In 1980, both Barry and Robin Gibb
embarked on new separate careers as
writers and producers of other
artists, to give time to allow the
overexposure of the Bee Gees in the
late 1970s to subside. Barry's
Guilty album for Barbra Streisand
became her most successful album and
Barry went on to write and produce
albums for several leading recording
artists. In the same year, Robin
produced the Sunrise album for
former Motown artist Jimmy Ruffin.
And whilst this album did produce a
Top 5 hit single ('Hold On To My
Love'), the album was less well
received, and Robin did not become
the in-demand producer that Barry
became, instead embarking on a
short-lived solo career.
Despite the fact that the album did
not perform well (and, in fact, is
now largely forgotten, even by Bee
Gees fans), it is not a bad attempt.
Whilst lacking the slick production
and clever songwriting that would
mark the Barry-produced albums from
the pack, this album includes some
fine moments. Most of the tracks are
written by Robin with his former Bee
Gees band member, Blue Weaver.
The hit single, and its follow-up
'Night Of Love', are both catchy pop
tunes, although the latter is not
ideal material for Ruffin's voice.
Other good tracks are 'Where Do I
Go', a duet with Marcy Levy, written
by all four Gibb brothers and
'Songbird', written by Barry, Robin
and Maurice with Blue Weaver, and
originally featured on the
Main
Course album, although this version
is inferior to the Bee Gees
original. Many of the other songs
are unfortunately instantly
forgettable and could have perhaps
benefited from some more work.
Robin has never quite broken away as
a producer on his own, and this
album really illustrates why.
However, he would reach major
artistic heights within only three
years, with the release of his
sparkling solo album,
How Old Are
You.
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Where to Buy
Buy Hold On To My Love compilation album (released 2005)
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