Front Row Center (US Dates 1975–1980), an eight-CD collection devoted to Gentle Giant’s American concert recordings, will be released November 27.
The set features eight hours of material recorded between 1975 and 1980, including the complete Live at the Bicentennial concert, the band’s 1975 Capitol Studios sessions and four previously uncollected performances. A 60-page hardback book adds a new essay by Alan Kinsman, band interviews, rare photographs and memorabilia.
Gentle Giant built its live reputation on its ability to reproduce the complexity of its progressive rock studio work in concert while adapting arrangements for the stage. The group’s performances relied on close ensemble playing, frequent instrument changes and intricate vocal and instrumental passages.
Front Row Center traces that approach through several phases of the band’s U.S. touring history. Among the recordings is Live at the Bicentennial, captured at New York’s Calderone Concert Hall in July 1976. The collection also documents the 1977 Playing the Fool touring period, a 1980 Atlanta concert and the Capitol Studios recordings from 1975.
The repertoire includes “Free Hand,” “Proclamation,” “On Reflection,” “The Advent of Panurge,” “Just the Same,” “Playing the Game,” “The Face,” “Funny Ways,” “Knots” and “Memories of Old Days,” along with extended selections from Octopus.
Kinsman’s accompanying essay incorporates interviews with members of Gentle Giant and addresses the group’s approach to concerts, touring, musicianship, and stage presentation.
Peter J. Reynolds mastered the recordings from the best available sources.
Preorder Front Row Center (US Dates 1975–1980)
DISC 1
Hempstead, NY – Calderone Concert Hall
Live At The Bicentennial – 3 July 1976
Intro/Just The Same – 07:40
Proclamation/Valedictory – 05:16
On Reflection – 06:53
Interview – 06:51
The Runaway/Experience – 10:37
So Sincere – 10:49
DISC 2
Hempstead, NY – Calderone Concert Hall
Live At The Bicentennial – 3 July 1976
Excerpts From Octopus – 17:11
Give It Back – 05:26
Timing – 13:14
Free Hand – 07:55
DISC 3
Hempstead, NY – Calderone Concert Hall
16 November 1977
Two Weeks In Spain – 02:58
Free Hand – 06:46
On Reflection – 07:12
I’m Turning Around – 04:10
Just The Same/Playing The Game – 10:11
Memories Of Old Days – 07:27
DISC 4
Hempstead, NY – Calderone Concert Hall
16 November 1977
Betcha Thought We Couldn’t Do It – 06:27
Funny Ways – 07:59
The Face – 16:13
For Nobody – 04:31
Excerpts From Octopus – 16:02
DISC 5
Chester, PA – Widener College
18 November 1977
Two Weeks In Spain – 03:00
Free Hand – 07:49
On Reflection – 06:09
I’m Turning Around – 04:08
Just The Same/Playing The Game – 09:51
Memories Of Old Days – 07:29
Betcha Thought We Couldn’t Do It – 04:20
The Face – 13:31
For Nobody – 05:25
Excerpts From Octopus – Part 1 – 06:05
Excerpts From Octopus – Part 2 – 09:45
DISC 6
Atlanta, GA – The Agora Ballroom
29 May 1980
Convenience (Clean And Easy) – 04:13
All Through The Night – 04:13
Free Hand – 08:22
Knots – 03:54
Playing The Game – 04:57
Memories Of Old Days – 08:12
Giant For A Day – 05:11
Inside Out – 06:35
It’s Not Imagination – 05:05
Underground – 11:22
For Nobody – 04:58
The Advent Of Panurge – 06:34
Number One – 07:35
DISC 7
Los Angeles, CA – The Capitol Tapes
February 1975
Cogs In Cogs – 02:59
Proclamation/Funny Ways – 12:54
Experience – 05:27
So Sincere – 09:52
The Advent Of Panurge – 05:46
Mister Class And Quality?/Peel The Paint/Valedictory – 08:45
DISC 8
New Paltz, NY – NY State University
6 November 1977
Two Weeks In Spain – 03:15
Free Hand – 07:39
On Reflection – 06:15
I’m Turning Around – 04:11
Just The Same – 05:07
Playing The Game – 04:51
Memories Of Old Days – 05:19
Betcha Thought We Couldn’t Do It – 02:38
Plain Truth (Part) – 06:32
For Nobody – 04:27
Excerpts From Octopus – 14:52