Gentle Giant were a British progressive rock band, one of the most experimental of the 1970s. Textually inspired by philosophy, personal events and the works of François Rabelais, the group's compositional purpose was to "expand the frontiers of contemporary popular music at the risk of becoming very unpopular."^[1] Image File history File links Download high resolution version (860x590, 195 KB) Summary Source: Downloaded from http://blazemonger. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... For the Swedish political music movement, see progg. ... Symphonic rock is a subgenre of rock music, and more specifically, progressive rock. ... “Hard Rock” redirects here. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Chrysalis logo (1987-2005) Chrysalis Records is a record label that was created in 1969. ... Vertigo Records was the name Philips Records chose in the sixties for its record label to counter the progressive labels of its rivals EMI (with Harvest Records) and Decca Records (with Deram Records). ... Capitol Records is a major United States-based record label, owned by EMI. // The Capitol Records company was founded by the songwriter Johnny Mercer in 1942, with the financial help of movie producer Buddy DeSylva and the business acumen of Glenn Wallichs, (1910-1971) (owner of Music City, at the... DRT Entertainment is a New York City based independent record label founded in 2003 by Derek Shulman, Ron Urban and Theodore Ted Green. ... Kerry Minnear is a multi-instrumentalist who played in the innovative progressive rock band Gentle Giant during the 1970s. ... Derek Shulman (born 11 February 1947 in Glasgow, Scotland) is a singer, multi-instrumentalist, and record executive. ... Ray Shulman is the youngest of three brothers that were in the innovative British progressive rock band Gentle Giant. ... Gentle Giant was a British band considered to be one of the most original progressive rock bands of the 1970s. ... John Weathers was the drummer for the innovative progressive rock band Gentle Giant. ... Phil Shulman (born Philip Arthur Shulman, on August 27, 1937 in Glasgow, Scotland), was a member of the progressive rock group Gentle Giant from 1970 to 1972. ... Malcolm Mortimore is a drummer who has played with Gentle Giant, Spike Heatley, Tom Jones, Troy Tate, Ian Dury, G.T. Moore, Mick and Chris Jagger, Frankie Miller, Oliver Jones, and Barney Kessel. ... For the Swedish political music movement, see progg. ... In music, a band is a company of musicians, or musical ensemble, usually popular or folk, playing parts of or improvising a musical arrangement on different musical instruments. ... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979, also called The Seventies. ... The philosopher Socrates about to take poison hemlock as ordered by the court. ... François Rabelais François Rabelais (c. ...

History

Gentle Giant was formed by Derek, Ray and Phil Shulman in 1970 after they dissolved their soul/pop band Simon Dupree and the Big Sound in 1969 . The brothers joined with Gary Green, Kerry Minnear, and a succession of drummers to produce a series of twelve albums throughout the 1970s, finally dissolving quietly in 1980. Gentle Giant was a British progressive rock band with strong classical influences that emerged from Simon Dupree and the Big Sound in 1970 and existed continuously until 1980. ... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979, also called The Seventies. ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ...

Their earlier albums were more eclectic and experimental than the later ones. By 1974, as they started to gather an American following, they simplified their songs (which, compared to other rock artists at the time, were still very complex) to gain a wider audience. Free Hand reached the Top 50 in the U.S.

By 1977, as cultural trends in the music shifted toward punk and New Wave, the band shifted toward a more commercial sound. In 1979, Gentle Giant relocated to America to record their twelfth and most mainstream album, Civilian, after which the group disbanded. Punk rock is an anti-establishment music movement beginning around 1976 (although precursors can be found several years earlier), exemplified and popularised by The Ramones, the Sex Pistols, The Clash and The Damned. ... Bold text New Wave in the late 1970s and early 1980s was inspired by the punk rock. ...

Composing

The music was mostly composed by Kerry Minnear, who had a degree in composition, and Ray Shulman, who emulated Minnears technique to such a degree that it is hard to say who of them wrote what. In addition, Derek Shulman contributed various musical ideas, even whole songs. Phil Shulman wrote the lyrics for the first four albums, after that Derek Shulman took over the lyrics. John Weathers and Gary Green contributed a few pieces on the last few albums.^[2] Kerry Minnear is a multi-instrumentalist who played in the innovative progressive rock band Gentle Giant during the 1970s. ... Composition can refer to: // Composition in art In the fine arts, compostion may refer to any of the following: Composition (visual arts) Musical composition MIDI composition In literature, oratory, and rhetoric, composition refers, as the etymology of the word quite literally indicates, to the putting (words) together to produce a... Ray Shulman is the youngest of three brothers that were in the innovative British progressive rock band Gentle Giant. ... Derek Shulman (born 11 February 1947 in Glasgow, Scotland) is a singer, multi-instrumentalist, and record executive. ... Phil Shulman (born Philip Arthur Shulman, on August 27, 1937 in Glasgow, Scotland), was a member of the progressive rock group Gentle Giant from 1970 to 1972. ... John Weathers was the drummer for the innovative progressive rock band Gentle Giant. ... Gentle Giant was a British band considered to be one of the most original progressive rock bands of the 1970s. ...

Style

Gentle Giant, in considering musical theory, is a living example of using counterpoint as a stylistic device in (progressive) rock music. Furthermore, polyphony, polymetrics, hocketing, and the technique of using patterns is widely common in the ensemble´s tunes. Hocketing is a technique to make a musical phrase sound more interesting. One divides the phrase into small parts of one, two or three notes, and each part is then played by different instruments. This can be heard when the instruments come in after the first vocals in Knots. Another example is the long build up in Proclamation after the instrumental mid-section, where the one-bar phrase is not only hocketed, but also spread out in sixteen repetitions where one of the small parts is added with nearly each repetition.^[2] In music, counterpoint is the relationship between two or more voices that are independent in contour and rhythm, and interdependent in harmony. ... Polyphony is a musical texture consisting of two or more independent melodic voices, as opposed to music with just one voice (monophony) or music with one dominant melodic voice accompanied by chords (homophony). ... Plyometrics is a type of exercise that utilizes a rapid eccentric movement, followed by a short amortization phase, and then followed by an explosive concentric movement, which enables the synergistic muscles to engage in the myotatic-stretch reflex during the stretch-shortening cycle. ... A pattern is a form, template, or model (or, more abstractly, a set of rules) which can be used to make or to generate things or parts of a thing, especially if the things that are generated have enough in common for the underlying pattern to be inferred or discerned...

Unusual Chords and Melodies

However unusual the music of Gentle Giant has been considered, a closer look reveals relatively few weird or intricate chords in themselves, compared with contemporary classical music. Harmonically, the pieces are often traditional or at least more like the neoclassicism of the first half of the 20th century. Pieces like Proclamation and So Sincere stand out with regards to modern and more complicated harmonics, but mostly the unusualness lies more in sudden and unexpected turns and twists, like with simple chords broken up in patterns where some of the tones are varied from repetition to repetition. Another trick is unusual successions of more usual chords.^[2]

The fact of going from one key to another can be looked upon as a reason why the melodies might be perceived as quite uncommon but again adds to the uniqueness of melodies within a song, sometimes being changed quickly within the same bar between a major and minor third, like in Isnt it quiet and cold? . Moreover, these thirds are superimposed in Schooldays. ^[2]

Changing Key

Melodies and instruments, as in the case of Gentle Giant, do have a compositional meaning while nearly in every piece from the start they are put contrapunctally against other lines and melodies. This development is continually accompanied by slight adjustments such as changing from minor to major key as well as fastening or slowering themes in their duration. The opening vocal line of Pantagruel`s nativity is repeated in another rhythm in the saxes as they play background in the songs improvisational section, for example. Another changing method in Gentle Giants pieces is the clever handling of transitions between sections: in just a few bars, a hard rock guitar riff moves for a medieval choral in Why not?. ^[2]

Stating Themes

Gentle Giant consciously used the classical composition theme of stating themes. For example, one theme was used on one instrument in the beginning for later to reuse it simultaneously or in counterpoint on another instrument, or against other chords or instruments than in the tunes beginning. Furthermore, often an opening theme is later sung in a choir, even in a development of the original theme in elaborating through using bits and pieces of it.^[2]

Complexity Complexity in general usage is the opposite of simplicity. ...

Now and then song lines could stay in the wrong place for shorter or longer times, the most obvious example being Prologue , where the line itself is simple, but an eighth note behind the down beat and thus going between the bass 4th notes continually. In Schooldays , phrases with three syllables are divided so that one person sings the first two syllables, and the other sings the second and third syllable, but the second syllable which they both sing is not on the same beat. ^[2]

Renaissance

There has been renewed interest in Gentle Giant since 1990 , with new fan clubs, new releases of live concerts and previously unreleased material, several tribute albums and a failed 1997 attempt by fans to convince the members to perform a reunion concert. Several recent progressive rock bands claim to have greatly been influenced by the music of Gentle Giant, including Spock's Beard and Echolyn. For the Swedish political music movement, see progg. ... Spocks Beard is a progressive rock band formed in 1992 in Los Angeles by brothers Neal and Alan Morse. ... Echolyn is a progressive rock band and in a way they defy categorization. ...

The band during the late 1970s

In 2005, to celebrate the band's 35th anniversary, a series of digitally remastered and specially packaged CDs of their later albums were released, also featuring unreleased live tracks (of varying quality) as bonuses. Many of these albums (most notably, In a Glass House) were previously difficult to purchase in North America without resorting to imports. The re-released albums are: In a Glass House, The Power and the Glory, Free Hand, Interview, The Missing Piece, Playing the Fool (live) and Giant for a Day. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (941x587, 182 KB) Summary Gentle Giant promotional photo from Chrysalis Records Licensing This is a copyrighted image that has been released by a company or organization to promote their work or product in the media, such as advertising material or a... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (941x587, 182 KB) Summary Gentle Giant promotional photo from Chrysalis Records Licensing This is a copyrighted image that has been released by a company or organization to promote their work or product in the media, such as advertising material or a...

Sadly for fans, the rights of the band's catalogue are scattered among many companies, not all of which are keen on re-releasing the albums properly. In particular, the first four albums have yet to receive definitive CD releases. For example, the title track on Acquiring the Taste begins with an obvious defect, possibly due to a damaged master tape, on all current CD and vinyl releases. The 1996 compilation Edge of Twilight includes a corrected version of the song.

Conflicting evidence sometimes reports that this defect exists on the original 1971 vinyl release of the album, with the opening note bending up as the tape comes up to speed - probably an engineering error.

Musical attributes

Though Gentle Giant's music has a unique sound it also has many aspects in common with other progressive rock bands:

• Frequent changes in tempo
• Frequent use of syncopation
• Non-standard time signatures, including polymeters (2 or more time signatures played simultaneously)
• Complex melodies, frequently contrasting harmonies with dissonance
• Unconventional use of numerous classical and medieval instruments
• Musical structures typically associated with classical music, like the madrigal "Knots" and the fugal exposition in "On Reflection"
• Multi-part vocal harmonies
• Extensive use of instrumental and vocal counterpoint
• Complex lyrics
• Concept albums (on the occasion)

One Gentle Giant album listed a total of 46 instruments in the musician credits. The first two measures of Mozarts Sonata XI, which indicates the tempo as Andante grazioso and a modern editors metronome marking: = 120. “Andante” redirects here. ... In music, syncopation is when a stressing of a normally unstressed beat in a bar or failure to sound a tone on an accented beat occurs. ... Harmony is the use and study of pitch simultaneity, and therefore chords, actual or implied, in music. ... In music, a consonance (Latin consonare, sounding together) is a harmony, chord, or interval considered stable, as opposed to a dissonance, which is considered unstable. ... A madrigal is a setting for two or more voices of a secular text, often in Italian. ... In music, a fugue (IPA: ) is a type of contrapuntal composition or technique of composition for a fixed number of parts, normally referred to as voices, irrespective of whether the work is vocal or instrumental. ... In music, counterpoint is the relationship between two or more voices that are independent in contour and rhythm, and interdependent in harmony. ... Lyrics are the words in songs. ...

Personnel

• Derek Shulman - born Derek Victor Shulman, on 11 February 1947 in Glasgow, Scotland.
• Kerry Minnear (keyboards)
• Ray Shulman - born Raymond Shulman, on 8 December 1949 in Portsmouth, England.
• Gary Green (guitars)
• John Weathers (drums 1972 – 1980)

Derek Shulman (born 11 February 1947 in Glasgow, Scotland) is a singer, multi-instrumentalist, and record executive. ... is the 42nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Glasgow (disambiguation). ... This article is about the country. ... Kerry Minnear is a multi-instrumentalist who played in the innovative progressive rock band Gentle Giant during the 1970s. ... Ray Shulman is the youngest of three brothers that were in the innovative British progressive rock band Gentle Giant. ... is the 342nd day of the year (343rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1949 (MCMXLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other places with the same name, see Portsmouth (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... Gentle Giant was a British band considered to be one of the most original progressive rock bands of the 1970s. ... John Weathers was the drummer for the innovative progressive rock band Gentle Giant. ...

Other members

• Phil Shulman (1970-1972) - born Philip Arthur Shulman, on 27 August 1937 in Glasgow Scotland.
• Martin Smith (drums 1970 – 1971)
• Malcolm Mortimore (drums 1971 – 1972)

Phil Shulman (born Philip Arthur Shulman, on August 27, 1937 in Glasgow, Scotland), was a member of the progressive rock group Gentle Giant from 1970 to 1972. ... is the 239th day of the year (240th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Glasgow (disambiguation). ... This article is about the country. ... Malcolm Mortimore is a drummer who has played with Gentle Giant, Spike Heatley, Tom Jones, Troy Tate, Ian Dury, G.T. Moore, Mick and Chris Jagger, Frankie Miller, Oliver Jones, and Barney Kessel. ...

Discography

Albums

• Gentle Giant, 1970
• Acquiring the Taste, 1971
• Three Friends, 1972 (#197 US)
• Octopus, 1972 (#170 US)
• In a Glass House, 1973
• The Power and the Glory, 1974 (#78 US)
• Free Hand, 1975 (#48 US)
• Interview, 1976 (#137 US)
• Playing the Fool, 1977 (#89 US)
• The Missing Piece, 1977 (#81 US)
• Giant for a Day, 1978
• Civilian, 1980

Gentle Giant was the second album of English progressive rock band Gentle Giant, released in 1970. ... Year 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Acquiring the Taste was the second album of English progressive rock band Gentle Giant, released in 1971. ... Year 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. ... Three Friends (1972) is an album by the British progressive rock band Gentle Giant. ... Year 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Octopus is an album by British progressive rock band Gentle Giant, released in 1972. ... Year 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... In A Glass House is an album by British progressive rock band Gentle Giant, released in 1973. ... For the song by James Blunt, see 1973 (song). ... The Power and the Glory (1974) is an album by the British progressive rock group Gentle Giant. ... Year 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. ... Free Hand is an album by British progressive rock band Gentle Giant which was released in 1975. ... Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Interview is a album by British progressive rock band Gentle Giant which was released in 1976. ... Year 1976 Pick up sticks(MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Playing The Fool - The Official Live is a live album by British progressive rock band Gentle Giant which was released in 1977. ... Also: 1977 (album) by Ash. ... The Missing Piece is a album by British progressive rock band Gentle Giant which was released in 1977. ... Also: 1977 (album) by Ash. ... Giant For A Day is a album by British progressive rock band Gentle Giant which was released in 1978. ... Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ... Civilian is an album by British progressive rock band Gentle Giant which was released in 1980. ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ...

Other releases

Box Sets

• Under Construction, 1997
• Scraping the Barrel, 2004

Under Construction was the first of two box sets of the English progressive rock band Gentle Giant, released in 1997. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... Scraping the Barrel was the second of two box sets of the English progressive rock band Gentle Giant, released in 2004. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Video

• Giant on the Box, (DVD) 2005
• GG at the GG, (DVD) 2006

Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Trivia

Gentle Giant members created the shulberry, a stringed instrument named after the Shulman brothers.
Most of GG's music was published under Alucard Music. (which is Dracula spelled backwards)

References

1. ^ From the sleeve notes of the album "Acquiring the taste"
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} Geir Hasnes - the music of Gentle Giant

External links

• Official web site
• Semi Official Giant Tour history