Playing the Fool

Updated on Oct 21, 2023

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Released January 18, 1977 Artist Gentle Giant Producer Gentle Giant Genre Progressive rock		Length 78:09 Release date 18 January 1977 Label Capitol Records

Recorded September 23 – October 7, 1976 in Düsseldorf, Paris, Brussels and Munich Playing the Fool - The Official Live (1977) The Missing Piece (1977) Similar Gentle Giant albums, Progressive rock albums

Playing the Fool - The Official Live is a live album by British progressive rock band Gentle Giant which was released in 1977. It demonstrates the band's complex musicianship and talent as well as showcasing versions of songs which are often greatly modified from the original album versions. Acquiring the Taste is the only studio album by the band not represented by any tracks on the album (although a section from the title track of said album is featured in "Excerpts from Octopus"). The original UK LP came with a 12-page booklet that has not been reproduced in any of the CD editions.

01 just the same proclamation gentle giant in playing the fool

Track listing

All tracks written by Kerry Minnear, Derek Shulman, and Ray Shulman, except Sweet Georgia Brown by Ben Bernie and Maceo Pinkard.

35th anniversary re-release edition

Note: The track listing and times have changed throughout the years and the different releases that this album has seen.

Personnel

Derek Shulman – lead vocals, alto saxophone, soprano recorder, bass, percussion

Gary Green – electric and acoustic 6- and 12-string guitars, backing vocals, alto and soprano recorders, percussion

Kerry Minnear – electric piano, backing vocals, clavinet, Hammond organ, Moog synthesizer, cello, vibes, tenor recorder, percussion

Ray Shulman – bass, backing vocals, violin, acoustic guitar, soprano recorder, trumpet, percussion

John Weathers – drums, backing vocals, vibes, tambourine, percussion

There are no official instrument credits listed on the album.

Release details

1977, UK, Chrysalis Records CTY 1133, Release Date 28 January 1977, LP

1977, US, Capitol Records SKBB-11592, Release date 18 January 1977, LP

1994, UK, Terrapin Trucking RGOF Cat# RGF CD 1009, Release Date ? ? 1994, CD (Re-Master)

2004, UK, BGO BGOCD435, Release Date 12 July 2004, CD (2 x CD with Civilian)

2005, UK, DRT Entertainment/Pinnacle RTE354, Release Date 10 October 2005, CD (35th Anniversary Enhanced Re-Master)

Songs

1Just the Same6:08
2Proclamation5:18
3On Reflection6:25

References

Playing the Fool Wikipedia

(Text) CC BY-SA

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