And they were always under valued in this way. I tried figuring out why the band existed so under the conscience. People just couldn't hear the magic produced by the group. It was like discovering treasure in lots of noisy rebellious crap. Supertramp helped me develop a sense of quality. In comparison, Steely Dan was too hedonistic, too popular, and lost in the material world. These players for Supertramp weren't your typical long haired dopers. They were proficient in the playing of their instruments and demonstrated prowess in the percussion underlying the songs. The inclusion of the strings and when they would include them on the album was mind blowing.
Thanks for asking about the archival material John. I guess Rodger was telling the truth! How come some groups save their recording sessions, and then others trash it?
In the making of a song, lots of variations of it are created and then scrapped. Roger claims to have made up many of his songs back when he was still a child. The great classic composers couldn't have played much of the nonsense today without getting their heads chopped off. My method of song writing is to create finger exercises. I then develop those finger exercises into songs. It is fun to get on the train and go choo-choo!
Terry Minnear of Gentle Giant was the most musically gifted person to ever live hands down. He majored in percussion in college, played as the bands keyboardist, dazzled on the xylophone, and sucked at playing the cello (according to him). There is a video of him now lost in the RUclips abyss where he leads the other band members in playing the electric guitar! He did so with a remarkable amount of depth. What does he do now? I read he is the organist for his church. Frank Zappa once mentioned Gentle Giant. Terry Minnear was the main reason why.
Supertramp (and early Chicago) is so underrated. Thanks for the interview, John!
And they were always under valued in this way. I tried figuring out why the band existed so under the conscience. People just couldn't hear the magic produced by the group. It was like discovering treasure in lots of noisy rebellious crap. Supertramp helped me develop a sense of quality. In comparison, Steely Dan was too hedonistic, too popular, and lost in the material world. These players for Supertramp weren't your typical long haired dopers. They were proficient in the playing of their instruments and demonstrated prowess in the percussion underlying the songs. The inclusion of the strings and when they would include them on the album was mind blowing.
Music to my ears... 🎼🎶🎸
Mr. Helliwell is so very talented
Thanks for asking about the archival material John. I guess Rodger was telling the truth! How come some groups save their recording sessions, and then others trash it?
In the making of a song, lots of variations of it are created and then scrapped. Roger claims to have made up many of his songs back when he was still a child. The great classic composers couldn't have played much of the nonsense today without getting their heads chopped off. My method of song writing is to create finger exercises. I then develop those finger exercises into songs. It is fun to get on the train and go choo-choo!
Terry Minnear of Gentle Giant was the most musically gifted person to ever live hands down. He majored in percussion in college, played as the bands keyboardist, dazzled on the xylophone, and sucked at playing the cello (according to him). There is a video of him now lost in the RUclips abyss where he leads the other band members in playing the electric guitar! He did so with a remarkable amount of depth.
What does he do now?
I read he is the organist for his church.
Frank Zappa once mentioned Gentle Giant. Terry Minnear was the main reason why.
@William Jones - or even Kerry Minnear!