Odessa is the Bee Gees' fourth album, released as a double LP in 1969.
BackgroundAfter the recording of the album, guitarist Vince Melouney left the group amicably wanting to pursue a more bluesy direction. Prior to release there were disagreements over which song was to be released as a single (the Robin led "Lamplight" lost out to "First of May" a Barry solo vocal). This led to Robin Gibb leaving the group in 1969,1 though he would rejoin the group in late 1970. Odessa was initially released on Atco Records in a red flocked cover with gold lettering. Due to allergic reactions among workers during assembly, this design was discontinued.2 It was later reissued in 1976 as an edited single-disc album with a plain red cover on RSO Records. Rhino Records had previously planned on an August 2008 release of the album containing three discs, which would contain mono and stereo versions along with selected rarities.3 Due to legal matters, the release of the re-issue has been delayed until early 2009. Track listingAll compositions by Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb.
A single LP reissue in the mid 70's deleted tracks 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 12, and 17. Early CD and cassette editions omitted the track "With All Nations (International Anthem)". Personnel
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