Garage Sale Vinyl: The Bee Gees
Here at Last… Bee Gees …Live / RSO Records / May 1977
by Christopher Long
Throughout their meteoric roller-coaster ride, the Bee Gees experienced probably more fourth-quarter comebacks than Tom Brady. Propelled primarily by brothers Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb, the British-birthed brigade roared initially from zero to 110 during the mid-1960s and early ’70s, creating a cavalcade of bestselling pop-rock(ish) cozies, including “I Started a Joke,” “To Love Somebody,” and “Lonely Days.” But suddenly, by 1974, the downsized trio could no longer even score reservations at Burger King. Hang on — here comes Brady onto the field!
In the summer of ‘75, the Brothers Gibb dropped the R&B-fueled LP Main Course. Featuring the massive hits; “Jive Talkin’,” “Nights On Broadway,” and “Fanny (Be Tender with My Love),” the Top 20 album achieved gold+ status and returned the trio to a place of prominence on the international music scene. Fully embracing the burgeoning disco craze, their 1976 album Children of the World reached the Top Ten, went platinum, and owned three chart-busting singles; “You Should Be Dancing,” “Love So Right,” and “Boogie Child.” Then, things went kinda wacky.
By 1978, disco dominated the entire world, plain and simple. While the Bee Gees themselves didn’t appear in the blockbuster film, Saturday Night Fever, their music did comprise much of the bijillion-selling movie soundtrack, and their wholesome-looking, toothy photo was plastered on the album’s front cover, along with that iconic white suite image. Then came the avalanche of Top Ten SNF singles, then their appearance in the disastrous feature film Sgt. Pepper and its ill-fated soundtrack album. Despite the enormous success of their next album, Spirits Having Flown, in 1979 and another fistful of hits, their signature-style production and skin-tight, sky-high vocals were falling quickly from public favor. Then came the outright backlash. Ugh-oh! Somebody better get Brady back on the phone, quick!
With the exception of a few fleeting gasps of glory, the ’80s and most of the ’90s represented rather lean times for the once formidable Bee Gees. However, the late ’90s and very early 2000’s brought the brothers back to the Top 20 album charts. Tragically, Maurice Gibb died in January 2003 and Robin Gibb in May 2012 — before the pendulum could swing back fully, and allow the brothers to regain complete global supremacy.
During their many professional ups and downs, there was a particular period, just after their R&B-fueled comeback, but before their disco-driven demise in which the brothers released an oft-forgotten gem that remains (arguably) their best, brightest and most beautiful showcase — the platinum-selling, Top Ten-charting, Here at Last… Bee Gees …Live.
Produced by the Bee Gees along with Karl Richardson and Albhy Galuten, the double-disc collection was recorded at an L.A. Forum concert during the 1976 Christmas season. It arrived in stores in the spring of ‘77. Featuring many of the brothers’ most noteworthy mid-‘70s (pre-SNF) tracks as well as an array of their best known early hits, the album represented the group perfectly — cementing their reputation as a world-class live act, and more importantly (to me), as master songsmiths.
I owned this record initially on vinyl, however, like so many others from my teenage record collection, it vanished over the years. Fortunately, the GF and I nabbed a well-loved vinyl copy at a Florida flea market in 2023 for just six bucks. As a result of being a super-sweetie pie, I allowed the record to reside at the GF’s house. To her credit, she granted me unsupervised visitation rights in perpetuity.
(5/5) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Here at Last… Bee Gees …Live Track List
SIDE ONE
1. I’ve Gotta Get a Message to You (B. Gibb, R. Gibb, M. Gibb) – 3:58
2. Love So Right (B. Gibb, R. Gibb, M. Gibb) – 4:30
3. Edge of the Universe (B. Gibb, R. Gibb) – 5:26
4. Come On Over (B. Gibb, R. Gibb) – 3:24
5. Can’t Keep a Good Man Down (B. Gibb, R. Gibb, M. Gibb) – 4:40
SIDE TWO
1. New York Mining Disaster 1941 (B. Gibb, R. Gibb) – 2:26
2. Run to Me / World (B. Gibb, R. Gibb, M. Gibb) – 2:30
3. Medley: Holiday (B. Gibb, R. Gibb) / I Can’t See Nobody (B. Gibb, R. Gibb) / I Started a Joke (B. Gibb, R. Gibb, M. Gibb) / Massachusetts (B. Gibb, R. Gibb, M. Gibb) – 7:14
4. How Can You Mend a Broken Heart (B. Gibb, R. Gibb) – 3:48
5. To Love Somebody (B. Gibb, R. Gibb) – 4:05
SIDE THREE
1. You Should be Dancing (B. Gibb, R. Gibb, M. Gibb) – 9:20
2. Boogie Child (B. Gibb, R. Gibb, M. Gibb) – 5:02
3. Down the Road (B. Gibb, R. Gibb) – 4:31
4. Words (B. Gibb, R. Gibb, M. Gibb) – 4:23
SIDE FOUR
1. Wind of Change (B. Gibb, R. Gibb) – 4:42
2. Nights On Broadway (B. Gibb, R. Gibb, M. Gibb) – 4:38
3. Jive Talkin’ (B. Gibb, R. Gibb, M. Gibb) – 5:04
4. Lonely Days (B. Gibb, R. Gibb, M. Gibb) – 4:12
