Barry Gibb - In the Now review: 'A veteran’s indulgence'

For all their extraordinary success the Bee Gees always had an alarmingly low strike rate of truly great songs across their half-century career — and leader Barry Gibb’s first solo album since 1984’s New Voyager isn’t going to break tradition.

A reluctant solo artist, the sole surviving brother Gibb could have been forgiven for retiring now he’s turned 70.

Instead, rather admirably, he’s gone for broke, secured a major label deal and gone back to work alongside two of his sons.

The precisely crafted In the Now has its moments of course, not least the spirited rumble that is Home Truth Song and the manner in which Meaning of the Word hurtles towards its final climax.

But for all its tastefulness there’s a surfeit of stodge and syrup-laden, overbearing arrangements. Most frustrating of all, Gibb’s inadvertent vocal whistle suggests he’s singing through ill-fitting dentures. A veteran’s indulgence.

(Columbia)

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