Classical Composer Reacts to Free Hand (ENTIRE ALBUM) - Steven Wilson Remix - Gentle Giant | Ep. 171

[@sturgeonslawyer]

These guys would put more ideas into a single song than most bands would put into an entire album.

[@tommyrawlings3046]

So many Giant songs are like journeys thru many foreign lands!

[@philipcournoyer7024]

Saw them in Miami on a bill with Wild Turkey Black Sabbath and Jethro Tull I'm stuck on the first 4

[@davidyoungmoscow]

...entire life

[@willeebobb2214]

As a rock musician myself, the great thing about GG is the bass playing that holds it all together. REST IN PEACE Ray Shulman....you are one of the greatest of all time !!!!

[@TheSteveBernal]

❤

[@jelk1188]

Absolutely. What's astonishing is that he's just as good on the other instruments he plays. His duo with Green on acoustic guitar makes you realise the guy's better than 90% of rock guitarists.

[@WilliamJones-sf5pt]

Let us not forget that, in order to allow Ray to jump into other instruments, Derek would often fade back to take over the bass guitar.

[@stonestudioproductions5739]

R.I.P. Ray. One of my greatest inspirations...

[@louise_rose]

@@jelk1188 Yes, I've heard people who saw them live around this time making just those observations - his cracker bass playing and the fact that he could play so many other instruments with class. One of those "eyewitnesses" was bassist Jonas Hellborg, who would join John McLaughlin's band a decade later - he saw them gigging live in my hometown in 1976.

[@Odnon]

1. I love the bewildered joy on his face listening to On Refection 2. Watch their live videos to get the full impact. 3. They used to have a banner on stage that said "Pretentious, for the sake of it" 4. Ray Shulman is a criminally underrated bass player/ all round musician. 5. Favorite band of all time.

[@jhanser]

Thing is, live they sing and play all these instruments, besides trad rock instr , they cover woodwinds ,cello, violin, Perc instr…and have 5 guys who,can sing the madrigals

[@mikik3827]

Doug, you hit the nail on the head: The most unique rock music ever heard. This is as true today as it was 45 years ago, and nothing has ever come close to their creativity, musicality and craftmanship. I loved Gentle Giant when I was 13, and still love it at 63.

[@danpage79]

Me too.

[@MZSking]

I like Magma a bit more than gentle giant but gentle giant are still up there in my top 5 retro prog rock bands of all time

[@onusst]

Iam 68 and love them.

[@Tilemason1]

Same brother, my first concert was GG Gary wright, Peter Frampton, and Yes at Anaheim stadium California 1972

[@chicklyall8128]

Agreed. GG were stupendous.

[@eugeniomarins2936]

Dear Sir, Many years ago, when i lived with me mother, a professional classical musician (harp, oboe and pretty much any instrument she could lay - free - hands on), Gentle Giant was the only band that made her knock on me door to ask "who are these guys you're listening to? They are very good!" And then she would make some theoretical music observations, much like yours. I will send you video to her. Cheers from Brazil!

[@29Prce]

"It is our goal to expand the frontiers of contemporary popular music at the risk of being very unpopular." Gentle Giant in a nutshell, and I love every second of it.

[@Akron162]

Gentle Giant is a seriously underrated band. They were too ahead of their time and too artistically minded for their own good.

[@edwarddore7617]

Agreed, they are in my top 3 favorite 70s prog bands.

[@nilsen589]

Underrated by who? Not by the real proggers ;)

[@danielmoonen1891]

They are a genre on its own.

[@1359401]

Mostly by the general public but also by some proggers

[@travisabshire7435]

They now have a huge following thanks to KZbin and I don't think they are underrated any longer maybe still misunderstood tho

[@williammcallister8247]

Derek Shulman describes the band as three classically trained musicians, a blues guitar player and a rock drummer.

[@griiseknoen]

Ray was also a jazz-head. Then there's the strong funk influence to a lot of their grooves. And the folk music influence. And the 60s soul touches... Every kind of music under the sun seems to come together in this band. *And BEAUTIFULLY so !!!* 😀

[@danpage79]

@@griiseknoen Did you know Derek Schulman's record label was DRT records and released some metal albums from Gwar, Clutch and Seven Mary Three?

[@synthonaplinth5980]

@@danpage79 He also signed Dream Theater.

[@birdzzzondayflu2489]

@@synthonaplinth5980 and Nickelback and Slipknot

[@TheTralfaz]

my favourite description of them was ...A jazz rock fusion band that crashed into a rennaissance fair

[@RealDavidN]

Doug, watching your face during these tunes made my day. I've been listening to GG since about 1977. They did it all live. No missing parts, no overdubs, no autotune, and funky as heck thanks to Mr Weathers. GG was seriously incredible.

[@Chadner]

Yeah, like half of the video is Doug giving us the stink face. GG are out of this world.

[@diannenisler]

None can compare

[@ChristyAbbey]

Us old folx who go, "Yes only *wishes*!" I remember when this first came out and my early teen mind was getting rocked with this and Gong and van der Graaf...

[@djorlando57]

😂what he said 🎉 Amen. This music is so ingenious and mind blowing. There’s never been a gentle giant since. 😮circus. Lol love Doug’s comments

[@TheMartyODonnell]

Doug, welcome to the club! I started with Gentle Giant in 1973. Saw them live several times, met them once, and became a composer because of them. We should talk sometime.

[@Stratovariuification]

Holy shit it is Martin himself. You are a legend dear sir.

[@danbrown4life]

He’ll certainly love some of the Halo soundtracks, that’s for sure!

[@Doug.Helvering]

Hi Martin! I'd love to chat. How do I contact you? Or, email me at [e-mail]

[@TheMartyODonnell]

Doug! I completely forgot this was you. I loved this one from 2 years ago. So glad we got a chance to talk. Of course you might not see this comment, but just wanted you to know I re-watched. So much fun. We saw them do this live. I think this was the concert in Chicago that I found them afterwards in the hotel.

[@Doug.Helvering]

@@TheMartyODonnell thanks!!! Their music is so catchy!

[@JT40_]

6:06 Just the same 12:27 On Reflection 18:48 Free Hand 26:34 Time to Kill 33:00 His Last Voyage 39:57 Talybont 43:20 Mobile

[@guidenredhawk]

Gentle Giant may be the most musically gifted modern band I’ve ever heard. You’ve been hit with the GG magic. Love that you love them, means you’ll probably do more of them.

[@gelubatir9794]

YOU SPOKE THE TRUTH, SIR

[@Chadner]

Come on Doug, it's been a year. I can't believe you still haven't done another GG track! They are you spirit animal!!

[@JohnLRice]

The Steven Wilson remix of Interview is coming out next month so maybe he'll do that once it comes out?

[@Chadner]

@@JohnLRice Sure, but maybe he should check their other more classic stuff before he goes on to do the full Interview album.

[@JohnLRice]

@@Chadner Yeah, some individual GG songs would be great too. And there are lot's of other great bands from the 70's he hasn't done at all yet, at least that I'm aware of? (I'm not a Patreon or Discord member etc.)

[@davidloftus5481]

"Can we talk about how unique that was? ... What band does this? ... I'm like a kid in a candy store ... This is my spirit animal ...." Doug, after seeing you react to Yes and Genesis in months past, I'm so glad to see you took on Gentle Giant. Your reactions were pretty much like mine on hearing this album for the first time at the age of 17 nearly 45 years ago. That summer of 1976 I saw Gentle Giant open for Yes, and the former took over from the latter as my favorite band then and there. One of the things that makes reaction videos so wonderful is not only to be moved once again -- as if for the first time -- by music one had gotten accustomed to hearing dozens and even hundreds of times -- but to hear it AS IF for the first time, as well. Greater musicians than I have raved about Ray Shulman's bass guitar lines in online discussion for years and years, and I only really heard some of those passages clearly on this album today while watching your reaction video. As a younger fan, I mostly responded to music as a whole -- in its entirety -- without really taking the trouble to take it apart into its amazing components, although I was certainly vaguely aware of their presence. I've loved this band so much, for nearly all my life.

[@EvilMaxWar]

When I was a teenager back in the late 90's I discovered Gentle giant and it blew my mind. I could barely listen to anything else for months, I bought most of their albums during that time and I binged it every evening. I would definitely not be the same person today if it were not for the effect binging this band for a whole year had on the development of my brain.

[@wjstephens4654]

You ask “How many bands can do that?”. One band, my friend. Gentle Giant.

[@chadbennett7873]

Sooooo True. There was a Gentle Giant tribute album where progressive musicians did covers of their songs. It included Kevin Gilbert's "Suit Fugue" from "Shaming of the True" because it was in their style, the only non-cover.

[@travisabshire7435]

Thats what I keep saying! Lol

[@jeffjones1359]

@@chadbennett7873 What’s the name of that recording? Thanks!

[@chadbennett7873]

@@jeffjones1359 Giant Tracks: A Tribute To Gentle Giant. Kevin Gilbert's "Suit Fugue" is on a posthumously released album titled "Shaming of the True" - highly influenced by Gentle Giant. They put it on the Giant Tracks album because it was so similar.

[@jeffjones1359]

@@chadbennett7873 Thank you! Do know if it’s on KZbin? I really appreciate you getting back to me! I’m a musician and I really appreciate this music. If it’s it on KZbin do you know where I can get a CD?

[@BillColrus]

LOVE your videos. I've listened to Yes, Genesis, ELP, King Crimson and other similar bands forever, but GG is on another level. You *MUST* do the "Octopus" album. Seriously.

[@gregoryungs4462]

Octopus & The Power & The Glory-GG’s best 2 albums IMHO. Masterpieces

[@diannenisler]

All of their albums are great

[@michaeltarasov4426]

Damn, this band just killing my mind when I listen to those crazy moves with sounds "pip, pum, tich....e.t.c." I have no idea how this music could exist in 70s. Music industry def. degrodated since these times, so many gems in those times for a fan of high quality of music

[@wendycrawford1792]

Right on !!! My favourite band of all times. Got introduced to them in 1971. Got to see them 3 times. Still have newspaper articles about them from England. They were extremely annoyed about being pegged under a specific genre at that time.

[@wendycrawford1792]

@@michaeltarasov4426 I totally agree, Michael. My boyfriend at the time ( 1971 ish) introduced me to so many outstanding bands when l met him. He had his own apartment and a light box that his father had built him. Friends came and went. We had a few beers and listened to music. My boyfriend was listening to Genesis, King Crimson, Strawbs, Curved Air, Exception, Deodato, Focus, Pete Sinfield, T Rex, Pink Floyd, Babe Ruth, to name a few. Gentle Giant became my favourite then and is now 53 years later. I will forever remain great full for the introduction of these bands. I was fortunate to have seen many in concert. Way back in the very early 70’s, Massey Hall in Toronto had these ‘ Cheap Thrills’ concerts, featuring many British bands. 5 bucks a ticket!!! Lol. So we saw GG, Genesis, Strawbs, NewYork Dolls( not my taste) and Kiss, who played right after them. So many years later, it’s hard for me to listen to these bands because there’s so much emotion and meaning involved. The music makes me feel melancholic. It would or could be different if l had a partner but I’m on my own, so….just find it too emotional. It’s a shame. I remember when GG and Genesis broke up. Disco became the order of the day which totally bummed me out though l certainly loved the odd B G’s song. Everything changed though. I was so lucky to have been part of those magical years when you could hang out in Sam The Record Man and come home with an album that you paid 5 bucks for and you took the earliest opportunity to put the album on and follow along to the lyrics. Our circle of friends sang along to every lyric of Supper’s Ready and other songs. Cheers.

[@AndalusianIrish]

Doug you have to check out "Pantagruel's Nativity" and "Knots" by these guys and if you get a chance there's a video of them playing a gig at Long Beach which is great. If Noah Shulman can get you an interview with his dad and his uncles that would be cool but the man you really want to talk to is Kerry Minnear. You two talking classical would be awesome, especially as he has done a lot of church music.

[@edelcorrallira]

Should that happen, I hope they talk briefly about Azraels tear. Minnear did a soundtrack for that game... I'm sure there is more than a bit worth discussing given that as you could expect its not just a straightforward set of tunes :)

[@DimitriFrondizi]

Church music, really? you know, i am the second and also lead guitar player in a choir, an Italian catholic church but we sing and play many songs which original versions comes from US, by Renewal of the Holy Spirit movement and those songs are often in common with some of my protestant friends, Adventists of 7th day.

[@AndalusianIrish]

@@DimitriFrondizi Yes he played in a Christian group called The Reapers in the 1980s and played in his local church.

[@TheDodos85]

Kerry Minnear is a great composer and a keyboard player. Sadly underrated and overlooked. His music is unique.

[@notadoc2130]

@@TheDodos85 The technically most proficient ever of all keyboardists EVER!

[@timstanton9760]

I became a Gentle Giant fan after I saw them in concert. I had never heard of them before. They were the opening act. I was so happily impressed with their eclectic sound and performance, I’ve since forgotten who the main act was.

[@ayeatropoulos1]

In a college music appreciation class, I gave a 30 min presentation on Gentle Giant, and the professor loved it!!! You will too!! A composers gem!!

[@gordonmorris6359]

In my high school English class I played Pink Floyd's Ummagumma album track Sitting In A Cave and Grooving With A Pict, for the 'Old English part, the class went crazy digging it, laughing hard, but my teacher was NOT happy at all!

[@Cherr1]

I've been a fan since their first album came out and saw them play live a couple of times. As amazing as the records are, the live performances took it up several notches. The number of instruments on stage was incredible, and they were really masters of all of them. It is criminal that they never got the attention they deserved.

[@rolalapp]

Been listening to this band since the mid 70’s and still fresh and original. Unfortunately you are not alone in never hearing this band, they are way too clever to appeal to most people. I’m with you - they are like a kindred spirit. Please go through their catalogue esp THE POWER AND THE GLORY and OCTOPUS and IN A GLASSHOUSE and I think ACQUIRING THE TASTE would appeal with their use of instruments and arrangements. So excited for your journey of discovery.

[@BayouMaccabee]

But, definitely don't forget "Three Friends" and the self-titled debut albums as well.

[@Pcrimson1]

He needs to hit Playing the Fool so he can hear what they could do live. They were so awesome, I wish I could have seen them live. I was just starting to go to concerts when they were still around, they played at college the year before I got there, people told me it was great show...Ugh! I missed it!

[@ledded1]

@@Pcrimson1 they supported T Rex on tour in 1971, quite a mix of styles.

[@dennisrees4311]

@@Pcrimson1 I saw them live playing backup to The J. Giels Band. What a mismatch. We left after one Geils song.

[@jasonhansen9644]

I believe Black Sabbath opened for them on at least one tour (or vice versa).

[@jimbarber691]

Interesting note Derek Shulman became president of Atco Records and is responsible for signing Dream Theater and Bon Jovi to name a few

[@gregdaffern54]

Also Sugarcubes (Bjork's band), Dan Reed Network, Kingdom Come, Slipknot and Pantera. Even Nickelback! He also relaunched AC/DC and Bad Company.

[@aka.Mr.French]

I love Giant so much, I long ago forgave Derek for signing Nickelback. ;)

[@TorIverWilhelmsen]

@@gregdaffern54 I guess the rest of those bands compensate for Nickelback.

[@bobby666666]

Ironically, if he had not signed Nickelback, people may have not had the chance to dis them.

[@RichieG]

Also signed Björk, I believe.

[@JwinklerWin]

Doug. Finally you got into the top of the most as popular music goes. My advise after more than 40 years with this band. I'm a musician myself and from Rachmaninoff to the Stones and everything in between I' ve been been into all the music you can digest. My advise: you can't talk or comment while listening to Gentle Giant, simply because you're gonna be missing ALL that's going on during the play. When you hear this album for yourself only and not us you will see what I mean. Go and dive immediately into "The Power And The Glory" and "Three Friends" albums and you will never look back. You will be amazed. So glad that you got into Gentle Giant at last. Enjoy them. Cheers and keep it up.

[@wardka]

I'm impressed. It took me decades before it suddenly dawned on me that Talybont uses the same or almost the same motifs as the opening track and a few others on the album also. They are so rhythmically disguised. These guys are like the M. C. Escher of prog rock.

[@markdrechsler5660]

I’ve been listening to GG for 40 years. They still don’t get old. Any of their first eight albums are fantastic. “Free Hand” is often near the top of my list, but I would also highly recommend “In A Glass House,” “Three Friends,” and “Octopus” as great next listens. Sadly, not all of the albums will get the Steven Wilson remix, as some of the master tapes seem to be lost. Fascinating band! And a great reaction!

[@stereofidelic67]

'multi track' tapes ;)

[@Hellyeahray21]

Is that why there's no first or second albums remaster?

[@markdrechsler5660]

@@Hellyeahray21 I think so. I believe it was discussed in this interview from Make Weird Music. The interview is in two parts. Here’s the link for the first portion: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZ7KiJKBZrp8m6csi=DO4WSK4RTEqOPwuh

[@jeffjones9448]

Steven Wilson's remix of this is revealing! I'm hearing things that I've never heard on these recordings, even after listening to them for over 40+ years.

[@BertJamesMcKinney]

Their live arrangements are often quite different from the studio arrangements. On Reflection is a great example of that. Videos are available.

[@HollowGolem]

On Reflection live is what turned me from curious listener to fan

[@BertJamesMcKinney]

@@HollowGolem that would do it!

[@brianwaite8293]

I am thinking that Doug should listen to the 4 Tracks from Playing The Fool that are based on this album. That and Excerpts From Octopus, Funny Ways and So Sincere. Plus the alternate live versions as they tend not to play the same song the same way twice.

[@AquaticDot]

@@brianwaite8293 I was thinking Doug should do their entire discography and all of Playing the Fool, to be honest.

[@billcoonley319]

I was fortunate enough to see Gentle Giant in 1976, opening for Yes, at the legendary Cow Palace. They blew me away so much that I almost left the building after their set, until my friend reminded me that Yes was still coming up! Their live album "Playing The Fool" nicely represents their abilities on stage, highly recommended!

[@MrZimpoppel]

I agree, "Playing The Fool", even knowing the original tracks, blows my mind away every time I listen to it. All these titles have different arrangements than the recorded songs, and as creative and intricate as they first were, they found the way to raise the bar to top notch! Still to this very day, one of the very best live albums I've heard in my whole life !

[@Ronnie1001]

They do a wonderful live version of these songs in the “Sight and Sound at the BBC” concert

[@georgepitts1057]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/i36QqnqZpcaMlZY

[@budje]

I have seen that show at least a 100 times 😍

[@tasosargyris6898]

Best version ever

[@zsoltkiss-szekely8137]

You may also check out The Advent of Panurge Live-either in the German TV 1974

[@guidenredhawk]

Yes I particularly love “On Reflection”.

[@bgdexter]

"I'm like a kid in a candy store" pretty accurately summarizes my first encounter with GG :-)

[@BayouMaccabee]

Likely a fairly common response. :‐)

[@Eleventhearlofmars]

Y’all

[@Eleventhearlofmars]

👍🏼😆

[@brodjefferson3513]

You should for sure do some other GG albums like Acquiring the Taste, Octopus, Three Friends And In A Glass House. They aren’t too long only around 35 minutes

[@sparkle123494]

Definitely, also The Power and The Glory!

[@edwarddore7617]

Power and the Glory is my favorite.

[@Gary19702]

Three friends is essential listening

[@brodjefferson3513]

Honestly if you up for it I would recommend just going back to their 1970 debut and listening through their albums chronologically :)

[@estefaniasucre6966]

PLEASE!!! And also The Power and the Glory!!!!

[@Jerry_29]

This is my first time listening to this album. Don't have words... Beautiful music!

[@kipponi]

This band is/was hard to find but really worth effort.

[@DavidJohnson-mc1yu]

I was fortunate enough to see Gentle Giant perform in concert twice in two very nice intimate settings. There was no band that could play on their level at the time. Some were close but not quite.

[@pmoris4405]

Trivia. In a recent interview drummer John Weathers revealed that if they couldn’t record a part in at least three takes perfectly they would drop it and try again later.

[@CaryOn11]

Thanks Doug for your willingness to tackle this. Your facial expression at the start of On Reflection during the counterpoint harmonies was priceless! Good catch on Time To Kill. It was a recording of Pong. GG has been a favorite of mine since their inception. They are one the bands that changed my ears forever. I think they were one of the most original bands of any era. These guys brains were wired a little differently and I love it. As you said the musicianship, composition, arrangement and performances are all top notch. GG were not background music for dinner parties. They can be a challenging listen but if one can focus it is extremely rewarding. I am fortunate to have seen them live and I must say it was one of the greatest performances I have ever witnessed. While their studio recordings are fantastic one must see and hear them live to gain the appropriate appreciation. Not only could they replicate the complex contraptual ensemble playing and vocals but they would turn the arrangements up a notch or two. For instance check out On Reflection live and you will see it immediately. Again thanks for reacting to this, Tell all your friends GG rules!

[@aka.Mr.French]

trivia note: per one of the band (either Ray Shulman or John Weathers), the Pong sound was indeed recorded from a video game console in a pub near the studio. :) Probably was one of those table-style setups with the game and its TV display built right into the table.

[@tedluk1]

I remember hearing "On Reflection" the first time and thinking there's no way they could do it live and keep it in key- joyfully, they proved me wrong!

[@mariemidboe5929]

It's cracking me up that I'm seeing more and more online reactions to Gentle Giant. People are just now discovering what I knew (and other die-hard fans knew) 40 to 50 years ago. Granted some weren't born yet... but it's high time the band got the recognition and credit they so richly and over-duely deserve. GG is among the top reasons I started playing music myself. I'm glad for the Free Hand remix. In later years I always wished they could redo these pieces with better equipment and technology. I'm super blessed I got to see them 3 times during the 1970s in their prime. I'm also glad to see them kind of resurfacing... come on guys, lay it down for us again. Please!

[@mateusbandeira7583]

Your observation about Madrigals was spot-on, Doug. Gentle Giant is in love with Renaissance and Medieval music generally, and particularly with Madrigals as a form. These Madrigalesque vocal moments feature quite heavily in their music, as do other elements lifted from those two periods. You should guide their album Octopus a spin sometimes if this sounds at all interesting!

[@chadbennett7873]

Try Gryphon - will blow your mind. Red Queen to Gryphon Three

[@chadbennett7873]

@Bookhouse Boy Absolutely, but all four "epics" are standout. It's unique from their other albums, which by the way run the gamut for style. I have their entire catalog, even the newer stuff, and there is something remarkable in every song. I do miss Richard Harvey, though. Spring Song from Treason is truly worth a listen.

[@UlissesRochaGuitar]

Congrats for choosing Gentle Giant. I used to listen their work in the 70s. One of the best progressive bands ever. All of their records are amazing.

[@inckyprog6924]

Let me put it this way: when I started to deal more closely with music - from 1973 onwards - Yes conquered my heart, and Gentle Giant my intellect.

[@davidglauser105]

When a friend introduced my to GG in '75 or '76, his answer to my question regarding what they were like was, "They sound like Yes, but with brains".

[@adriennedaumer1331]

👏👏👏👏👏

[@Tahquitz]

Exactly!

[@davemcclelland3164]

Gentle Giant taught me about counterpoint, and multiple layered time signatures. You have to see some live shows to truly appreciate how unique and amazing they were. Thanks!!

[@travisabshire7435]

Yes! Counterpoint! Thank you lol

[@kipponi]

Counterpoint with every player same time.

[@markjohnson4217]

Its going to really bake your noodle when you see footage of them performing live. I expected them to be so technically focused on this difficult music that their performance might be sort of stiff and pedestrian, but NO NO SIR...these guys are electrifying to watch. essential Gentle Giant albums, Octopus The Power and the Glory Three Friends In A Glass House

[@chadbennett7873]

Absolutely correct - saw them live three times and oh my God, they were even better. Watching them change instruments in the middle of songs and passages was entertainment enough.

[@jonathanroberts8981]

Ray’s facial expressions were worth the price of admission.

[@collinbeal]

From what I've seen on KZbin, the recordings were their trial runs before they did the kitchen sink live. The albums are the plain cheeseburgers, and they added onion slices and A1 on the road

[@michaelgeisert289]

Cleveland in late 70s was an amazing show at a small club. Around the same era saw Zep in 77!

[@edwardnieckarz4792]

Best underrated band ever. Easily my favorite band ever.

[@davidcandelaria4411]

There was a time in the late 60's 70's for amazing "prog" rock. No rules, what ever sounded good, what ever appealed to the musicians. This was 1975 for Freehand.

[@Barbaste]

1975 was a wondeful year for prog! Relayer, Wish You Were Here, A Night at the Opera, FH, etc.

[@Eleventhearlofmars]

@@Barbaste Genesis were touring the lamb and were about to go into studio to record TOTT.

[@philipdiorio2881]

It's interesting that you chose the album "Free Hand" to review. It is my favorite GG album. I think it is, by far, their best work. In every track a moment is created. The culmination of great (and dare I say) complex melodies; the culmination of complex, and intricate, rhythmic and harmonic structures. Unapologetic, confident, and free. They played as one. No one before them, no one after them.

[@disgruntledtoons]

If you think this is some complex stuff, watch their live act. Their live arrangements top the studio work. At the Judgement the record industry will be asked to explain why they hyped punk instead of this.

[@BayouMaccabee]

"At the Judgement..."

[@jeffjones9448]

Never Mind the Judgment! We all know that all the record company execs are doomed already if only for screwing so many artists...

[@misterghee1]

@@jeffjones9448 never mind the bullocks😏, 👉soft machine was one of those fine groups

[@DavidJones-sy4mn]

At the judgement I think the record industry will confess under the pressure of complete honesty that it was about the almighty dollar, that they knew it would be easier to have mass acceptance of fad based simple punk rock than mind expanding more complexed music that people must learn to appreciate and understand.

[@RaphaeladeOliveira]

I was so excited to see this video on my feed!!!!!!! I can imagine your feeling listening to Gentle Giant for the first time because I've never forgotten this amazing, brilliant and astonishing emotion. I'm a young woman and I've been listening to Gentle Giant for the last half of my life and it's still fresh and new to me. Absolutely fantastic band, musically, artistically, poetically. Thanks for doing this! I love your approach to the music, your pure comments and the kindness to share your knowledge with us. Please, do more Gentle Giant reviews, unique band!!!!!

[@timbarden2782]

The Power and Glory is my fav I think. Doug, I've always had to listen to music like this by myself my entire life because it's so different that few can appreciate it. This is the first time I could listen with someone else! Thank you for doing the entire album! Made my night!

[@mvunit3]

My favorite as well, but probably because it was the 1st album of theirs I listened to . . . and it went WAAAY over my head at 18. It sat in my collection for the next 5+ years till I was more than ready to enjoy and understand it.

[@joshs4594]

I've been a major league Gentle Giant fan since their first self-titled album, "Gentle Giant" in 1970 and saw them live in 1976. They were arguably the most musically educated band you'll find anywhere. Every song is an original masterpiece. In many songs each instrument is playing a different melody that combines into one. They were the unsung heroes of the Prog Rock era and they still have a strong, loyal fan base, including me.

[@diannenisler]

Absolutely true

[@lauscho]

Fun fact: Derek Shulman became a record company executive after the band disbanded, and when he was at Atco Records in the late 80s, he was responsible for signing Dream Theater for their first major-label deal :D

[@lauscho]

@@paulmouradjian6045 When he moved to Roadrunner Records he also signed Slipknot! ...and Nickelback. 😫

[@Ridgebark]

Gentle Giant's music needs someone with your musical knowledge to be fully appreciated. I'm happy you discovered their existence :-)

[@AlphaBSP]

I was waiting so long for Gentle Giant on the channel, and it starts with one of my favourite albums of the band, this is awesome. I have another prog/avant-garde album suggestion for next friday, it's Magma's MDK, you will not regret this one too. ;)

[@tunnelamende6214]

Everybody has their favorites. I'd prefer a live version of MDK. My pick for a studio album would be "K.A.".

[@AlphaBSP]

@@tunnelamende6214 K.A. is in my 2nd position on the rank

[@daniduke09]

The best treat is to see GG live performances. Being able to play this rich, complex music live, moving back and forth between instruments, is quite extraordinary.

[@patchlord2112]

Gentle Giant is an AMAZING band.....way ahead of their time

[@chadbennett7873]

They are still ahead of their time. Their sophistication is still above most people.

[@DM-rc4yu]

@@chadbennett7873 That's so cringy I pulled a muscle in my face.

[@notadoc2130]

STIL "way ahead of their time" 50 years on ... :)

[@MICKEYISLOWD]

@@chadbennett7873 There is no such thing as ahead of their time. You have no idea what music will sound like in 30 yrs from now. This band set out to play the music they liked and they did it really well just like so many others. If you could say that about anyone it would be The Beatles with songs like Tomorrow Never Knows, Eleanor Rigby and a lot more because they actually changed the music industry beyond recognition so much that without them Gentle Giant wouldn't even exist.

[@chadbennett7873]

@@MICKEYISLOWD There is truth in what you say, but what I meant by ahead of their time is that the audience was not ready for what they produced. Pretty much, still aren't. We have a vast audience listening to music that to math (music is applied mathematics) like counting on the fingers of one hand, while Gentle Giant is advanced Calculus. The Beatles were more accessible, and trust me, I am a massive Beatles fan and agree they opened the door for so many brilliant artists. If music follows it's current "popular" trend, 30 years from now we will be listening to Artificial Intelligence created music because nobody will know how to play and instrument or sing on pitch. ProTools will eliminate the need to practice and auto-tune will eliminate the need to learn how to control the vocal instrument.

[@jamespuleo3269]

Hey Doug ~~~ I give you a lot of credit for listening (and reacting) to an entire album of tunes, from a band that you have never heard before. Great fun watching a first-time reaction to music of such complexity but still so FUN. Sometimes I wish you would stop talking and listen more, when a piece has shifted to a different part and you're still commenting about lyrics. (To me, lyrics are almost always way-beyond-secondary.) But that frustration aside, I like that you bring musical knowledge to the discussion, and the hanging-out vibe. Keep up the good work !

[@RickWarden]

I saw them in 76 in Phx. They traded instruments in the middle of their songs. I presented the song Cogs in Cogs for my music appreciation class and the professor merely said, strap in. I am 65 now and enjoy your reaction videos as this was what I was listening to.

[@ontherun9510]

They were spectacular live. They were playing all this stuff, switching instruments, doing accapella parts to perfection! Great musicianship!

[@mrtyreus0]

It's nearly midnight. I just home from a 3 hour gig. And yet, there's nothing more that I want right now than to drink a little bourbon and learn from your brilliant analysis on one of personal my top 5 prog albums. Thank you! Edit: to answer your question at the 25 minute mark. Close to 15 years now. Their ability to play over the barline implying odd time and still be in 4 has significantly influenced my comping style.

[@centaurus5676]

Isn't it sad, that nobody is capable of writing music like this anymore, let alone play it! This is my first listen and i was amazed! Even more amazed when i found some live performances....No words!

[@Wizardofgosz]

I've been listening to Giant since the late 70s. My friend Tim hipped me to them. And I am one of the guys who suggested you react to On Reflection a bit ago. Congratulations on doing the WHOLE RECORD. Wow. Well done.

[@chadbennett7873]

Hey Richard, Giant is a completely different band. . They're interesting too, but pure rock.

[@Wizardofgosz]

@@chadbennett7873 Completely different band than what? I have no context for that statement.

[@chadbennett7873]

@@Wizardofgosz Giant is a band. See their video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJ-XXqSNj7xpnrs Gentle Giant is a different band.

[@Wizardofgosz]

@@chadbennett7873 oh my God, don't even fucking go there. Everyone I know who's been listening to gentle Giant for 50 years calls them giant. Get over it. Accept, move on.

[@alanfine9825]

Always was, and still are one of the best musical creative bands ever....never gets boring or repetitive....so much fun to listen too!!

[@jeanparadis6227]

I have loved this band since they came out and still listen to them often. I saw them live twice. All very accomplished musicians. I love the way they layer their songs with seemingly discordant part that come together to form a cohesive whole. For a special treat, listen to the xylophone solo in "The Runaway" from the "In a Glass House" album (around the 5:00 mark).

[@U2WB]

Ah yes - In A Glass House is my favorite GG album !!

[@AnguaP]

Also a 40-year, saw-GG-twice person. It's been great to see them being appreciated as they should have always been, although can never stop wondering if some GG iteration beyond the now-defunct Three Friends might've happened if their popularity had been wider when we saw them, and bought their imported vinyl.

[@IanSamit]

Strangely I wasn't one of those pleading for Gentle Giant, so fortunately I've got a plea up my metaphorical sleeve. So let me plea for my favourite band Premiata Forniera Marconi (PFM). I'd especially recommend La Luna Nuova, Harlequin, and Promenade the Puzzle.

[@carlosramirez-kq6nk]

You have to see the live version of on reflection to witness the complexity it’s mind blowing!

[@derekmanthey8811]

There's nothing wrong with you except that you born to late. The reactions and joy in your face makes up for it. they're masters of point, counterpoint ,syncopation and harmony. All around the best individual musicians I've seen live on stage. I'm 65 years young when I listen to them.

[@scottmccaul9911]

I was "Acquiring the Taste" while this one was being conceived. Been a fan since 1974, I know that's late for some but have been a fan since. Never have they faded from my top 3!!!!

[@bjhellstream]

My favourite. Probably because it was my first GG album all the way back in the seventies.

[@markjacobsen8335]

One of the great mysteries in Gentle Giant fandom is the large number of fans who actually don't like "Talybont". It's a brilliant little diddy and full of Gentle Giant awesomeness. It's been so weird for me to come across loads and loads of Gentle Giant fans who just rip on it. "His Last Voyage" is sublime and probably the greatest song on the album. So glad you liked Gentle Giant and what they offered here. I've been listening to them for a few decades. Would love to see you do "In A Glass House", "Aspirations", and "The Boys In The Band" (crazy meter stuff in that one).

[@chadbennett7873]

Talybont is amazing - strong medieval/folk influence. Very Gryphon like. Love it!!

[@RikvanderSchalie]

@@chadbennett7873 My thoughts exactly.

[@harryh1188]

I only discovered Gentle Giant about 6 months ago, but they have quickly become one of my favorite bands of ALL TIME. The songwriting is outrageously good, so unusual and interesting. Throw on top of that they they are all multi-instrumentalists and singers, and they can go places most other bands couldn't dream of. I also love that they have an insanely perfect sense of groove. This is genius stuff. You should listen to "I Lost My Head"- the composition and the transitions are ridiculous.

[@jefffloyd9671]

This has to be listened with headphones. Mr. Wilson has outdone himself. Put me in the long list of folks who want more GG on the channel. Thanks, Doug

[@meurglysthefourth]

I'd really suggest you check out the album "The Power and The Glory", if you'd like to go deeper down the Gentle Giant rabbit hole. It is arguably their most complex album, and I'm sure it will blow you away. It is also a concept album, so I'd suggest you listen to that album in one sitting as well edit: fixed grammar error

[@anatoliyzhalnin8393]

Absolutely!! My favorite GG as well. Bought this album in 1977 in a frikking cold Siberia and was the only one in the entire gigantic area to know anything about this majestic band.

[@tedluk1]

I agree! I think The Power and The Glory, is their best written amd edited album. The songs are incredibly tight.

[@digitig]

Yes, that's the album that introduced me to GG when it first came out and was reviewed on BBC Radio 3.

[@BoltRM]

After Power & the Glory, I suggest my next favorite: Octopus

[@BayouMaccabee]

Great reaction...probably my favorite on the channel so far. Knowing this album as well as I do I really enjoyed anticipating & watching all of the surprised looks on Doug's faces as we approach certain parts of the songs that I know he will love. Can't wait for Doug to continue going down the Gentle Giant rabbit hole. He should do complete album reactions for ALL Gentle Giant albums.

[@wowiezowie4235]

Hey Doug! Love the show! Would love to see your reaction to the epic 1974 "Hamburger Concerto" by the great Dutch progressive band Focus. One of my favorites from the seventies that I still listen to regularly!

[@nsgobbi]

Another gem. Very well remembered.

[@KingXanadu]

Love that whole album

[@brucegelman5582]

Goddamn Right!

[@DanielHeikalo]

Amazing band. Saw them twice, and believe me, they could perform this stuff on stage, no scores, while dancing... Never seen anything like it. Almost fifty years old, and not a wrinkle. And man, they were also so funky. Their drummer was perfect for the group.

[@scottsinner7530]

Kerry's voice in that solo section still brings me to tears. Love these guys.

[@thewordlove4316]

Kerry Minnear is a living counterpoint - it's where he shines!! he rarely takes the melodic lead, rejoicing in coloring the melody and being the soil for songs to grow and flourish in! just as Raymond Shulman's passing gutted me, Kerry Minnear's will be as devastating ...

[@qriofficial1769]

This is one of those few albums, not just a good song here and there, but perfect from start to finish. Same goes for Supertramp's Crisis? What Crisis? and Steely Dan's The Royal Scam, both released the same year. Absolute perfection.

[@Tilemason1]

Awesome comparison Kisa, you get a 💯🎯from me.

[@ДмитрийБрылов-ж6к]

Только Supertramp и Steely Dan гораздо слабее, чем GG.

[@qriofficial1769]

@@ДмитрийБрылов-ж6к В смысле прог, да.

[@ansfridaeyowulfsdottir8095]

OMG! The entire album? {:-:-:}

[@antoniocarlin5026]

jajajajaja and is not a album from King Crimson or YES or Génesis or ELP...the Prog Monsters!! is : Gentle Giant

[@ansfridaeyowulfsdottir8095]

@@antoniocarlin5026 I _know,_ right!? Fantastic band! But please do not say "prog". The phrase is "progressive rock". I also like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, which is "heavy rock". But we don't call it "hev". I also like "folk rock", but we don't call it "fol". The reason we do not do these things is because it makes us sound dedrater, silly and idiotic, NOT "cool". I have had to unsub from several progressive rock forums because I was surrounded by idiots trying to sound "cool". {:-:-:}

[@davidgranger6617]

Ray's brilliant bass playing really jumps out at you in this remix! (He also did a lot of the composing along with Kerry.)

[@charliewilliams3860]

This whole album gave me medival/tudor vibes, with a bit of Jethro Tull. Never heard of them before, but will definitely be listening more in the future. Thanks for featuring them Doug.

[@lemming9984]

Go to "In a Glass House" and "Octopus". Great albums.

[@Kram62]

Acquiring the Taste too, check out their live footage

[@BoltRM]

My brother _discovered_ them when he saw them open for Tull on the Thick As a Brick tour.

[@kzustang]

I've listened to GG over the past 30 years on and off and was always a bit intimidated by the intensity of their compositions. In the last few years I've been seriously gravitating more and more towards more and more of their albums. I started with Free Hand and Octopus. Then moved on to Three Friends and In a Glass House. Power and Glory and Gentle Giant were the last ones I got to know and love. Interview and the double Live album are my next two. TY. Great video Doug.

[@thewal1ofsleep]

Oh man, you're real deep in the prog now, Doug. It made me so happy to hear you say you were "like a kid in a candy store" with this record. Now that you've started traveling down the road of more "cult" level prog with GG and Van der Graaf Generator, I think it's time for you to check out some song from Camel. Might I suggest "Chord Change", "First Light" and "Metrognome" (together) and "Lady Fantasy". And if you're going to do more full album listenings in the future, their album "The Snow Goose" is a big instrumental concept piece which should really only be listened to in its entirety.

[@elchiquifru]

Steven Wilson deserves a monument from the prog community. Brings this music to another level.

[@BringingPsycheBacktoPsychiatry]

And he completely salvaged Interview--a terrific album that was buried under a shitty mix!

[@tranquilitybase6417]

Oh my gawd he’s listening to the whole album? AMAZING!!

[@johnhanaly2943]

The first time I ever heard Giant it was on the radio in 1975 and my reaction was "what the f&^%! - who is that? so I listened all day to hear it again and my discovery began!

[@CustomGames-wg9gv]

perfect timing for this as it is 9 years to the day that I met Gary Green!

[@chadbennett7873]

That must have been highly interesting. Gary's the one that has kept Gentle Giant music alive with his band "Three Friends" with GG's original drummer Malcom Mortimore.

[@leeswetnika3325]

Great to listen along with someone who also appreciates this eclectic stuff, and who can explain what's going on in it.

[@keithpasculli7465]

Not only did they write this and record it they actually performed it live.

[@markgpope]

Been listening since the 70's. Love their stuff. Listen to them live and realise that they all sing, play half a dozen instruments, and masterfully reproduce this stuff. Awesome Band.

[@brucegelman5582]

Doug you werent hanging around the right people...but now you are☺

[@deeperintothedungeon1152]

Yeesss!!! Finally a full album reaction....and what a good one this was. THANX!! There are soooooo many fantastic 70s prog albums out there that also need this kind of treatment, Doug!!!!

[@henriquecepulveda6117]

Yeah, Please, do Magma's K.A. next! You are gonna be completely intrigued by it!

[@nsgobbi]

Absolutely my friend. K.A. or Kohntarkosz. Doug will go crazy.

[@magmasunburst9331]

Magma is the closest to classical music of all the Prog bands. But you have to pick the right pieces

[@u.v.s.5583]

I like my Magma with live video. Just gotta watch Vander do his thing.

[@timwinter7518]

My absolute favorite prog band of that era. One of things that is so impressive is that all background instrumental parts to the vocals are ostinato instead of strumming pads. I find that so unique and difficult to pull off. And they did. BTW I’ve been listening to GG since the release of Free Hand in ‘75. I am so glad you appreciate GG. Now ya gotta dig in to their other albums. In A Glass House is another wonderful offering. Actually anything before The Missing Piece is great. All in all I think GG was the most underrated band of the era and it’s no wonder why you hadn’t heard of them before now. Better late than never.

[@johncassidy3071]

The trick to GG is to just enjoy where they take you.

[@xlerb_again_to_music7908]

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant! Great mix from SW - very clear, more vibrant! I'm definitely in for more GG. And if you want another whole album of this quality & vibe to react to (yet very different) can recommend Jethro Tull's "Songs from the Wood". Greatly enjoyed this reaction Doug! :) Thanks!

[@robertgellert1325]

Doug, for a fun time check out the Proclamation official fan video. Proclamation is the opening track off Gentle Giant’s ‘Power and the Glory’ album , which preceded ‘Free Hand’. The members of the band participated and it was produced by Ray and Noah Shulman if my memory serves me correct.

[@John-The]

Cheers! You are listening to my favorite band. I'd love to hear your take on the new Steve Wilson mix of "Interview."

[@mariajorgebenitez9310]

Excellency... Delightful... Beautiful, harmony sounds to my spirit... What a great way to be in high school and then listen to Gentle VERY Giant and many others... my teenager years were completed... I am still complete... The 60's, 70's music and a good book, excellent way to be ready for life...

[@MrDiddyDee]

Doug, welcome to the Baroque & Roll of Gentle Giant, you may never be the same again. Been a fan since the 1970's, got GG's first album after seeing them live. At the time they were bottom of a prog rock bill for their first tours, I was blown away by the eclectic mix of music and instrument swopping, their powerful stage presence, and the fact I hadn't heard anything like them (or since for that matter). Not surprised you hadn't heard of the band, they never got the acclaim they truly deserved, as they were just too way ahead of their time. I followed them through most of their career, up until the album that followed 'Free hand' which was the 'Interview' album, after that, for me, I felt they started to sadly lose their way. I'm now so glad they are belatedly getting so much attention with the recent remixes, it's a wonderful affirmation for all the band members after all these years. PLEASE do more reactions to GG albums, 'Octopus' or 'Power and the glory' would likely be the fans next choice, my personal favourites are 'Acquiring the taste' and 'In a glass house'.

[@nsgobbi]

Sorry Doug, come on - I simply can't believe you haven't heard GG before.... This day (when you listen GG for the first time) is nothing less than a trip for a place you never been before. Moreover, a highly literate musician like you is absolutely impossible not to have crossed ways with their body of work anyway. They are simply genius of music, not only rock'n'roll !!!!

[@matzeklingner3902]

Gentle Giant have been called "progressive rock´s best kept secret..." for reasons.

[@erikberg5363]

Amazing band. My favourite album is probably “Acquiring the Taste” but their first 8 are all great! Definitely one of the most unique groups I’ve ever listened to.

[@pthaynes]

I am once again humbly appealing to you to do 'Thick As A Brick Pt 1' by Jethro Tull.

[@TiltCntrlz]

Why only Pt.1?

[@TiltCntrlz]

Also, Passion Play.

[@nsgobbi]

@@TiltCntrlz Man, we are at least two on Earth to love this album (Passion Play).

[@Nora_Malloy]

@@nsgobbi nah its great

[@randyhammill9021]

Not just Part I, there’s some wonderful passages in Part II, and it was only split because it had to fit an LP.