How Old Are You? (album)

How Old Are You? is the second solo album released by singer Robin Gibb in 1983, thirteen years after his debut Robin's Reign in 1970.[1] The album was not a great success in America and failed to chart in Britain but it did spawn an international hit in "Juliet" which topped the charts in Germany. The album reached No. 6 in Germany. The album was produced by Robin and Maurice Gibb with Dennis Bryon.

How Old Are You?
Studio album by
Robin Gibb
ReleasedMay 1983 (UK)
June 1983 (US)
RecordedOctober–November 1982
Middle Ear Studios, Miami Beach
Genre
LabelPolydor
Producer
Robin Gibb studio albums chronology
Robin's Reign
(1970)		 How Old Are You?
(1983)		 Secret Agent
(1984)
Singles from How Old Are You?
  1. "Juliet"
    Released: May 1983
  2. "Another Lonely Night in New York"
    Released: August 1983 (UK)
  3. "How Old Are You?"
    Released: October 1983 (UK)

Overview and recording

In 1982, Gibb with his brothers, Barry and Maurice wrote "Oceans and Rivers". In March, he recorded "My World (In the Palm of Your Hands)" and "Human Being". In October, the Bee Gees recorded "Life Goes On" for the film Staying Alive.[2] "Human Being" was leaked on YouTube on 5 April 2012.[3]

In October 1982, Robin started to record songs for How Old Are You? with Maurice on bass, synthesizer, piano and guitar. Bee Gees drummer Dennis Bryon participated on this album, playing drums and producing the album. Bryon was credited as the backup vocalist. The horns were arranged by Peter Graves. Engineered by Samii Taylor and Dale Peterson. Other musicians included Bee Gees guitarist Alan Kendall on guitar, George Bitzer on piano and synthesizer.[2]

The Boneroo Horns members consisted of Peter Graves, Brett Murphey, Melton Mustafa, Russ Freeland, Neal Bonsanti, Dan Bonsanti and Whit Sidener. The recordings of this album got to the US copyright office on 16 December 1982. The instrumental tracks made heavy use of electronics. Maurice, as a producer, liked a clear sound with good separation. Dennis Bryon's drumming was electronic and was played by drumsticks and programmed in, accompanied by Maurice's bass and synthesizer. Robin sings all of the songs in high range but lower than Barry's falsetto, while the songs on his 1984 album Secret Agent were sung in low range. Related session outtake, "Love is Just a Calling Card" was credited to Robin and Maurice but was not released.[2]

Release

How Old Are You? and the lead single "Juliet" was released in North America on Polydor Records, but the LPs were manufactured in Germany. Polydor did not have a big presence in the United States, and Gibb thought that his album was not released in the US. The other singles "How Old Are You?" and "Another Lonely Night in New York" with "I Believe in Miracles" as the B-side of both two singles were not released as singles in the US.[1] The cover of the album contains a poster photo of film actors Clark Gable and Ava Gardner.[4]

Allmusic critic Joe Viglione described "Danger" as an elegant techno journey and "He Can't Love You" as a frosty march number. Viglione said "Kathy's Gone" has film references, and "I Believe in Miracles" could have been a big hit for both Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt.[4]

Track listing

All songs written by Robin and Maurice Gibb.

Side one
No.TitleLength
1."Juliet"3:45
2."How Old Are You"3:09
3."In and Out of Love"3:52
4."Kathy's Gone"3:36
5."Don't Stop the Night"3:30
Side two
No.TitleLength
1."Another Lonely Night in New York"4:12
2."Danger"3:41
3."He Can't Love You"4:06
4."Hearts on Fire"3:52
5."I Believe in Miracles"3:51

Personnel

Main artist

Musicians and production

  • Harmony or background vocals: Maurice Gibb, Dennis Bryon
  • Bass: Maurice Gibb
  • Piano, synthesiser: Maurice Gibb, George Bitzer
  • Guitar: Maurice Gibb, Alan Kendall
  • Drums, percussion, programming: Dennis Bryon
  • Horns: Peter Graves, Ken Faulk, Brett Murphey, Melton Mustafa, Russ Freeland, Neal Bonsanti, Dan Bonsanti, Whit Sidener
  • Coordinator: Peter Graves, Dick Ashby, Neal Kent, Tom Kennedy, Arthur Sheriff
  • Engineer: Samii Taylor, Dale Peterson
  • Mastering: Mike Fuller
  • Photography: Jimmy Wormser
  • Album design: The Cream Group

Charts

References
  1. Joseph Brennan. "Gibb Songs: 1983".
  2. Brennan, Joseph. "Gibb Songs: 1982". Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  3. "Robin Gibb – Human Being". You Tube. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  4. Viglione, Joe. "How Old Are You? – Robin Gibb". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  5. "Robin Gibb – How Old Are You?". Dutch Charts. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  6. "Robin Gibb – How Old Are You?". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  7. "Robin Gibb – How Old Are You?". charts.nz. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  8. "Robin Gibb – How Old Are You?". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  9. "Robin Gibb – How Old Are You?". officialcharts.de. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
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