“A tad dated today – but there’s no denying the compositional prowess”: Greenslade’s Large Afternoon returns in an expanded edition

When Greenslade rebooted in 2000 – a quarter-century after the classic line-up’s final LP Time And Tide – fans couldn’t believe their luck. After a 1993 reunion with his similarly-esteemed pre-Greenslade band Colosseum, founder and keyboard whizz Dave Greenslade’s mind eventually turned to re-forming the act that bore his name.

Original bassist Tony Reeves had been part of the Colosseum reunion too, but as Greenslade began work on their comeback LP Large Afternoon, former Asia man John Young replaced original frontman Dave Lawson on vocals and second keyboard. Chris Cozens succeeded drummer Andy McCulloch, who by that point had all but quit music to pursue a passion for sailing.

Large Afternoon – the title came from a phrase used by Greenslade’s grandmother – is a predominantly instrumental record, which updated the band’s guitar-less synth sound in a way that feels a tad dated today – witness Hallelujah Anyway’s harmonica-imitating solo.

Still, there’s no denying the compositional prowess of ELP-ish symphonic synth opener Cakewalk, the wistful pull of the album’s nostalgic title track, or the ongoing relevance of hazy, jazz rock nugget No Room – But A View, a thoughtful meditation on homelessness.

The pull of another Colosseum reunion put an end to the new-millennium Greenslade pretty quickly; but this expanded edition of Large Afternoon includes a contemporaneous gig recorded at the Herringthorpe Leisure Centre in Yorkshire in 2001.

Its live version of Cakewalk is much punchier and meatier, the vibe suddenly reminiscent of Saga’s ace live record, In Transit. Classics Feathered Friends and Bedside Manners Are Extra also got aired that night. But the excellent sound quality presumably derives from a mixing desk recording, since the enthused crowd sound as though they’re in a different room.

Large Afternoon – Expanded is on sale now via Esoteric Records.

James McNair grew up in East Kilbride, Scotland, lived and worked in London for 30 years, and now resides in Whitley Bay, where life is less glamorous, but also cheaper and more breathable. He has written for Classic Rock, Prog, Mojo, Q, Planet Rock, The Independent, The Idler, The Times, and The Telegraph, among other outlets. His first foray into print was a review of Yum Yum Thai restaurant in Stoke Newington, and in many ways it’s been downhill ever since. His favourite Prog bands are Focus and Pavlov’s Dog and he only ever sits down to write atop a Persian rug gifted to him by a former ELP roadie.