Trafalgar (1971)

Trafalgar is a 1971 album by the Bee Gees. It was their ninth album (seventh internationally), and was released in September 1971 in the US, and November 1971 in the UK. The album was a moderate hit in the United States, and peaked at No. 34. The lead single "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?" was the Bee Gees' first number one single in the United States but failed to chart in Britain as did the album. It is Geoff Bridgford's only full-length appearance on a Bee Gees album as an official member.

Trafalgar is included in Robert Dimery's edited collection 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

Recording

In December 1970, barely more than two months after the group recorded their last session for the 2 Years On album, they recorded "Together", "Over the Hill and Over the Mountain", "Merrily Merry Eyes" and "When Do I": this last song would appear on the Trafalgar album. They returned to the studio with new backing band member, guitarist Alan Kendall, who would play on the majority of their subsequent albums. Several songs were recorded around this time which have not been officially released. All of the songs chosen for release were ballads. Recording began on 28 January 1971 with "We Lost the Road", "When Do I" and "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" ("We Lost the Road" was held over for use on the following album To Whom It May Concern). Recording continued through April.

Release

With "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" as the lead single from the album, "Don't Wanna Live Inside Myself" was released as the second single but only reached No. 57 on the US charts. "Israel" was released as a single in the Netherlands and reached No. 22. The album's cover depicts the battle of Trafalgar. Bridgford was credited on the sleeve notes on the original vinyl release as "Jeoff Bridgford".

In support of the album, The Bee Gees toured the US in the fall of 1971, playing such cities as Boston, Asbury Park, New York City (7 shows), Memphis, Kansas City, and Indianapolis.

Personnel

Credits from Bee Gees historian and sessionographer Joseph Brennan.

• Bee Gees
• Barry Gibb – lead, harmony, and backing vocals; rhythm guitar
• Robin Gibb – lead, harmony, and backing vocals

Maurice Gibb – harmony and backing vocals, bass, rhythm guitar, piano, Mellotron, Hammond organ, lead vocals on "It’s Just the Way" and "Trafalgar", drums on "Trafalgar"

• Geoff Bridgford – drums
• Additional personnel and production staff
• Alan Kendall – lead guitar
• Bryan Scott – audio engineer
• Bill Shepherd – orchestral arrangement
• Robert Stigwood – producer
• Bee Gees – producers