Playing the Fool by Gentle Giant

Listening to my old copy of "Playing the Fool," a double live album by the fantastic  Gentle Giant, released in 1977. It was the group's only official live release during their active period, recorded in 1976 during the tour for the album Interview.

Many songs are completely rearranged from the studio versions and, in some cases, combined into medleys that in turn include instrumental variations or quotes from other songs not mentioned on the original cover. It also includes a short instrumental version of the jazz standard "Sweet Georgia Brown," performed with violin, acoustic guitar, and percussion.

This live album came after the release of absolutely exceptional albums (Gentle Giant, Acquiring the Taste, Three Friends, Octopus, In a Glass House, The Power and the Glory, Free Hand, Interview), and I consider it one of the finest live albums of progressive rock.

I won't list all the tracks, just a few notes on two moments I particularly like: the section dedicated to the album "Octopus" contains absolutely exceptional transitions between the various songs. Weathers's combination of drums and percussion in his solo on the track "So Sincere" is also impressive.

Excellent performances and an excellent tracklist. The audio quality is excellent compared to the "official bootlegs" released years later, which have rather poor audio quality.

Definitely an album for Gentle Giant fans, but not only; it's an excellent and memorable album for everyone.

Tracklist

1. Just the Same / Proclamation (11:17)
2. On Reflection (6:27)
3. Excerpts from Octopus (15:39)
4. Funny Ways (8:31)
5. The Runaway / Experience (9:31)
6. So Sincere (10:19)
7. Free Hand (7:40)
8. Breakdown in Brussels [a.k.a. Sweet Georgia Brown] (1:22)
9. Peel the Paint / I Lost My Head (7:27)

Duration 78:13

LineUp

- Gary Green - electric guitar, acoustic guitar, 12-string guitar, alto recorder, soprano recorder, vocals, percussion
- Kerry Minnear - keyboards, cello, vibraphone, tenor recorder, vocals, percussion
- Derek Shulman - vocals, alto saxophone, soprano recorder, bass, percussion
- Ray Shulman - bass, violin, acoustic guitar, soprano recorder, trumpet, vocals, percussion
- John Weathers - drums, vibraphone, drum, vocals, percussion

Note: All links to the musicians' works are in the TAGS under the article title or on the "Artists" page