More Than Somewhat – The Very Best of Steve Harley

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 compilation peaked at #82 in the UK, and stayed in the Top 100 for two weeks.[5]

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.[6]

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.[7] 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.[8]

In 2000, the compilation was re-issued across Europe by Disky under the new title Best of the 70's.[9] 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 Ultra Selection series. Again, this re-issue had new artwork.[10][11]