A brand new reimagined, remastered and remixed version of Gentle Giant`s classic 1977 live album Playing The Fool: The Complete Live Experience is set to be released.
The British progressive rock band formed in London, back in 1970, around brothers Derek, Ray and Phil Shulman along with guitarist Gary Green, keyboard player Kerry Minnear and drummer Martin Smith who was latterly replaced by John ‘Pugwash’ Weathers in 1972.
The group was renowned for its complex and eclectic musical style, blending elements of rock, jazz, classical, folk and medieval music. The band played a diverse array of instruments between them and their intricate arrangements and exquisite vocal harmonies gave them their own unique, instantly identifiable sound.
We were a rock and roll band that played interesting music and we wanted to have fun for ourselves and have the audience go out with a smile on their faces,” said Derek Shulman.
Playing The Fool: The Complete Live Experience, will be released across several formats including double CD, triple vinyl, Blu-Ray and as a digital download. The album has been remastered and painstakingly remixed from the original source tapes by Dan Bornemark with the Blu Ray containing a stereo 96/24 bit mix, 5.1 surround sound and Dolby Atmos mixes.
Containing new sleeve notes by Alan Kinsman together with a plethora of photographs and a track list that reflects the original running order of the setlist played on the tour including three previously unreleased songs and the between song banter from Derek Shulman, this represents the most accurate account of Gentle Giant live at the very peak of their powers.
“Effectively what you’re hearing on this album is the whole show with all the bells and whistles included with me speaking to the audience and to the band just like it was on the night,” Shulman remarked.
Playing The Fool: The Complete Live Experience features:‘Intro’, ‘Just the Same/Proclamation’, ‘On Reflection’, ‘Interview’, ‘The Runaway/Experience’, ‘Sweet Georgia Brown (Breakdown In Brussels)’, ‘So Sincere’, ‘Excerpts From Octopus’, ‘Band Introduction’, ‘Funny Ways’, ‘Timing/Violin Solo’, ‘Free Hand’ and ‘Peel The Paint / I Lost My Head’ – You can purchase the album here.
“This is a warts and all recording. It’s important to have a live album, which is live. There were no overdubs afterwards in the studio. So, what you saw and heard is what you have on the album,” added Shulman.
Gentle Giant released a series of highly regarded albums including Acquiring the Taste (1971), In a Glass House (1973), and The Power and the Glory(1974) across which they pushed their musical boundaries to the limit. Their live album Playing The Fool (1977) remains a testament to their stunning live shows.
In 1980 Gentle Giant called it a day and have refused numerous calls to reform since then, perhaps this is why their reputation remains intact to this day. Widescale chart success may have eluded them but their fiercely loyal fanbase followed them right through their career and beyond. Their legacy has remained undiminished within the progressive rock world being major influences on Porcupine Tree`s Steven Wilson, Neal Morse of Spock’s Beard, Michael Sadler of Saga and Opeth`s Mikael Akerfeldt, who cites Acquiring The Taste as one of his favourite albums.
