KING BISCUIT FLOWER HOUR PRESENTS

Live album from Gentle Giant? Ugh . why not man!! Even though there are many versions of live recordings the band has released, each version is always interesting one to have including this one. This one was recorded on January 18, 1975 at The Academy of Music in New York City. On set list, I don't think you are surprised with it as the songs are regularly played in other live set by the band. What I really enjoy about live recording is the ambience of the show especially having to enjoy their music without any visual presentation. The only thing I can do is to imagine who plays what based on my experience watching the Giant on The Box DVD set. This is particularly due to the facts that the band has always played with many kind of instruments on top of regular ones: drums, guitar, bass, keyboard. In total, they play more than 30 type of instruments: be it woodwinds, violin, cellos, acoustic bass, vibraphone, brass, etc. I do enjoy the vibraphone solo in "Funny Ways". Hey, subconsciously, Funny Ways who has always been the track that I always skip, is now regaining its presence to my mind. Having been 30 years listening to the band's music? You may say I'm out of my mind: How come it takes so damn long to love a tune? Well, I am.

The other thing that I love about this album is, of course, the communication done by Derek Shulman right after Funny Ways especially when he says (it always the same with other live set): "In A Glass House!" followed by weird sounds of breaking glass. Again, I'm amazed with the consistency of these sounds with other live set. "The Runaway" starts off nicely followed with "Experience" which is characterized by unique clavinet at the opening. "Knots" is my favorite - opened dynamically with dynamic drumming by John Weathers.

In summary, if you are not die-hard fan of the band but you like their music and you have owned Playing The Fool CD, forget it, don't buy this CD. But, if you love the band very much, my words on above two paragraphs may help you. I hope. One thing for sure . Keep on proggin' .!

Progressively yours, GW

"He tries to make her afraid by not being afraid." - Knots by Gentle Giant