The Bee Gees: Barry Gibb (vocals, guitar); Robin Gibb (vocals); Maurice Gibb
(bass, background vocals).
Additional personnel: Alan Kendall, George Terry (guitar); Herbie Mann (flute); Gary Brown (saxophone); Blue Weaver (keyboards, Arp & Moog synthesizers, vibraphone); Harold Cowart (bass); Dennis Byron (drums); Joe Lala (congas, percussion); Daniel Ben Zebulon (congas); The Boneroo Horns.
Producers: The Bee Gees, Abby Galuten, Karl Richardson.
Recorded at Criteria Recording Studios, Miami, Florida between March and November 1978.
Bee Gees: Maurice Gibb, Robin Gibb, Barry Gibb.
Spirits Having Flown is regarded today as something of a letdown, representing the tail-end of the Bee Gees' period of greatest success, perhaps because it preceded a two-year layoff that, in turn, heralded a decline in their fortunes. At the time, however, no one heard anything less than what they expected -- beautiful slow dance numbers ("Too Much Heaven," "Love You Inside Out"), achingly gorgeous romantic numbers ("Reaching Out"), soaring ballads ("Spirits (Having Flown)"), and pounding dance-rock numbers ("Tragedy"). If a few songs on the LP's second side, like "Stop (Think Again)" or "Search, Find," weren't quite up to that high standard, even the latter song displayed dazzling interwoven vocals on the choruses (which were pretty infectious) that made the trip worthwhile. The record showcased the usual superb singing, and featured the most delicate and ambitious production and arrangements in their history. It may have lacked the spirit of freedom and experimentation found on Main Course or Children of the World, but in its place was a boldness that manifested itself not only in the singing, but also the most intricate and ambitious production and arrangements of the group's entire history. This was also the first Bee Gees album to get serious airplay on black radio stations, a major breakthrough for the trio and one of the last bits of unfinished business in the group's move into soul music, which also likely helped -- along with three chart-topping singles, the major tour that followed, and the network television special in the wake of the tour -- in propelling Spirits Having Flown to 35 million sales. ~ Bruce Eder
The late-'70s was an interesting time to be a Bee Gee. The trio had experienced a rebirth as disco kings via SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER even though their music at the time was closer to the Spinners than to Donna Summer. By 1979, disco's popularity had begun to wane, but this didn't affect the Gibb's much, since they were primarily just R&B/pop artists to begin with. On SPIRITS, the Bee Gees blend their Aussie take on Philly Soul (the transcendent "Too Much Heaven," the suggestive "Love You Inside Out") with contemporary pop ("Tragedy") and that unique sound that is theirs alone (the serene, glowing title track). The brothers' trademark harmonies and irresistible pop hooks were in evidence throughout, making SPIRITS HAVING FLOWN essential for those enamored of mid-period Bee Gees or R&B-flavored '70s pop. minimize