One

1989 studio album by the Bee Gees

One is the Bee Gees` eighteenth studio album (sixteenth worldwide), released in April 1989. At the time of its release, the album had varying degrees of success across the world and saw them touring internationally for the first time since 1979 through One for All World Tour.

In Europe, the album reached the top 10 in Germany and Switzerland and reached the top 30 in various other European countries (including the UK) and Australia. North American audiences had still not re-embraced the Bee Gees as they were still regarded as a disco group and the album failed to reach the top 40 in the US and Canada, despite the success of the title track reaching No. 7 in the US and No. 11 in Canada. Other singles from the album included "Bodyguard" and "Tokyo Nights". In the UK, none of the singles from the album reached the top 40.

Background and recording

After the European success of their previous album, E.S.P., the Gibb brothers began to work on the One album in early 1988. According to Maurice, this album was supposed to be their first album as a 4-brother group (along with their brother Andy officially joining the group), [5] but he suddenly died only a few days after his 30th birthday. Thus, the Bee Gees took a break until November when they returned to the studio to complete the album, but this time they shifted to Mayfair Studios in London.[6][7] The style of One was more melancholic than E.S.P., and heavily influenced by the loss of their brother. The album was dedicated to Andy and the song "Wish You Were Here" was written as a tribute to him.

The album was co-produced with Brian Tench, who had worked with them on the previous album. Related session outtake "Shape of Things to Come" was written for the Bee Gees` contribution to the 1988 Olympics album called One Moment in Time released the same year.[6]

Track listing

In the US, the bonus track, "Wing and a Prayer", was substituted with the group`s European No. 1 hit, "You Win Again", and the positions of tracks 1 and 2 were swapped. On all vinyl releases of the album, the bonus track was omitted entirely.

All tracks are written by Barry, Robin & Maurice Gibb.

Personnel

Bee Gees

• Barry Gibb – vocals, guitars
• Robin Gibb – vocals
• Maurice Gibb – vocals, keyboards, guitars, lead vocals (9)

Additional musicians

• Peter-John Vettese – keyboards
• Scott Glasel – programming
• Tim Cansfield – guitars
• Alan Kendall – guitar solo (4, 6, 9)
• Nathan East – bass guitar
• Steve Ferrone – drums

Production

• Bee Gees – producers, mixing (11)
• Brian Tench – producer (1–10) engineer, mixing
• Mark Robinson – second engineer
• Noel Rafferty – assistant engineer
• Scott Glasel – production assistant, additional engineer (1), mixing (11)
• Ross Alexander – technical supervisor
• Mike Korey – technical supervising assistant
• George Marino – mastering at Sterling Sound (New York, NY)
• Martyn Atkins – design, art direction
• Larry Williams – cover photography
• Peter Corvin-Brittin – inside photography

Charts

Certifications