OUT OF THE WOODS - THE BBC SESSIONS

This is not quite a live album. The selections are from four different BBC in-studio performances. So, even though the tracks were performed by the band as a whole, as opposed to multi-tracked, they are not in front of a live audience, other than the radio personnel.

That said, having such fine recordings of live arrangements is a good thing. And, here we get our first release of City Hermit, a track left off of the first album. I must agree with the band, that song does not seem to fit in with what was released at the time. But it is not a bad song. A bit rough around the edges, the song is primarily a Kerry Minnear organ extravaganza. For the entire song, he plays with a fire you rarely hear in GG's mostly ensemble arrangements.

As for the rest of the album, the songs are great. And without the audience, all the intricacies of the arrangements come through loud and clear.