Update (October 7): The album arrives today and Gibb will be making several big TV appearances to support it, including The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon on October 12, NBC’s The Today Show on October 13 and CBS This Morning Saturday Sessions on October 15.
Earlier this summer (June 28), Columbia Records announced that it had signed legendary Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter/producer Barry Gibb to a new deal. On August 19, the label announced that it will release Gibb’s first solo album under the new agreement, In the Now, on October 7. Those pre-ordering Gibb’s first album for Columbia here (via Amazon) will receive the title track instantly. (Listen to the song and a preview of the album below.) An Amazon exclusive with three exclusive tracks is available here.
The surviving member of one of music’s most successful groups, the Bee Gees (formed with his brothers Robin and Maurice), Gibb has kept In the Now a family affair, writing all the songs with his sons Stephen and Ashley. (See the full song list below.)
On Saturday, August 20, Gibb and his band opened the doors to the legendary Hit Factory Criteria studio in Miami, Florida, for one day to celebrate the pre-order of In the Now and perform never-before-heard material from the album as well as classic Bee Gees songs. The rehearsal event, In the Now 360 –The Live Stream With Barry Gibb was live-streamed globally on YouTube using 360 technology, providing fans at home an unprecedented 360-degree view of the event. To watch, visit BarryGibb.com.
Produced by Gibb and co-producer John Merchant, In the Now is only the second solo effort of his career and his first album of all new material since the Bee Gees’ final studio album in 2001. The press announcement describes it as “a welcome return of one of the most identifiable and versatile voices in the history of rock, pop, and R&B. The 12-track album was recorded in Miami with the same gathering of accomplished musicians [Gibb] assembled for his 2014 solo tour.”
Gibb says, “This is a new chapter in my life. I always hoped one day that the Bee Gees would be with Columbia, so it’s a great joy for me to start again this way with such great people.”
Check out Gibb being introduced by Coldplay‘s Chris Martin at the Glastonbury festival on June 26, 2016…
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In The Now Song List:
1) “In The Now”
2) “Grand Illusion”
3) “Star Crossed Lovers”
4) “Blowin a Fuse”
5) “Home Truth Song”
6) “Meaning of the Word”
7) “Cross to Bear”
8) “Shadows”
9) “Amy in Colour”
10) “The Long Goodbye”
11) “Diamonds”
12) “End of the Rainbow”
Amazon Exclusive Tracks:
13) “Grey Ghost”
14) “Daddy’s Little Girl”
15) “Soldier’s Son”
As a record producer/songwriter, Barry has been instrumental in creating milestones for other artists, ranging from Barbra Streisand’s Guilty album to Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers’ #1 smash “Islands In the Stream” and Dionne Warwick’s Heartbreaker album, among others.
The brothers Gibb achieved 19 #1 records on the Billboard charts, including a phenomenal six in a row, equaling the Beatles’ achievement.
Beginning with 1971’s “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart,” the Bee Gees earned nine #1 U.S. singles. The phenomenal statistics only start there. They achieved 15 Top 10 singles and 24 that reached the Top 20. During their 1975-1979 peak, which included the mega-selling Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, the group had eight of those #1 chart hits, including “Stayin’ Alive” and “Night Fever.”
Gibb adds, “I will never forget my brothers; they will always be a part of everything I do. Our dream came true.”
Gibb returned to live performing in 2013-2014 with the Mythology Tour in Australia, New Zealand, England, Ireland and the U.S., celebrating the Bee Gees’ anthology release of the same name as a tribute to his three brothers. There’s no word yet on tour plans.
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