I can't believe that the single "Mr.Natural" wasen't a # 1 smash, It should have also been on the live double album.It's so catchy I find myself playing it over and over.I downloaded it to my Ipod.The whole album is fine,The more you play it,The more you love it.It's also very hard to get.So far Warner / Reprise hasen't reissued it yet.You have to search to find an original Polydor issued Cd.
BUY IT! You'll be glad you did.
Skull

Note: This is a re-issue until Rhino Records releases the Remastered Expanded version.

Mr. Natural only reached #198 on the Billboard charts and comprises a significant transition period for the Bee Gees. With the help of veteran producer Arif Mardin, the Gibbs put together a smattering of different styled songs, ranging from rock to R&B to ballads. Their album before (A Kick In The Head...) was not released and the album afterwards (Main Course) skyrocketed up the charts with a #1 single and started the Bee Gees on the present course they enjoy now. Although none of the singles (Throw A Penny, Mr. Natural and Charade) made much of an impact, it still is a "which style do we go with guys?" album. However, it is one of the most diverse albums of the Bee Gees career. Oddly, the stations seemed to play "Dogs" now and then, even though it was not released as a single. "Give A Hand, Take A Hand" was an older song from 1969 that the Gibbs rerecorded after The Staple Singers did well with it. The song styles waver through soft, sensual ballads like "Charade" and then jump into a strange, heavily transitioned song "Throw A Penny" into a fast rock number called "Down The Road", which was a staple in their concerts. "Mr. Natural " comes closest to a true R&B song, but seems forced. "Lost In Your Love" is a trademark Bee Gees tear-jerker and "Voices" really takes advantage of Robin's great vocals. "Heavy Breathing" is a simple, but rocking song, but is then followed by an obligatory tear-jerking ballad "Had A Lot Of Love Last Night". What a variety! It's clear that the Gibbs maintained a grip on their older style while diving into a new style that would make the public give it a good, hard listen. Should you buy it? (as if you don't have 5 copies already). Yes, there are many memorable tracks. On this album you can really feel the 'hunger' the Gibbs had!

This album was a total flop from the bee gees "transition period" around 1974. It truely is a pity that the album will never be appreciated by more people..........then again i don't care cuz i have the album and love it!! All the songs are great......check out Charade, Dogs, Throw A Penny, Mr. Natural........hell, check 'em all out.......Barry, Maurice, Robin, I salute thee!!!!!!!

There has been 2 albums in the past by the Bee Gees that were respectively their better recordings without producing one hit. 1st of which is "Life In A Tin Can" and this Masterpiece "Mr. Natural". Released back around 1974 this gem really test the wide range of talent that only the Bee Gees could produce. With "Charade" being their soft rock type song to the rockin' "Down The Road" Which appeared on their "Bee Gees Live" CD. Mr. Natural is a welcome part of any diehard fan of the Bee Gees collection.

They never did really disappear, they just sort of faded away for a while. When they decided to make a comeback, they enlisted Arif Marden as producer and never looked back. 'Charade' is a lush ballad with sultry clarinet embellishment, and is the perfect opener. From then on, it's a brilliant procession of strength-to-strength songwriting and production. I mean really - - not a clinker in sight (except maybe 'Give A Hand, Take A Hand' which is as smarmy as its title). To say the Bee Gees were feeling reinvigorated is an understatement. There were no hits from MR NATURAL but as everyone knows, that would change with the next album, MAIN COURSE. Too bad, because MR NATURAL's better: edgier, more experimental, and with better songs. 'Voices' is one of the best things these guys ever did, with a gorgeous melody and a primaly irresistable chorus with lots of mellotron from Maurice; the alternating verse/chorus vocals between Robin and Barry is ingenious. The title track is a (Philadelphia) soulful ballad with yet another irresistable chorus. And who could forget the closer, 'Had A Lot Of Love Last Night'? Not me, buddy. No, if you want to see what's so great about the Bee Gees, you could start here and work your way around. The have a massive catalogue that never ceases to amaze, and this is one more.