Gentle Giant

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(1970 – 1980)

Gentle Giant formed out of the blues based (and later psychedelic) group Simon Dupree & The Big Sound in 1970, which featured the multi-instrumental Shulman brothers Derek Shulman, Ray Shulman, and Phil Shulman. They joined with guitarist Gary Green, keyboard player Kerry Minnear, and a series of drummers (John Weathers most consistently, also Martin Smith and Malcom Mortimore) to play music beyond the scope of ordinary rock, though with still a hint of blues in Green’s guitar. Minnear’s elaborate arrangements featured elements of both medieval polyphony and twentieth century composition.

In particular, the complex four-part vocal arrangements give the band its unusual character, with each part functioning independently rather than forming simple harmonies. The instrumental parts were just as complex, often featuring interlocking parts often in odd meters, all backed by a solid drum pattern.
Cello, violin, recorder, saxophone, and vibraphone (all handled by band members) figure prominently in the arrangements in addition to Minnear’s keyboards.

The band took their name in tribute to the giant Pantagruel from the satirical Renaissance fiction of Rabelais. The band disbanded in 1980.

Ray Shulman went on to become quite a renowned producer at the alternative scene from the late Eighties and onwards, working with oddball likeminded, but musically extremely competent indie acts such as Icelandic The Sugarcubes and Danish art-pop group The Poets (originally Poets Of The Signature, in the US and Canada known as The Sealand Poets).
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Popular tags: progressive rock, art rock, rock, classic rock, progressive  See more

Shouts: 547 shouts

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  • rafi2600

    acquiring the (musical) taste =)

    yesterday morning

  • headgear56

    I love Gentle Giant.

    last week

  • davesantos

    love it so much it hurts

    12 days ago

  • lionizz

    this kind of music is melodic and pleasant. I like.

    16 days ago

  • pablo323

    absolutely underrated [2]

    18 days ago

  • davesantos

    Gentle Giant Caraio!!! [2]

    21 days ago

  • JLucasACDC

    Gentle Giant Caraio!!!

    21 days ago

  • pablo323

    Good job people like Mikael Akerfeldt from Opeth are suggesting these amazing 70's prog bands, like Gentle Giant, to a younger audience. Kids need a bit of musical education these days. [6]

    23 days ago

  • s434b

    One of four greatest bands ever, with The Beatles, King Crimson & Pink Floyd.

    last month

  • ProgShine

    http://progshine.com/2012/01/07/gentle-giant-free-hand-e-interview-sao-relancados-em-cddvd-lp/

    last month

  • GentilGigante

    Che dire? Il mio nickname parla chiaro, il mio avatar (attuale 5/01/12) pure. È la mia band preferita. Mi stupiscono, le loro musica è opera d'arte. Cibo squisito e salutare per le mie orecchie. Maestri del progressive (seppure questo termine sia troppo vago per loro, anzi sia vago in ogni caso). I "Picasso" della musica. Troppo underground, purtroppo, meriterebbero una fama mondiale. Saluti.

    last month

  • wichobabas

    =) wooooop

    December 2011

  • JLucasACDC

    pqp q banda foda!!!!!!!!

    December 2011

  • DANIIGUIIMA

    o......o

    December 2011

  • Bentwick09

    this is really quality music...., cranky but brilliant...... & Why Not [2]

    December 2011

  • Mistermasyl

    Gentle Giant's first album today in broadcast "za PROGiem"! http://za-progiem.blogspot.com/2011/12/ostatnia-audycja-w-2011-roku.html

    December 2011

  • kissesneverdie

    @PsychoLold: Completely agree, but it's refreshing to hear someone like Akerfeldt recommend some awesome music to at least his fans. Because if anyone is going to really love Gentle Giant, it's going to be Opeth's fans.

    December 2011

  • PsychoLold

    I think Opeth fans aren't exactly the kind of 'kids' that urgently need some musical education. There are lots of other people that need it really badly.

    December 2011

  • HOD2010

    Good job people like Mikael Akerfeldt from Opeth are suggesting these amazing 70's prog bands, like Gentle Giant, to a younger audience. Kids need a bit of musical education these days. [5]

    December 2011

  • rockomotywa

    prog4life, what happend to music?

    November 2011
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