Mr. Natural (album)

Infobox Album |
Name = Mr. Natural
Type = Album
Artist = the Bee Gees


Released = May, 1974
Recorded = December, 1973 - January, 1974
Genre = Pop, Rock
Length = 45:26
Label = RSO
Producer = Arif Mardin
Reviews = *Allmusic Rating|4|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:rxkqikp6bb19 link]
*"Rolling Stone" (Not Rated) [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/thebeegees/albums/album/146493/review/5941631/mr_natural link]
Last album = "Life in a Tin Can"
(1973)
This album = "Mr. Natural"
(1974)
Next album = "Main Course"
(1975)

"Mr. Natural" is the Bee Gees' tenth album, released in May 1974. It was the first Bee Gees release produced by Arif Mardin, who was partially responsible for the group's mega success with "Main Course". "Mr. Natural" generated no hits, but represented an important step in The Bee Gees' evolution into something more than simple pop balladeers. The album shows a strong Philadelphia soul influence in tracks like "Throw a Penny". Other highlights include "Mr. Natural", a rock-and-roll infectious tune and "Charade". Those with keen ears can hear what will become Barry Gibb's famous falsetto vocal in the backing vocals of "Dogs".

The gospel-tinged song "Give A Hand, Take A Hand" was written in 1969 (hence Robin's lack of writing credit, he wasn't working with his brothers at the time) and covered by The Staple Singers in 1971.

Track listing

#"Charade" – 4:13 (Barry Gibb/Robin Gibb)
#"Throw a Penny" – 4:49 (B. Gibb/R. Gibb)
#"Down the Road" – 3:25 (B. Gibb/R. Gibb)
#"Voices" – 4:52 (B. Gibb/R. Gibb/Maurice Gibb)
#"Give a Hand, Take a Hand" – 4:48 (B. Gibb/M. Gibb)
#"Dogs" – 3:45 (B. Gibb/R. Gibb)
#"Mr. Natural" – 3:49 (B. Gibb/R. Gibb)
#"Lost in Your Love" – 4:38 (B. Gibb)
#"I Can't Let You Go" – 3:47 (B. Gibb/R. Gibb/M. Gibb)
#"Heavy Breathing" – 3:27 (B. Gibb/R. Gibb)
#"Had a Lot of Love Last Night" – 4:07 (B. Gibb/R. Gibb/M. Gibb)

Personnel

* Robin Gibb - vocal
* Maurice Gibb - vocal, bass, organ, mellotron
* Barry Gibb - vocal, guitar
* Alan Kendall - guitar
* Geoff Westley - keyboard, piano
* Dennis Bryon - drums, Percussion

* Producer and Audio engineer - Arif Mardin
* Arrangement - Alan Lucas, Andy Knight, Damion Lyon-Shaw, Gene Paul, Lew Hahn