Whereas avid collectors will want to buy the CD and DVD to keep their collection complete, Bee Gees (and more specifically Robin Gibb) fans that are merely interested in hearing/listening to the music may want to choose to give a listen to the tracks first before deciding to buy the whole CD.

The track All My Friends Are Here is promoted as featuring the Bee Gees. Although both Barry and Robin recorded substantial vocal parts for this project (at separate occasions two years ago, Robin in his home studio at The Prebendal, Barry in Miami), a rough mix that reached Robin Gibb a few months ago featured not more than one solo line and some ad-libs by Barry, while Robin's voice appears to have been possibly mixed out of the recording (not at all audible). Unless the final mix is substantially different from what was received, fans (and Robin Gibb fans in particular) may wish to exercise some caution before investing into the full CD.

Both Barry and Robin were also interviewed for the accompanying documentary which is set to be released on DVD later this year while Robin also gave permission to use some film footage from his Istanbul concert. However, no (preview) copy of the DVD has reached the Gibbs so far. It is therefore at this stage not possible to indicate to which extent their contributions are included on the documentary/DVD.

I'm sure this project is a deserving tribute to Arif Mardin, but I do not wish Bee Gees fans to become disappointed afterwards regarding the precise extent of the contributions by the Gibbs that may or may not have ended up on the final products.

What a shame! Thank you, Ann! Good to know this!

Thank you Ann, now we can make an informed decision !

Thank you, Ann!

Thanks Ann!

That is sadly disappointing....Thank you Ann for advising us regarding the Bee Gees/Barry/Robin content (or lack of thereof) as that is mainly the reason I did consider purchasing it...I still may.. but now I don't feel I need it as urgently if that makes any sense!

I agree with you Cricket . Wondering how this could have even transpired!?!

A tribute to Arif Mardin with very little Bee Gees !?!

Well, Arif worked with many artists over a long period of time of which the Bee Gees was only a small part of it. I can't speak for the track "All My Friends Are Here" until I've heard it but there is the duet by Bette Midler and Barry so that is reason enough for me to get it plus I do like Arif's work outside of the Bee Gees.

For those interested here are some more details regarding the album ...

Mardin Magic: A Tribute to Producer Arif Mardin

So far, I'd rather invest in Main Course, I have the Songbook, but not the CD .

Wasn't the CD once available in Robin's Shop?

Not sure, but I doubt it. Warner hasn't re-issued Main Course so all that is left for you are either buying the CD used or buying the download from iTunes or similar.

Thank you for this information, Ferdinand . I will find the CD (swoon) to match my Songbook, as it, too, was found used .

Best of luck, be aware that prices can get pretty high for out-of-print Bee Gees CDs.

You are right , Ferdinand, I am looking into it. There are three categories "New" as opposed to "Collectible" and "Used." What is the significance of the "Collectible?"

Obviously, a beginner at this endeavor .

'Collectible' means that it is used but in excellent-to-mint condition, at least as far as the seller describes it.

Be sure to read the sellers information carefully before hand, sometimes they put up LPs and cassettes under the product page for the CD.

This is so helpful, Ferdinand, again, thank you so much .

From your advice, I will carefully lean toward the "Collectible," for except for a slightly frayed front cover, I believe my Songbook in that category. As you say, in the eyes of the collector . I will take a picture and place it in the appropriate topic !