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Conference napalm::heavy_metal

Title:HEAVY_METAL - Talent Round-Up DayDay
Notice:Rules-2.*,Directory-7.*,Roster-3.*,Garbage-99.*
Moderator:BUSY::SLABB
Created:Wed May 04 1988
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1238
Total number of notes:65616

649.0. "Gentle Giant" by KDCFS1::FREEMAN () Wed Aug 30 1989 17:17

    
       I've noticed a few old timers who are really into Jethro Tull.
    Around the same time period, Gentle Giant was doing classical rock
    which was similar, if not an improvment, on Tull. These guys were
    incredible on stage and I remember a few people who thought that
    the band had sheet music taped to the stage floor! 
       Anyways, they had about 10 albums out and then they just disappeared
    into obscurity. Does anyone remember Giant? How about the Strawbs?
    PFM? Nektar? 
                 and so on....
                                         R.F.
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
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649.1I remember themBUSY::JMINVILLEOnce there was a way...Thu Aug 31 1989 17:595
    I remember Gentle Giant, The Strawbs, and Nektar, but I don't remember
    anything specific.  Just the band names.  What were some of the
    things they did?
    
    joe.
649.2BLAST FROM THE PAST...KDCFS1::FREEMANFri Sep 01 1989 18:1619
    Giant's best selling album was one which resembled a playing card
    called The Power and the Glory. It was released in 1974 and was
    followed by a North American tour in 75. The heaviest album was
    their follow-up release called In A Glass House. The title track
    started with a tape loop of glass being smashed. If you can find
    this album, it will probably run you about 25 dollars. The first 4 Giant
    albums (Gentle Giant,Aquiring the Taste,Three Friends and Octopus)
    have just been issued by a German lable called Outline. 
    
    It suprises me that when all this heavy metal is being analyzed,
    that nobody seems to mention the extensions and precursors of the
    form. How about Uriah Heep? Those guys were playing the chunkiest
    chords back in 1970 but we called it hard rock. If you have the
    chance, pick up one of the aforementioned LPs and imagine that the
    guitar tracks are stand alone and you'll see what I mean.
    
    
                                             RF
    
649.3I like Gentle Giant and HeepKETJE::VLASIUWed Sep 27 1989 10:349
    I've heard years ago albums from Gentle Giant which I found making real
    progressive rock. I loved much the album Power and Glory at that time.
    I have no more news about them.
    About Uriah Heep I opened a topic because there was none and I found
    them as beeing one of the founders of heavy metal with strong
    progressive influence. They still exist.
    Regards,
    
    Sorin
649.4Late SeventiesKAOA11::CHABOTWed Nov 01 1989 14:4811
    Interesting band.  I saw them once at the Montreal Forum back in
    the late Seventies and they were great.  I got a little nostalgic
    last weekend and picked up "The Power and the Glory" and now I can't
    stop playing it.  I have been looking around for a copy of "Glass
    House" but have been unsuccessful; I think it was only released in 
    North America as an import so it's a little hard to find - especially 
    in Ottawa!
    
    James
    
649.5Gently Acquiring The TastePEKING::GERRYTThu Jan 04 1990 09:1236
    Gentle Giant were my favourite band of the '70's.
    They did many albums in that time, changing labels from Vertigo,
    to WWA to Chrysalis, finally splitting in 1980 I believe.
    Albums were:-
    Gentle Giant (ace cover painting)
    Acquiring the taste
    Three friends
    Octopus
    In a Glass house
    Power and the Glory
    Free hand
    Interview
    Missing Piece
    Playing the Fool - live double album
    Giant For a Day
    Civilian                                                 
    
    They also released a single - "The Power and the Glory"
                                        
    The first 4 albums and the live album are available on CD.
    I believe the first 4 are on the Link label (German)
    Playing the Fool (live) is on a French label.
    All these are available through "Our price" record stores in the
    UK.
    
    I have all the records, but no CD's yet.
    
    I would not classify them as Heavy Metal at all...just Progressive
    (innovative) rock.
    A magazine available in the UK called "Q" had a piece on them in
    their "Where are they now?" column.(August/Sept 1989)           
    If you want any more details, let me know.
    
    Uriah Heep's first 3 albums were OK, especially Salisbury (2nd.)
                        
    
649.6bringn' back the memories58379::LACAILLELookit them yo-yo'sThu Jan 04 1990 12:326
	Thanks! I had forgotten all about this wonderful group till
	now. I'll have to dig up that double live album I have and
	give it a listen.

	Charlie_who_doesn't_look_at_his_LP's_since_his_CD_purchase