Mr. Natural (album)

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Mr. Natural
Studio album by the Bee Gees
Released	May, 1974
Recorded	December, 1973 - January, 1974
Genre	Pop, Rock
Length	45:26
Label	RSO
Producer	Arif Mardin
Professional reviews
Allmusic link Rolling Stone (Not Rated) link
the Bee Gees chronology
Life in a Tin Can (1973) Mr. Natural (1974) 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 decision to work with Mardin came after the RSO label rejected the brothers' post-Life in a Tin Can album, which had been provisionally entitled A Kick in the Head is Worth Eight in the Pants. Mardin brought the band's attention to the dance scene unfolding at the time, and the brothers Gibb in turn adapted their songwriting and arrangements to a more upbeat style.

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.

[edit] Track listing

All tracks composed by Barry & Robin Gibb; except where indicated

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

[edit] 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