More Than Somewhat – The Very Best of Steve Harley

Background

Harley and the band's first UK compilation since 1987's Greatest Hits, More Than Somewhat – The Very Best of Steve Harley was released in March 1998. It gave Harley his first appearance in the UK Albums Chart since the band's 1977 album Face to Face: A Live Recording. The compialtion peaked at #82 in the UK, and stayed in the Top 100 for two weeks.

Coinciding with the compilation's release was Harley's 1998 "Stripped to the Bare Bones" tour. This tour was Harley's first using his newly-developed acoustic format. Accompanied by instrumentalist Nick Pynn, the pair played over a hundred dates that year across the UK and Europe.

Release

The compilation was released by EMI Music on CD in the UK and across Europe. EMI Music also issued a UK promotional version of the album, which came in a black 'advance listening CD' sleeve. Later on 1 March 2003, the album was given its first digital release. The compilation's artwork design was handled by Peacock, with a photograph of Harley taken by Terry Fincher. In 2004, the album was re-issued on CD by Phantom Import Distribution/EMI Music Distribution.

In 2000, the compilation was re-issued across Europe by Disky under the new title Best of the 70's. This release had the same track-listing, but new artwork of the original Cockney Rebel line-up. Another re-issue by Disky/Disky Communications followed in 2005, but in the Netherlands only, as part of the The Ultra Selection series. Again, this re-issue had new artwork.