Gentle Giant "The Missing Piece" CD/Blu-ray set w/ Atmos, 5.1, Stereo (2/26/2024)

[starless and bible black]

In 1977 Gentle Giant recorded their ninth studio album The Missing Piece. It was a time of change. Punk, disco and rap were altering the musical landscape and even this well-established progressive rock band were willing to explore new directions. Side one saw them experimenting with quirky pop ("Two Weeks In Spain"), a grandiose power ballad ("I'm Turning Around"), syncopated funk ("Who Do You Think You Are?") and even the punky aggression of "Betcha Thought We Couldn't Do It" Normal service was resumed on side two with some of their most sublime and intricate progressive stylings to date. It remains a polarizing effort amongst fans to this day, some bemused by its diversity, others enchanted by its versatility and sense of humor. The Missing Piece certainly proves that Gentle Giant could play anything they set their minds to. It was the last Gentle Giant album to chart in the USA. Award winning producer and musician Steven Wilson continues his association with the band, remixing the album in Dolby Atmos, Stereo and 5. 1 surround sound. In addition the digipak CD/Blu-ray set also contains an instrumental mix, the original 1977 stereo mix and videos for each track.

Tracklist
1. Two Weeks In Spain
2. I'm Turning Around
3. Betcha Thought We Couldn't Do It
4. Who Do You Think You Are?
5. Mountain Time
6. As Old As You're Young
7. Memories Of Old Days
8. Winning
9. For Nobody
10. Winning (Outtake)

Release date is 2/16/2024

CD/Blu-ray Set
US - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CRLGRPVN/?tag=imwan-20
CA - Available for pre-order soon: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0CRLGRPVN/?tag=imwanca-20
UK - Available for pre-order soon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CRLGRPVN/?tag=imwan-21

CD Standalone
US - Available for pre-order soon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CRLJMW9L/?tag=imwan-20
CA - Available for pre-order soon: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0CRLJMW9L/?tag=imwanca-20
UK - Available for pre-order soon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CRLJMW9L/?tag=imwan-21

[lovecraft]

I think rap was largely unheard of in 77.....rolls eyes

[Zeuhlmate]

For Nobody is a great track!

The sound on the original album sucks. No bass for example.

[Mr.Krautman]

For Nobody is a great track!

The sound on the original album sucks. No bass for example.

Yes, one of the worst sounding GG records, must be a processing error in the original mastering. It sounds like a RIAA equalized vinyl played without replay equalization: excessive treble and no bass frequencies at all.
My old CD re-issue is no better.
Hopefully this issue has been adressed by S.W now.

[smcfee]

I think rap was largely unheard of in 77.....rolls eyes

It was a time of change. Punk, disco, dubstep, crunkcore, and screamo were altering the musical landscape...

[interbellum]

Hopefully this issue has been adressed by S.W now.

See the original post: S.W. did the job indeed!

[starless and bible black]

I think rap was largely unheard of in 77.....rolls eyes

You're right; Rap was just getting started & several years from "altering the musical landscape" when The Missing Piece came out back in 1977. Oh Well...

[lovecraft]

Probably AI generated blurb.

[JKL2000]

Dammit, even after buying the Mammoth GG Box Set I still have to keep buying these reissues! I wonder if they'll ever release all the GG albums Wislon remixed in a little boxed set. Remember they released something with the Yes albums or something like that, but I don't know if that was ever a physical release or just something they put on the streaming services. Very unlikely I'm sure.

[Mister Triscuits]

Remember they released something with the Yes albums or something like that, but I don't know if that was ever a physical release or just something they put on the streaming services.

It was a physical release, I think on vinyl only.

[Mr.Krautman]

See the original post: S.W. did the job indeed!

Yes, I've seen that.

But there's no mention about the low frequency (bass) issue and if it was corrected.

So far I allways called this GG record "The Missing Bass".

[interbellum]

Yes, I've seen that.

But there's no mention about the low frequency (bass) issue and if it was corrected.

So far I allways called this GG record "The Missing Bass".

I see, I first misread your post.

[Fracktured]

I’m interested. I still enjoy the album. Somehow though I’m not expecting any miracles.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[no.nine]

Yes, one of the worst sounding GG records, must be a processing error in the original mastering. It sounds like a RIAA equalized vinyl played without replay equalization: excessive treble and no bass frequencies at all.

The explanation I've heard is that the room with the monitors had exaggerated the bass response. So the engineer compensated for that, possibly unwitttingly. And the result is a sound which was fine at the sessions but, after it was too late, discovered to be bass-shy on other systems. Personally, with some EQ tweaking, I was able to achieve a result I was satisfied with. After all, there is bass on the recording, but it unquestionably needed some massaging.

[Mister Triscuits]

Yep, sounds like they've beefed up the bass significantly.

[starless and bible black]

Here's Steven Wilson's new remix of "Two Weeks In Spain" from the upcoming edition of The Missing Piece.

[JAMOOL]

well damn, that sounds great, I never noticed there was an actual bass line in that tune

tbh I always considered this album underrated but it still seemed like an odd choice for Wilson to remaster. that said after hearing the samples I might actually pick it up.

[Czyszy]

Here's Steven Wilson's new remix of "Two Weeks In Spain" from the upcoming edition of The Missing Piece.

The video itself is bonkers. Gentle Giant members as Mii's is something nobody asked for but everybody needed! :D

[lovecraft]

The video is very cool.

[Drake]

The explanation I've heard is that the room with the monitors had exaggerated the bass response. So the engineer compensated for that, possibly unwitttingly. And the result is a sound which was fine at the sessions but, after it was too late, discovered to be bass-shy on other systems. Personally, with some EQ tweaking, I was able to achieve a result I was satisfied with. After all, there is bass on the recording, but it unquestionably needed some massaging.

That was amateurish

[Mister Triscuits]

Release postponed to March 29.

[Dok]

"We regret to inform you that the highly anticipated release of the Steven Wilson remix of "The Missing Piece" has been postponed until March 29th due to unforeseen manufacturing delays beyond our control. Your patience and understanding during this time are greatly appreciated.

We didn't want to leave you hanging so we're excited to announce that this Friday, February 16th, we'll be unveiling another track (along with its accompanying video) for "Memories of Old Days."

Thank you for your continued support and stay tuned for more updates."

-The Boys in the Band

[Dok]

[Mr.Krautman]

"We regret to inform you that the highly anticipated release of the Steven Wilson remix of "The Missing Piece" has been postponed until March 29th due to unforeseen manufacturing delays beyond our control. Your patience and understanding during this time are greatly appreciated.

We didn't want to leave you hanging so we're excited to announce that this Friday, February 16th, we'll be unveiling another track (along with its accompanying video) for "Memories of Old Days."

Thank you for your continued support and stay tuned for more updates."

-The Boys in the Band

Increasing manufacturing delays for CD's is more and more common, not "unforseen".
Are CD pressing plants closing down ?
Or is the demand higher than expected and the CD media not dead yet ?

[Dok]

Could be the vinyl holding things up. I think they were trying to release all the formats at once.