Gentle Giant- A Reunion & In A Glass House (REACTION//DISCUSSION)
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- Опубликовано: 16 янв 2022
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Fun fact: Inmate's Lullaby uses only percussive instruments and A Reunion uses only string instruments.
Mostly stringed instruments on A Reunion, but definitely Rhodes piano as well.
@@cardboarddog2010 😬
One of my top 10 albums of all time
Quite a refreshing experience to hear Gentle Giant, much of whose work are quite new to me. Those top-heavy time signatures and precise moments always hold my interest. I find it a welcome respite from the usual doldrums of rocking blues.
I know what I like and I like this.
I know what I like in my wardrobe too....
@@lemming9984 Was it one o'clock?
In a Glass House is my fav Gentle giant song
This album definitely improves with repeated listens. As it's arguably the most dense of Gentle Giant's work. The Power and the Glory close behind.
I can dig that.
Don’t forget In’terview too
I think that can be said about a lot if not most of GG's work. Their music is just very dense and sophisticated, it took me literally over a year to 'train' my ears for their sound, and it was only with a rather accessible tune of theirs; Wreck. As their second album's name suggests, their music is an acquired taste. The more you pay attention to it, the better it gets. Right now and after several months of listening to them, i now know that what they produced is some of the finest and tighest music out there, ever
After 23 days, arriving home. Dogs barking, mini-mule is bleating & honking to beat the band! Inside dachshund and cats are waiting.In my room crazy coon cat and ferrets are happy! Daddy's home - A Reunion in an Animal house 🏘️! Peace from a gentle geriatric.
'In a Glass House' is my favourite song by GG, both musically and lyrically. The album is probably top 2 for me too, it is difficult though because their first 8 albums rarely miss.
Always love me some GG. Thank you.
Two great masterpieces to close this magnificent album! Maybe my favorite one from the Giants!!
Being forced into a 4/4 time signature would have been a fate worse than death for GG.
Great conclusion to a great album. “Three Friends” would be my pick for your next GG experience.
Agreed, Three Friends is a force to be reckoned with
Two excellent tracks. A fantastic end to a superb album. Such musicianship, second to none. And that little splash of peddle steel, that just tickles me. I still think Octopus is my all time fave, but boy, this's close.
A reunion is such a sweet and heartwarming little tune. Also love the title track of this album, it does end the album with a blast, I believe its their longest song.
Technically "Nothing at All" is longer, but considering they got there via the very cheesy expedient of adding a drum solo, I'm happy to disqualify it.
Great album, maybe my favourite one from GG's incredible selection. The next one to attack: Three Friends. It's best done in 3 parts, two songs at a time.
Ahh, the conclusion of a masterpiece. Thanks JP!
Anytime Alan :)
I so wish i could have seen them open for Tull back in 72. Thick as a Brick live, preceded by GG circa Octopus. (Sigh.)
In A Glass House is the first track i ever heard by them, way back in 73, and i was HOOKED. Other than Joni Mitchell going into jazz and opening the doors for me through The Hissing of Summer Lawns and Mingus, i credit Giant for opening me up to classical (A Reunion, Experience) and contemporary classical (An Inmate's Lullaly).
For me, this is the top GG album, with Power & Glory and Free Hand coming in closely right behind. I think of them as a trilogy, the themes being closely associated: social oppression and conventions sometimes leading to mental health disorders, criticism of ideologies, populism and the search for a Leader leading to loss of freedom - the song titles for all three albums point to each other.
There was terrific stuff mostly before and a little bit after, but with those three, they reached a plateau, which the live Playing The Fool demonstrates quite convincingly. By then (1975-76), they were headlining and playing to much larger audiences, without compromising their art. The need for a "hit" got in the way.
I agree about their complexity and simultaneous approachability…. I think it never takes itself too seriously. It’s always presenting these musical ideas for the pure delight of their experience. As challenging as it is rhythmically and sonically, it’s equally fun! And, man, the details are always so amazing and clever. You can dig around in their songs over and over and make new discoveries every time. You never feel weighted down by pretentious ideas, or slickness. It’s all about the experience of the music, which is almost acrobatic and playful.
So true! Theres always so much depth to their music :D
I feel like I’ve hit a vein of gold in the discovery of their discography. I have had In a Glass House in my collection for almost 12 years and I think I was turned off initially by the mix of that first tune, which has really piercing highs in the vocals and guitar. (I wish Steven Wilson could make a remix of this album, it would truly benefit!). But what a numbskull I was to have missed this album (and their others) all that time just because of some crispy sound!
Sumptuous
JFYI: The end of "In a Glass House" was a track of its own called "Index" on the original vinyl.
Yes they did!🎶🎶🎶
I was fortunate enough to have seen this man back in the day. One of the best live performances I've ever seen. I saw him about three times. They are the epitome of prog Rock.
This song just has so much in it.
It’s very different from other GG stuff because, although it has a million different sections with rapid style changes between them, it’s like each individual bit wouldn’t be out of place in your average classic rock song. It’s not deliberately esoteric like Raconteur Troubadour or deliberately strange like Way of Life, it’s just really pleasant, awesome, impressively performed rock music, with a big selection of different styles thrown in.
Hey Justin, something occurred to me that I haven't thought about for awhile. There is a jazz pianist who worked with Allan Holdsworth who was into GG. I really liked his solo compositions. You may want to investigate. His name is Billy Childs.
I Like yuor style and attitude. You are indid very good and I love Gentel Giant every day ! Thank you for your channel and words
Bunch a Renaissonic Baroqanroll. Or a Medievalant Classipickle. Madness , I know. I’m awake now. Again like, Yes, mental gymnastics to ready you for the day. I’m ready. I think.
Peace and problem solving Music
Gentle Giant themselves didn't think this album was up to par with their previous albums. That's why it was never released in the US. You had to buy it as an import. I never thought it was their best, but I've grown to like it more and more over the years.
Power and glory is my fave. Next is 3 friends. Initially wasnt crazy about this album but I will have to give it another trial run. ( many love it).
My favourite GG album and I have them all...thisxwas my introduction to their music as a 17 year old and it blew me away. Love your choices and not following the same track as other Reactors... 👍
Hi JP, In a glass house was the track that hooked me first in 1974, Compilation "Giant Steps - the first five years". Got it fromv a friend, gave him my copy of Tull, Living in the past in exchange ;-) - Gentle Giant became my fave group immediately then, together with Gabriels Genesis, esp. Lamb lies down - and now 50 years later, my fave bands are still them: GG, Genesis, VdGG/Hammill and Tull :-) ... - b.t.w.: Try tha album "The machine that cried" by String Driven Thing :-) ...
Oh my God!
Where did you come from?
This literally brought tears to my eyes ...
I just got home from a day trip with my sons. We make collaborative playlists for our trips. The opening track for today’s list was “In a Glass House”. What a coincidence! Great track, too!
Awesome Jay! Glad you both had a nice time together :)
Now your next album GG might probably be the beautiful Three Friends one!
Lovely reaction as usual JP
That final chorus riff is in 29/4: 7 + 10 + 12. I read A Reunion literally, as an exquisitely poignant meditation on an old love; the rising chords of the chorus are just drop dead gorgeous. My fave Giant is TPatG; a remarkably consistent album. While I love this one, too (tremendous sound), I think it's slightly structurally less well-focused.
"Acquiring The Taste" and "Octopus" deserve much more listens as well. There's a guarantee of ZERO disappointment. And, there is more of that Venn diagram cross-over with Jethro Tull on these albums. Some very sweet stuff. Also: Gentle Giant. What more could you ask for?
Blessings.
The cover of this album fascinated me when I discovered it in 1978. The transparent cover with the printed musicians covering other pictures of these musicians in the background sleeve, that made a great effect rendering the complexity of their music. The actual picture is only a slice of the whole.
It was the holy grail record to find to me and my friends back then.
I have really been looking forward to this! Reunion does something quietly ingenius in that the phrasing of the music and the lyrics sung feel like an ellipsis, you know a ... where the protagonist's thoughts feel like they're still continuing even the lyrics don't complete them and the music music adds this quiet reverie of of some possibility on the horizon. The title track is masterful and it does have a very complex, yet celebratory conclusion to this concept of a runaway coming back to himself and beginning to see more clearly. This album in my opinion is a masterwork and displays fully how a group of musicians make the music fully feel like the lyrics expressed. How much music is out there that makes one feel like they are traveling with someone's plight with intimate memories. both acknowledging them yet breaking free from them?
Justin , thanks for getting back to this album . Two great songs to finish off with but poles apart in style and effect , underlining the talent and versatility of the band . I find that with my fave GG albums they are a whole listen experience . Random tracks doesn’t do them justice imo .
So much to look forward to in their catalogue .
I agree with those who suggest Three Friends next . Although influences have changed over the years , I keep coming back to Three Friends as my favourite listen . Its always a close run thing though . The Steven Wilson remixes of Freehand have really served to elevate that album and bring it to the attention of a new and wider audience……. after all this time 👍
I saw Them 5 times in the early 70s in Philly one of my favorite bands !
I saw these at Leeds when they were called Simon Dupree and the Big Sound. Gene Pitney and Amen Corner were on the same bill, and you couldn't hear a thing for all the screaming. I was 9. Kites is still a great single. This sounds all right.
I forgot - 1968, it was.
Thanks JP for tackling such a beautiful and complex album, by far my favorite GG album amongst many great ones. I enjoyed watching your journey and reliving my own first journey through it. I predict that after several listens you will feel much the same as I do. Kudos to you for your fresh insights into such an old and dear friend.
Thank you Bill :)
Love Reunion. Giant’s quiet classical pieces were so enchanting.
Good stuff.
My top 3 GG recordings (in no particular order) are Three Friends, In a Glass House and Free Hand.
My favorite song and album by Gentle Giant, and it still grows after almost 50 years. 50!!!! years....is it that long???
Once I had the song prepared for an old girlfriend when we was goingy with car. OHHH! What a eaction!!!!.......sha was looking for breaking glass for a moment........ha ha ha.
As someone who has been a GG fan since 1970,your insight is truly inspiring.Why can't all of our young adults be like you.The country would be saved from our insidious marxist fate.
Thats really kind of you to say Bart :)
As always with GG, beautiful chaos...GG takes more than one listen to appreciate
Thats for sure!
Three Friends should be your next GG album to react to
Maybe it's time to revisit Rick Wakeman? The Red Planet is a great modern instrumental Prog album utilizing vintage analog keyboards, great production and Rick's familiar compositional style full of catchy instrumental hooks. Many stank face inducing moments from his crack band with Ash Soan on drums, Lee Pomeroy on bass and Dave Colquhoun on guitars.
Agree about The Red Planet. Love it , but the drums are too prominent and samey for me!
I absolutely love Acquiring the Taste but for some reason the later albums have been hard for me to get into.
If you're wondering what the gag was behind the little series of excerpts from each song at the end - on the original LP sleeve it was designated a separate track.....the "Index".
Hi JP. DP from UK. Yours is my Salvation Station. And thanks to you I am really warming to GG, not one of my fave bands in the 70s. I get the Jethro Tull connection, especially the Songs from the Wood period, and I would also liken them to early Kansas in their instrumentation and complexity. I now have their Edge of Twilight 2CD compilation, containing most of their early albums (but not this one), and it's the quieter Kerry Minnear sung tracks like A Reunion and Aspirations that I probably prefer. P.S. my song ref Salvation Station is by Glass Hammer, a US band that also sometimes strays into GG territory.
Melodies, harmonies, syncopation, counterpoint. These are the things that make up a great Gentle Giant song. The Free Hand album would be your next logical step. Or you could go backward a little bit and discover the Three Friends album. Either is a great choice 🙂
Its hard to rank their albums, at least for me, in no particular order i love Octopus, Power and the Glory, Freehand and this one and the live album Playing the Fool.
The title track reminds me of certain passages from A Passion Play, especially when the saxophone appears. This is one of my favorite tracks from Gentle Giant. The coda with the different excerpts from the album makes me think that Gentle Giant finished its very last album (Civilian) with this kind of process (this time not with all the excerpts from the album but by picking four passages which give in the end: "That's... All... There... Is....").
At some point you should do the album Acquiring the Taste.
My very fave GG rune.
A great album and transitional. You can hear what was lost with Phil Shulman's departure. You can also hear the band regaining confidence which will be completed on "Power and the Glory".
I liked 'A Reunion', was thinking this is like a madrigal... but I don't like madrigals, this I do like. I too thought of Jethro Tull but was thinking this isn't as confrontational as their music. With 'In a Glass House' I got definite Yes vibes with the changes and rhythms. I just with the vocals were a little more clear or more upfront in the mix, I can't understand all of the words without reading them. Great music though.
It’s from tracks like these that the Field Music boys from Sunderland take their reference points and plot their own trips to various locations in Musicsville. Start with the double album Measure or the mini post modern prog opera of Plumb which despite low sales data was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize in 2012. I decided to try them in 2017 and became grossly obsessed with them for two whole years.
Their latest is as good as any of their substantial discography and for all fans of
*all the eclectic usual suspects* Field Music should be investigated wivout Doubt.
That means u 2 j p🤗😁
Diolch
GG were revisited and re-evaluated post myFM revolution. I now dig em deeply. Great Fun!
Back in the day I only ever listened to 'Free Hand' which I liked. For some reason I never explored this bands music further. Maybe it was something to do with their name. If they had been called something else other than 'Gentle Giant' I might have given them a comprehensive listen. It is a great discography and I regret not having given them a go back then.
No man you figured out that on M real quick you know it's funny I talk about odd for gentle giant that's just par for the course it's not odd at all for them to do odd rhythms God I hate this Google thing they put the word m for the word m meter anyhow yeah this is a definite life-changing album for me it definitely changed my outlook on music you know his strength it yeah sure there's classical influence and everything but when you take like the cello arrangement and you listen to any other classical music there is absolutely nothing like that in classical music it's just that they're using those instruments that were used in classical music yeah if you ever get to the album civilian there's a little treat for you there I won't give away the plot but it's pretty funny yeah I don't know if you've had the original album but man the artwork is just phenomenal you have like a clear piece of cellophane that has a negative black and white image and then you have a white piece of cardboard with another black and white image on that and they just they really don't go together but they're just superimposed all right my man
Hey Justin. Just noticed your new toy in the background. Hope you enjoy your new listening routine. What was your first selection?
Ty, first one on was Hounds of Love😁
Off topic I know…Quick recommendation for everyone…Fleuves de l’Ame by Houeida Hedfi….unclassifiable but if you enjoyed Jaubi you should enjoy this too. Would love to hear any comments.
I would go album two to acquire more of a taste for GG. Sorry some one had to say it. I am Sure GG toured with Jethro Tull.
The song, “In a Glass House” for me is the ultimate GG song. It has everything that is unique about the band. I just wish, WISH Derek’s vocals were more forceful. Oh well, still a great song!
Great ending to a somewhat 'difficult' album.
Please do Duran Duran - Chauffeur
I do try to take in this music, skilful and imaginative it is, but it's all just a bit dated and twee, a rather laboured procession of dexterities. Of similar vintage, I can approach something more whimsical, say, the band Stackridge, without thinking of sell-by dates.