Gentle Giant

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. Their music is described by one critic as "an unlikely mix of dissonant 20th-century classical chamber music, medieval vocal music, jazz and rock."

Gentle Giant stands as a very representative example of the 1970s progressive rock movement, as it embodied all of the aspects that defined the movement in a text-book fashion:

Rapid, frequently changing tempo
Complex melodies, frequently constrasting harmonies with disharmonies
Grand arrangements, featuring unusual instruments
Unconventional use of classical instruments
Multi-part vocal harmonies
Concept albums, long songs (often limited only by the 22 minute capacity of an LP side)
Complex lyrics

Personnel

Derek Shulman
Phil Shulman (1970-1972)
Ray Shulman
Gary Green
Kerry Minnear
Martin Smith (drums 1970-1971)
Malcolm Mortimore(drums 1971-1972)
John Weathers (drums 1972-1980)

Discography

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)
Playing The Fool (1977, live)
The Missing Piece (1977)
Giant For A Day (1978)
Civilian (1980)

The album The Power And The Glory received the highest critical acclaim; however, according to fans, Playing The Fool provides the best introduction to the works of Gentle Giant..

One Gentle Giant album listed a total of 46 instruments in the musician credits.

This Stub needs lots more work.