"The Bee Gees Sing and Play 14 Barry Gibb Songs" is the debut studio album by the Bee Gees. The album was released in November 1965, under Leedon label in their home country of Australia and 1966 on the Festival label for the rest of the world. While the title suggests that all songs were written solely by Barry Gibb, the credits of the actual songs show that several were co-written with his twin brothers, Robin and Maurice Gibb.
The album's sound leans heavily towards the folk-rock and pop genres and includes some of the Bee Gees' earliest recordings, most of which were recorded throughout the year of 1965. Some of these songs were written when they were just teenagers.
The group was still presenting itself as a Beatles-influenced guitar-based rock band rather than the harmonizing pop group they would become. The album failed to chart, due to limited promotion, as the Bee Gees had already moved to a bigger label, Spin Records. Some of the songs on the album include: "I Was a Lover, a Leader of Men," "And the Children Laughing," and "To Be or Not to Be."
The album represents a snapshot of the Bee Gees in their early career, highlighting their impressive songwriting skills and the strong, expressive lead vocals of Barry Gibb. Although it didn't gain much commercial success, it has remained an interesting piece of the Bee Gees' discography, marking their youthful beginnings in the music scene.
