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Darren Barrett Energy in Motion: The Music of the Bee Gees
ByBarrett's approach to this selection is suave and tempered, thankfully eschewing the Bee Gees Saturday Night Fever soundtrack numbers like "Staying Alive" for mid-tempo tunes such as "More Than a Woman" which integrates electronic strings, lithe keyboards and a groovy solo improvisation at the song's end. The music's beckoning to the dance floor is present with an effervescent tropical rhythm in "I Started a Joke" and the honeyed rendition of the classic love song "Too Much Heaven." Barrett's mellifluous horn is front and center and warmly expressive, yet never overstated or watered down.
There are enjoyable momentsthe neo-soulful "How Deep is Your Love" and the Bee Gee's 1983 Country hit "Islands in the Stream" yet a misstep in the slightly campy vocal version of "I Started a Joke" which sounds a bit too radio-friendly. But all is forgiven with the album's closer, a sexy redo of the popular hit "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart." From the bluesy guitar picks and chords, the floating organ undercurrent and the trumpet crooning of song's lyrics, it will make you want to gently squeeze your significant other or drown yourself in a sea of tears. Barrett does the Bee Gees right.
Track Listing
More Than A Woman; I Started A Joke; Too Much Heaven; Islands In A Stream; How Deep Is Your Love; I Started A Joke (Vocal); Words; How Do You Mend A Broken Heart.
Personnel
Darren Barrett
trumpetDarren Barrett: trumpet; Meari Nam: Fender Rhodes; Chad Selph: auxiliary keyboards; Luka Veselinovic: bass; Kyle Miles: bass (6); Jordan Rose: drums; Judith Barrett: percussion.
Album information
Title: The Music of the Bee Gees | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: db Productions
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