Bee Gees Album: “One Night Only [Video/DVD]”

It would be but a few years after this triumphant return to the live stage that Maurice Gibb would tragically pass under unfortunate circumstances. In the mid to late 90s, the Brothers Gibb were enjoying a much-deserved and much-belated re-evaluation and renaissance of popularity, with the release of the great album Still Water. Not only that, but everything 70s was cool again- disco, bell bottoms, smiley faces- and of course, the "disco" inventors themselves, the swaggering, hairy-chested, big-teethed, gold-medallioned falsetto-singing Bee Gees.

But it is unfortunate that this iconic caricature attached to a popular fad of the era is what the Bee Gees are mostly known for. Because take away this albatross from their necks and what you have are amazing songs, dating back to the late 60s, when their unique take on Beatle-esque harmonics, combined with a talent for melodies of great sensitivity, melancholy, and beauty, as well as their trademark vibrato, created a distinct sound.

The fact remains that the Saturday Night Fever tracks were in the can BEFORE the movie, and were added at the request of boss Stigwood. These were not "disco" songs. They were funky, tropical Arif Mardin-produced Miami rnb/dance and sublime balladry. Granted, they took the disco ball and ran with it- but wouldn't you, given the opportunity? For a while there, the Bee Gees bestrode the pop world like a 3-headed beast. And unlike the Beatles, they outstayed their welcome, oversaturated and thrown into the trash heap of disco hatred, accelerated by the Sgt Pepper film debacle. Forced to retreat, they became in-demand songwriters and producers.

All that musical history is here, as Barry states as the show gets started. They re-trace 30 years of stunning songwriting genius. From the 60s into the early 70s, from the disco era, from the underestimated 80s and 90s tracks, as well as the classics written for others- including an emotional, poignant "duet" with Andy Gibb on Don't Throw It All Away. There is also a nice appearance by a Titanic-peaking Celine Dion, on the underrated gem "Immortality", with the Bee Gees on backing vocals.

With a great backing band, heavenly harmonies, people like Olivia Newton-John in the adoring audience, and the classic self-deprecating Gibb wit, humility and brotherly barbing, you can't lose on this wonderful concert.