FREE HAND

I compared the SW mix to the DRT 35th Anniversary Edition CD since I don't have the horrid One Way Records CD anymore. I don't have the Alucard 2009 remaster so I can't comment on that. I am not an audiophile nor am I an audio engineer, these are just my thoughts.

For the stereo mix, the DRT CD has more high end on most songs and more overall compression. The exception to the high end is - the SW mix of "His Last Voyage" has more high end and reverb, especially noted during the acoustic portions of the song, than the DRT mix. The placement of the instruments and voices in the stereo field seems to be the same. Overall, I think I'm more accustomed to the DRT mix and I prefer it to the SW mix. Either way both versions are much improved over the One Way Records CD.

The Blu-ray has the following mixes. Dolby Atmos, 5.1 DTS, stereo, instrumental mix, original album mix, and original quad mix. The stereo mixes are in 96/24 LPCM. I don't have an Atmos set-up so I could not listen to that. The 5.1 DTS mix sounds great. Sound fills the room with good beefy tones. Each song comes with an animated video. Three of these videos were directed and animated by Noah Shulman, Derek's son. These videos are available for all the different mixes on the Blu-ray.

So, is it worth buying Free Hand again? If you have a decent surround set-up I would say definitely yes. The videos alone are super cool and worth seeing. If you want to replace your One-Way Record CD, it's also a no brainer hearty yes. If you only want to replace the DRT CD stereo mix, I'm not sure it would be necessary. I have no clue if the vinyl remix is better than the original, so that's left to the vinyl folks to report.

Now a brief review of the album?

Gentle Giant is one of my favorite bands. A band that sound be heard by everyone who claims they like prog. With numerous time changes and intricate musical passages Giant is not for everybody and may challenge most listeners. But this challenge can have great rewards because the talent this band has is amazing... all musicians are proficient at multiple instruments, the songwriting skill is superb, and the tunes are timeless. For the novice to Gentle Giant, Free Hand would be a good starting point.

We begin with "Just the Same" a great upbeat-syncopated rocker... one of those tunes where the chorus sticks in your head and you sing it all day. "On Reflection" showcases great a cappella vocal work with a powerful instrumental jam at the end. "Free Hand" is stunning! Great piano intro that turns into a full-out rocking tune slowed down briefly by a wonderful intricate middle section only to blast back into the awesome verse. "Time to Kill" shows once again the power this band has... what a grooving tune, great bass line, great layered harmonized vocals, and great interaction between musicians. "His Last Voyage" is a mellow haunting track, similar in style to what can be heard on "Acquiring the Taste". Love the vibes in this song. The wah-wah guitar solo fits perfectly. "Talybont" is a short instrumental with sort of an Irish jig feel. "Mobile" begins beautifully with a violin and guitar intro only to transform into another great rocking tune. Don't miss out on the drum roll at the end. Free Hand does not sound dated, it has aged well, and is one of the best prog albums of all time. Definitely, essential in my book.

Share this GENTLE GIANT review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to Grumpyprogfan
• Report this review (#2236558)
• Buy GENTLE GIANT music online with PA partners
• Show all GENTLE GIANT MP3/Stream
• Go to GENTLE GIANT page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Free Hand page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for GENTLE GIANT related discussions