OUT OF THE FIRE

Giant on The Box DVD was really a tipping point for me to have couple of spins of Gentle Giant albums including this double live set and also Playing The Fool, King Biscuit Flower Hours and Totally Out of the Woods. This double live set contains two performances that span from different timing: Disc one is the band's 1973 performance recorded 16/11/73 at the Golders Green Hippodrome, transmitted by BBC Radio 1 8/12/73. (Ehm. what a lucky people the Londoners were - having this excellent show transmitted over radio! I could not imagine if I were Londoner - I would be very happy listening the BBC for satisfying my prog ears!). Disc two was recorded at the same place but with different time, i.e 5/1/78 and transmitted by BBC TV 21/1/78 and 19/8/78. Congratulations to Londoners! Well, I'm lucky too as I have the double CD set as well even though I could not see on screen.

Listening to Gentle Giant music for nearly thirty years, I guess, it's been a rewarding experience especially when it was triggered by special event such as: watching the legendary DVD of the band's 1974-1975 performance! Every live set of the band has always been interesting to enjoy as even they have similar set list but the music is different and most importantly: the live ambience is different! It applies to this album; even though I have listened to the other live albums I still find this album is different and very entertaining. The only drawback that I have with this one is the uneven volume and mixing of the music - it's not excellent as the other live set. But it does not mean that the show was not good at all. It's terrific!

Disc One - 1973

"Anyway .. you can get up from the seats now . You are listening to in concert - my name is Mike Cunning - I want you to welcome please . Gentle Giant!" followed with a weird music that combines keyboard and guitar, bass, drums and vocals (unfortunately not really clear and disturbs the true voice of Derek) with "Way of Life". For those who love keyboard buzz, this track is for you. It continues with next classic track "Funny Ways". The next one "Nothing At All" is the best track that represents my favorite for this performance. Oh boy .. the melody is so nice, touchy and memorable! It flows naturally and some segments the melody is killing me. Well, I could only describe it using my locality language (sorry) it's called "mbrebes mili" (it's actually something like tears in my eyes due to hearing such a melodic segments of the music. It did happen to me. Well, probably I'm too melancholic. Yes, music often makes me like this. ). From the opening guitar fills and keyboard work continues to the first lyrical part "Now she sits by the riverside. Watching the waters glide by, With a sigh. And the things she put faith in. Are ripples just waving her by. With a sigh" . oh my God . what a killing melody! The guitar work is truly stunning! The music flows naturally into kind of blues-rock followed with some sudden change to quieter passage. Really nice! The solo drum and solo vibraphone are excellent.

Disc Two - 1978

"Hello! Welcome on radio one in concert . Would you welcome please - with their last single which was called 'Twoo Weeks In Spain' - Gentle Giant!" Jreng! The show stars off with a hard-driving rhythm of the single "Twoo Weeks in Spain" in a very energetic way combined with some funky break during quieter passage. It flows beautifully to legendary "Free Hand" that starts with a nice combination of guitar, keyboard and bass and ends-up with punchy keyboard solo that brings the vocals enter the music dynamically. Derek sings so fast like an angry person. The other classic track "On Reflection" si also performed excellently. What's new is the inclusion of the band's poppy song "I'm Turning Around" from the band's "Missing Piece" album (1977). It's a good change after couple of complex stuffs, really. "Playing The Game" is also very interesting song where it starts with a funny intro featuring keyboard, bass, drum and guitar in sort of funky style. Disc Two concludes with a straight forward track "Mountain Time".

In summary, I would say that this is an excellent addition to any prog collection. The only little drawback is on the mixing of audio quality but it does not make the overall performance not good at all. It's an excellent show. Recommended. Keep on proggin' ..!

Progressively yours,

GW - Review #324

"You'll find an answer, You've got to believe in your own way of life. So you'll have to find an answer, You'll have to find a way, Try to find, Try to find." - taken from "Way of Life" of Gentle Giant's "In A Glass House" album. (hm.. I've been waiting so long my amazon order of the 35th Anniversary remastered series .).

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