co-founded the Bee Gees with his brothers, Maurice and Robin, in 1958.
- He has nine No. 1 singles as a performer and is among the most successful songwriters of all-time, with 16 No. 1 singles. He is seventh on the list of the most successful producers with 14 No. 1 singles.
- Gibb is also tied with John Lennon and Paul McCartney for most #1 singles in a calendar year with seven.
Those who worked on the record with Gibb were clearly as taken with him as he was with them.
Isbell put it this way.
“Barry Gibb is one of the greatest songwriters and singers in popular music history, and I’m happy to say he still has that beautiful voice and that magical sense of melody,” Isbell said. "Working with him on this project has been one of the great honours of my career. He’s a prince.”
So, will this record fly with fans?
I think so.
The album has already earned Gibb a No. 1 in the U.K.
Doug Gallant is a freelance writer and well-known connoisseur of a wide variety of music. His On Track column will appear in The Guardian every second Thursday. To comment on what he has to say or to offer suggestions for future reviews, email him at [email protected].
