The world lost an angel on 10^th March, 1988.

In 1977, when the Bee Gees were becoming one of the biggest-selling artists of all-time, we were introduced to their baby brother, Andrew Roy Gibb, better known to everyone as Andy Gibb as he came to be known. The Bee Gees that was made up of Maurice, Robin and Barry jumpstarted Andy's singing career and produced his recordings. They wrote many of those songs as well. Andy got a contract with RSO (Robert Stigwood Organization) Records through the Bee Gees.

And this then is his first album released at the age of 19. Upon its release he soon became the darling of the media and eye candy of every girl. He graced the covers of magazines like 16, Teen Beat and Bop. His young boy looks on this cover picture was just too good for the girls. Andy as we all might know started at the top, stayed there for a while and just as he rose to the top, his life fell apart.

In his short but impressive career, Andy released three albums. His debut effort of eight songs went to #19 on the charts with the first single from the album, I Just Want to be Your Everything going to #1 in the pop charts in April, 1977, and the second single, (Love Is)Thicker than Water, went to #1 in November, 1977, both co written by Barry Gibb. Andy wrote 8 out of the 10 songs in the album

Just like his brothers, Andy had a style of his own, and was just an extension of showcasing enormous talent belonging to this family who were originally from Australia.

This album is essential for any Gibb enthusiast, be it the Bee Gees or even Andy. As for the songs, there are some amazing songs here like on Side A you have the opener I Just Want to be Your Everything followed by Words and Music and the country-tinged numbers tastefully embellished by steel guitar infusions include Dance To The Light Of The Morning that are simply heart touching. Too Many Looks In Your Eyes and Starlight are the first slow tunes that shows Andy’s romantic side. Both these tracks are soulful ballads, and showcases various aspects of Andy's vocals in its complex yet cohesive arrangement.

Andy's voice is beautiful. The album offers a mix of funky disco, falsetto singing on the lines of The Saturday Night Fever style, soulful pop and pop-rock, to a bit of country-flavored ballads.  

Side B has the lilting title track Flowing Rivers, whilst the buoyant Come Home For The Winter is pure country. The most outstanding track is the brilliant Let It Be Me, seamlessly blends elements of rock, pop and country plus, in its rhythmic texture, a hint of R&B. This excellent album concludes with the grandly orchestrated In The End, a melancholic and perhaps prophetic track.

If you’ve loved the Bee Gees, you will surely love listening to Andy Gibb who in his short life made an album that we can never forget. Andy also released ‘Shadow Dancing’ (1978) and ‘After Dark’ (1980).

It must be mentioned here that at their ‘One Night Only’ a live album and DVD/Blu-ray by the Bee Gees, the group's concert at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in 1997, the trio paid tribute to their brotherAndy with the song titled Don’t Forget to Remember Me from their 1969 album ‘Cucumber Castle’.

Record label: RSO

Released in July, 1977

Rating: *****

Reviewed by Verus Ferreira