"Saturday night fever"
Robin Gibb’s one-night performance in Genting Highlands brought
back some fond memories for RUBIN KHOO.
(The
Star Online, August 22, 2005)
Posted by Marj. L.
IT WAS a night for reminiscing about the good old days while swaying to songs that formed an integral part of our childhood. And to hear them from the original singer was indeed a once-in-a-lifetime treat for the numerous Bee Gees fans in this country. (Many would agree that their songs, being popular in lounge acts and among karaoke enthusiasts, have been “massacred” time and again.)
It is no wonder that so many flocked to the highlands to savour the music of the Bee Gees from none other than one of the Gibb brothers himself, packing Genting’s Arena of Stars to near capacity. The one-night performance was part of Robin’s Magnetic tour. From the moment he stepped onto the stage, wearing his trademark oval-shaped sunglasses, he had the crowd going despite the fact that they seemed quite disconnected at first.
Robin opened the show with Emotions. Initially, he appeared slightly shaky, like he wasn’t quite there but by the third song – How Deep is Your Love – Robin had the very appreciative crowd eating out of his hands. Two hours later – by the end of his 21-song set – the audience was on their feet, dancing to the disco number Tragedy.
Backed by his band and a 22-piece orchestra, Robin basically took fans on a journey of reflection on Saturday night. Vocally, he stayed clear of the high notes, which are the domain of his brother Barry. Nonetheless, his performance had a poignant effect and would have brought back many memories for those present. There must have been many recollections about each song and what it meant.
Which is hardly surprising, really. Their music defined a generation. Formed in 1958, the Bee Gees were made up of Barry, Robin and his twin Maurice. They were born in London [not in London, but on the Isle of Man], but moved to Australia that year. After failing to conquer Australia with their music, they moved back to London in 1966. In mid-1967, the Bee Gees had their first hit in Britain and the United States with New York Mining Disaster. The group had their first chart-topper with Massachusetts.
Two other big hits followed – I Started A Joke and I’ve Got A Message For You. But it was really in the 1970s that the group reached the height of their fame with the soundtrack to the film Saturday Night Fever. They dominated record charts worldwide with hits such as Stayin’ Alive and Night Fever – songs that encapsulate the disco era. In 2004, Robin was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Robin did not disappoint Saturday night’s audience as all these songs were part of the repertoire. He also performed two songs from his solo efforts, Juliet and Saved by the Bell. But if the reaction of the crowd was anything to go by, it was the classic Bee Gees numbers that remained the clear favourites. Hearing them all performed in a single night also exhibited just how versatile a group the Bee Gees were.
Songs like I Started A Joke, To Love Somebody and First of May were melancholic and touching. Then came Jive Talkin’, Stayin’ Alive and Tragedy which got the crowd up on their feet and dancing. Songs like You Win Again, meanwhile, had a more contemporary feel.
Throughout the show, Robin proved that he was more than capable of holding his own. While he was not terribly communicative with the crowd, he was quite relaxed and came across as being very likeable. At times, he seemed surprised at how responsive the crowd was.
“That’s my mother,” he said, to a very loud “I love you” that came from the back of the concert hall. “I pay her to do that.”
The beauty of a concert like this is that there are no pretensions. There is a simplicity about it that is about enjoying the music, and nothing else.
Since their brother Maurice passed away two years ago, the other brothers have not performed together. They are currently working on a tribute album for Maurice and a free concert to be held at New York’s Central Park.
