Barry Gibb "The Kid's No Good" (1970/2005)

     For the first time, I discovered something on the Internet that purported to be Barry Gibb's debut solo album, "The Kid's No Good." Historians of the band believe that Barry intended to publish the material (12 original tracks, two of which Maurice also contributed to) after his spectacular departure from the Bee Gees in December 1969. At that time, the album did not receive an official name. The line "The Kid's No Good" (as the album was usually posted on pirate sites) was taken from the Bee Gees song "Come Home Johnny Bridie", featured on the album Life in a Tin Can (1973). Orchestral arrangements, at Barry's request, were provided by Bill Shepherd, who did a lot of work in this regard for the Bee Gees in 1965-1972.

     Barry began writing songs for his solo album after December 1, 1969, when he officially announced his departure from the Bee Gees and that he would now pursue a solo career. He was accompanied by other musicians and another orchestra, mostly still unknown. Barry began recording songs on February 15, 1970.

     The songs "I'm Kiss Your Memory" and "This Time" from those studio sessions were released as a single and its B-side (on Polydor in most of the world and on Atco in North America), but didn't make it onto the charts. The songs "One Bad Thing" and "The Day Your Eyes Meet Mine" were supposed to be released as a single and a B-side around October 1970. They had been in Barry's "portfolio" since the sessions for the Cucumber Castle album, but remained unused.

     This time Barry recorded new versions of these compositions. But the original songs recorded for the next Atco Records single were destroyed for some reason, although they say that fans saved several copies and today these recordings are considered an incredible collectible rarity.

     Speaking about the album, Bruce Eder (staff writer for AllMusic) described the track "Mando Bay" as "moody" and "One Bad Thing" as "beatlesque", adding: "The sound here is in keeping with the Bee Gees of the late sixties, and they deserve it." so that all music fans can purchase them."

     In closing, here are Barry's own words when discussing the songs on "The Kid's No Good": "I love country music and I've probably let it influence me a little more than I should have. But I make music that I love." I like it, and I hope everyone else likes it too. If you try to do everything that everyone else wants, I think you'll get lost."

     In 2005, two bootleg labels released albums in Europe and Japan. The other two bootleg discs are undated. Besides these four, I don't know of any other bootlegs. As the main notes, I chose the track list and printing of the unofficial edition of Isle Of Man Music Production (12 tracks). But as bonuses I added additional tracks posted on other bootlegs (mostly in Japanese from Ladybird).

     It is not yet possible to get the bootleg collection "Barry Gibb: The Original Legendary Demo Tapes 1979-1985" (2008, on two CDr, Wohnstubb Recordings) with its 37 tracks!

Musicians:

Barry Gibb – lead and backing vocals, guitar

P.P. Arnold – backing vocals on "Born"

Uncredited – bass, drums, piano, organ, harpsichord, Mellotron

In Russian