Are Gentle Giant Really That Good?

[@Marquisla]

They are my all time favorite band. I’m 23 years old, discovered them about 3 years ago. I listen to them literally everyday, still doesn’t get old. Ever since I got into prog in general but especially Gentle Giant, King Crimson and Van Der Graaf Generator, my life has felt much more significant somehow. This music not only achieves such complexity, sophistication, beauty, and balance, but the lyrics combined with that takes you in, shows you the secrets of the world, comforting and entertaining you, showing you what it means to be alive, showing you that it loves you. Gentle Giant is almost it’s own sort of entity, as if I have a deep relationship and mutual understanding with the giant himself. I hope to find more bands that provide such depth going forward, and hope to make my own music incorporating some of the musical themes and theoretical concepts that gentle giant helped cultivate for me.

[@lorenzodicapo6305]

Have fun exploring the prog rock universe

[@ProgAxia]

Great comments Johnathan, if you want to listen some more prog, maybe some you may not have heard before, take a listen to some of my radio shows, especially the best of the 70's shows www.mixcloud.com/RockinRebelRadio/ enjoy

[@Pete1390SDR]

Brilliantly written! GG will stay with you for life... if you haven't yet, listen to Focus 😁

[@grahamdhudson]

I'm 67 and equally crazy about GG. Saw them at Leeds Uni in early 70s and have every album. From their original release.

[@bateriaeletronica]

@eEgotisticalObserver - Listen also to Jethro Tull - Triunvirat also

[@1359401]

They are/were the greatest most epic, legendary, genius, unique and most criminally underated band ever.

[@ProgAxia]

100% agree..

[@Seventysongs]

Agree

[@nelsonporter7702]

100% also - I love Genesis (my all time favourite band) & Yes etc, but Gentle Giant are absolute geniuses, in a league of their own technically & musically 👍

[@rk41gator]

@@nelsonporter7702 totally agree.

[@davidallmond5598]

I couldn't have said it better. They were one of a kind and Wow! what a brilliant band to see live.

[@Utahguitar75]

I’m a die hard Genesis fan (with a healthy sense of humor), but GG are way beyond their contemporaries for virtuosity and imaginative writing. We did Just the Same in a prog tribute band I was in, it was a beast to play, the polyrhythms were insane and singing that hoppy skippy melody left me with raw vocal chords.

[@ProgAxia]

That sounds incredible Sam.. what was the tribute act and do you have any video, would love to take a look 😎

[@albertomarquintosh2603]

I thought that I was a hard Pink Floyd fan, but now I'm not that sure, I just bought the new Steven Wilson's mixes from Gentle Giant instead of the 50th TDSOM anniversary and I'm enjoying them with fresh ears, they were ahead of their time, pure genius.

[@tixximmi1]

I still think Zappa tops them all but GG tops Genesis. Was never a large Genesis fan myself.

[@coltonbeatty6117]

It's not that hard

[@tweezer76]

”If you’ve not listened to Gentle Giant…..do yourself a favour and start.” I think that sums it up! I’ve been a thrash metal fan for about 35 years and recently I’ve given the likes of Tull and Gentle Giant a chance. Talk about a genuine musical awakening in my 40s. Gentle Giant are the cream of the crop. Unbelievable. They could actually be the greatest band in the world.

[@davidporshia5081]

Absolutely!!!! And I’m a big Jethro Tull and Gentle Giant fan as well. 👍👍

[@neilparnell5712]

A great metal cover of ''A cry for everyone'' was done by Swedish band Witherscape. A very good heavier rendition, but faithful to the original. Not many people cover GG so this was a pleasant surprise.

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@thomassicard3733]

I count them amongst the small handful that truly are the greatest ever.

[@williamcampbell163]

I think they were the greatest band in the world that nobody knows about.Been a huge fan since there beginning.❤

[@bauertime]

I love how they can go from chamber music to Black Sabbath hardness in one song. The true meaning of prog music.

[@gringochucha]

Exactly. And it's funny that you compare them to Black Sabbath. In my opinion, Gentle Giant wrote some of the heaviest riffs of the 70s, but this rarely seems to get recognized.

[@bauertime]

@@gringochucha Ironically, they were booed when they opened for Black Sabbath.

[@cnaughtonmedia]

@@gringochucha yes just listen to "Boys in the Band," "Cry for Everyone," and "River",,, and that's just off of Octopus

[@PenitentExile]

@@gringochucha they opened for Black Sabbath with Alucard.

[@blueabattoir]

bauertime That shouldn’t surprise anyone. BS fans are, by nature, not discerning with their taste in music. I actually find it a little unsettling to see the two bands mentioned in the same comment.

[@mullhollandmace7271]

Saw them live 3 times. Their skill of switching instruments was amazing to watch.

[@davidporshia5081]

I never got to see them live and in person. However on the live concert videos they were jaw dropping and astounding. Ian Anderson said any time Gentle Giant opened for Tull we had to be at the top of our game....a tough act to follow.

[@mullhollandmace7271]

@@davidporshia5081 The only time Giant got booed was when they opened for Black Sabbath.

[@slowfinger2]

Me to. Twice as headliner, and once as the middle in 3 band concert. All indoor arena shows. They had the best sound to boot. They blew us away all three times.

[@blueeyedsoulman]

I saw Todd Rundgren's Utopia many times and they did similar instrument changes, but GG was on a whole other level. They were unique and the Baroque sounds and styles are almost lost. Btw, Rundgren also did many baroque themed things. See: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4fbn6Gvq9WkqJI

[@garrettdowning2371]

My fav of all! I was fortunate enough to see them live 4 different times. Those boys burned live! Yes is symphonic, early Genesis had Gabriel's stories, but Giant, playing those complex inter locking patterns, gave prog a groove! This question has been raised before, but I believe the main reason they weren't as popular was because of the vocals. I personally thought they were awesome, and Derek had some real pipes on him. But earlier vocal harmonies like "Knots" , sound more mid evil than anything currently, and it causes my wife to eye roll every time she hears it

[@kirbybeall8700]

Yes, not only is Gentle Giant really that good, but the more familiar with their material one becomes, the smarter they get! And, those who do, must surely agree, their music is nothing short of inspired, and brings one to not only celebrate, but to pursue the creative power of collaborative brilliance in their own endeavors. Such an outstanding example in human achievement, should rightly be ushered along to future generations, as an example of the potential found when a group of dedicated artist focus as one in their creative efforts.

[@davidporshia5081]

Well stated Kirby. In complete agreement. This generation need to be listening to Gentle Giant and groups of the same musical caliber to wash their minds free of the unmusical bilge they listen to now.

[@lancelotbarr5900]

Got all the studio albums plus the live double, bought them as they were released, so Gentle Giant 1970 through to Civilian 1980, that makes me very old. Also have some Dvds bought from Alucard Music. run by Kerry Minnear GG,s keyboardist extraordinare They are unique, and I agree that all up and coming musicians should listen to GG, in fact it should be compulsory in any music course.

[@twtobin941]

What a perfectly accurate summation of GG. They are one of the very best examples of human potential in music. Every kind into music should hear their music.

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@Dirgnimai7]

I'm with you 100%. Gentle Giant, in my view, is part of what I hold to be the Big 5 of the original Progressive Rock bands: YES; ELP; King Crimson; Genesis; and Gentle Giant. I think, even for some Prog fans, their music is perhaps too complex for them. And as you say, their stuff just may be the most complex of all those classic bands. It's utterly astonishing. And I love it!

[@ProgAxia]

Thanks for the comment Kevin, glad you enjoyed the video, you sound like a guy who knows his prog 😎

[@loupasternak]

I never thought of their music as complex. Highly original , but nothing there thats not approachable by any prog fan.

[@Dirgnimai7]

Are you equating "complex" with "approachable"? If so, why? The music of Gentle Giant is unquestionably the most complex of any band in Rock history. I appreciate that you began your comment with "I never thought", which is an opinion. As a modestly talented musician and composer myself, who has spent years around extremely talented musicians and composers, I can attest, as can my superiors, that the extreme complexity of the music of GG is, indeed, inarguable. Kerry Minnear was trained in the Royal Academy of Music in England, and his compositional approach, in conjunction with the Schulman brothers, borders on the level of sophistication and complexity of the Master composers in the world of Classical music. Giant extensively use counterpoint, fugue, and other approaches found in the Classical world. They make use of hocketing wherein a larger musical line is divided up into smaller parts and assigned to each of several instruments and performed as if being one single instrument by the band. By the time of Octopus, they had pretty much abandoned traditional block chord writing, and almost exclusively wrote/performed single lines by several instruments (i.e. keyboards, guitar, bass, violin perhaps, etc.) all of which would come together to be the foundation of the piece, with vocals sung over that foundation. And, in many cases, they would take that same approach, but perform it with the vocals primarily. It takes tremendous musical ability to write and perform music of this depth. Thus, it is extremely complex. I could go on with many other examples, but I won't. I've said enough. Again, the music of Gentle Giant is, without doubt, the most complex in Rock history. Veteran Prog listeners might find it approachable listening, but that doesn't mean it's not complex. That approachability stems from us having listened to a whole lot of complex music, whether Prog Rock, or Classical, or Jazz, etc., and developed a sophisticated enough ear to comprehend it. This is in part because music like this is often appreciated and enjoyed by musicians, though not exclusively so. But for the majority of the listening public, much of the music of GG is inscrutable. So, the music of Gentle Giant IS complex, indeed.

[@loupasternak]

@@Dirgnimai7 Agreed, Ive been listening to 'complex' music all my life, so GG doesn't jar in that respect. Certainly, compared to what most people listen to on a daily basis . GG is off the charts in complexity . Not sure about the MOST complex, but would have to think hard about it to find a another contender.

[@davidporshia5081]

And they pulled that music off live...flawlessly and even better than the recordings; a mark of true virtuosos.

[@jamesconstable7446]

Bought Octopus when it first was released. As a drummer "The River" blew my mind. I became an instant fan. John Weathers became one of my favourite drummers.

[@cnaughtonmedia]

exceptional drummer and best face machinations while playing!

[@alanFconrad]

same here....Amen

[@matsahlstedt7400]

John Weathers. A true genius of relative simplicity in a very complex enviroment. A criminally underrated drummer.

[@ProgAxia]

Weathers is amazing.. look, I've just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@thomassicard3733]

Yeah! John Weathers! Totally.

[@frankgarnevicus1187]

I first saw Gentle Giant in NYC in 1975 at the old Academy of Music. Already a fan, I had previously traced back to Acquiring the Taste, an album in a 4 track recording world working with snippets of tape they did not know if they had an album at all until the end playing amongst the 6 members at the time 32 instruments. That statement alone took guts and the intensity of their pon stage Free Hand show blew me away. Recently they were mentioned on our local classical music station as the inspiration for a young classical pianist. Their influence not fully recognized at the time is recognized now. Their contribution to counterpoint is almost unsurpassed.

[@mtc3000]

I was at that show

[@wlancaster3]

That was the first time I saw them, too. I'd bought all their US-issued albums in high school, and as soon as I got to NYC for college, I picked up the 2 imports, I probably got the 2 bootlegs a little later, and I bought Free Hand the moment it came out. While that concert had to have been the best of the 3 I saw, I have very little recollection, beyond the hapless opening act pleading with the crowd to let them finish their set: "We want to hear Giant, too, but we have to play first ..." My strongest memory of the 2nd time I saw them (must have been for Interview) is my disappointment at the sound quality -- especially since they were playing at Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center. The 3rd time (for Missing Piece) was at a less auspicious venue (perhaps the Beacon), and my complaint was not the quality of the sound but the quality of the music. I remember Derek introducing "For Nobody" by saying it was what Phil had said when he left the band. I also remember Derek introducing himself (although that could have been the 2nd concert) as Simon Dupree and looking stunned when he got a big cheer from the audience. Not that any of us had ever heard Simon Dupree, but we knew it was their previous band.

[@davidsilver6450]

The way you recount the day Gentle Giant clicked for you, ping, reminds me of the day my older brother and his friends, all proggy musician types, out of the blue, put on Free Hand in my room, cause I had the cool stereo. I guess it would have been 1975 or so and I was about 14. I was transfixed as well as puzzled in trying to figure out what I was listening to. I was sold on them immediately. With the good fortune of living in New York City, I was already a frequenter of shows by Genesis (Lamb tour), Yes, ELP, Frank Zappa, Jethro Tull, and now added Gentle Giant to the list. Saw them at the Academy of Music/Palladium, Avery Fisher Hall, Central Park, a bunch of amazing shows that typically left me speechless. They were every bit as "good" as any prog band of the era, and probably the most unique and multi-talented as individuals by far, despite their somewhat smaller commercial footprint! That their music grew on you the way it did is a testament to your good taste!

[@ProgAxia]

Great to hear from you David and how you first got into GG... always interesting to find out how people got attached to these wonderful bands. Living in NY, you probably had a better chance of seeing them than me, GG didn't play London very often and they concentrated on the US a lot more.

[@MrDiddyDee]

A massive Gentle Giant fan since their first tour dates, they were bottom of the bill to 'Ten years after' and 'Groundhogs', I remember nothing of either of the headliners, GG had started the gig on such an extraordinary level. I was three rows from the front and the Shulman brothers seemed exactly like giants to me, they were powerful, stocky, and they even dressed with wide belts and long boots. Their strange music was totally mesmerising, and the variety of instruments they got through, in even a single song, was something I had never seen with any band before or since. I drove friends and relatives mad playing their albums, but no one else got it at all, in fact they actually found it irritating. At art college it was the same, I only ever met one other person that had one of their albums and he wasn't that much of a fan. I guess I felt I was part of some exclusive club, but I deeply wished for more recognition for the band themselves, and I really couldn't understand why other people couldn't get into them. They were pretty unique, but surely if you were open to Genesis, King Crimson, Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, it wasn't a huge leap. The only time I met any other fans was at GG concerts. Desperate to get to see them live again on their next tour the nearest gig was too far for me to get there without a lift. I finally persuaded a couple of fellow students to come along too, they weren't keen but they knew what a big fan I was, so they were willing to see them live. It had clicked, the next day both of them went out and bought every album that was available.

[@ProgAxia]

Great comment... Like I said in the video, they seem to have gone under the prog fan radar. Most of my close friends are prog fans. They all love Genesis, Yes, ELP, Tull and Crimson, but I'm about the only one that's a real, love them to bits, fan.. It's always puzzled me how more prog fans don't love them too 😎

[@BringingPsycheBacktoPsychiatry]

GG lacked the requisite super-charismatic front man--no Ian Anderson, Jon Anderson, Peter Gabriel, or Greg Lake. And no theatrical stabbing of keyboards. Just musicians having a lot of fun.@@ProgAxia

[@crimsonrush]

You and I are exactly the same age. For years I have given GG a go and it's all gone a little bit 'over my head'. Until the last month when I have tried again. Like you mentioned about 'sophistication', I feel that I'm now ready for the experience. I am becoming obsessed. I'm discovering them truly for the first time. 'Epiphany' is such a beautiful word. :)

[@ProgAxia]

That's awesome. It doesn't matter when you get into them, I had that epiphany, took me a while, but once you get it... Once you get a chance you'll have to let me know what album has really hit the spot for you.

[@frankgarnevicus1187]

My first GG album was Three Friends released in the States on Columbia Records using their first album cover as a cover. The song Three Friends itself is so haunting it can give one chills. The most nostalgic album they ever made. I was hooked then.

[@ProgAxia]

Three Friends is one of my favourites too 😎

[@andrejz8954]

My favourite by GG as well.

[@davidporshia5081]

Same here. Three Friends was my intro to Gentle Giant. School Days still gives me chills....love the vibe solo. And the closer Three Friends is one of the greatest closing pieces of ANY album.....epic!!!

[@JamesW225]

One of my very favorite recordings

[@slowfinger2]

First time I saw that album was at a friends place, hanging fully open on the wall, so you could see the whole giant standing there. I asked what's that. Then they played it, and the world stopped.

[@wendellwiggins3776]

RIP RAY SHULMAN 🙁 I played bass in the 70's and saw him with GIANT LIVE 74 & 76, close to the stage at smaller venues and he was often the main focus of my attention, admiration and LOVE when performing. I loved his style and incredible fun stage presence and diverse amazing talent!!!!!! RAY WAS 2nd to Chris Squire as bass player but Ray WAS the key writer & composer with Kerry on most of GG GREATEST MUSIC! This is TRULY SAD for me to hear. I TRULY SAW HIM as one of the BEST in PROG even though based on Social Prog Media he was TOO often overlooked and underappreciated as a MAJOR TALENT in MUSIC!! MUCH LOVE for the GIFT he brought to us in his LIFE!!!!! tears tears

[@ProgAxia]

Hear, here... great bass player and songwriter. he will be sadly missed

[@108grog]

It blew me away to find out. What a creative force ! We were all blessed by him and his art.

[@christoguichard4311]

I'm a musician of over 50 years. A multi-instrumentalist. YEH...they ARE that good. In fact...they were the best. The only band that ever came close was Zappa's.

[@108grog]

Same hear. (Except I wouldn't say Zappa's band was less than GG. Outstanding musicians.) Me: Multi-instrumentalist, played in an art rock band, initially classically trained. (Not a deep "rock'n'roll" lover. I do have my moments though. Iggy - yes, Dylan - not so much.) And Zappa. ZAPPA 💥 T H E most unique composer/musician using pop/rock/blues elements. [Maybe tied with GG for uniqueness.] I wouldn't be surprised if he's remembered longer than most. But, I don't listen to him very much.

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@vmacart]

@@108grog for me the best concerts i saw was either gg or fz.

[@thomassicard3733]

Also as a multi-instrumentalist, I wholeheartedly concur with your assessment.

[@pantagruelresurrected4900]

Love how your enthusiasm for the band nearly makes you speechless… in my case I discovered them while poking around in the big record collection of my older sisters friend - the cover of Octopus makes me curious about what sound may hide behind this beautiful artwork… and as I put this record on…oh my… I still remember my whole body shivering while the first chords and this line „there… coming over Charaton Bridge…“ came to my ears. From that moment on I was lost in their musical universe… now for over 45 years. A perfect match: Me and the music of Gentle Giant ! As you said, their Music polarises very strongly, and in my whole life I could share my enthusiasm for them with only one person, that was my oldest friend… mostly earning shaking heads when trying to introduce them to other music lovers

[@andrejz8954]

Same here. People mostly just don't get em it seems.

[@davidporshia5081]

I could not agree more. I got Octopus(with the American release cover....diver and octopus in a jar) shortly after Three Friends. It kick my butt! A high school buddy used to check out a possible girlfriend on how she responded to “Knots”. If she shock her head no and didn’t like it....he dumped her. If she dug “Knots” she was a keeper. 🤣😂 Octopus is one my favorite albums of all time.

[@pantagruelresurrected4900]

@@davidporshia5081 🤣😂🤣👍🏻

[@ACooke108]

They are the top Progressive band of all time. Nobody better. Saw them live many times.

[@joecrowaz]

Unless you have ever heard Area. That's Progressive at it's absolute best.

[@synthonaplinth5980]

@@joecrowaz Wow, someone mentioned Area. Their vocalist was something special.

[@joecrowaz]

@@synthonaplinth5980 Demetrio Srtados was a genuine vocal God!

[@synthonaplinth5980]

@@joecrowaz Agreed. He was the first one to experiment with duophonic vocals.

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@Mr68Strat]

I had the pleasure' of seeing G Giant 3 times, including their final tour (Philadelphia, Pa). Nobody ever amazed and thrilled me musically like them. They performed like ten hands following one brain... They were a JAWDROPPING live band!

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@ulfskjol]

The "Pretentious" album was my gateway into GG too! Didn't like it initially, but next I got Free Hand. A friend and I played it and we were blown away, mostly because we at 17 found it really funny and quirky. And then their music just grew and grew on me and they are now the only one the classic prog band I play regularly.

[@ProgAxia]

Wow... your journey into GG looks like was exactly the same as mine 😎

[@arthurpletcher7299]

The best (in my mind) Quality, innovation, composition. The way that they mix their music. Complex, as you say.

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@whycantiremainanonymous8091]

Easily my favourite prog band. They bring in influences from early music (Renaissance and baroque polyphony) and from 20th-century atonal music (and jazz, and rock and blues, like many others). And, of course, they do it in their own way. So yes, it's challenging, you have to let your brain get used to it, but once it does, the reward is incredible.

[@davidporshia5081]

Amen!!!

[@cnaughtonmedia]

hence "Acquiring the Taste"!

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@baraovandermor]

What a great pleasure to hear you talk abou Gentle Giant with that passion. Without wanting to bore you too much, here's a little story: We are exactly the same age and, when I was 13 or 14, I listened essentially Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and all bands from that genre. In October 1975, due to the civil war in Angola (where I was born), I moved to Portugal, where I lived in a ward with young people aged 19, 20 and probably more. One of them, named Sergio, was a great admirer of Gentle Giant and couldn't stop listening Free Hand. That was my first contact with the band and also became my favorite band of all times. I don't have any compilation but I have all the albums up to the "Interview". Cheers, all the best!!

[@ProgAxia]

Great memories, it's amazing how we get into bands and the music in such similar ways even though we have such different lives and upbringings. Shows the power of the music and how it transcends everything.. Thanks for the comment and letting us know your experience.. 😎

[@Bawookles]

If one acknowledges that one of the important attributes of Prog is complexity, then Gentle Giant is the apex of Prog. No other Prog band came close to the level of complexity or sophistication that Gentle Giant had.

[@davidporshia5081]

I agree. Keyboardist/cellist/percussionist/vocalist/composer Kerry Minnear is a genius. His use of tension in chords and harmony was very jazz and neo-classically influenced. The Shulman Brothers, Phil, Ray and Derek were astounding musicians as is guitarist Gary Green and drummer John Weathers. Each member played at least 4 or 5 instruments and sang on every album and live. And those vocals!!!!!.....WOW! Best in Prog. The counter point and chord structures were just the best!

[@MLennholm]

The great thing about GG is that even with all that complexity they still had that awesome groove. There are a lot of bands that do incredibly complex music but when you listen to it it gives you nothing because it's all just so 'technical'. Personally, I think Genesis is like that in some cases even though I love them too.

[@Bawookles]

@@MLennholm Well yeah, with Genesis, any groove was all down to Phil's drumming because Mike Rutherford sure wasn't contributing any groove with his "bass playing". (As a bassist myself, I put Rutherford's bass playing in quotation marks). Phil was out on an island in that band in terms of groove. (Full disclosure: Genesis is my favorite band).

[@cnaughtonmedia]

Amen!

[@coltonbeatty6117]

Their music largely achieves nothing emotionally

[@PatSmith-cp8rg]

Appreciate your thoughts. I am 63 and got into Giant about two years ago. They are individually so talented. I often wonder how a super group like this forms. The stars must just align. Every time I listen to them I hear something new.

[@simonjones8111]

Having three brothers to start with helps. 11:46

[@dennisonoliveira8388]

Rip Ray Shulman... Sem sombras de dúvidas a maior banda Prog de todos os tempos.... (Vitória-Brasil)

[@BringingPsycheBacktoPsychiatry]

An underrated musical genius.

[@jeffreeves1494]

Hi, just watched this; my trajectory into Gentle Giant almost exactly matched yours. Free Hand was the first of their albums I actually bought and though, like you, I had to “acquire the taste,” once I did I was hooked. So much so I had to special order an import copy of 1973’s “In a Glass House,” which I could not find in the U.S. It was pricey for a college student like me but worth every penny.

[@ProgAxia]

Love it... thanks for the comment 😎

[@andrjiable]

I'm 62 and prog rock hardcore fan since I was 12. I dearly love all the 70's prog bands but to me, GG operate at another, unattainable level.

[@ProgAxia]

Yeah, they are really special

[@NFLed]

GG is the very best. I first heard their music in the background while I was playing D&D in my teens in the late 1970s at my older brother's home, and I asked if it was Yes. He had previously gotten me into ELP, Genesis, and Tull and he loaned me Free Hand which I then purchased and next was Octopus. All of the good prog music has taken me at least a couple of full listenings before really enjoying it, truly an "acquired taste" for me, and I remember just sitting in my room listening, not enjoying, but feeling pretty confident that second or third listen would become magical for me. And now dozens of years later my enjoyment of this music hasn't waned from maximum, and keeps increasing if that's possible. Unfortunately, I think that it has spoiled other music for me. I'm sure current music is fine (everyone has their own personal preferences) but since 1990 or so I have only heard a handful of songs which I enjoy anywhere close to as much as any of the good prog rock music from the 1970s.

[@davidporshia5081]

I agree. Not always....of course there are exceptions....but music that is very accessible I can grow tired of after a time. However those albums that took a listen...two or three to sort of “crack their code” are the albums that have stuck with me through the decades. And Gentle Giant is one of those bands. I think with bands like GG upon a first listen there is so much sonic information that it takes a few listens to absorb the music and follow the musical journey. After you’ve taken the musical journey a time or two you recognize the map and road signs and can sit back and enjoy the ride. Then years later it’s like taking a vacation to your favorite place every time you listen to it. A band like Gentle Giant is NOT a flavor of the week....rather a fine gourmet dinner.

[@NFLed]

@@davidporshia5081 Yes, I like the way you put that. I like the looks on the faces of those few I've been able to introduce to GG the first time they hear it. It's either amazement at experiencing something wondrous and difficult to grasp, or more often what the heck is this lol. Either way, at first listen for most people I think GG is not anything close to typical music.

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@NFLed]

@@ProgAxia Good list. As long as it has their last 2 albums as the 2 least good, that's a good list.

[@ProgAxia]

@@NFLed yeah, Giant for a day at 11 and Civilian at 10... 😎

[@jeremythornton433]

Great show. You got me to subscribe. My first prog bands were ELP and Yes. I was playing in a prog band in the early 70s. We were all teenagers. was the keyboardist and also played electric violin through a wah fuzz pedal. My band mates turned me onto first Genesis and then Gentle Giant. I'm not sure what teh first GG album I heard was but the first one I bought was In a Glass House. To me, that's the quintessential Gentle Giant record.I have never seen that compilation record but I'm seriously considering getting the Steven Wilson remixes. He's an audio genius so I know these remixes will sound perfect.

[@ProgAxia]

Great comments, In a glass house is a great GG record.. 😎

[@Bernioli]

I've listened to every album time and time again, their music is truly some of the best prog of its time 🙌

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@thomaslewandowski2504]

I have been a fan since 76-77?? I always felt they were underrate... Still love them to this day!! Great Video!! Tom L Buffalo, NY

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@dancorun6650]

I saw Gentle Giant live and it was like no live show I've seen before or since. You had to be there to really appreciate just how friggin great they were. I've also seen Genesis live and they were outstanding also but, it's like comparing apples to oranges.

[@francislee9]

I’m 100% Gentle Giant fan but I went to see Van Der Graf Generator live thinking they were pretty good and was blown away at their performance live. Still prefer Giant though!

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@davidrobertray6412]

Thank you for the video - I can certainly identify with some of your comments. Around 1978, I borrowed a cassette tape recording of part of a televised live GG concert. I was especially blown away by the live version of "On Reflection", with it's complex vocal arrangement and mixture of medieval, folk, classical and hard rock sounds. This music actually led me to my all-time favourites, Jethro Tull! I didn't hear much more GG music until the early eighties, when I borrowed an album out of the library. I can't remember whether or not it was a compilation, but I too had difficulty getting into the music and appreciating its complex brilliance. In 1984, I was so taken by excerpts I heard of "Octopus" that I bought the album - I also purchased more GG (& VDGG/Peter Hammill) albums in no particular order, falling more in love with the music and especially admiring Derek Shulman's vocal style (as well as Peter Hammill's!). Around 2004, I purchased a double cd compilation album of the Shulmans previous band, "Simon Dupree And The Big Sound", which included their album "Without Reservations" in mono. It may not be regarded as progressive rock, but there are some great songs on the cds, which portray an integral part of the Shulman Brothers' musical journey. The last GG item I acquired was another compilation album of the BBC Sessions, "Out Of The Woods". I still continue to enjoy Gentle Giant, and other prog bands (amongst other music) - especially including Jethro Tull, VDGG, King Crimson, Yes, more recent bands like Big Big Train, and many more.....

[@ProgAxia]

Thanks for the comment David, they do grow on you don't they 😎

[@sepp2gl]

My entry to GG was Free Hand. When I first listened to it, Genesis an Peter Gabriel were about to split after The Lamb in 1975, and they left a big hole. Both Genesis and Peter Gabriel lost my passion. So I looked for alternatives. And here it was! Simply mind-blowing! I had to have all the other albums, and I was never disappointed. Every time I listened to it I noticed something new. I loved the duelling between Gary and Kerry. Shulman/Shulman/Minnear as composers stand for a spirit of music, that has never been reached since then. Besides that, Kerry and Ray were absolutely great musicians on a multitude of instruments and Gary, being an autodidact on the e-guitar (to my knowlwdge), was absolutely capable to reach their level of music. I never managed to see them in a live concert, but in the meantime I watche most of their videos. Unfortunately they never performed those tracks with Kerry as singer in their live-concerts; he had a wonderful voice, too. Are GG really that good? Definitely YES (at least they were...)! The fact, that we are exchanging about the after ~50 years proves it as a matter of fact.

[@davidporshia5081]

Yes it certainly does. Gentle Giant stands the test of time. I’d love to see some these “bands”nowadays who auto tune their bad vocals, cut and paste and use “Pro tools” attempt ANY Gentle Giant composition. They may have “Pro tools” nowadays but in Gentle Giant’s day we had PROS!

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@BarryKurtz]

Pretentious was also my first Gentle Giant album but it was Playing the Fool that made me a fan. Saw them at the Paradise Theater in Boston for The Missing Piece. People who think GG are somehow a lesser band need only watch any of their live videos. I'm still awestruck when I view them today.

[@twtobin941]

Yes, some may think their albums are all studio trickery, until you see them faithfully reproduce it - and even enhance it further - live on stage.

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@petergiffes1239]

Saw them many times live. Unforgettable.

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@benoitrenaud519]

I discovered GG as a teenager in the early 80’s. So I had the luxury of listening to all their albums pretty quickly. I haven’t stop listening to the regularly ever since. One of the top groups of musicians ever.

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@rickdecost6498]

I saw them many times, but in San Francisco I was able to give them a ride to the Castro in the back of my 1950 beat up Chevy truck. Great guys. Always my favorites.

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@Bill-hw1iq]

There's a reason the second album is called Acquiring The Taste. It takes time to cultivate a mature appreciation for their work because it is so subtle and complex. Brilliant band. The more I listen, the better it gets. I started in the early 70's with Octopus when it came out.

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@lancelotbarr5900]

New to your channel. It was the Gentle Giant tab that caused my eye. My following of GG started in 1970 with the release of the first album Gentle Giant, heard the opening track on the radio, probably John Peels Saturday afternoon show, and that was it. I was 18 then, still love them, play something of theirs at least once a week. I could go on for hours about them, suffice to say no other band comes close.

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@HVkushbrewer]

My favorite band since '75 when I found Octopus in a funky little student run college record/head shop. I followed that with the double compilation album Giant Steps and never looked back. By the time I got Aquiring the Taste, I already had. I spent many evenings playing those records for friends over the years. Saw them twice on back to back nights in very different venues which confirmed my awe of their musicianship and justified my obsession with the music. I will say Derek's voice was hard to get used to - his sharp-flat tone was not always kind to the ear yet somehow worked in the tune discordantly if not harmonically. I think Kerry and Ray - even GG had better voices, just not the range of DS or his front man presence. Kerry M was a genius I believe as was Ray S and together they created musical magic. I remember thinking even back then, how can they keep going if they use 5-7 song/ melody ideas in every tune? My fear were realized by 1977 when creative fatigue seemed to set in and we got The Missing Piece, which at least gave us the beautifully haunting and sadly appropriate Memories of Old Days. Too many great tunes to pick a fave but I suggest The Boys in the Band as one of them that is often forgotten. Thanks for the GG Love video!

[@sergiosaenz859]

Octopus blew my mind when I was 17 and also my 10 year old son's mind too

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@leeswetnika3325]

Accidentally was introduced to GG at the Cow Palace in 1975, had gone to see Alvin Lee. When they broke out the 4 recorders, ... 😲Bought all of their albums the next day.

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@bombsite69]

I agree with you Andy. You have to really listen to appreciate them and once you do your hooked for life. Great band. Kerry Minnear's daughter is passing the torch with her beautiful voice with Dave Bainbridge, John Holden & many other great musicians.

[@ProgAxia]

Hi David.. I'll make a point of listening to the stuff from Kerry Minnear's daughter.. Thanks😎

[@davidporshia5081]

That’s great to know Kerry’s daughter and others are passing the baton.👍👍

[@ramzahnY]

They did groove. At a time when no other prog band did.

[@elforeigner3260]

Gentle Giant was a league on its own

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@twtobin941]

Thanks, great comments. I've been watching a lot of GG interviews, and Ray Shulman tributes, as the Steven Wilson Atmos remix of 'Interview' just came out. I'm a big GG fan and now have all of the surround remixes, which are brilliant. If you want to hear GG in its full glory, hear it in surround. Their complex compositions and instrumentation are perfect in 3D audio - you will hear things you never noticed before. And RIP Ray Shulman, a true genius, alongside the rest of his GG mates.

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@edwardnieckarz4792]

Yes they were.

[@wyliesmith4244]

I first heard Gentle Giant on FM radio on a Pittsburgh station. As I recall, "Acquiring the Taste" and "Tarkus" were played most frequently, and I was hooked. The first time that I saw them live was Halloween '74 in Springfield, Massachusetts. The show opened with John Martyn (first of a dozen times that I saw him) and closed with Focus. Giant was the middle act and easily the star of the show. I saw them every year after that either in Boston and/or NYC (where they played Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall once in '77. Much as I loved Giant's albums, seeing them live was even better. I bought a few live bootlegs (like Amongst the Darkers) before "Playing the Fool" came out, and that supposedly came out because the bootlegs sold well. But "Giant for a Day" seemed really weak to me (and their shortest album?). But, unlike the critics, I thought "Civilian" was excellent and a possible new path. Alas, no. Seems like I spent the seventies trying to track down Gentle Giant (and Horslips) shows. No internet back then. But I could always get a few friends to check the brilliant gentle Giant live.

[@ProgAxia]

Great memories and thanks for sharing 😎 Horslips were a big favorite of mine too, haven't listened to them for years. I'm now going into my vinyl collection to see what Horslips albums I have and spend an evening listening to them, thanks for the mind jog..

[@charleslsegal]

Yes! Not always an easy listen but I totally agree with your opinion. We are about the same age but I didn't discover them until the early 80's after they had called it a day. I'm very envious that you saw them live!

[@ProgAxia]

Thanks... yep I feel very lucky sometimes.. Right place at the right time 😎

[@UNIT-h2d]

Hello there...or, as Scot Lade would say (well, shout), greetings and salutations! I've just watched the 1 hour 50 minute live stream on Gentle Giant partly because I'm a recent subscriber to Scot's channel but mainly because the subject is my favourite rock group. Thus I discovered your channel, Spinning Prog, Prisms Of Prog and that splendid Swedish chap, Pontus. I'll subscribe to your channel now because chaps like you deserve our support. Although I am old enough to have been aware of the original progressive groups of the 1970s, I only discovered them in 2002. Prior to that I only listened to classical music, mainly baroque and 20th century. As an inveterate snob, I assumed 'pop music' was far too shallow and insubstantial for me to waste my valuable time upon. However, our group (UNIT) had Cheung Yiu Munn in it, an 18 year old Hong Kong Chinese lad who was our flute and guitar player from 2002 to 2011. He found my musical snobbery deplorable and insisted I take notice of these ancient groups he loved (primarily Jethro Tull, ELP, Yes, Genesis and Dream Theatre). To cut a long story short, while I found some of that music interesting, even inspiring (especially Tull), I investigated further and managed to discover Colosseum, The Family, Manfred Mann's Earth Band and Gentle Giant by myself. The Family and Gentle Giant are, to date, the only groups for which I have in my collection every studio tracks they ever recorded. There are few tracks from Bandstand that only barely make the grade and most (but not all) of the tracks from the final 3 Giant albums are definitely below par yet still good enough (but only just) for me to retain in my collection. The advantage for me here is that my introduction to this music is devoid of any hint of nostalgia so it was all totally new to me. (As an aside, it's faintly ironic it took a Chinese teenager to introduce me to music from my own culture. I wonder though...how did an 18 year old Chinese lad become acquainted with numerous progressive rock groups from the 1970s?) Anyway, when I heard Octopus and Glass House for the first time (in 2003), I could not believe what I heard. I spent 3 or days listening to those 2 albums in order to try to comprehend all the different, disparate musical strands. Like The Family they utilised all manner of varied instruments but unlike The Family they mastered harmony, counterpoint and rhythmic complexity that forced me to admit not only classical musicians know how to compose and perform music that merited my attention - groovy! The progressive rock influence is apparent on a fair number of our own pieces although we do not possess the astonishing technical proficiency of any of these groups, especially not Gentle Giant, but I don't want this to appear as a thinkly disguised attempt to advertise our own group, so I'll stop here. I hope your channel increases in popularity and introduces more young people (and maybe not so young people) to progressive rock, especially the groups who are not so famous. Rock on!

[@ProgAxia]

Thank you so much for your comment. It's not unusual for lovers of progressive rock to also be into many other forms of music. I personally love some classical, some I find too cheesy, but there's such great depth in the pieces I love. I also like areas of jazz. In fact anything that has depth and meaning. The music that moves me could actually come from any genre. I think the fascinating thing for me is the diversity of progressive rock., it fishes in many pools. Tull come from a totally different place to Emerson Lake and Palmer, who are nothing like Genesis, and Yes again are come from somewhere else. Progressive rock music is eclectic, and experimental. It uses classical, baroque, jazz, blues, funk, ethnic, folk etc. I post some of my radio shows on Mixcloud and did a series which looked at every year or the 70's and included what I considered the best progressive rock from each year. Whilst I was creating the playlists for these show I really noticed that progressive rock does not sound like one type of music, it had a freedom within the genre that no other modern form of music had. The bands were not constrained, they were free to take influences from anywhere and try anything. If you listen to each of the shows in sequence, you can hear the progression throughout the decade. If you have time have a listen, it will introduce you to some incredibly influential bands and maybe some that you may not have come across. www.mixcloud.com/RockinRebelRadio/ Thanks for subscribing, I don't monetize the channel, I just do it because I love prog., and please feel free to drop a link to your band here so we can all have a listen... Also drop in your first name, I'm Andy and again thanks for the comment 😎

[@Bubba-zu6yr]

There is little debate here even with the provocative title. GG’s only set-back in my opinion is that their music goes/went over the average listeners head. One might tightly sum them up as a band that stretched the limits of pop music to, possibly, it’s furthest extent. Great content, you have a new subscriber! Thank you.

[@ProgAxia]

Much appreciated Bubba 😎

[@BringingPsycheBacktoPsychiatry]

My love affair with music began when I was five years old, and living temporarily with my grandparents, along with my mother. (My Dad was in the Air Force and remotely stationed.) My grandma introduced me to The Music Man soundtrack, which remains my favorite Broadway musical--because it's a musical ABOUT music, and throughout the show TOYS with music itself. I have continued to love music, but especially rock music--and I've come to the realization that what I enjoy most is listening to musicians who likewise toy with the music itself--a phenomenon I call "Musicians At Play." That is precisely why Gentle Giant was my favorite band in college, and remains one of my all time favorites. However, I didn't come to realize this about myself until recently, when my son introduced me to King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, who have a similarly playful musical philosophy, if not at all the same sound. Even when Gentle Giant is at their most solemn, you can hear them having Fun With Music--and can share that feeling with them.

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@ronniefarnsworth6465]

Hell Yes !!!!! 👍🎼🎶 They are right there with all of Classic Prog's Top Bands .... Yes/ King Crimson/ Genesis 1970-77'/ Jethro Tull (who Loved GG)/ Pink Floyd/ Gentle Giant/ ELP/Nektar and more .... I saw them in 1974, 75, 76 twice & 77' Always a Great & fun show as an opening act for Tull or Headlining !! Great songs, concepts and amazing multi-instrumentalist !! 🎼🎸🎹🎺🥁🎻🎷🎤🎶

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@ronniefarnsworth6465]

@@ProgAxia I will do that this week 👍🎶

[@ProgAxia]

@@ronniefarnsworth6465 thanks, I really appreciate the opinions of the ProgAxia community... 😎

[@LeDoctoer]

I had the privilege of seeing them live, at the Palace Theater in Albany NY. It was a double bill with Renaissance.

[@ProgAxia]

Wow... what a show. I'm a big fan of Renaissance as well 😎

[@hjones451]

Totally agree - Gentle Giant ARE class

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@davidhaddon2854]

ONE OF THE BEST PROG BANDS OF THEIR TIME WITHOUT DOUBT.

[@klyvemurray]

Truth writ large!!

[@ProgAxia]

Too bloody true.. massive favorite of mine

[@rogerhennie8939]

Ray Shulman is rarely mentioned amongst the Top bass players. Such a shame.

[@1359401]

My favorite bassist ever and ultimate hero in the greatest most epic legendary unique band ever-absolutely agree with you a gazillion% and easily without a doubt the most obscenely criminally underrated ever.

[@francislee9]

My introduction was Three Friends and from the first listen they have been my favourite band. Nothing compares, like King Crimson, ELP, early Yes, Gabriel Genesis.

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@markrosenthal9108]

Gentle Giant wrote the most technically advanced progressive "rock" music employing: Counterpoint in styles from medieval through baroque. Instrumentation and virtuoso technique. Simultaneous thematic coherence and variation with both melody and time signature including classical, rock, folk and jazz elements. Bringing all of this to an audience accustomed to more digestible fare was a bit like bringing a Magritte exhibition to Disneyland - and thus the commercial limitations. But maybe that's what Gentle Giant wanted - an audience that was prepared to invest the time to think about the music. Considering this, the title of their album "Acquiring the Taste" seems apt.

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@CloseToTheEdge-Prog]

They were an amazing prog band. It took me ages to get into them, but once the penny dropped they became my favourite prog band. As you said they can be hard to get into but anyone who hasn't heard them or just heard a little then go and enjoy the experience of exploring their discography.

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@CloseToTheEdge-Prog]

Yes I enjoyed that. You can see how passionate you are about them. They are one of the most underrated bands of all time. Great video. You're so good at it.

[@ProgAxia]

@@CloseToTheEdge-Prog I'd love you opinion on my ranking, I bet it's a little different 😎

[@chizmo7]

Gentle Giant along with Miles Davis and Mahavishnu Orchestra opened my ears to musical landscapes that I didn’t know existed. They could write beautiful toe-tappable tunes all day long, but they continuously pushed the envelope. I love Yes and Genesis but GG was far beyond either band. FAR beyond.

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@vimfuego8827]

GG are brilliant, the only thing that let them down a bit was Derek Shulman's voice wasn't the best. Other than that, PERFECT

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@kurt1489]

I knew Gentle Giant from the album Octopus on, but the first Gentle Giant album I bought was Pretentious. During the last weeks I found my way back to Gentle Giant and realized I still love their music. I did a playlist on spotify with the tracks from Pretentious. They are great!

[@kurt1489]

Playlist: Gentle Giant - Pretentious: For The Sake Of It

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@TheProgCorner]

Amazing band!!!

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@matsahlstedt7400]

John Weathers. A true genius of relative simplicity in a very complex enviroment. A criminally underrated drummer in, except for the initiated, a criminally underrated band.

[@ProgAxia]

You're right Weathers give them the groove and drive, great drummer 😎

[@gringochucha]

The first four albums and The Power and the Glory are amazing. I've never been able to get into In a Glass House or Free Hand though. I've always found them too technical and cold, devoid of that feeling of wonder and fantasy that made the other albums so special. That said, Gentle Giant at their peak were possibly the greatest band in the history of progressive rock.

[@gregmauldin8199]

It's a matter of taste with no rules but imo In the glass house is marvelous

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@gowensbach2998]

Gentle Giant is the pinnacle of excellence. I dont think they cared about making hits. That has my respect

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@clauderanval2898]

Somebody, here, said Gentle Giant was one of the Big Five Progressive groups. He's right, but.... he's wrong, because GG is one of the Big Five Groups who made the music we love, on the same level of Beatles, Stones, Queen or any Top Of The World group you want to name. Not less

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@iluvpepi]

They are more than good. They will change your musical perspective. 👊🏼

[@ProgAxia]

They did 😎

[@Grithron2]

If they're often passed over in histories of prog it's because they don't conform to the "long suitelike songs" stereotype. I personally don't see any common ground between them and VDGG. In a way they're more like one of those "musicianly" pop-rock bands of the '70s (naming no names, you know the sort) - they have concept-albums but they're nonlinear, they have classical influences and they're noticeable but not exactly central, and, most of all, the majority of their songs are short, yet full of vocal/instrumental detail (and that's before you start noticing the way they actually write, obsessing over themelets being shifted around, hocketed and twisted out of shape etc). What sets the seal on their progressive reputation is that increased fondness for dissonance in the '73-'76 period, combined with the literary referencing of the Phil's-lyrics period, the amount of jamming they did onstage (pre '77), and Kerry's tendency to sound like an ex-King's-Singer. A reference book once called them a "workingman's prog band". When I was either four or five years old I discovered Gentle Giant via their two tracks on the MFP Rock Heroes compilation - which I instantly loved. But though I was an early discoverer of Genesis, Yes and even King Crimson, for no real valid reason, it took another 16 or 17 years for me to get around to studying the GG back-catalogue - cue several "what have I been doing/where has this been all my life" moments.

[@ProgAxia]

Great comment Grithron2.. 😎

[@roberthairston8340]

I am 70 years old with a continued love of Prog, from the beginning. I have seen them all. Gentle Giant was the best, musically. Perhaps they lacked in the stage theatrics. But no one could match their musicianship or creativity!

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@loupasternak]

of all groups to question, someone would have to be off their meds to question GG . Get that friend of yours help ,soon !

[@hansvandermeulen5515]

Just read the track listing on discogs. I like how Proclamation and Valedictory bookend side 4. Als Advent of Panurge and Pantagruel's Nativity as those songs are inspired by the same author (or so I've read somewhere). I love how GG had VERY complex music that still sounds funny and whimsical.

[@kevinogracia1615]

Love "Black Cat" off Taste. Peace on Earth.

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@billdefelice2550]

Love your video man. !! Great stuff thank you also we’re the same age . GG were always my favorite. Very complex music . Bought all of the albums and they were just an important to me . Like you said Genesis / Yes / ELP it was a great time growing up and that music was outrageously good . Over the top . Can’t wait to see more of your videos. Cheers! x

[@ProgAxia]

Wow, thanks Bill. Really appreciate the comment, and yep the music was insanely good back then. Every week another great band discovered, another great album or another great show!! 😎

[@henryptak1726]

You are absolutely correct - you use the word "sophistication", and without appealing to any unintentional snobbery, you do tend to appreciate Gentle Giant more fully if you also happen to have some musical understanding (not just pop, but also classical, renaissance and medieval, polyphony, and jazz). What is not generally known is how unfailingly kind, gracious, and disarmingly modest they are about the impact they've had on pop music in general and the prog genre in particular. I've had the rare opportunity of meeting and chatting at length with Kerry Minnear and Gary Green at a regular get-together for fans of Giant's work called GORGG. Kerry, Gary, and Malcolm Mortimore have been regular guests at a number of these get-togethers, where guests/members of the GORGG community even had the opportunity to play/jam with these guys, and you coulkzbin.info/www/bejne/pWeXiKqmfMSBmM2Y not possibly find a warmer, more generous, and more down-to-earth and approachable group of people (considering their formidable reputations and stature in the prog community) than these guys. Kerry in particular (and disarmingly) is an absolute joy to talk to, and it's hard for one not to be rattled in speaking with him when one has some appreciation and musical understanding of what he's done. How many members of Genesis, Yes, or ELP (all of whom I love) would indulge their stubbornly loyal fan base as to meet with them and (kindly) condescend to play and jam with anyone capable of keeping up with them after all these years? God bless 'em! Here a re a few samples members of Giant at a (2019) GORGG event in New Jersey, USA (my band Advent performed an impromptu version of "Free Hand" live for the "boys in the band" and guests at the same GORGG get-together: kzbin.info/www/bejne/roeveKSdnKhsosU kzbin.info/www/bejne/l4rCgoapg9apebs Are Gentle Giant REALLY that good? Unequivocally and emphatically, YES, and they still are.

[@andrewdavies5048]

Of course, Advent are an excellent band in their own right, and most GG fans are likely to love their albums.

[@henryptak1726]

@@andrewdavies5048 Heeey, Andrew! Fancy meeting you here - thanks for the plug, mate! Cheers!

[@andrewdavies5048]

@@henryptak1726 What better way to let discerning listeners know about Advent than on a thread about GG? I discovered Gentle Giant in 1973, and they remain my favourite band of the first prog era. These days, my favourite band of the modern era is Advent. Cheers Henry!

[@henryptak1726]

@@andrewdavies5048 Thanks, man! Tough shoes to try to fill - GG casts a long shadow indeed (as giants tend to do!).🙂

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@aspirationsthegentlegiantp5362]

Cheers! Great video! Thanks for sharing with all of us!

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@1ouncebird]

To me Gentle Giant are absolutely right up there with the other so called "Big 5 or 6" or what have you. It did take me a little while to "GET" them but once I did I was hooked. I had the pleasure of seeing them in concert 4 times and they were just an amazing act. I would say that of those Big 6 bands they are a bit more of a difficult listen, meaning the listener needs to really be a participant and not just listen to them while cleaning the house, at least in the early stages of hearing them. They are top notch among progressive bands in my opinion.

[@davidporshia5081]

WOW!! You saw them 4 times! I never got to see them other than live videos. And yes with Gentle Giant the listener is required to focus and pay attention to the music. One cannot ignore or put a Gentle Giant album as background music. It demands attention. And that’s a very good thing.

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@scottgillham2000]

My first concert! In my top 5 of all time!

[@darrenrieger4343]

Just stumbled upon your channel looking for live videos of them! I was born in 1978 in Canada and my father was a HUGE fan. He always told me that they were very underestimated for their sheer talent. My father, before starting a family, had a little band to make a few dollars to pay for school and actually opened for 'The Ventures' when they came to town. (I'm not sure but I think they are famously known for "walk, don't run") and their rendition of 'House of the Rising Sun' I'm so glad I was introduced to them at a young age, and can say that they are #1 on my list for road trips. Absolutely brilliant. Thanks for your video!

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@marcbergeron8690]

Gentle are unique.

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@marcbergeron8690]

@@ProgAxia I am currently relistening the albums that I know less, actually most of the albums released after Phil Shulman"s departure. I am very familiar with the 4 first and Acquiring the Taste has been my fav for decades. Now it is on a par with Three Friends and eventually 3f is going to take the lead.

[@322lukas]

It took me a while to learn to listen to GG. The first time I listened to it, I realized it was a bit complicated, hard to like immediately like Genesis, Yes, EL&P... There were many new things together. But I'm used to classical music, so I insisted, listening to each album at least twice, paying close attention. Until, to plagiarize you, I also had an epiphany! It was at the end of the track "Mister Class and Quality", mixed with the beginning of "Three Friends", and the "magic" lasted until the end of the album. It's easier to describe a psychedelic trip than to describe what I felt. That same night I listened to all the albums again, each one more than once, and it was as if I had never heard them before. In fact, I'm a layman when it comes to music, I don't know how to evaluate it technically. I only know that the closest I got to that feeling was when I understood Schubert's "Unfinished", or when I heard "Casta Diva" (Bellini's Norma) performed by Joan Sutherland for the first time. Moments that only (very) good music can provide us.

[@ProgAxia]

Thanks for this comment, I know exactly how you feel. It just suddenly click and becomes some of the best music you'd ever heard. It took me a while, but the journey was well worth while. 😎

[@professortheremin]

They really ARE that good, and the proof can be found in their live album, Playing The Fool. Talybont uses real 12th century counterpoint. Knots almost defies description, Killing The Time shows they can do a Steely Dan accent, Just The Same shows how many different rhythms can co-exist in one song, and both So Sincere and Dog's Life show off their string chops. The aforementioned live album shows them without overdubs, doing it all in real time.

[@davidporshia5081]

Absolutely!!!!! Playing the Fool is an excellent live album. Outstanding musicianship.

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@thisisnotclever]

Unlike Rick Wakeman on Close To The Edge, Kerry Minear did not have to play a church pipe organ to produce absolute euphoria. That statement refers to the title track of Three Friends which features Mr. Kinear organ sounds which someone once said," The organ sounds change the air around you". Thank you Gentle Giant & ProgAxia, I have a case of you.

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@jupiterlegrand4817]

Gentle Giant was the one of the greatest prog bands of all time. Live, they did things that even titans like ELP and Yes didn't attempt. They were beyond great. No one like them in ANY way. What I wouldn't give for a time machine: GG at the Shrine in L.A., 1977. Top of their game. (Happy 80th to Ray.)

[@davidporshia5081]

They were fearless in the studio and live. And Happy Birthday to Ray Shulman....an amazing musician.

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@loiseaunoir1021]

GG were a great bunch and they had lots of fun on stage

[@loupasternak]

Dream Theater sucks. GG ? Epic

[@1359401]

Dream theater are a band that has very good musicianship but imo they are a metal band in disguise with a dose of prog thrown in and their composistions with the exception of a very few do absolutely nothing for me.

[@loupasternak]

@@1359401 exactly. Most of their stuff is unlistenable for me.

[@Pcrimson1]

It's not nice to say a band sucks. However, if you say "compared to Gentle Giant", then its true...

[@loupasternak]

@@Pcrimson1 something about them offends my ear.

[@ericware9837]

Yes, what a group of musicians! Their vocals were amazing also! I saw them live in Central Park in New York.

[@ruslansuleimanov9441]

I've been listening to them for the past couple of months, and similarly to the experiences I've had with other prog bands, i couldn't fully grasp them at first listen, but I would constantly find myself wanting to try listening again, and then at one point I realised i was totally hooked. So far, I havent heard even 30% of their stuff but I have thoroughly enjoyed 'The Power and The Glory' album and some of the cuts from earlier records. Fantastic band, thanks for sharing your experience!

[@maureenotoole1292]

Have seen them many times. Yes, sort of in the same classification as Van Der Graaf Generator. Got to see them perform only one time. They played at the Beacon Theater in NYC 1970s

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@wheelyman81]

Absolutely, they are! First picked up Octopus (probably for the cover art, it must be said!) and I was hooked. I was interested to learn that they came out of the ashes of Simon Dupree and the Big Sound (remember "Kites"?)! Never saw them live but Free Hand, Interview, Missing Piece still give lots of pleasure and new things to discover. I used to call in to Rare Records in Manchester and there was a guy there who was also a GG fan. Every time a new album came out we'd say "this is the one that will really convince people how good they are!".

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@JeffReams]

Im new to your channel but I thought you were Ian Anderson for a second. 😎 New subscriber. 👍

[@ProgAxia]

Welcome Jeff.. 😎

[@tomrabon-kw8pp]

The first compilation, double album i bought was Giant Steps, 1975. There's a tune " Power and the Glory" that never made it onto the namesake album. Always, to this day actually, found it intriguing.

[@ProgAxia]

Hi Tom, yeah they originally released that track as a single.. They didn't like it, they said it was a terrible single, but I think it's a great track. If all singles released was at that level of musicianship the word would be a better place. Thanks for the comment 😎

[@bradfordogden7003]

It's now available as a bonus track on the remastered version of the album. It has what I think might be the shortest guitar solo I've ever heard.

[@dbc7772011]

Huge gentle giant fan! I can still remember hearing them for the first time. It was in the friends bedroom in the high school in the late 70s, I believe the song was just the same. I remember my friend saying check this one out and smiling. Such a fabulous band and so unique

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@grigorilotman2961]

Hi, man! 4 me GG ist the best prog at all of the time! Best wishes from Tartu, South Estonia! Grix

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@graemeyetts3465]

I'm a similar age,my main loves were Purple, Sabbath,Zeppelin and Yes/Floyd/Genesis Giant were the most interesting of all of these great bands IMO.

[@ProgAxia]

Just done a ranking of all 11 albums, I'd love to get your feedback.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZW1h2OOZ6ZqaKM

[@timothyjohnson5062]

Without watching the video the resounding answer to the question..."Are GG really that good?''...Hell yes they are!!!!!

[@ProgAxia]

You're not wrong... you should watch the video... let me know how you got into GG

[@keithjones203]

For the vast majority of rock music, you hear it once and you either like it or not. You listen to it again but you don't hear anything differently. With depth of content and mastery by GG, many times I found myself not liking a song of theirs initially, but after hearing it several times, I would start to hear all of the different time signatures and the depth of their musicianship. One of the reasons their music is so timeless is that every time you listen to a song of theirs you uncover something new. I often thought that they should be scoring film. Their music is story telling. They are the GOAT!

[@ProgAxia]

I feel the same Keith.. great comment 😎