Robin Gibb 1949-2012
By Collin Makamson
By the general populace the Bee Gees are known as little more than disco fadsters, but all good boys know the brothers Gibb carried much more weight than all that. In mid-’60s Australia they racked up hits as an Everly Brothers-styled singing group and made the leap to England in the midst of all its technicolor glory, there creating some of the most monumental album-sized statements of the period. As group member and solo artist Robin made grand moves in his late teens many grown men never aspire to, with a catalogue of pathos-drenched, near-strained, soulful vocals that laced hits and deep album cuts alike. He was the wit, dry humor and heart of the Bee Gees; akin to the Monkees’ Nesmith or Beatles’ Lennon. Recently cancer that was long-battled shuffled him off to join his two passed brothers (fraternal twin Maurice and younger brother Andy), aged 62, but like the man said himself:
“Art is about forever, beauty and immortality. I don’t think of death. That’s for other people.”
Below Collin Makamson ruminates on the importance of Robin and sermonizes on the mathematics of artistic repeat-returns…
(jeremy nobody, esq.)
In my opinion, the success of any work of art is not measured by the amount of pretty words and blue ribbons which one can neatly hang upon it, but rather upon the number of return trips it inspires ‘to the sources.’ That’s what good art does: that’s its function. That’s what good music does as well. It inspires a missionary zeal compounded with a cartographer’s hate of blank spaces on a map. It invites obsession inside as a guest and sets an empty plate, sustaining itself solely on the deep resonance of the initial aesthetic shockwave. That’s what Robin Gibb’s music does and continues to do in me and thousands of others and, as such, this is not an obituary, a eulogy, a bike or a pipebomb. It’s a signpost and a sermon.
Other things this is not. NOT an ephemeral by-the-numbers bio-piece. NOT a condescending blow-by-blow discographical romp or even an anatomical celebration of Robin’s heartbreaking voice: the most benign throat-lump inducer this side of Roy Orbison.
Rather, it is a sticking to my original thesis and guns. Fine if you forgot it already. The best art and the best music compels one to track down and follow its influences, wind its tributaries, know its hidden places, swallow its bread-crumbs, know its markings. Like Lewis & Clarke or Columbus in reverse. However, the Beaux-arts also teach one to remain mindful of similar ripples, dispersions and fellow traveling waves dominoeing outward that, in turn, may carry new influences and sediment to add to the original.
Perhaps the best piece of news of all for pilgrims set out upon these trails is that despite rumors of the frontier’s closure or hints that the promontory-peak of the sublime melting glacier of humanity’s divine input might already have been summited, take comfort in the fact that there always remains more to digest and explore.
And don’t take my word for it; take the words of another great artist whose works are still moving.
“It is not down in any map. True places never are.”
Robin Gibb will be missed. Here are some places that his music took me, both new and old.
Roots, fruits and CM’s self-designated finest vocal by Robin follow. Use the arrow button on the lower-right portion of the YouTube box to scroll through the selections, or listen to them continuously by pressing play.
Also find below an Ugly Things exclusive of Skooshny covering Robin’s “Saved by the Bell” which at this time goes unreleased.
We’re a bunch of volunteers and opening a brand new scheme in our community.
Your website offered us with valuable information to work on. You’ve performed an impressive process and our entire group will be thankful to you.
This study as well as Kate’s trials along with her classes have actually
discovered that a proficiency technique, as opposed to a
curriculum which possesses a pre-determined rate,
is actually more helpful in relations to trainee improvement.
That’s why they see no issue in staying unproductive or even with stealing from you.
Both online and offline stores that sell surveillance, or so
called ‘spy’ equipment, post disclaimers stating that the products they sell are not to be used illegally.
The top element may be the mobile spy software program performs on all
phones which includes i – Phone, android, and
blackberry.
Now a new Fifty Shades Darker preview has arrived, playing during
the premier of The Bachelor yesterday to its prime target audience.
Nice blog here! Also your web site loads up very fast!
What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host?
I wish my site loaded up as fast as yours lol
Hey there this is somewhat of off topic but I was wanting to
know if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code
with HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding
experience so I wanted to get guidance from someone with experience.
Any help wkuld be greatly appreciated!
Now, probably every Clash Royale participant wants to
have his name and epic battle uncovered over there, however that may
solely be achieved by both spending some vast amounts of money or using the Conflict Royale Hack
and Clash Royale Cheats as the Clash Royale On-line Hack can guarantee you a spot there, considering you might
have the required abilities.
I wanted to thank you for this good read!! I certainly enjoyed every bit of it.
I’ve got you saved as a favorite to look at new stuff you post…
Howdy I am so glad I found your web site, I really found you by error, while I was searching on Digg for something
else, Anyhow I am here now and would just like to say thanks a lot for a remarkable post and a all
round entertaining blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to browse
it all at the minute but I have bookmarked it and also included your
RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read more, Please do keep up the superb work.
First off I would like to say superb blog!
I had a quick question that I’d like to ask if you don’t mind.
I was curious to know how you center yourself and clear your head before writing.
I have had a tough time clearing my thoughts in getting my ideas out.
I do enjoy writing but it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are usually lost simply just trying to figure out how to
begin. Any suggestions or hints? Kudos!