Mr. Natural (album)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mr. Natural
Studio album by the Bee Gees
Released	May, 1974
Recorded	December, 1973 - January, 1974
Genre	Pop, Rock
Length	45:26
Label	RSO
Producer	Arif Mardin
Professional reviews
All Music Guide link Rolling Stone (Not Rated) link
the Bee Gees chronology
Life in a Tin Can (1973) Mr. Natural (1974) Main Course (1975)

Mr. Natural is the Bee Gees' tenth album, released in May 1974. It was the first Bee Gees release produced by Arif Mardin, who was partially responsible for the group's mega success with Main Course. Mr. Natural generated no hits, but represented an important step in The Bee Gees' evolution into something more than simple pop balladeers. The album shows a strong Philadelphia soul influence in tracks like "Throw a Penny". Other highlights include "Mr. Natural", a rock-and-roll infectious tune and "Charade". Those with keen ears can hear what will become Barry Gibb's famous falsetto vocal in the backing vocals of "Dogs".

The gospel-tinged song "Give A Hand, Take A Hand" was written in 1969 and covered by The Staple Singers in 1971.

[edit] Track listing

1. "Charade" – 4:13 (Barry Gibb/Robin Gibb)
2. "Throw a Penny" – 4:49 (B. Gibb/R. Gibb)
3. "Down the Road" – 3:25 (B. Gibb/R. Gibb)
4. "Voices" – 4:52 (B. Gibb/R. Gibb/Maurice Gibb)
5. "Give a Hand, Take a Hand" – 4:48 (B. Gibb/M. Gibb)
6. "Dogs" – 3:45 (B. Gibb/R. Gibb)
7. "Mr. Natural" – 3:49 (B. Gibb/R. Gibb)
8. "Lost in Your Love" – 4:38 (B. Gibb)
9. "I Can't Let You Go" – 3:47 (B. Gibb/R. Gibb/M. Gibb)
10. "Heavy Breathing" – 3:27 (B. Gibb/R. Gibb)
11. "Had a Lot of Love Last Night" – 4:07 (B. Gibb/R. Gibb/M. Gibb)

[edit] Personnel

• Robin Gibb - vocal
• Maurice Gibb - vocal, bass, organ, mellotron
• Barry Gibb - vocal, guitar
• Alan Kendall - guitar
• Geoff Westley - keyboard, piano
• Dennis Bryon - drums, Percussion

• Producer and Audio engineer - Arif Mardin
• Arrangement - Alan Lucas, Andy Knight, Damion Lyon-Shaw, Gene Paul, Lew Hahn