Mr. Natural

This page is about the album. For the song, see: Mr. Natural (song)

Mr. Natural

Details
Album Type	Studio album
Released	May 13, 1974
Recorded	November 14, 1973 - January 28, 1974 at IBC Studios and Command Studios in London and Atlantic Recording Studios in New York
Length	45:26
Label	RSO, Spin (Australia)
Producer	Arif Mardin

V - E - T - D

Mr. Natural is the Bee Gees' tenth album, released in May 1974. It was the first Bee Gees release produced by Arif Mardin, who was partially responsible for the group's mega success with Main Course. Mr. Natural generated no hits but represented an important step in The Bee Gees' evolution into something more than simple pop balladeers. The album shows a strong Philadelphia soul influence in tracks like "Throw A Penny". Other highlights include "Mr. Natural", a rock-and-roll infectious tune and "Charade". Those with keen ears can hear what will become Barry Gibb's famous falsetto vocal in the backing vocals of "Dogs".

The gospel-tinged song "Give A Hand, Take A Hand" was written in 1969 and covered by The Staple Singers in 1971.

Track listing[]

"Charade" – 4:13 (Barry Gibb/Robin Gibb)
"Throw A Penny" – 4:49 (B. Gibb/R. Gibb)
"Down The Road" – 3:25 (B. Gibb/R. Gibb)
"Voices" – 4:52 (B. Gibb/R. Gibb/Maurice Gibb)
"Give A Hand, Take A Hand" – 4:48 (B. Gibb/M. Gibb)
"Dogs" – 3:45 (B. Gibb/R. Gibb)
"Mr. Natural" – 3:49 (B. Gibb/R. Gibb)
"Lost In Your Love" – 4:38 (B. Gibb)
"I Can't Let You Go" – 3:47 (B. Gibb/R. Gibb/M. Gibb)
"Heavy Breathing" – 3:27 (B. Gibb/R. Gibb)
"Had A Lot Of Love Last Night" – 4:07 (B. Gibb/R. Gibb/M. Gibb)

Personnel[]

Bee Gees

Barry Gibb - lead, harmony and backing vocal, rhythm guitar

Robin Gibb - lead, harmony and backing vocals

Maurice Gibb - bass, mellotron, organ, harmony and backing vocal

Guest musicians

Alan Kendall - lead guitar

Dennis Bryon - drums

Ben Law - fretless bass on "Had A Lot Of Love Last Night"

Geoff Westley - piano, keyboards

Phil Bonder - clarinet on "Charade"

Arif Mardin - orchestral arrangement

Production

Damon Lyon-Shaw - engineer

Andy Knight - engineer

Alan Lucas - engineer

Gene Paul - engineer