GENTLE GIANT Restore “Playing The Fool” To Powerful Glory

There have been quite a few GENTLE GIANT concert recordings released over the last couple of decades, yet none of those packed the same punch as the only live album the British ensemble issued during their existence: “Playing The Fool” from 1977. For all its deficiencies related to the limitations of vinyl, which resulted in the discarding of some material and the overall flattening of the band’s sonic panorama, this platter introduced too many a listener to the collective’s onstage image to not remain so dear to many a heart. Still, the veterans felt it didn’t reflect their full intent – and that’s why spring of 2025 will see its full-on, immersive reemergence.

Subtitled “The Complete Live Experience” and announced via the group’s social media, the forthcoming entry into the troupe’s discography is to be made available on CD, Blu-ray, LP and digitally – in newly prepared stereo, 5.1 Surround Sound and Dolby Atmos. Mixed and produced by Dan Bornemark, it not only restores the “Interview” tour shows’ original running order but also adds three previously unreleased numbers to the tracklist. A must-have thing by the look of it.

1. Just The Same
2. Proclamation
3. On Reflection
4. Interview
5. The Runaway
6. Experience
7. So Sincere
8. Excerpts From Octopus
9. Funny Ways
10. Timing
11. Ray Shulman’s Violin Solo
12. Free Hand
13. Sweet Georgia Brown (Breakdown In Brussels)
14. Peel The Paint / I Lost My Head

December 25, 2024