There's a really cool "fan video" of Proclamation. Musicians from all over collaborated and played this tune on line. Such a fitting tribute to the band!
IMO, the song So Sincere from this album is one of the greatest examples of “focused chaos” ever, and I think you would be one of the folks who could really appreciate its brilliance.
One of my very favorite Classic Prog bands, always great fun Live from these Fantastic Multi-instrumentalist and I was lucky to see them 5 times from 1974'-1977' in Boston & NYC !! Power and the Glory is a great Concept album by them. You must see the "Fan" video of this song with many talented fans and pro musicians from GG , Crimson, Yes, Hackett helping out !! 👍🎶🎸🎹🎤🥁🎻🎷🎼✌
Concept Album with all songs based on political themes., hence "the power and the glory"! The lyrics are of a Candidate giving his "proclamation' speech to the masses > the music is purest GIANT! I've noticed that the lyrics aren't generally your focus yet sometimes they don't matter & other times they do towards understanding why certain rhythms, atmosphere, sound effects or changes are utilized. For example: The crowd sound on the tail end is logical if you know what he's singing about! RIP Ray Shulman (writer, bass, violin, acoustic guitar, recorder)
The lyrics here really are about the "Leader Principle" (Hitler) - he doesn't sound like a candidate, more like a fully-fledged autocratic leader who has already been in power for some time and expects nothing less than complete loyalty: "you are my people, and there must be no change!".
you're right @@louise_rose very authoritarian. I had forgotten the details but mainly wanted to emphasize how the lyric often reflect the music and vice versa. Thanks
You should watch some of the videos of these guys playing live. They would blow your mind even more. I've seen them play live 5 times back in the 1970s. I would still go see them if they were still together.
That 'bumble bee' piano part is absolutely crazy, i love how they pulled out the most experminetal and fun stuff back then. Gentle Giant's have such a unique and a distinct sound, i hope you do more! Also please consider checking out Area and Premiata Forneria Marconi, two amazing italian progressive rock bands that are very jazz oriented !
First - big congrats on that 3 year anniversary, keep up the good work! Second... are you aware that GG has an album called Acquiring The Taste, 'cause I cracked up when you used that phrase.😂 Also, has anyone mentioned the group Gryphon to you? I'm not saying they sound like the Giant, but I think you might enjoy them. Maybe try the album Red Queen To Gryphon Three...? Anyway, congrats again, Lee!👍🏼
Thank you so much Bob! I appreciate it. 🙏 and no I had no idea they had an album named that.. that's hilarious. They know their music is special 😌 I will check them out, that sounds fascinating to be honest haha
I got this album when I was 16 yrs old,back in 74 when it was released,I have had it and played it ever since,even played it last week on my radio show,here on our 50 watt community access radio station
Yeah, this is a completely amazing song! I had forgotten how great (and how insanely TIGHT!) the studio version is - I'm more familiar with the live take from the Playing the Fool album, where it gets a heavier swing, almost hard rock, and Derek is really belting out the lyrics. I figure Deep Purple would have appreciated that version....
The vocals here are brutally hard to sing to begin with, but the harmony parts are downright demented. Only the RIO bands like Henry Cow were doing anything as complex and left-field. And you're right, Lee, this is Gentle Giant at their most "focused", which translated to "more accessible to average rock audiences". There's no surprise that this was when they hit their stride in terms of appealing to American audiences.
Back in the day, I liked Gentle Giant, but I had to be in the right mood. Prog lead me to classical, jazz for a long time, and when I came back to prog and listened to Gentle Giant I could really appreciate their brilliance. But it was the exposure to mediaeval and renaissance music that really got my lug holes properly attuned to GG. They really are "the progger's prog band". Don't think they are as accessible as YES for example. The closest I've heard to the same sort of colour as GG are Italian prog bands of the 70s, like Premiata Forneria Marconi.
Congrats on three years. Challenges make us stronger. Striving to overcome them makes us men. Music is a great diversion and can help change a mood instantly. You will be a busy listener for the rest of your life. My GG suggestion is a video live version of "Funny Ways."
Congrats on 3 years, Lee! Keep it up! For me it wasn't alcohol (I'm allergic), but other plants & chemicals - been clean for almost 43 years now, so I'm confident you can persevere, too! The Power and the Glory really needs to be listened to at a single sitting - Proclamation is the first song, and sets up a complete story of power, glory - and the inevitable corruption of that power and glory-seeking! The album is possibly the most cohesive "concept album" the band did - with several songs directly referring to other songs within the story. Proclamation is certainly an outstanding song - and a good introduction to the album & concept, but I think the 7 other songs are equally good - "Cogs in Cogs" is *my* favorite, but only by a nanometer-sized margin ...
Yeah you could call me a trash can who really enjoyed his opiates though 😏 Thank-you for the kind words grady! I love politics and find the human condition and how we choose these institutions to represent us and then watch as the rot sets in. It's insidious. Absolute power and such... anyways. Thanks for watching 😁
@@L33Reacts It was psychedelics for me back in the late 70s, so generally much less physically addicting: huge respect for those who get clean from the poppy & related! Politically, I'm a voluntaryist (essentially a free market anarchist) - all forms of human interaction should be voluntary, as soon as force is used to compel obedience (even on the willing), a wrong is committed. Of course, that puts me in a minority, so even though I love discussing it, I can't afford to get on a high horse (at risk of denying my own principles 😛) - and a super-sized sense of humor is a must! It's no surprise that I enjoy this album, given my assumption that all human governments currently existing or likely to exist are ultimately corrupt 🙂
I got spoiled by the bigger '70s prog bands like Yes, ELP, KC and tried listening to Gentle Giant before but couldn't get into it. I'll give it another shot because of your enthusiasm. I know what it is. Vocals. Example: I tried to get into Glass Hammer but couldn't until the addition of new singer Hannah Pryor. By herself or harmonizing with songwriter, bassist, keyboardist Steve Babb, it's so pleasing. "Anthem to Andorath" would be a good introduction.
I was first introduced to GG back in '73, when a friend of mine played me the album "Three Friends" and I've been a fan ever since. I only saw them live once, in about '75 in Liverpool. The drummer on this album was John "Pugwash" Weathers, and I've seen him live a couple of times when he played with the Welsh band Man. In fact I got to meet him at one of Man's gigs 20-odd years ago when they played a venue called The Citadel in St Helens, which is a town a few miles outside Liverpool. They were always a very laid-back band and they had no problem with us going backstage and having a chat with them.
I am glad you are delving into groups like this. Try Gypsy and Dust(non prog) The Dust song to listen to is Hump from a Dry Camel. BTW Camel is another great group. Thank you for what you are doing and please keep it up
Got this album when it came out. I was hooked. At the time, it was tough in my location to get the good stuff. I still have my old copy of "The Power and the Glory".
The king of the current neo-prog scene--Neal Morse,is heavily influenced by GG,along with all the other classic 70's prog acts,as well as later Beatles. Check into some of his 'Neal Morse Band' material---you will be amazed! :-) Cheers, T
Congrats on three years! As you said, there really is something just "fun" about Gentle Giant - in contrast with other major prog bands that tend to dedicate their efforts more to evoking some grandiose spiritual/fantastical/gothic atmosphere. Not that there's anything wrong with that! But I love the way Gentle Giant makes something more like little bite size bursts of ear candy for weird music nerds. Who else would throw together tricky vocal layering, harsh dissonance, and deranged swirling keyboards with an expertly built-up outrageous funk beat?
Yeah this whole album is groovy as hell! 😢 👌 oh btw funny you said it's an acquired taste, they actually have an album called "Acquiring the Taste" and the cover art delivers the message of the title in a very literal way 😄 anyway an amazing album as well. Yet again great talk at the end 🫶 I know I'm late here but congrats on that staying clean anniversary anyway man!
I see you're getting into two of my favorite bands the doors and gentle giant. Their second album acquiring the taste in my opinion is best work and weirdest.
After checking out your channel for some time it's pretty obvious that if you were born around the early 60s you would have been a huge progressive rock fan...and probably proto-metal. Then, like the rest of us, RUSH would have happened to you and brought you into the future...😊
These guys had a sound, but a crazy, funky sound. Insanely good musicians.
They really do have a killer bounce to their sound! I love how tongue in cheek everything seems to be as well.
There's a really cool "fan video" of Proclamation. Musicians from all over collaborated and played this tune on line. Such a fitting tribute to the band!
IMO, the song So Sincere from this album is one of the greatest examples of “focused chaos” ever, and I think you would be one of the folks who could really appreciate its brilliance.
Ray is unbelievable
RIP Ray Shulman, an unheralded genius of his crafts
One of the most underrated bassists. Period.
The whole album is fantastic! :) :O
Gentle Giant!!!! Absolutely!!!!
Cogs in Cogs is a wild ride from The Powe and the Glory. You should definitely check it out.
I will be doing that one next week! 😄
It is worth listening to the whole album in order because it tells a story. A real concept album. One of their best!
I love Gentle Giant and the concept/messages they conveyed in their albums, Power and the Glory, 3 Friends, Octopus etc. pure genius.
The entire album is magic
I am definitely going to do more from this album. The sound is so good. I need more. Lol
@L33Reacts you should definitely listen to it as a whole, it's a concept album
@@Guido102 yeah I second that! This is their next best album after IaGH imo.
One of my very favorite Classic Prog bands, always great fun Live from these Fantastic Multi-instrumentalist and I was lucky to see them 5 times from 1974'-1977' in Boston & NYC !! Power and the Glory is a great Concept album by them. You must see the "Fan" video of this song with many talented fans and pro musicians from GG , Crimson, Yes, Hackett helping out !! 👍🎶🎸🎹🎤🥁🎻🎷🎼✌
I recommend Cogs in Cogs as a next gentle giant song!! Insane time signature and a very prog metal approach maybe?
I will definitely be doing that one next! Sounds like a blast 😄
An acquired taste indeed!
The masters of odd time. They are so good.
And congrats on your sobriety. So much good in life without something that for some people takes so much and gives so little. All the best to you!
Listen to Cogs in Cogs. That song rocks.
Same album.... JUST LISTEN TO Cogs in Cogs'.... incredible energy from an incredible prog outfit. Love 'em. 😍
Concept Album with all songs based on political themes., hence "the power and the glory"! The lyrics are of a Candidate giving his "proclamation' speech to the masses > the music is purest GIANT! I've noticed that the lyrics aren't generally your focus yet sometimes they don't matter & other times they do towards understanding why certain rhythms, atmosphere, sound effects or changes are utilized. For example: The crowd sound on the tail end is logical if you know what he's singing about! RIP Ray Shulman (writer, bass, violin, acoustic guitar, recorder)
The lyrics here really are about the "Leader Principle" (Hitler) - he doesn't sound like a candidate, more like a fully-fledged autocratic leader who has already been in power for some time and expects nothing less than complete loyalty: "you are my people, and there must be no change!".
you're right @@louise_rose very authoritarian. I had forgotten the details but mainly wanted to emphasize how the lyric often reflect the music and vice versa. Thanks
You should watch some of the videos of these guys playing live. They would blow your mind even more. I've seen them play live 5 times back in the 1970s. I would still go see them if they were still together.
It's hard to believe this album is now 50 years old...wow!
That 'bumble bee' piano part is absolutely crazy, i love how they pulled out the most experminetal and fun stuff back then. Gentle Giant's have such a unique and a distinct sound, i hope you do more! Also please consider checking out Area and Premiata Forneria Marconi, two amazing italian progressive rock bands that are very jazz oriented !
Cogs in cogs is the most famous song in the album. It's awesome!
First - big congrats on that 3 year anniversary, keep up the good work! Second... are you aware that GG has an album called Acquiring The Taste, 'cause I cracked up when you used that phrase.😂 Also, has anyone mentioned the group Gryphon to you? I'm not saying they sound like the Giant, but I think you might enjoy them. Maybe try the album Red Queen To Gryphon Three...? Anyway, congrats again, Lee!👍🏼
Thank you so much Bob! I appreciate it. 🙏 and no I had no idea they had an album named that.. that's hilarious. They know their music is special 😌 I will check them out, that sounds fascinating to be honest haha
I got this album when I was 16 yrs old,back in 74 when it was released,I have had it and played it ever since,even played it last week on my radio show,here on our 50 watt community access radio station
5:23 how they do those dissonant harmonies is amazing
Yeah, this is a completely amazing song! I had forgotten how great (and how insanely TIGHT!) the studio version is - I'm more familiar with the live take from the Playing the Fool album, where it gets a heavier swing, almost hard rock, and Derek is really belting out the lyrics. I figure Deep Purple would have appreciated that version....
The vocals here are brutally hard to sing to begin with, but the harmony parts are downright demented. Only the RIO bands like Henry Cow were doing anything as complex and left-field. And you're right, Lee, this is Gentle Giant at their most "focused", which translated to "more accessible to average rock audiences". There's no surprise that this was when they hit their stride in terms of appealing to American audiences.
"I really wish I had the next track queued up so I can go into the next one." I mean... no one would complain...
Hahaha very true. Maybe I should start doing that randomly and not tell anyone 🤔
Such fantastic composition and thematic devlopment
So tight and jazzy.
Back in the day, I liked Gentle Giant, but I had to be in the right mood.
Prog lead me to classical, jazz for a long time, and when I came back to prog and listened to Gentle Giant I could really appreciate their brilliance.
But it was the exposure to mediaeval and renaissance music that really got my lug holes properly attuned to GG.
They really are "the progger's prog band". Don't think they are as accessible as YES for example.
The closest I've heard to the same sort of colour as GG are Italian prog bands of the 70s, like Premiata Forneria Marconi.
I love this track (I just wish it didn't fade out). The rest of the album is brilliant. Keep listening, Lee!
Grew up with this and it's still awesome 😎
Congrats on three years. Challenges make us stronger. Striving to overcome them makes us men. Music is a great diversion and can help change a mood instantly. You will be a busy listener for the rest of your life. My GG suggestion is a video live version of "Funny Ways."
Playing the Game next, same album
Congrats on 3 years, Lee! Keep it up! For me it wasn't alcohol (I'm allergic), but other plants & chemicals - been clean for almost 43 years now, so I'm confident you can persevere, too!
The Power and the Glory really needs to be listened to at a single sitting - Proclamation is the first song, and sets up a complete story of power, glory - and the inevitable corruption of that power and glory-seeking! The album is possibly the most cohesive "concept album" the band did - with several songs directly referring to other songs within the story.
Proclamation is certainly an outstanding song - and a good introduction to the album & concept, but I think the 7 other songs are equally good - "Cogs in Cogs" is *my* favorite, but only by a nanometer-sized margin ...
Yeah you could call me a trash can who really enjoyed his opiates though 😏 Thank-you for the kind words grady! I love politics and find the human condition and how we choose these institutions to represent us and then watch as the rot sets in. It's insidious. Absolute power and such... anyways. Thanks for watching 😁
@@L33Reacts It was psychedelics for me back in the late 70s, so generally much less physically addicting: huge respect for those who get clean from the poppy & related!
Politically, I'm a voluntaryist (essentially a free market anarchist) - all forms of human interaction should be voluntary, as soon as force is used to compel obedience (even on the willing), a wrong is committed. Of course, that puts me in a minority, so even though I love discussing it, I can't afford to get on a high horse (at risk of denying my own principles 😛) - and a super-sized sense of humor is a must! It's no surprise that I enjoy this album, given my assumption that all human governments currently existing or likely to exist are ultimately corrupt 🙂
This includes all the members of GG...
The late Ray Shulman mixed it !!!!
A great reaction again. Thank you !
Thanks brother I appreciate it 🙏 😄
GG use to open for Yes and Jethro Tull. Saw GG 4 times
You have a great channel Lee. Loving your reactions.
I got spoiled by the bigger '70s prog bands like Yes, ELP, KC and tried listening to Gentle Giant before but couldn't get into it. I'll give it another shot because of your enthusiasm. I know what it is. Vocals. Example: I tried to get into Glass Hammer but couldn't until the addition of new singer Hannah Pryor. By herself or harmonizing with songwriter, bassist, keyboardist Steve Babb, it's so pleasing. "Anthem to Andorath" would be a good introduction.
I was first introduced to GG back in '73, when a friend of mine played me the album "Three Friends" and I've been a fan ever since. I only saw them live once, in about '75 in Liverpool. The drummer on this album was John "Pugwash" Weathers, and I've seen him live a couple of times when he played with the Welsh band Man. In fact I got to meet him at one of Man's gigs 20-odd years ago when they played a venue called The Citadel in St Helens, which is a town a few miles outside Liverpool. They were always a very laid-back band and they had no problem with us going backstage and having a chat with them.
I am glad you are delving into groups like this. Try Gypsy and Dust(non prog) The Dust song to listen to is Hump from a Dry Camel. BTW Camel is another great group. Thank you for what you are doing and please keep it up
Thank-you so much Stephanie 😌 It means alot. I will check them out! Thank you 😊
It's worth finding the fan video tribute for this song
One night in 1975 my friend and I did mushrooms and listened every single Gentle Giant album which was out at the time.
Thanks for sharing Gentle Giant
Check out Freehand, both the album and the song. The song is incredibly funky.
Got this album when it came out. I was hooked. At the time, it was tough in my location to get the good stuff. I still have my old copy of "The Power and the Glory".
On the three year day: some feel good music: Wheather report with "Birdland" and Crusaders with "Street life" to listen to with or without reaction!
So nice..
One of their best albums,Lee-- all great. Also Freehand is fantastic! Dive in,bro...T
The king of the current neo-prog scene--Neal Morse,is heavily influenced by GG,along with all the other classic 70's prog acts,as well as later Beatles. Check into some of his 'Neal Morse Band' material---you will be amazed! :-) Cheers, T
This reminds me of Haken's The Cockroach King
That is a Gentle
Giant copy. But great!
Happy clean anniversary. Good for you!
Gotta check out the fan video of the song.
Congrats on three years! As you said, there really is something just "fun" about Gentle Giant - in contrast with other major prog bands that tend to dedicate their efforts more to evoking some grandiose spiritual/fantastical/gothic atmosphere. Not that there's anything wrong with that! But I love the way Gentle Giant makes something more like little bite size bursts of ear candy for weird music nerds. Who else would throw together tricky vocal layering, harsh dissonance, and deranged swirling keyboards with an expertly built-up outrageous funk beat?
Yeah this whole album is groovy as hell! 😢 👌 oh btw funny you said it's an acquired taste, they actually have an album called "Acquiring the Taste" and the cover art delivers the message of the title in a very literal way 😄 anyway an amazing album as well.
Yet again great talk at the end 🫶 I know I'm late here but congrats on that staying clean anniversary anyway man!
We all want you to listen to ”So Sincere” from the same album
Okay?
Try a band called Gong. Steve Hilage and his drummer, Joe Blocker. Sorry going blind ATM must need a kip
❤
The studio recorded songs are more focused , live they like to change things up. So sincear next .
Ahhh ok that makes sense. Gotta have fun somehow lol cant keep these birds caged for too long or they might wither.
please if you haven't already check out aquiring the taste
I see you're getting into two of my favorite bands the doors and gentle giant. Their second album acquiring the taste in my opinion is best work and weirdest.
Great vid! Cheers
Zappa liked them, and that in itself is a hard thing, haha
I've just subscribed 👌👍
Glad to have you aboard Melvin! 😀
Mr Bungle - Carry Stress in the Jaw
I suggest you listen to His Last Voyage.
Great stuff. Check out their:ive version of Free Hand.
After checking out your channel for some time it's pretty obvious that if you were born around the early 60s you would have been a huge progressive rock fan...and probably proto-metal. Then, like the rest of us, RUSH would have happened to you and brought you into the future...😊
Cogs in Cogs next
Gentle Giant - Nothing At All
Definitely music for the tone deaf