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My parents have the original LP which i played many a time from the late 60s, so i was pleasantly suprised to see this exact picture for the CD taken from the original cover LP - brings back loads of memories. Definitely worth buying as it contains some pre 'Saturday Night Fever' Bee Gee hits that people of a younger generation may not recall.

Rating: 1 out of 5

This is a superb compilation of Bee Gees songs from the sixties-each a gem.I never liked their 'disco' era and although some of the songs from that time were good, they never matched those contained here.Gorgeous harmonies combined with fine lyrics make this a truely appealing set.
Real stand-out tracks are 'Massachusetts', 'Words' and 'First Of May', but all tracks are memorable.If you enjoy this you should check out 'Best Of Bee Gees Volume 2' which contains another selection of older classics.Highly recommended!

Rating: 5 out of 5

This is a straight re-issue of their earliest hits compilation, containing most of their UK hits up to mid-1969. It stops just too soon to include either Saved by the bell (a Robin Gibb solo) or Don't forget to remember (my favorite Bee Gees song) but the can be found on volume 2Their impact on the American charts in this period was somewhat patchy, but most of these reached the UK top ten, while Massachusetts and I've gotta get a message to you both topped the British charts. To love somebody was a huge UK hit for Nina Simone. On this collection, my favorite is First of May but Massachusetts, Words and World are not far behind. The songs cover a variety of themes - reflective songs, sad songs and even death songs. If you are looking for bright, cheerful music, you won't find a lot here.Death songs were common in the sixties – remember Leader of the pack (Shangri-Las), Terry (Twinkle) and Tell Laura I love her, just to name a few – so the Bee Gees were just carrying on the tradition by recording the two that appear on this album. I've gotta get a message to you is about a man facing execution, trying to pass a final message to somebody. New York mining disaster 1941 is actually about a disaster elsewhere in the world, but changed to obscure its identity – I believe it may really be about a coal tip that caused a landslide on to a school in Aberfan in 1966. The actual lyrics only refer to a man searching for his wife after the landslide, so the song could be applicable to any landslide disaster, anywhere in the world. If it was about Aberfan, I can understand why the Bee Gees didn't want to put it in the song title when they were still looking for their first UK hit and Aberfan was still topical. The song gave them their first hit, peaking at twelve in the British charts.The remainder of the album, though often reflective or sad, is not really that depressing. Massachusetts, for example, has brilliant, atmospheric music, so you may not take any notice of the lyrics.There are many excellent songs here although many of them can be found on later compilations that also cover later aspects of their career. Great as they are, it is sometimes nice to be able to focus on one aspect of their career – in this case their sixties music. We still await a definitive collection of their folk-pop music but until then we have this and Best of Bee Gees volume 2.

Rating: 5 out of 5

This 1969 collection by the Bee Gees proves that the 60s was the golden age of pop. Unlike most of today's chart fodder, this music has real emotional depth and originality. The haunting melodies, exquisite arrangements, soulful vocals and intelligent lyrics blend perfectly to create evocative songs of a timeless quality. No wonder these compositions have been covered so often, by artists as diverse as Rita Coolidge (Words) and Janis Joplin (To Love Somebody). This elegant style of pop music couldn't be more different from the band's later (though equally appealing) dance excursions. My favorites include the yearning Gotta Get A Message To You, the poetic Words, the somber First Of May, the atmospheric Massachusetts, and the aching To Love Somebody. The Bee Gees' vocal dexterity and magical songs stand out as the centerpiece of their successful career over more than four decades. For the complete picture, get Best Of Volume 2 as well. It's not as consistently strong as this one but offers many gems from around the same period. This album is an amazing listening experience and proof of just how good pop music used to be in those golden times.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Released in 1969 when the three brothers were in the midst of a breakup, this collection represents not just the singles, but the very best they had to offer from four albums. While most of the songs are culled from "Bee Gees 1st" ("NY Mining Diaster 1941", "Holiday" and the much copied "To Love Somebody"), the rest are singles hits. There is the obvious omission of "Jumbo", a strange break in style for the group and the inclusion of their first international single "Spicks & Specks". When released as a CD, "Spick & Specks" was replaced by the overlooked ballad "Tomorrow, Tomorrow". So many artists have copied these songs it reaches into the hundreds and there is an urgency present that will make you nod your head in delight when you realize the incredible foresight that manager Robert Stigwood possessed. In the CD transition, Polydor had remastered "Spicks & Specks" into stereo, but held it back. With so many songs to be chosen, it's a wonder that most albums of that period were limited to twelve songs or why this CD was limited as well. Regardless, it reflects a fresh, crisp blooming of genius that few knew at the time would reach so far.

Rating: 5 out of 5