Odessa - 1969 German Polydor label 17-track 2LP Box

Rare original 1969 German Polydor 17-track 1st pressing stereo 2LP set - an album which even though it was born over musical differences between Barry and Robin Gibb  is labelled Bee Gees' Sgt. Pepper's and described as easily the best and most enduring of the Bee Gees' albums of the 1960s by Allmusic reviewer Bruce Eder who states that the album is one of perhaps three double albums of the entire decade (the others being Blonde on Blonde and The Beatles) that don't seem stretched. Eder highlights ethereal ballads such as "Melody Fair" and "Lamplight" were country-flavored tunes like "Marlery Purt Drive" and the vaguely Dylanesque bluegrass number "Give Your Best," delicate pop ballads like "First of May" (which became the single off the album), and strange, offbeat rock numbers like "Edison", and "Whisper Whisper", interspersed with three heavily orchestrated instrumentals. Even the seeming "lesser" numbers such as "Suddenly" had catchy hooks and engaging acoustic guitar parts to carry them, all reminiscent of the Moody Blues' album cuts of the same era. Moreover, the title track, with its mix of acoustic guitar, solo cello, and full orchestra, was worthy of the Moody Blues at their boldest.

Vinyl has red Polydor labels with black and white printing and company name and logo at top - presented in hinged box with thin red felt front and back paste on covers, with embossed gold title text - when opened the box reveals the the green and black picture and tracklisting gatefold from the 'normal' version.

Condition:
Vinyls are in clean near perfect condition with barely any wear - labels has barely any spindlemarks. This is a copy which has been played carefully and not a lot.
Cover has the slightest wear but the white hessian bound area has slight age discolouration. Box is solid though and has no splits. Cover is as such in near perfect condition.

Tracklisting:

Side 1:
1. Odessa
2. You'll Never See My Face Again
3. Black Diamond

Side 2:
4. Marley Purt Drive
5. Edison
6. Melody Fair
7. Suddenly
8. Whisper Whisper

Side 3:
9. Lamplight
10. Sound Of Love
11. Give Your Best
12. Seven Seas Symphony
13. With All Nations

Side 4:
14. I Laugh In Your Face
15. Never Say Never Again
16. First Of May
17. The British Opera

All songs written and composed by Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb.
Recorded 12 July – December 1968 at I. B. C.  Studios, London, Atlantic Studios, New York, and Trident Studios, London

Credits:

Bee Gees:
Barry Gibb – lead, harmony and background vocals, rhythm guitar
Robin Gibb – lead, harmony and background vocals, Hammond organ, piano, Mellotron
Maurice Gibb – harmony and background vocals, bass, rhythm and lead guitars, piano, Mellotron, lead vocals on “Melody Fair”
Vince Melouney – lead guitar on “Marley Purt Drive,” “Edison,” “Whisper Whisper”, “Sound of Love,” “Give Your Best,” and “I Laugh In Your Face”
Colin Petersen – drums

Additional musicians:
Bill Keith – banjo on “Marley Purt Drive” and “Give Your Best”
Tex Logan – fiddle on “Give Your Best”
Paul Buckmaster – cello on “Odessa (City on the Black Sea)”

Technical Credits:
Robert Stigwood – production
Adrian Barber – sound engineer