barry gibb greenfields

​Barry Gibb (from the album “Greenfields: The Gibb Brothers Songbook, Vol. 1 on Capitol Records) (by Joe Burcaw)
 
It still pains me to know that Barry (or Sir Barry now) Gibb is the only surviving sibling of the multi-smash hit making machine, The Bee Gees. You can see from recent interviews how affected he still is by the loss of his brothers yet a torch remains lit by the oldest Bee Gee to keep their memories very much alive. He has done just that with his most recent release Greenfields: The Gibbs Brothers Songbook, which re-imagines songs from the band’s diverse catalog. Rerecorded and rearranged, with a variety of singers, including Country and Americana artists, interpreting hits and obscurities that have never seen the light of day, such as “Words of a Fool”, originally slated for a 1986 that got shelved. Barry Gibbs son Stephen got the ball rolling by turning dad onto Nashville great Chris Stapleton, who made a huge impression on him. So huge that he had his team reach out to Stapleton’s producer Dave Cobb to see if he would be interested in taking on the project. Cobb gladly accepted with open arms since he was already a fan of Gibb and his music, especially the early years pre falsetto. 
 
Sometimes trying to recreate a classic vibe can become disconcerting and backfire from the get-go. This is not the case with Greenfields. The recording brings new life to songs that have stayed within our subconscious mind (if you’re old enough to recall) for decades. Adding this new twist of Nashville stardom brings a sense of freshness to an already strong body of work. Barry Gibb had trepidation being accepted by the Country community, recalling ‘either you’re in or you’re out’ which is mind blowing when looking at his success as a songwriter, producer and musician. An all-star cast of singers were recruited, amongst them Dolly Parton, Alison Kraus, Brandi Carlile, and Jason Isbell just to name a few. It must have been a visceral moment for Barry walking into RCA recording studio knowing that the greats, Parton, Presley, and Jennings recorded there back in the heyday. He and his co-singers definitely rose to the occasion giving 100% on each performance from start to finish. “Jive Talkin’” features Miranda Lambert and Jay Buchanan as the guest vocalists, and I have to say, the laidback slower tempo sprinkled with strings instead of synthesizers shined new life into a dance disco favorite. 
 
What really brought a tear to my eye was the super ballad “How Deep Is Your Love”, featuring the brilliant finger style prowess of Tommy Emmanuel and the lush four-part harmonies of Little Big Town. Oh my goodness, was this a gorgeous rendition, and it just proves how the strength of a melody determines the lifespan of a well-crafted song, plain and simple. Another tearjerker is “How Can You Mend A Broken Heart” featuring Sheryl Crow. This version beats the original in my opinion, and don’t get me wrong the original is pretty darn spectacular, but Crow adds a divine feminine quality that soothes the soul. Sheryl’s gentle approach to the vocal line just oozes with grace and tenderness, cutting straight to the core. Her soft angelic like harmonies compliment Barry Gibb’s voice perfectly, reminding me of Tony Bennett’s “Duets” records where the essence of love and heartache is felt throughout the performances. Leave it Sir Barry Gibb to reinvent himself once again by taking a chance in a world outside of his comfort zone. Say hello to future endeavors in Music City Mr. Gibb, you’ve done well sir! (by Joe Burcaw)
 
Listen and buy the music of Barry Gibb from AMAZON
 
For more info, check out the Barry Gibb website

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