FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!

Bee Gees - "Odessa" Trivia Quiz

This band's album "Odessa" is an album you either love or hate - I loved it! Some trivia about that album follows - have fun.

A multiple-choice quiz by voreqe. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
voreqe

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
282,166

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
409

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Today, Odessa is a Ukrainian port on the Black Sea - but let's take you back to when it was Soviet - when was the Bee Gees album "Odessa" released? Hint

1972

1971

1969

1968

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. Who was the manager/producer of the "Odessa" album? Hint

Brian Epstein

Donn Arden

Robert Stigwood

Phil Spector

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. My favourite track is "Lamplight" - in the song's lyrics, how long was the lamp to burn? Hint

till the end of time

till the track ends

till your love becomes mine

till this love of yours is mine

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. The title "Odessa" was in fact a subsequent choice to the original two ideas for the concept album - the second of which was "The American Opera". What was the first choice? Hint

Peacemaster

Masterpiece

Masterpeace

Master of Peace

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. What is unusual (for a Bee Gees album) about three of the tracks? Hint

They feature John Lennon

They are instrumental

None of the Bees actually sang on them

They go over 7 minutes in duration

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. "I had a dream of a place far away.
I followed a river where the dead man would play.
and I'm leaving in the morning." are the lyrics from which track?
Hint

You'll Never See my Face Again

Give your Best

Suddenly

Black Diamond

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. Which one of the tracks has a near genius two level chorus of (low) "why don't you comb your hair.. and (high) "you can be beautiful too." Hint

Give your best

Marley Purt Drive

Melody Fair

Sound of Love

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. In the title track "Odessa" leading to the second track, the British Ship "Veronica" was "lost without a sign" - on what date? Hint

14th February 1899

1st May 1789

28th February 1899

She wasn't lost but came back to life again

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. The album cover of "Odessa" was deemed a gigantic failure - what did it look like? Hint

Completely black velvet with embossed lettering

The "new look" Bee Gees in silhouette

Psychedelic fonts - too weird to read

Gold lettering on red velvet

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Sadly, recording the album caused major difficulties in the band with one of the brothers splitting - which one? Hint

Andy

Maurice

Robin

Barry

(Optional) Create a Free FunTrivia ID to save the points you are about to earn:

Select a User ID:

Choose a Password:

Your Email:

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Today, Odessa is a Ukrainian port on the Black Sea - but let's take you back to when it was Soviet - when was the Bee Gees album "Odessa" released?

Answer: 1969

There are many differing thoughts on why they did this album - I think it was their "biggest" statement. To me it is their only mood piece - with a tremendous sense of atmosphere. The orchestration is superb and the "stretch" into art rock/classic territory was brilliant.

2. Who was the manager/producer of the "Odessa" album?

Answer: Robert Stigwood

Phil Spector was the "Wall of Sound", Donn Arden was ELO's manager and Brian Epstein was the Beatles' manager of course. Many said that "Odessa" was the Bee Gees' "Sgt Pepper's" equivalent. Australian Stigwood had huge success with a number of artists such as Cream.

3. My favourite track is "Lamplight" - in the song's lyrics, how long was the lamp to burn?

Answer: till this love of yours is mine

"Lamplights
keep on burning while this heart of mine is yearning.
Lamplights
keep on burning till this love of yours is mine."

Another great rendition from Robin who tones down his voice to that haunting sound that so sold "Massachusetts".

4. The title "Odessa" was in fact a subsequent choice to the original two ideas for the concept album - the second of which was "The American Opera". What was the first choice?

Answer: Masterpeace

Musical differences between Barry and Robin meant that the original concept had to be abandoned and the album became a double LP - largely due to the insistence of their manager and record label.

5. What is unusual (for a Bee Gees album) about three of the tracks?

Answer: They are instrumental

They are "Seven Seas Symphony, "With All Nations (International Anthem)" and "The British Opera".

6. "I had a dream of a place far away. I followed a river where the dead man would play. and I'm leaving in the morning." are the lyrics from which track?

Answer: Black Diamond

This track is also one of my all time favourites. The album tried to tell a story of grand love and loss but fell apart in mid session to end up a collection of unconnected but very strong songs - most of which would have made really good singles ("First of May" was chosen as the single).

The Bee Gees were known for their nonsensical lyrics and this really serious song is no exception. However, the voice of Robin - as he delivers his best timbre with "and I'm leaving in the morning" - is just so good.

7. Which one of the tracks has a near genius two level chorus of (low) "why don't you comb your hair.. and (high) "you can be beautiful too."

Answer: Melody Fair

There is a seamless flow between the two - check it out.

8. In the title track "Odessa" leading to the second track, the British Ship "Veronica" was "lost without a sign" - on what date?

Answer: 14th February 1899

Check out these lyrics!

"Fourteenth of February , eighteen ninety nine.
The British ship Veronica was lost without a sign.
Baa baa black sheep, you haven't any wool.
Captain Richardson left himself a lonely wife in Hull.

Cherub, I lost a ship in the Baltic sea.
I'm on an iceberg running free.
Sitting, filing this berg to the shape of a ship;
Sailing my way back to your lips.
One passing ship gave word that you have moved out of your old flat.
You love the Vicar more than words can say.
Tell him to pray that I won't melt away.
And I'll see your face again."

9. The album cover of "Odessa" was deemed a gigantic failure - what did it look like?

Answer: Gold lettering on red velvet

Personally, when I bought the album myself and couldn't stop playing it, I felt it was quite good and stood out in the albums collection.

10. Sadly, recording the album caused major difficulties in the band with one of the brothers splitting - which one?

Answer: Robin

Infighting saw Robin split and Maurice and Barry recorded and produced the next album "Cucumber Castle". Two of the brothers have passed away in tragic circumstances yet, the old cliche is never so true - their music lives on.
Thank you to the Bee Gees for the pleasure you gave. RIP Andy and Maurice.

Source: Author voreqe

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor agony before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.