Search - Gentle Giant :: Last Steps (Dlx)

Last whispers of a great band

Diana Green | Minneapolis, MN United States | 12/10/2002

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Unless you are a completist, do not buy this CD.
This is an audience recording of Gentle Giant's last gig. Some of the sound in this reissue is passable, but for the most part it's on a par with the original issue of this album: it sounds like it was recorded using a tin can and some string. The noisy bits we've come to expect from GG are there, in Free Hand, Convenience and Underground. But the more delicate music is reduced to a whisper. Their immortal Memories of Old Days suffers the most in this respect.
The packaging is cryptic. It's in mini-LP form, with the inner gatefold featuirng George Underwood's cover painting from the first GG album. Also included are Dave Arams' essay reprinted from this album's original issue, and inexplicably, a mini-poster from Giant for a Day. Huh? Why?
The only thing this has going for it is that it IS Gentle Giant. For its poor recording quality, it contains the only official live recordings of songs from their last two albums. Aside from that, I'm sorry to report that this is a slightly improved version of a horrible recording of a mediocre concert by a great band.
If you want live Gentle Giant, try Out of the Fire or Playing the Fool, both of which are miles above this sad release."