Horizontal (album)

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Allmusic[1]

Horizontal is the fourth studio album by the English rock band Bee Gees, and the second to receive an international release. The LP was released in early 1968, and included the international hit singles "Massachusetts" and "World". On 5 February 2007, Reprise Records reissued Horizontal with both stereo and mono mixes on one disc and a bonus disc of unreleased songs, non-album tracks, and alternate takes. The album was released in Polydor in many countries and on Atco only in the US and Canada. "And the Sun Will Shine" (backed by "Really and Sincerely") was released as a single only in France. This album was influenced by The Beatles to baroque.[2]

Background and recording

Around July 1967, the Gibb brothers sang backup vocals on Johnny Young's cover version of "Craise Finton Kirk Royal Academy of Arts", and later, it was released as a single in August.[3] Also on July 1967, the Gibb brothers sang backup vocals on Oscar's cover version of "Holiday", with an orchestra and strings arrangement by Bill Shepherd.[3] On July or August 1967, Barry and Robin wrote "Cowman, Milk Your Cow", which was recorded by Adam Faith, with the Gibb brothers on background vocals. With Faith on lead vocals, the Gibb brothers on background vocals, Russ Ballard, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and Fleetwood Mac's Peter Green and Pete Salt on guitar and Bob Henrit on drums.[3]

They started to record the songs for this album on 17 July 1967. The songs recorded on that day were "Ring My Bell", "And the Sun Will Shine" and "Day Time Girl". On 25 July, they re-recorded "And the Sun Will Shine" but it was rejected, and instead more work was done later on the first version. On 30 July, they recorded "Birdie Told Me", "Ring My Bell", "All So Lonely!" (written by Colin Petersen or Vince Melouney), "Barker of the UFO" and "Harry Braff". On 31 August, they recorded "Vince's Number", written by the brothers for guitarist Vince Melouney to sing but ultimately it was dropped, [3] although Melouney would be allowed to contribute his own song "Such a Shame" to the next album Idea. The first and second take of the song "Harry Braff" was recorded on Bee Gees' 1st sessions, but they re-recorded it as the third take and that version was released.

"Words", Sinking Ships", "Barker of the UFO" and "Sir Geoffrey Saved the World" were recorded during this album's sessions ("Sinking Ships, "Sir Geoffrey Saved the World" and "Barker of the UFO" was released only as a non-album B-side). The leftovers from the Horizontal sessions, "Out of Line", "Ring My Bell", "Mrs. Gillespie's Refrigerator", "Deeply Deeply Me", "All My Christmases Came at Once", "Thank You For Christmas" and the medley "Silent Night"/"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" were released on the 2007 remastered version of Horizontal on Reprise Records. Bill Shepherd's orchestra probably served to give The Gibb Brothers critical feedback on the songs on which they wrote since Shepherd's accompaniment is not just added to finished tracks but an integral part of the arrangement.[4]

Release and reception

After Horizontal was released, it seemed to get mixed reactions from fans. Unlike other Bee Gees albums, it has a darker tone, both in the lyrics and what was called a heavy musical sound. This was also the last Bee Gees album for some time that critics didn't accuse of being lightweight. Horizontal was considered the heaviest album ever recorded by the Bee Gees, due for the most part to an increased influence asserted by guitarist Vince Melouney and drummer Colin Petersen. The album cover for the American release was changed slightly in that the photo of the group was reversed and was adorned with an oval picture frame.With the release of Horizontal was a Scandinavian tour, with concerts in Copenhagen, Stockholm and Gothenburg and on the group's returned to England, they recorded their third BBC session at the Playhouse Theatre at London's Northumberland Avenue with a 19 member orchestra under the direction of Bill Shepherd.

According to lead guitarist Vince Melouney:

It was a band effort. We all felt that we were a part of one thing, we’d just try different things. It wasn’t like it was the Gibb brothers, Colin (Petersen-drummer) and me. We were all in the Bee Gees together! 'Horizontal' made it’s way into the top 20 worldwide and helped cement the Bee Gees place as real contenders. And this as only the beginning![2]

Allmusic's Bruce Eder describes some songs in the album: "World" as 'a poignant, even somber yet gorgeous ballad filled with clever lyrics, and highlighted by a quavering Mellotron accompaniment, a very close grand piano sound and twangy fuzz-tone guitar'. "And the Sun Will Shine" as 'even more serious, regretful ballad that is bearable because it is also prettier than "World"'. "Harry Braff" as a 'cheerful'.[1]


Track listing

All tracks are written by Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb

Side one
No.TitleLead vocalsLength
1."World"Barry and Robin3:20
2."And the Sun Will Shine"Robin3:26
3."Lemons Never Forget"Barry2:59
4."Really and Sincerely"Robin3:29
5."Birdie Told Me"Barry2:19
6."With the Sun in My Eyes"Barry2:34
Side two
No.TitleLead vocalsLength
1."Massachusetts"Robin, Barry and Maurice2:19
2."Harry Braff"Robin, Barry and Maurice3:13
3."Day Time Girl"Maurice and Robin2:30
4."The Earnest of Being George"Barry2:37
5."The Change Is Made"Barry3:29
6."Horizontal"Barry and Robin3:30

2007 reissue

  • The first disc included the 12 songs from the original release, first in stereo and then in mono.
  • All songs written and composed by Barry, Robin & Maurice Gibb, except where noted.
No.TitleLead vocalsLength
1."Out of Line"Barry and Robin3:00
2."Ring My Bell"Barry and Robin2:14
3."Barker Of The UFO"Barry1:48
4."Words"Barry3:13
5."Sir Geoffrey Saved the World"Robin and Barry2:14
6."Sinking Ships"Barry, Robin and Maurice2:21
7."Really and Sincerely (Alternate Version)"Robin3:17
8."Swan Song (Alternate Version)"Barry3:02
9."Mrs. Gillespie's Refrigerator"Barry and Robin2:14
10."Deeply Deeply Me"Robin3:03
11."All My Christmases Came at Once"Robin and Barry2:58
12."Thank You For Christmas"Robin1:51
13."Medley: Silent Night/Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"Robin and Barry2:44

Chart positions

Chart (1968) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard 200 12
UK Albums Chart 16
West German Media Control Albums Chart 1
Australia Kent Music Report Albums Chart 8

Personnel

Bee Gees
Additional personnel and production
  • Bill Shepherd — orchestral arrangement
  • Mike Claydon — engineer
  • Damon Lyon Shaw — engineer
  • John Pantry — engineer

References

  1. ^ a b Eder, Bruce. "Bee Gees - Horizontal". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
  2. ^ a b Swanson, Dave. "45 YEARS AGO: THE BEE GEES RELEASE 'HORIZONTAL'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  3. ^ a b c d Brennan, Joseph. "Gibb Songs: 1967". Retrieved 23 April 2013.
  4. ^ Hughes, Andrew. "The Bee Gees - Tales Of The Brothers Gibb". Retrieved 19 December 2012.
Preceded by
Roy Black 2 by Roy Black
West German Media Control Chart number-one album
28 March 1968 – 30 May 1968
Succeeded by
Heintje by Heintje