Search - Gentle Giant :: Way of Life

A bad compilation of live recordings...

eveoflove | North York, Ontario Canada | 05/31/2003

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Made in UK in 2003, Serial# SMD-CD-455, Playing Time 138:59This 2-disc set contains a hodge-podge of recordings taken from numerous, previously released, albums on the "Glass House" record label (the latest being "Endless Life").The recording quality is, in general, below "standard".... Yes, I know, it's vintage GG, and some performances are quite exhilirating... but still, you'll have to decide whether albums like "Playing The Fool", "Out Of The Fire" and the official release from the "King Biscuit Flower Hour" have satisfied your craving!There are a few redundant performances among the 20 "tracks" included here: 2 recordings of "Excerpts From Octopus" (featuring Knots, The Advent Of Panurge, etc.), 2 versions of "Funny Ways"... other tracks include "Prologue", "Interview", "Proclamation", and a few rarely heard tracks (like "The Face" and "Give It Back")There was enough material on the original 8 releases to avoid "duplicates", and the credits within the booklet have a few mistakes as to the origin of those tapes.Still, you end up with over 2 hours of music at a reasonable price... but be aware of the poor sound quality, comparable to audience recordings on bootlegs from the mid-70's (that's because they are!) Caveat emptor!"

Way of Bootleg

Gary T. Starr | Chatsworth, CA United States | 04/29/2005

(2 out of 5 stars)

"This one sounds like it was recorded with a hand-held mic. Back in the day we called this a bootleg. I can't believe GG would have authorized this release.



And yet the musicianship transcends all...giving it two stars for the transcending."