Gentle Giant
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1970 |
| Founder | Phil Shulman, Derek Shulman, Ray Shulman, Gary Green, Kerry Minnear, Martin Smith |
| Defunct | 1980 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Progressive rock music |
Gentle Giant was a British progressive rock group active from 1970 until 1980, recognized for the intricacy and refinement of their compositions as well as the versatile instrumental abilities of every member. Although they did not achieve mainstream commercial success, they cultivated a devoted cult following.
The band’s philosophy was to "push the boundaries of contemporary popular music even if it meant risking unpopularity," a principle that evolved throughout their career.
Their sound stood out within the progressive rock genre due to its complexity, incorporating elements from folk, soul, jazz, and classical music. Unlike many contemporaries, their classical inspirations extended beyond the Romantic era to embrace medieval, baroque, and modernist chamber music. Their lyrics addressed expansive themes influenced by philosophy and authors such as François Rabelais and R. D. Laing. In 2015, Gentle Giant was honored with a lifetime achievement award at the Progressive Music Awards.
Origins (including Simon Dupree and the Big Sound)
Gentle Giant’s roots trace back to three brothers: Phil Shulman (born 1937), Derek Shulman (born 1947), and Ray Shulman (1949–2023), who were of Scottish-Jewish heritage. Phil and Derek were born in Glasgow’s Gorbals district, while Ray was born in Portsmouth, England. Their father, initially an army musician who later became a jazz trumpeter, encouraged them to master multiple instruments, resulting in all three becoming skilled multi-instrumentalists. In the early 1960s, Derek and Ray formed a rhythm-and-blues group, with Phil first managing before joining as a performer.
By 1966, their ensemble—originally called the Howling Wolves, then the Road Runners—had evolved into Simon Dupree and the Big Sound, shifting focus toward soul and pop styles. Derek assumed the stage name 'Simon Dupree' as lead vocalist; Phil contributed on saxophone and trumpet; Ray played guitar and violin. Both Phil and Ray also provided trumpet parts and backing vocals. The lineup briefly included a young Elton John on piano and recorded a single featuring Dudley Moore as a guest artist. Under EMI Records, they released several singles that failed to chart until management steered them toward psychedelic music, culminating in the UK Top 10 hit "Kites" in late 1967 and the album Without Reservation.
Despite this commercial breakthrough, the Shulman brothers felt their departure from blue-eyed soul lacked authenticity. Derek later characterized "Kites" as "utter shit." Subsequent singles did not achieve chart success, intensifying their dissatisfaction. In late 1968, under the alias the Moles, they released a double A-side single—"We Are the Moles (parts 1 & 2)"—which led to speculation that they were secretly the Beatles recording incognito. This rumor was disproved by Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd, who confirmed Simon Dupree and the Big Sound as the actual performers.
In 1969, seeking liberation from pop limitations, the brothers dissolved Simon Dupree and the Big Sound to pursue a more intricate musical path with new musicians of higher proficiency. Ray remarked that previous bandmates had been lacking in both contribution and technical ability, often necessitating overdubs—a practice they found unsatisfactory for long-term progress.
Gentle Giant's Formation
Gentle Giant originated in 1970 when the Shulman siblings joined forces with multi-instrumentalists Gary Green (guitar, mandolin, recorder) and Kerry Minnear (keyboards, vibraphone, cello), along with drummer Martin Smith, formerly part of Simon Dupree and the Big Sound. Minnear, who held a classical composition degree from the Royal College of Music, had previously played with Rust. Green, initially rooted in blues, adapted swiftly to the band's intricate musical arrangements. The Shulmans contributed versatile instrumental skills—Derek on saxophone and recorder; Ray handling bass and violin; Phil playing saxophone, trumpet, and clarinet—with all three frequently switching instruments as required.
Vocally, the group featured three leads: Derek Shulman provided rock-oriented vocals; Phil Shulman covered folk and jazz styles; Kerry Minnear contributed lighter folk and chamber-classical vocal parts but did not perform lead vocals live due to projection challenges (his parts were then sung by Derek and Phil).
The band's name refers to a mythical "gentle giant" fascinated by musicians, inspired by Renaissance narratives associated with François Rabelais.
The members’ extensive musical talents allowed Gentle Giant remarkable versatility. One album credits them with playing forty-six different instruments, with five out of six members singing, facilitating complex vocal harmonies and contrapuntal arrangements. Their songwriting incorporated a wide range of influences beyond mainstream trends.
Initial Phase: Debut Album, Acquiring the Taste and Three Friends
Gentle Giant’s self-titled debut album (1970), produced by Tony Visconti, fused elements of rock, blues, classical music, and 1960s British soul. Despite its ambitious approach, it received criticism for its production quality.
The subsequent 1971 release, Acquiring the Taste, demonstrated rapid artistic growth with a more experimental and dissonant sound influenced heavily by Kerry Minnear’s classical background. Derek Shulman later acknowledged that the album was recorded without a definitive direction, underscoring its experimental nature. The liner notes conveyed a daring artistic vision credited to Visconti.
Following this album, drummer Martin Smith departed due to conflicts with Ray and Phil Shulman and was replaced by Malcolm Mortimore.
In 1972, Gentle Giant unveiled their first concept album, Three Friends, which narrates the divergent life paths of three childhood companions who become a road digger, an artist, and a white-collar professional. The album employs diverse musical styles to represent each character’s story.
After Mortimore suffered a motorcycle accident in March 1972, John "Pugwash" Weathers joined for the April tour. Weathers introduced a more forceful drumming style and expanded the band's instrumental palette by adding vocals, melodic percussion, and guitar. Due to Mortimore’s extended recovery period, Weathers remained as the permanent drummer after the tour concluded.
Octopus Release and Phil Shulman's Departure
The reconfigured Gentle Giant lineup released Octopus in 1972. This album marked their heaviest rock effort up to that point. The title reportedly originated from Phil Shulman's wife Roberta as a play on words—"octo opus"—referring to eight compositions corresponding to its eight tracks. The record continued Gentle Giant's eclectic style, highlighted by the intricate madrigal-inspired vocal arrangement in "Knots," featuring lyrics drawn from R. D. Laing’s poetry.
Octopus is often regarded as the beginning of Gentle Giant’s most successful era. Ray Shulman later described it as "probably our best album, except perhaps for Acquiring the Taste," noting that initially planning a song dedicated to each band member helped concentrate their creative efforts. Although concept albums like the Who’s Tommy and Quadrophenia had significant influence at the time, such works soon came to be seen as somewhat pretentious.
Prior to touring for Octopus, Gentle Giant supported Black Sabbath on a challenging tour where they were generally unwelcome among Sabbath's audience. Derek Shulman recalled this pairing as "perhaps the most ridiculous combination of bands ever," often facing hostile crowds that booed them off stage. Shortly after this period, Phil Shulman left the group due to exhaustion and disagreements with his brothers. Derek assumed full lead vocal duties live, becoming the primary frontman while Kerry Minnear continued providing lead vocals on studio recordings.
Phil cited family commitments as his reason for leaving, emphasizing how touring negatively affected his personal life. He pointed out that although his brothers initially feared his departure would end Gentle Giant, the remaining five members carried on successfully for another seven years. Gary Green remembered that while Phil’s exit initially shocked them, the band adapted by incorporating new instruments such as the Moog synthesizer.
Both John Weathers and Gary Green advocated for continuing the band’s journey, believing that Gentle Giant grew stronger after Phil’s departure due to Kerry’s increased creative input and Ray’s songwriting contributions. Over thirty years later in a 2008 podcast, Phil reiterated that family concerns had motivated his decision. Although the Shulman brothers eventually reconciled personally, Phil never rejoined or resumed his professional music career. Ray has since supported Phil’s son Damon Shulman in pursuing his own musical interests.
In a Glass House and The Power and the Glory
The quartet, now a quintet, produced the more hard-edged In a Glass House, which came out in 1973. Their debut performance as a five-member group took place at King Alfred's College in Winchester. This intricate concept album, titled after the saying about "glass houses," represented their most psychologically intense work so far and was distinguished by an innovative three-dimensional album cover. Although it was never officially issued in the United States, it became a highly coveted import.
Following this, in 1974, they released their third concept album, The Power and the Glory, thematically centered on authority and moral decay. The band also released a single sharing the album’s title, but it was quickly pulled from circulation due to poor reception.
The Chrysalis era, part one: Free Hand, Interview and Playing the Fool
Unhappy with their previous label WWA, Gentle Giant signed with Chrysalis Records, with whom they remained for the rest of their career. They began to streamline their intricate compositions to reach a wider audience, particularly targeting the American market. This adjustment contributed to 1975’s Free Hand entering the US Top 50 charts. Drawing inspiration from Renaissance and medieval influences as well as jazz-rock, the album explored themes such as lost love and their fallout with a former manager, making it one of their most accessible works.
Their 1976 album, Interview, continued as a concept record framed around a fictional interview with the band, offering satire on music industry marketing tactics. Derek Shulman later admitted this period marked a creative downturn and an increased focus on music’s commercial aspects. The album peaked at No. 137 in the US but failed to replicate its predecessor’s success.
By this time, Gentle Giant had gained a reputation for dynamic live shows across America and Europe, touring extensively with acts ranging from Sha Na Na to Jethro Tull and Yes. Their virtuosic performances—characterized by rapid instrument changes and intricate arrangements—often overshadowed headliners, exemplified by a 1975 Detroit concert where they outperformed Gary Wright and Rick Wakeman. The vitality of these concerts was documented on the 1976 live release Playing the Fool - The Official Live, recorded during the Interview tour.
The Chrysalis era, part two: The Missing Piece and Giant for a Day!
In reaction to emerging trends such as punk rock, the band sought to expand their appeal, especially within the US market, by adopting simpler musical styles and aiming for chart-friendly singles.
Recorded in the Netherlands, 1977’s The Missing Piece signaled this shift. Its first side embraced pop-rock, blue-eyed soul, and punk elements, while the second side retained some longer and more eclectic tracks. Despite releasing three singles—"Two Weeks in Spain," "Mountain Time," and "I'm Turning Around"—none achieved commercial success, leaving both new listeners and longtime fans unsatisfied.
Continuing down this path, 1978’s Giant for a Day! completely abandoned progressive rock in favor of accessible soft rock tailored for radio play and further single releases. Derek Shulman assumed all lead vocal duties as the band adopted a standard guitar/bass/keyboard/drums setup, eliminating their customary use of strings, winds, and complex vocal harmonies. Commercially disappointing, this album was later regarded by members as a creative miscalculation. Derek Shulman described it as "real contrived," while Kerry Minnear expressed doubts about his involvement despite penning the commercially-oriented single "It's Only Goodbye."
The Chrysalis period, part 3: Civilian
In 1979, Gentle Giant relocated to Los Angeles to produce their eleventh studio album, Civilian. This record featured concise rock tracks infused with a pronounced new wave style, preserving the streamlined instrumentation introduced on the previous album while allowing more flexibility in vocal delivery and song structure. Despite its relative straightforwardness, the compositions demonstrated a stronger link to the band's earlier material.
Kerry Minnear viewed Civilian in a more favorable light, although Ray Shulman confessed he "hated making" the album. Derek Shulman later acknowledged that the group lacked enthusiasm during this period and found it difficult to achieve success as either rock or pop artists. He also remarked that although Gentle Giant was commonly categorized as progressive rock, their music was clever yet did not reach the intricate levels of contemporaries like Yes or Genesis.
Disbandment
The band dissolved in the summer of 1980. Derek Shulman remembered that "the creative juices just weren't flowing" and expressed no regret over ending the group despite uncertainty about their future path. Ray Shulman mentioned that their final tour was intentionally planned to be a farewell, enabling them to enjoy the conclusion rather than extend a decline. Kerry Minnear attributed the breakup primarily to a loss of musical direction rather than external influences such as punk rock.
Gary Green offered an alternative viewpoint, suggesting that Derek and Ray’s pursuit of commercial success following earlier industry exposure caused frustration leading to the split. He believed that by remaining true to their original artistic approach, Gentle Giant could have continued thriving much like bands such as PFM or Yes.
Gentle Giant’s last live show was held at the Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood on 16 June 1980.
After the breakup
Following Gentle Giant’s end, Derek Shulman moved into music industry roles, initially working in promotion and artist development at PolyGram, then advancing to A&R at Mercury Records. He eventually served as president of Atco Records and later Roadrunner Records. Currently, he owns 2Plus Music & Entertainment.
Ray Shulman transitioned into composing soundtracks for television and advertising before establishing himself as a record producer for artists including Echo & the Bunnymen, the Sundays, and the Sugarcubes. He also created music for computer games and produced DVDs for notable acts like Genesis and Queen. Ray passed away on 30 March 2023.
John Weathers joined Man until 1996 and subsequently performed with Glenn Cornick’s Wild Turkey. Gary Green settled near Chicago and played with local Illinois groups such as Blind Dates, the Elvis Brothers, Big Hello, and Mother Tongue; he also appeared as a guest musician on recordings by Eddie Jobson and Divae. Additionally, he contributed guitar work to Paul Adams and Elizabeth Geyer’s album Deeper Imaginings, which received a nomination for Best New Age Album at the 2019 Independent Music Awards. Kerry Minnear returned to the UK to focus on gospel music in Cornwall and currently manages Gentle Giant’s legal matters and royalties through Alucard Music.
Phil Shulman retired from performing and pursued careers as a teacher, retailer, and gift shop proprietor in Gosport, Hampshire. He briefly collaborated with his son Damon Shulman on spoken-word recordings titled Then, reflecting on his childhood in Glasgow. One piece, "Rats," was included on Damon’s 2003 solo release In Pieces.
Original drummer Martin Smith lived in Southampton where he played with various local bands until his death on 2 March 1997. Malcolm Mortimore, who succeeded him as drummer, remains an active session musician working across rock, jazz, and theatre genres.
Reunions
In contrast to many of their progressive rock contemporaries, Gentle Giant has consistently refrained from organizing full-band reunion events. In 1997, despite fans' strong appeals for a reunion concert, the members declined, citing factors such as demanding schedules, health concerns, insufficient rehearsal time, and personal considerations. Phil Shulman remarked in 1995 that the members' "divergent lifestyles" made a reunion unfeasible. Similarly, in 1998 Ray Shulman highlighted that the disruption and time investment required would surpass any potential advantages, given their separate professional pursuits.
There have been two instances of partial collaborations involving between two and four former members; however, these did not constitute official reunions. The first instance saw Kerry Minnear, John Weathers, Gary Green, and Phil Shulman (contributing lyrics) record three new tracks for the 2004 Scraping the Barrel box set. These contributions were recorded independently without joint studio sessions.
In 2008, ex-members Gary Green and Malcolm Mortimore established Rentle Giant to perform Gentle Giant's repertoire, incorporating jazz-fusion artists Roger Carey (bass/vocals), Andy Williams (guitar), and John Donaldson (keyboards). Green also took on lead vocal duties.
By March 2009, Kerry Minnear had joined Rentle Giant, prompting a name change to Three Friends. Vocalist Mick Wilson was recruited as lead singer. Following a brief tour, Minnear departed due to personal reasons; the group continued as a sextet. By 2011, Carey, Williams, and Donaldson exited and were succeeded by Lee Pomeroy (bass) and Gary Sanctuary (keyboards). In 2012, Charlotte Glasson was added on violin and saxophones to enrich the live sound quality. This lineup toured Italy, Canada, and the United States during 2012. The 2015 ensemble included Green, Mortimore, Glasson, Neil Angilley, and Jonathan Noyce but has not performed publicly since.
A fan-made video of "Proclamation," uploaded to YouTube in July 2020, featured appearances by Gentle Giant members Gary Green, Kerry Minnear, Derek Shulman, Ray Shulman (marking his final band-related appearance before his passing), Phil Shulman, John Weathers, and Malcolm Mortimore. Additional musicians involved were Jakko Jakszyk, Billy Sherwood, Lee Pomeroy (bassist for Yes/Steve Hackett), Rachel Flowers, Dan Reed (Dan Reed Network), Richard Hilton (Chic), and Mikey Heppner (Priestess). The video was directed by Noah Shulman with mixing by Ray Shulman.
Reissues
Since the 1990s, Gentle Giant has experienced a resurgence of interest manifested through new fan clubs, live album releases, previously unreleased recordings, and tribute projects. Ownership of the band's catalogue is divided among multiple entities, complicating comprehensive reissues—particularly for their first four albums. Notably, the title track on Acquiring the Taste contains an audio flaw present on all current CD and vinyl editions; this issue was rectified only in the 1996 compilation Edge of Twilight. Some reports suggest this defect originated from an engineering mistake on the original 1971 vinyl pressing.
Repertoire Records reissued the debut album in July 2004 and followed with Acquiring the Taste (2005), Octopus (2006), and Three Friends (2007). These releases received acclaim for their remastering quality despite limited availability. Prior to this series, Universal Japan had reissued the first four albums.
To commemorate their 35th anniversary in 2005, Derek Shulman's DRT Entertainment released digitally remastered editions of later albums—including In a Glass House, The Power and the Glory, Free Hand, Interview, The Missing Piece, Playing the Fool, and Giant for a Day—featuring previously unreleased live recordings. These versions improved accessibility in North America by reducing dependency on imported copies.
A reissue campaign during 2009–2010 included bonus tracks available as digital downloads. In 2011, original master tapes for Three Friends and Octopus were discovered; Alucard Music subsequently reissued these titles with additional live bonus material and remastering overseen by Ray Shulman and Francis Kervorkian.
In 2012, both Free Hand and Interview were re-released on CD/DVD and vinyl formats featuring previously unreleased quadraphonic mixes adapted into 4.1 Surround Sound versions. Band members also contributed new liner notes. That same year saw the release of I Lost My Head – The Chrysalis Years, a comprehensive 4-CD collection compiling Chrysalis-era albums with bonus tracks including John Peel sessions and live performances.
Steven Wilson produced a remix of The Power and the Glory in 2014 for a CD/DVD package containing newly created stereo and surround sound mixes derived from multitrack masters alongside high-resolution transfers of the original mix.
Wilson also remixed selections from Gentle Giant’s first three albums for the 2017 release Three Piece Suite, issued as both CD and Blu-ray formats featuring 96kHz/24-bit Stereo LPCM and DTS-HD 5.1 Surround Sound mixes. This edition included bonus tracks, instrumental versions, original album mixes sourced from pristine LPs, new animated visuals, and approved artwork by the band.
Gentle Giant’s final studio album, Civilian, was slated for re-release on CD and streaming services on 20 May 2022.
Musical style
The core of Gentle Giant's compositions was crafted mainly by Kerry Minnear and Ray Shulman, with Derek Shulman also contributing significantly, including writing complete tracks. Initially, lyrics were predominantly penned by Phil Shulman and Derek Shulman until Phil exited the band following the release of Octopus (1972). Afterward, Derek Shulman took primary responsibility for lyric writing, supported by Kerry Minnear. Their approach to progressive rock was characterized by:
- intricate multi-part vocal harmonies
- sophisticated lyrical themes
- occasional use of concept album frameworks
- frequent shifts in tempo
- syncopated rhythms and unconventional time signatures, including polymetric patterns
- complex melodic lines juxtaposing harmony with dissonance
- extensive use of instrumental and vocal counterpoint
- incorporation of classical music structures such as madrigals and fugues, alongside influences from Early Music
- employment of classical instruments, brass ensembles, and percussion rarely found in rock genres
Despite the intricate nature of their music, Gentle Giant's harmonic language tended to remain relatively traditional, favoring simpler chords aligned more with early 20th-century neoclassical styles than with modern classical music. Some tracks like "Black Cat," "Experience," and "So Sincere" featured elements of modernist harmony. The band utilized various compositional methods to captivate their audience, including:
- polyphonic textures
- hocket techniques
- unconventional chord progressions
- re-voicing and subtle modifications of basic chords
- gradual acceleration or deceleration of musical motifs
- swift modulations between keys, occasionally within a single measure
- distributing vocal lines among members with offset rhythms
- fluid transitions between contrasting musical sections, such as moving seamlessly from a hard rock riff to medieval choral passages
Members
- Gary Green – guitar, mandolin, vocals, recorder, bass guitar, percussion (1970–1980)
- Kerry Minnear – keyboards, vocals, cello, vibraphone, xylophone, recorder, guitar, bass guitar, percussion (1970–1980)
- Derek Shulman – lead and backing vocals, saxophone, recorder, bass guitar, percussion, "Shulberry" (custom 3-string electric ukulele) (1970–1980)
- Ray Shulman – bass guitar, violin, guitar, vocals, viola, trumpet, percussion, recorder (1970–1980; died 2023)
- Phil Shulman – backing and lead vocals, saxophone, trumpet, mellophone, clarinet, recorder, percussion (1970–1973)
- Martin Smith – drums and percussion (1970–1971; died 1997)
- Malcolm Mortimore – drums and percussion (1971–1972)
- John "Pugwash" Weathers – drums, percussion, vibraphone, xylophone, vocals, guitar (1972–1980)
Lineups
| February 1970 – October 1971 | October 1971 – March 1972 | March 1972 – January 1973 | January 1973 – June 1980 |
|---|---|---|---|
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Timeline
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Studio albums
- Gentle Giant (1970)
- Acquiring the Taste (1971)
- Three Friends (1972)
- Octopus (1972)
- In a Glass House (1973)
- The Power and the Glory (1974)
- Free Hand (1975)
- Interview (1976)
- The Missing Piece (1977)
- Giant for a Day! (1978)
- Civilian (1980)
Live albums
- Playing the Fool - The Official Live (1977) Chrysalis, Capitol; captured during the European tour, September–October 1976
- In Concert (1994; recorded at Golders Green Hippodrome, London, January 5, 1978)
- The Last Steps (1996; reissued in 2003; recorded at Roxy Theatre, Los Angeles, June 16, 1980)
- Live on the King Biscuit Flower Hour (1998; Academy of Music, New York City, January 18, 1975)
- In a Palesport House (1999; Palazzo dello Sport, Rome, January 3, 1973)
- Live Rome 1974 (2000; PalaEur, Rome, November 26, 1974)
- In'terview in Concert (2000; Hempstead, New York, July 3, 1976)
- Endless Life (2002; Music Hall, White Plains NY and Community Theatre, Berkeley CA, October 1975)
- Prologue (2002; Munsterlandhalle, Munster and Spectrum, Philadelphia, recorded during 1974–75)
- Playing the Cleveland (2003; Agora Ballroom Cleveland and Academy of Music NYC, recorded in 1975)
- Artistically Cryme (2003; Olympen Lund Sweden, September 19, 1976)
- The Missing Face (2003; Ballroom Cleveland Ohio, November 1977)
- Live in Santa Monica 1975 (2005)
- Live in New York 1975 (2005; Music Hall White Plains NY)
- GG at the GG - Sight And Sound In Concert (2006)
- Live in Stockholm '75 (2009; Club Kåren Stockholm University, November 12, 1975)
- King Alfred's College, Winchester 1971 (2009)
- Live at the Bicentennial (2014; Calderone Theatre Hempstead NY, July 3, 1976)
Compilation Albums
- The Original Studio Gentle Giant - Volume 1 (1974)
- The Original Studio Gentle Giant - Volume 2 (1974)
- Giant Steps: The First Five Years (1976)
- Pretentious: For the Sake of It (1977)
- Circling Round the Gentle Giant (1981)
- Edge of Twilight (1996, double CD)
- Out of the Woods: The BBC Sessions (1996)
- Champions of Rock (1996)
- Out of the Fire: The BBC Concerts (1998, double CD)
- The Essential Gentle Giant (1999)
- Totally Out of the Woods: The BBC Sessions (2000 reissue with bonus tracks)
- Way of Life (2003, double CD)
- Giant on the Box (2004, CD/DVD set)
- Three Piece Suite (2017, CD/Blu-Ray)
Box Sets
- Under Construction (1997, 2-CD collection featuring unreleased tracks, demos, outtakes, and live performances)
- Scraping the Barrel (2004, 4-CD anthology including unreleased material, demos, outtakes, and live recordings)
- I Lost My Head – The Chrysalis Years (2012, 4-CD compilation encompassing all officially released albums from 1975 to 1980 plus additional content)
- Memories of Old Days (2013, 5-CD set comprising rarities, bootlegs, live recordings, rehearsals, and demos)
- Unburied Treasure (2019, comprehensive 29-CD/1 Blu-ray box featuring all 11 studio albums alongside 18 live albums)
- Front Row Center (2022, 10-LP collection of U.S. performances from 1976 to 1980 including some previously unreleased live recordings from Gary Green’s private archive)
EPs
- Playing the Fool – Gentle Giant on Tour (1977)
UK Singles
- "The Power and the Glory" / "Playing the Game" (1974)
- "I'm Turning Around" / "Just the Same" (1977)
- "Two Weeks in Spain" / "Free Hand" (1977)
- "Thank You" / "Spooky Boogie" (1978)
- "Words from the Wise" / "No Stranger" (1979)
- "The Power and the Glory" / "Proclamation - Live 1977" (2010)
Bootlegs
- Playing the Foole (A Stake in the Heart – The 1975 American Tour) features a live performance recorded on January 18, 1975, at New York City’s Academy Of Music. Issued by The Amazing Kornyfone Record Label TAKRL 1943 in 1975. Its popularity influenced the band’s choice of title for their official double live album Playing the Fool, released two years later.
- Playing the Foole in Wonderland, also recorded live at the Academy Of Music on January 18, 1975, was released by Wizardo Records WRMB 309 in September 1975. This bootleg contained an additional fabricated track titled "March Of The Trolls," created by bootleggers.
- Amongst the Darkers, recorded at Ultra-Sonic Recording Studios in Hempstead, New York on October 7, 1975. Released on TAKRL 1983 in 1975 following a broadcast on WLIR Radio in New York City. It was reissued in 1976 under a modified title: Amongst the Darkers (Behind the Few – The 1975 American Tour).
Alucard Music
Alucard Music is a UK-based label dedicated to Gentle Giant releases. Established by Kerry and Lesley Minnear, it offers remastered CDs and DVDs distributed through Soulfood.
CD Releases
- Under Construction (1997, 2-CD box set containing unreleased tracks, demos, outtakes, and live recordings)
- In a Glass House (originally released in 1973; remastered edition issued in 2000)
- Scraping the Barrel (2004, extensive 4-CD box set featuring unreleased material, demos, outtakes, and live performances)
DVD releases
- Giant on the Box (2004)
- Giant on the Box – Deluxe Edition (DVD with CD, 2005)
- GG at the GG – Sight and Sound in Concert (DVD accompanied by CD, 2006)
Filmography
- Giant on the Box (DVD, 2004)
- Giant on the Box – Deluxe Edition (DVD plus CD, 2005)
- GG at the GG – Sight and Sound in Concert (DVD and CD set, 2006)
Literature
- Dominic Stone, Gentle Giant: The Missing Piece in Rock's Academia, University of Leeds, 2016
- Martin Neef, Rock Music Lyrics as Postmodern Poetry: Gentle Giant Realization, Technical University Braunschweig, 2019 (Lecture transcript)
- Robert Jacob Sivy, Interwoven Patterns and Mutual Misunderstandings: Binding R.D. Laing's Psychology with Gentle Giant's Knots, Prog Rock in Europe, 2016
- Robert Jacob Sivy, Exposing Corruption in Progressive Rock: A Semiotic Analysis of Gentle Giant's The Power and the Glory, University of Kentucky, 2019
- Mattias Lundberg, Motivic cohesion and parsimony in three songs from Gentle Giant's Acquiring the Taste (1971), Popular Music, Cambridge University Press, 2014
- Derek Shulman, Giant Steps: My Improbable Journey From Stage Lights To Executive Heights, Jawbone Press, 2025 (Memoirs detailing Simon Dupree & the Big Sound, Gentle Giant, and music executive career)
External links
- British musical quintets
- British musical sextets
- British progressive rock groups
- Medieval folk rock groups
- Rock music groups from London
- Musical groups established in 1970
- Musical groups disbanded in 1980
- Vertigo Records artists
- Chrysalis Records artists
- Capitol Records artists
- Columbia Records artists
- DRT Entertainment artists
- 1970 establishments in England
- 1980 disestablishments in England
- Musical groups disestablished in 1980