One Night Only

This aural document of the 1998 concert that was broadcast exclusively on HBO serves double duty as a career resume for the Gibb brothers. The trio may be a little long in the tooth, and the top end of Barry's Aussie-soul-man falsetto may have lost a bit, but the group's trademark harmonies are still up to snuff. They wisely forgo any attempt at heady "artistic statements" in favor of that time-honored practice, playing the hits. By the '90s, the Bee Gees had attained "survivor" status, so just showing up was enough to endear them to the assembled faithful. Fortunately for listeners, the band's songs (the selection runs from the '60s through the '90s) stand the test of time quite well, and the Gibbs are still showmen enough to put their compositions across with a genuine sense of excitement. The concert being the media event it was, fans will likely forgive their heroes for the Celine Dion guest appearance.|

On November 14, 1997, the Bee Gees reunited for a concert at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. This was the Gibb brothers' first show in ten years, and the concert sold out in a hurry. The burning question was whether or not the chemistry would still be there, and thankfully, it was. After being aired on HBO on Valentine's Day 1998, the Vegas performance found its way onto CD when One Night Only was released in the fall of 1998. The Bee Gees generally sound inspired during their performance, which ranges from gems from their late-'70s disco period (including "Stayin' Alive," "You Should Be Dancin'," "Nights on Broadway," and "Tragedy") to early hits like "New York Mining Disaster 1941," "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart," and "Massachusetts." While their band could have been a lot grittier and less precise and clean-sounding -- especially on the funkier material -- the Bee Gees distinctive vocals aren't anything to complain about. Although not perfect, One Night Only is a release that Bee Gees enthusiasts will definitely want. ~ Alex Henderson