#phil shulman

[the-verb-to-yeet]

When will I quit? I don't think ever.

[grxtsch]

this photoshoot for simon dupree and the big sound :3

[waxyflexibility]

Simon Dupree holding forth on the state of Pop Music now

[brusiocostante]

Gentle Giant - Think Of Me With Kindeness

[rainingmusic]

Gentle Giant - Nothing At All

[the-vinyl-review]

Gentle giant

Self titled 1970

Ahhh Gentle Giant, technicality wise my favourite Progressive Rock band, so tight knit musically. Admittedly they are not to everyone’s taste, even I wasn’t sure about them at first but give them time & you may feel like I do for them.

Formed in 1970 & active till 1980 to me they accomplished so much in that decade. They tried to move with the times towards the end with more of a pop feel but they just didn’t have it in them, another problem was the ‘Punk craze’ & record & concert sales dwindled the bands latter outputs just weren’t anywhere near their earlier & mid quality. The band have various views for the split, Multi-instrumentalist Kerry Minnear states in 2000 the split wasn't because of punk, ‘it was because we had lost our way musically’. Whatever the reason the decision was right to call it a day.

Gentle Giants first attempt is a solid one, many thought there was an imbalance of styles on this record, that they tried too much at once, even if they did they did it better then anyone else. There are nice contrasts of other musical genres on show here like Blues, Soul, folk & Classical, even a little Jazz would be one that would become apparent as the they go on. With what’s on offer I think it all gels very well. One criticism I have is it all ends very quickly like their other albums, the bands longest album is something like just 39-40 minutes.

For me standout the standout songs are ‘Giant’ its a great opening & just shows what the band have on a progressive level. ‘Isn’t it quiet & cold’ sounds like it could be on a Kinks album & could sit right next to ‘Autumn Almanac’. All round a nice solid debut album they started as they meant to go on, most bands first attempts are confused & big changes come with the next release or a change stylistically, not with Gentle Giant they build on what’s here.

The album cover is also a memorable one the gatefold opens out nicely the front has the giants big head while the back has his body & the band in his hands. There were complaints about the quality of the record possibly the UK pressing but I can’t comment as I have the Italian pressing & it plays just fine.

Sleeve 8/10

Music 9/10

Sound quality 7

[grxtsch]

gentle giant my beloved …..

[spilladabalia]

Gentle Giant - Nothing At All