Gentle Giant: In’terview (2023 Steven Wilson Remix)

Can this really be another version of In’terview? After all, it’s only been (checks notes), blimey, 11 years since the last one and this time it’s only that bloke Wilson from the Porcupiners whose gone and remixed it! Now, cards on the table, I’m reviewing this version that’s spanking and new from a stream kindly supplied by the record company, so as this eighth album from Gentle Giant that originally saw the light of day in 1976 creeps from my Mac’s old speakers, comparing against the 35th anniversary remaster that arrived back in 2012 isn’t maybe quite as straight forward as I’d have liked. However, even with those restrictions, whack a pair of headphones on me noggin’ and blimey-charlie if this album isn’t an aural delight. Well done Mr Wilson. Again. As expected. All aspects feel separate and yet together, and with “Give It Back� needing to find the room to fit in everything from marimba and clavinet to cowbell and cabasa, that’s quite the accolade. Admittedly I’m looking forward to getting my hands on the CD (and BluRay, which like previous reissues in this series features various audio options - this time it’s the original stereo mix, original quad mix and instrumental mix, all with their own bespoke visuals to enhance your enjoyment) but even as is, it’s impossible not to get carried away by the complexity and mastery of “Design� or the more typical Gentle Giant (of the time) sounding title track.

The band were, of course, coming hot off the back of Free Hand, and musically there are strong links to that previous album, although there were maybe some signs that changes were ahead, but not to the extent that future releases would herald in. With that in mind I’d be as bold as to suggest that this album brought the curtain down on what was pretty much a peerless seven album run of near faultless outings from the Gentle Giant. Although arguably In’terview isn’t quite up to the standards of the six releases that preceded it, but it isn’t far away at all.

The line-up that brought this album into being was Gary Green, Kerry Minnear, Derek Shulman, John Weathers and Ray Shulman, the latter of who sadly passed away just weeks before this latest example of his outstanding work was to be reissued.

I can’t say that In’terview is the Gentle Giant album I reach for most often, and yet, when I do, I’m never anything short of pretty much blown away by what I encounter. For long time followers of the band and anyone lucky enough to discover this outfit for the first time, this latest Steven Wilson remix version is, as you’d expect, pretty much indispensable.

Track Listing
1. Interview
2. Give It Back
3. Design
4. Another Show
5. Empty City
6. Timing
7. I Lost My Head

Added: June 9th 2023
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Gentle Giant Music
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Language: english

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