Lets throw it back to the 1970’s real quick.
The afro hairstyle was at its prime, leisure suites were the style, and disco was thing. And the Bee Gees were kings of the disco.
The British band comprised brothers Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb, and Maurice Gibb, with their songs like “Stayin’ Alive,” were on repeat at every disco in America in the late ‘70s. But prior to that, they had a number of pop hits as well in the late ’60s.
Fast forward to 2021, and now Barry Gibb, the only remaining member of the family trio, just dropped a pretty damn good country album.
In a recent interview with Fox News, Gibb confessed his passion for country music, a love affair that started when he was nine years old.
“It was really in my system and it never left. Bluegrass music and country music is really what I care more about than anything else. Once all my brothers were no longer with me, once I was alone, I was able to focus on, ‘Well, what is my passion?”
Gibb’s album, Greenfields: The Gibb Brothers’ Songbook (Vol. 1) was released on January 8th, and the album has a number of great Bee Gees remakes that incorporate a mix of soul and country, while still giving you that peak 1970’s feel.
By the way, the album includes several features with some big names in country music, such as Dolly Parton, Keith Urban, Sheryl Crow, Jason Isbell, Miranda Lambert, Alison Krauss, Little Big Town, Brandi Carlile, and many others. One song, “Rest Your Love On Me,” even features Olivia Newton-John, another singer who dominated the 1970’s. And if that wasn’t enough, the album was produced by country super producer Dave Cobb.
Jason Isbell and Barry Gibb deliver a powerful, soulful rendition of “Words Of A Fool.” It gives you a nice Sunday morning church feel.
Perhaps the best rendition on the album is “To Love Somebody,” featuring rock singer Jay Buchanan of Rival Sons.
The album is rounded out with “Butterfly,” which includes Gibb, Folk singer/songwriter Gillian Welch, and her guitarist David Rawlings.
You’ve gotta respect Barry Gibb for going out and chasing his passion, while also rounding up a ton of music legends along the way. If you’re a country music fan who also appreciates the beautiful melodies from the disco era, you gotta give Greenfields a listen.
