EX/EX, Bee Gees – “Odessa” Dbl LP, 1969, 12”, Stereo, 1st Ed, Polydor

$

28

 "Odessa is a 1969 album by the Bee Gees. Regarded as the most significant of the band's Sixties albums, it was released as a double vinyl record initially in an opulent red flocked cover with gold lettering. An ambitious project, originally intended as a concept album on the loss of a fictional ship in 1899, it created tension and disagreements in the band regarding the album's direction; finally, a dispute over which song to release as a single led to Robin Gibb temporarily leaving the band. The album was not well received by the public or the music press on release, and led to a decline in the band's fortunes until their disco period in the mid-1970s. This meant lack of original sales and now a scarcity of vintage “Odessa” Lps in Nm condition such as this one is."

 All of these great "Mood Music" tunes in these two album were composed by Barry, Robin & Maurice Gibb and were published by Casserole, BMI, recorded in IBC Studios, London.

"Released in March 1969 by Polydor Records in the UK and Atco Records in the US, it was the group's fourth album released internationally, their sixth overall, and their only double album of original music. Odessa would be the final album for the band's original incarnation, and this was the last album to include guitarist Vince Melouney. The album contains "First of May", "Lamplight", "Marley Purt Drive" and "Melody Fair".

  "Even the seeming lesser numbers such as "Suddenly" had catchy hooks and engaging acoustic guitar parts to carry them, all reminiscent of the Moody Blues' album cuts of the same era. Moreover, the title track, with its mix of acoustic guitar, solo cello, and full orchestra, was worthy of the Moody Blues at their boldest. The myriad sounds and textures made Odessa the most complex and challenging album in the group's history, and if one accepts the notion of the Bee Gees as successors to the Beatles, then Odessa was arguably their Sgt. Pepper album.”

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to collect vinyl in this exquisite condition that you could formerly only dream about. You will truly appreciate these incredible, pristine, museum grade LP albums which are a must for those “Pop/Psychedelic/Country-flavored” 1960s music collectors. We purchased them new and always kept them in a climate controlled, smoke-free environment and was handled and played by only knowledgeable, mature, and careful individuals.

  The Orange-Red Polydor labels are in absolutely pristine condition with only discreet writing on both Side-A's but no marks anywhere else. The base color extends into the unworn spindle hole and the black typeface is perfectly crisp and readable in Mint condition. 

 Both vinyl records are just pristine and both gleam like brand new albums and the stereo sound quality is as clear as a bell. These LPs play through all the tracks with a perfect sound quality: no pops, sticking, jumps, but with some slightly detectable crackle on headphones but not on my stereo speakers, from the same turntable source. 

 The sound quality is simply great with no distortion and no groove wear, either. It come in their original plain white inner sleeve with somewhat wrinkled corners but are fully intact without tears or seam split.   

 The original, Red Felt, Gatefold sleeve with Gold lettering on the outside has a nautical rescue scene on the inside, along with a complete song listing for both LPs. The box is in solid condition with only minor smudging from handling and also displays the “Stereo” printing numbers “184 199/200” and was made by Ernest J. Day & Co. Ltd, London W11. The red felt on both sides are still in NM brilliant condition, with only some discreet smudging along the white canvas material edges, as mentioned before. This is a beautiful sleeve with no spinal wear, rips, tears, splits, annotations and only slight corner wear, but is still very flat looking.  The opening edge is beautifully straight with barely any feathering.

 I also have four other rare, original pressing, vintage Bee Gees LPs, the “Bee Gees 1st”, (Cucumber Castle” and “Rare, Precious & Beautiful and Part-II”, from the same era and in the same condition, also up for sale, as shown in the last photo. If you’re interested in all of them, it would save shipping cost by combining the purchases. I use secure record mailers and always ship vinyl outside of the jacket to prevent seam splits.