When Love is the Question

The Bee Gees : Can't Keep a Good Man Down

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In May of 1977 The Brothers Gibb released a double live album, all recorded on December 20, 1976 at the LA Forum. Here at Last Bee Gees ...Live would sell five million copies worldwide, but would stand as a mere footnote to what was to come.

After mixing the live album, and dubbing in whatever fixes they needed, The Bee Gees and their band recorded a few new songs at the Château d'Hérouville  for a low budget film originally entitled Tribal Rites of the New Saturday Night, produced by RSO chief Robert Stigwood. Released in December of 1977, Saturday Night Fever would be a massive hit with a soundtrack selling 15 million units.

I was one of those who received the soundtrack for Christmas. I wanted to explore the Bee Gees back catalog and I think this was the only album I could find. It may not be the most rocking live album ever recorded. In fact it may be the least. But it's enjoyable-- a smart mix of their disco hits, near hits and medleys from their 60s era hits. Let the other guys listen to Double Live Gonzo, I have more fun revisiting this magical evening.

40 Year Itch : US Top 10 September 4 1976

The Bee Gees : Can't Keep a Good Man Down

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On September 4, 1976 The Bee Gees returned to the top of US singles chart with "You Should Be Dancing", a message disco fanatics took to heart a full year before Saturday Night Fever ever came out.  

Here's how the US Top 10 panned out.

1. Bee Gees - You Should Be Dancing

2. Lou Rawls - You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine

3. Wings- Let 'Em In

4. England Dan and John Ford Coley : I'd Really Love to See You Tonight

5. K.C. and the Sunshine Band : ( Shake Shake Shake) Shake Your Booty

6. Wild Cherry : Play That Funky Music

7. Walter Murphy : A Fifth of Beethoven

8. Elton John and Kiki Dee : Don't Go Breaking My Heart

9. Boz Scaggs : Lowdown

10. George Benson : This Masquerade

"You Should Be Dancing" is the first single from Children of the World, released in September of 1976. The Bee Gees wanted to work with Main Course producer Arif Mardin again, but Atlantic Records forbid Mardin from helping out after RSO president Robert Stigwood ended his distribution deal with Atlantic. After two fruitless days with Richard Perry, The Brothers Gibb decided to produce the album themselves, with help from Main Course engineer Karl Richardson and arranger/producer Albhy Galuten, a name to remember. 

Two more singles emerged from the album: "Love So Right", a US Top 3 ballad.  and the wretched faux-funk "Boogie Child". A deep cut I appreciate is "Can't Keep a Good Man Down". It's unapologetic disco pop that will challenge anyone brave enough to stay on the Bee Gees bus. And I'm very brave.