Crooning a convict off to the 'land of nod'. A captive audience, by god! The guards measure out the beats, and the warden opens the commissary for bar treats. Meanwhile, the band waits in the day room for meet & greets. Peace and have a day that's really neat!
Inventive music that carries its own weight. You can tell that this type of music was made for the album - made for the listening experience that THE ALBUM wished to represent - without any consideration to commercialism or exhibitionism. This is just Gentle Giant doing whatever they chose to do and letting their music tell 100% of the story. Progressive music where the music wins and if there's any other considerations - it/they are not evident. Gentle Giant - of course - is not everyone's cup of tea - but clearly they want the listeners to judge them by what it is that they do - only them - like no other. Unique music - well executed - always remains fresh to the ears.
Gentle Giant is great but - as you know - not my favorite - I'm just remarking about how singular - how unique they are. In this musical world of copycats - they couldn't be copied. Like VdGG in this one way - their styles can not be duplicated unless it's done by tribute bands.
I'm all for fair representation - more other acts and less Yes/Genesis. I'm unaware - has JP over indulged on GG? I didn't think so - but if true - chuck them aside and let's get to some artists he hasn't done.
@@vdggmouse9512 He did Octopus and P & G. Nowhere near the time spent on Yes, Genesis or Oldfield. Reactors have the right to discover and indulge in favourites, and JP has also covered a fair bit of other bands like Caravan, Can, Renaissance, Camel etc. Personally, i think it's fun to see people react to Roundabout and then try Sound Chaser out. He's also done a good bit of Joni Mitchell, but i'm still looking forward to him trying something like Don Juan's Reckless Daughter or Hissing of Summer Lawns.
@@benoitdesmarais2948 Hi Benoit! Yeah - but I suppose JP will start at the more familiar or the most requested (which is probably the same) and then move to the less familiar. I don't really care what JP covers as long as he doesn't over indulge - like he has with Yes/Genesis/Oldfield. I like when he gets to the lesser known - most of us know the big or most famous artists and JP will probably like them on pure reputation. With artists that he knows nothing of - ?
Absolutely great stuff. As tunes go it's odd, quirky, at times discordant, but it just works. And as always with The G's, the vocals, harmonies, excellent. No one quite writes stuff like this, or if they try, can carry it off like The G's do. Love this and smiled throughout.
It's no wonder their American label refused to release this album. It's not exactly KC And The Sunshine Band. Which makes me appreciate it even more. My favorite percussion led GG song would be School Days.
JP - that is exactly what album culture allowed: a terrific song written to be part of a whole, not meant to be released as a single for the pop charts. As for the concept of IAGH, it was written at a time when people like David Cooper and R.D. Laing were questionning what constitutes mental illness and its sources. (Ken Loach's movie Family Life comes to mind as well - 1971.) As for Inmates being an "in between" sorta transitional piece, i beg to differ. It stands on its own (I once tried to get a choir i sang in to make an arrangement of it, but it was "too weird" apparently ;o), AND it works wonderfully as a softer moment between the rockin' Runaway and Way of Life. (When you get to the last two pieces, i suggest you combine them - A Reunion being only a little over two minutes.) Once you're done with IAGH (1973), and Free Hand (1975), it'll be interesting to hear if you still think P & G (1974) is their best effort. I can't choose: these albums are GG at the height of their inspiration, even though there is amazing stuff (like Advent of Panurge) on all their albums from 1970 to 77.
I saw Gentle Giant 3 times the Free hand ,the Missing piece & Civilian tour which they played at the Stone pony / NJ which was incredible to see them in a small club.
It has a charm, ready to contribute to a larger piece of music; dabbling with the contents of the school orchestra cupboard. The lyrical contrast is either heightened by the percussion party, or is just ill-matched; I don't feel sufficiently engaged to worry which.
Excellent review. This song intends to be a soft and delicate interlude to the next song, but with deep and highly imagistic lyrics to describe a mental prison.
I love this album. I remember having to work to find the import to buy after it's release since it had no US release. It really is a shame that the masters are lost and we will never get to hear a Steven Wilson remix/remaster. Thanks JP for reacting to this and exposing a newer generation to these masters of their genre.
Great review! So many times I watch reviews which are glib and give the subject no real consideration, especially where prog reviewers feel like they have to do a Giant review. I think you are also right in judging this track to work only in it's place on the album. Thanks for the video.
Great analysis. The next song also starts immediately after this without a pause so the album does have a connected theme. And by the way I recall Derek Shulman saying that IAGH got all the accolades and the band liked the album quite a lot, but they felt Power was their best album although I'm on of the IAGH accoladers.
How to turn a nightmare into music. That's Gentle Giant. Justin! How about reviewing Larks Tongues in Aspic By King Crimson? What a ride that'll be!! Greetings from East Sussex, UK. 🙏👍👍🌠💫🤭🎶🎶
This is really a sad song 😢. Used to be a video on Utube to this song using old black and white asylum footage featuring shock treatments and assorted catatonic inmate zombies. Very sad.
Afternoon, Justin. Dave from London, enjoying the Fancy Colours of the leaf fall. This is the side of GG that I prefer. This quieter soundscape showcases the brilliant range of instrumentation that you have highlighted, from marimba to celesta. Beautiful. Still with the tricksy rhythms but maybe not the manic intensity. Think I would have preferred Kerry to take the vocals though.
@@seangearhart2494 Thanks, Sean. Kerry takes the lead on some of GG's quieter tracks (although I gather he doesn't do it live), and I prefer his style on them.
I was just thinking about what poor Justin is going to have to do once he buys a stereo system with turntable and CD player. He will have several months of listening in addition to what he needs to listen to for his videos. He may need to take a vacation before his ears wear out.
Nice little song that precedes the next one which comes in immediately and kicks ass. So you're missing out on the song order effect of the album - as you mentioned. Keep on with this album - their best in my opinion.
What? So soon? I'm not complaining mind you. 😁 Interesting that you see this song in relation to the "Glass House" theme as the innmate trying to break the glass/break free of his state of mind (and maybe into something worse). I actually see it more as we are the ones in the glasshouse throwing stones, thinking that this only happens to "other" people. In fact I think like 1 out of 2 will at some point in our lives have mental issues severe enough to qualify as a diagnosis. So maybe we shouldn't throw stones, because we might end up in a place not too far away from this fellow. 🙃
@@Katehowe3010 I was never really drawn to Queen, yet Freddie was a great singer and a great performer and all four of them were very competent musicians but I don't know, something made this band not really attracted me (neither in the 70s nor 80s). I like a few songs but nothing more and listening to an entire Queen album has always been painful to me.
@@Katehowe3010 Yes I understand what you mean, although I quoted Quadrophenia which is not a progressive album and I could also quote the vastly underrated Deep Purple's Who Do We Think We Are (which I always prefered to the revered Machine Head) plus Band on the Run by Paul McCartney and Wings. You will notice that I did not mention Sweet Freedom by Uriah Heep so as not to bicker us ! .-))
Prog, prog and more prog! Queen? C'mon Chris. Don't plant Queen seeds in JP's brain. Fairport and Pentangle - sure. But please - is there in all the annals - notice I didn't write anals - in all the annals of pop music - Queen leads the way as the most overrated. If I ever hear another track by them - it'll be too soon. 'We Will Rock You' - for that alone they should be chastised and criticized...forever!
More Aerosmith - Slade - Sweet - Gary Glitter - Boston - Kansas - Styx - Journey - UFO - All part of your DNA? Rolf Harris too? Spare us these greats - I'd actually rather react to more tired old tepid Collins era Genesis than any of these todgers. BTW I'm getting away with this at work - so I know I'll have to go suddenly - so if that's soon I'll read at you later!
I’ll have to relisten to the lyrics and your commentary, was too much into my thoughts. Heard the gist and started thinking of myself and others going through this time of panisanity… My friend’s out of rehab but still seems not like his old self. This is slowly becoming clear that he might never be the friend of old. Trying to wrap my head around this. He was my backboard a lot with my artwork, not always complimentary with my direction, which was fine. I expected it, actually. He hasn’t painted in awhile and doesn’t want to talk art anymore. Anyway, I’m gearing up to work again, at work and at home, with or without his reflections. Back to the music, not so much a lullaby for me but a dream composition that one wakes up with playing in your head. I found it comfortable, not as crazy weird as others. It was nice. Peace and Musical dreams
You know, sometimes things happens as to change us forever. It doesn't mean a complete change of character, just that one aspect or two of our personality changes. Often it can be beacuse it has outlived its purpose and is now just a burden and an old habbit. Other times it's a result of the need for self preservation, meaning that an activity/interest can instigate an unhealthy thought process/ destabilization of the psyche. and send someone in a downwards spiral (which offcourse is best to avoid). I don't what kind of rehab (and it's not my business) your friend was in, but drugs can also alter the brain chemicals and therefore change how the brain works. In any case I'm guessing your friend is still there, just maybe a little different. Maybe you'll need to spend your time doing other things than you did before? Wether it be some other creative activities or something not creative at all? You know your friend better than me, so you'll have a much better idea. What I am certain of however, is that your friend will be glad someone still values his friendship. Rehab rarely builds confidence or selfworth in one self, so maybe he just need someone else to value his company. Anyway (sorry for the long comment), I wish you the best of luck, both with your own projects and with your friend. 🙂
This song is awesome just because I can't imagine ANY of the major prog bands of the day tackling something like it. Maybe Van der Graaf, but even for them this would have been... peculiar. This goes much farther toward the kind of avant garde music of Henry Cow.
Someone once told me that Gentle Giant was like The Archies on Vivarin. We parted ways. These nouns have died from life. And speaking of Edgard Varese, his brilliant work, "Ionization", from around '34, is a percussive masterpiece that has inspired Fripp, Zappa, and probably these guys. There are several great and groovy version on the internics. Do some reactions to several, and I'm sure one or two will be gems. As Horace says..."delight and instruct"...or inform. And you do. Some reviewers delight but don't inform, and others inform but do not delight. You do both. Every time. Even with your eyes, you convey meaning. Anyways...Have you yet done "Free Hand"? I'm just finding my way around.
I hadn't heard this song before but I like it. The music itself sounds like a retreat to childhood, to simpler times, being cared for instead of being out on one's own. Btw, this was the b-side to the single 'In a Glass House'. My standard approach to new groups is to start with a compilation and go from there but I think that was the wrong approach with Gentle Giant since it ignores the concept portion of concept albums.
The thing is she a man the song also inmates lullaby leads into the next song you'll notice so you want a kind of run the end of the song and right after the timpani drops down boom you'll see what I'm saying but you might not have heard that song yet so you'll have to react to it but yeah it's you know did the first song it goes in from that one you know and then the runaway piano and then it goes right into that and then it just like all those three songs are connected way of life I think it's the name of it if you notice on the marimbas they have these baffles underneath all the wood blocks and it's on a track in the move and it creates that vibrato effect have I seen those on marimbas back in the day I don't know where I was should I could have been in Tijuana anywhere but I seen you guys playing the marimbas and they had these baffles underneath and they would move and you could speed them up or slowing down and it gives it that cool sound also if you notice the timpani drums are tuned to notes you know you have the pedal that you you can put in different positions and and they would have them to do certain notes which is pretty amazing yeah I'd stake my reputation on it this is going to be one of your favorite albums as well as power and the glory I know it was mine when I first heard it and got to well actually to get acclimated cuz he have to get acclimated to a gentle giant album if you're first initiated to this group you know what I'm talking about but once you get familiar with your surroundings well after that it was like oh my God I can't believe there is the music that is this original that was the thought that went through my mind it was really profound how how could this be possible that some musicians could come up with music that is so departed from most of the music that's out there now Granite they're all these great things that have happened before this however this was like some kind of odd major Quantum Leap into unknown territory how I can say is even though I'm old now I was so lucky to be born when I was it was the perfect time to be able to be there when the Beatles first came along and then all the Psychedelic and then Here Comes This it was like a whole league Christ yeah Google screwed that up that's all right you know what I'm talking about and then you had Gabriel doing cool stuff in the 80s and a few things here and there and then the 90s had a few you know good bands whatnot and then it all just petered out from there I guess I blame the music industry the corporation's the Takeover of radio stations the conglomeration of everything and reality shows on MTV all that stuff all that corporate crap Ola pretty much ruined it and I really do think it's a systematic destruction which took place to get rid of or almost like before there were platform said it was deplatforming music before they were internet platforms I really truly believe that that there are status quo powers-that-be to think hey we don't want these musicians to have any influence on how people could feel or think and especially we don't want their attention to be diverted wewa their focus on what WE want them to be focused on and in the process we get rid of the risk of these so-called musicians getting some sort of message out there that might free up people's minds they found I believe they really did find out I mean back in the day it was like oh look at this we're so in all these damn records isn't this great and all the people who ran all the record companies didn't give a shit like hey get them out here get whoever you got and get that record out because with the Beatles and the stones and all that stuff they were just selling records like hotcakes and all these bands got through all these great musicians had a place to go to get their music out there because the music industry was making money hand over fist then a lot of these damn producers figured hey there's a certain formula that will make a hit song so get away from your originality in your creativity so you can sell records and then Wall Street got involved and said we want you to play these songs on the radio or we're going to hold back our advertising so even the DJ's became formatted and they were being told what records to play what songs to play I Remember many years ago they talked about the Last free-form FM station that closed down in New York City I guess that was like 20 some years ago already and everything got bought out by cumulus and all that Clear Channel whatever the fuck but yeah in the 70s there was a time. Where yeah these fans weren't played on the radio / say every once in awhile but their music Still snuck through because there was a market for it at the record store you can go and buy in Port records and they had all these really cool creative bands you might not be able to get the American release sometimes you would you know Van Der graaf generator was released on the Charisma label and on Buddha in fact the funny thing is the English version of Pawn Hearts by Van de Graaff generator doesn't have one little song on that album it was just like an extra track or something but it's on the American version which I think is hilarious it was actually written by George Martin by the way the producer of The Beatles and it's just like a minute-long lesson I think it's about a little over a minute long record Believe It or Not which used to be a psychedelic label it's funny because there's a song by George Martin gets released on the American release of the pain Hearts album Van de Graaff generator album it's not on the great Charisma label album I mean there was such a robust market for really good music to the point where you could actually have concerts and you would get you know really good attendance I mean when I saw pfm at the Roxy shit it was standing room only of course they even played at Madison Square Garden for Christ's sakes I think gentle giant played there too that's playing in playing the fool I believed might have been maybe not but I'm guessing anyway I know pfm played there which is absolutely crazy but I guess they sold the tickets I mean proof positive they put out a live album pfm cook sorry Jess and I went on to dating long but you know how it is anyhow yeah another epic masterpiece I'll be looking for the next adventure
This is a concept album. Maybe it would have been better done as a whole album listen.There is just a certain flow to some albums that don't work as well chopped up. Just a thought. Take care Justin and stay the best!
Maybe it is the instrumentation, but this screams ZAPPA. Some may think Gentle Giant is not worth listening to, but for me they are one of the top prog bands. Their music and concepts are unique and intriguing, not top 40 tunes.
Maybe you need to consider the "simplicity" here in comparison to some other band? (And that would be in comparison to just about any other band?) I think you might come back from a detailed try-out of that model of things on some otherwise spectacular song, thinking that the only way in which there's "not much going on" here, is in terms of the measuring-redwood of Gently Gigantic Standards. So they have transformed you into Pantagruel. Next thing you'll be eating horses as snacks, and drowning a village every time you pee. (If a certain Francois Rabelais is anything to go by.)
@@shyshift Awesome. I guess I dont really see much difference between this and some stuff from Free Hand or even Advent of Purnage. It's all coming from the same place imo
JP: I assume it must segue perfectly into the next track
Next track: GO!
Crooning a convict off to the 'land of nod'. A captive audience, by god! The guards measure out the beats, and the warden opens the commissary for bar treats. Meanwhile, the band waits in the day room for meet & greets. Peace and have a day that's really neat!
Oooh, can I be first!
GG are in their own wonderful world.
Consummate musicians that delight us with ideas, unconnected to other genres.
More…
This is a nice surprise! According to the liner notes they wanted this album to be a visual experience too and spent a lot of money on the live show.
Inventive music that carries its own weight. You can tell that this type of music was made for the album - made for the listening experience that THE ALBUM wished to represent - without any consideration to commercialism or exhibitionism. This is just Gentle Giant doing whatever they chose to do and letting their music tell 100% of the story. Progressive music where the music wins and if there's any other considerations - it/they are not evident. Gentle Giant - of course - is not everyone's cup of tea - but clearly they want the listeners to judge them by what it is that they do - only them - like no other. Unique music - well executed - always remains fresh to the ears.
Gentle Giant is great but - as you know - not my favorite - I'm just remarking about how singular - how unique they are. In this musical world of copycats - they couldn't be copied. Like VdGG in this one way - their styles can not be duplicated unless it's done by tribute bands.
I'm all for fair representation - more other acts and less Yes/Genesis. I'm unaware - has JP over indulged on GG? I didn't think so - but if true - chuck them aside and let's get to some artists he hasn't done.
@@vdggmouse9512 He did Octopus and P & G. Nowhere near the time spent on Yes, Genesis or Oldfield. Reactors have the right to discover and indulge in favourites, and JP has also covered a fair bit of other bands like Caravan, Can, Renaissance, Camel etc. Personally, i think it's fun to see people react to Roundabout and then try Sound Chaser out. He's also done a good bit of Joni Mitchell, but i'm still looking forward to him trying something like Don Juan's Reckless Daughter or Hissing of Summer Lawns.
Well said, sir. :)
@@benoitdesmarais2948 Hi Benoit! Yeah - but I suppose JP will start at the more familiar or the most requested (which is probably the same) and then move to the less familiar. I don't really care what JP covers as long as he doesn't over indulge - like he has with Yes/Genesis/Oldfield. I like when he gets to the lesser known - most of us know the big or most famous artists and JP will probably like them on pure reputation. With artists that he knows nothing of - ?
Absolutely great stuff. As tunes go it's odd, quirky, at times discordant, but it just works. And as always with The G's, the vocals, harmonies, excellent. No one quite writes stuff like this, or if they try, can carry it off like The G's do. Love this and smiled throughout.
I always have a better day when you post a Gentle Giant video.
A piece of music that is 100% percussion instrumentation. I have had this album for many years and only now had this realization.
It's no wonder their American label refused to release this album. It's not exactly KC And The Sunshine Band. Which makes me appreciate it even more. My favorite percussion led GG song would be School Days.
JP - that is exactly what album culture allowed: a terrific song written to be part of a whole, not meant to be released as a single for the pop charts. As for the concept of IAGH, it was written at a time when people like David Cooper and R.D. Laing were questionning what constitutes mental illness and its sources. (Ken Loach's movie Family Life comes to mind as well - 1971.) As for Inmates being an "in between" sorta transitional piece, i beg to differ. It stands on its own (I once tried to get a choir i sang in to make an arrangement of it, but it was "too weird" apparently ;o), AND it works wonderfully as a softer moment between the rockin' Runaway and Way of Life. (When you get to the last two pieces, i suggest you combine them - A Reunion being only a little over two minutes.) Once you're done with IAGH (1973), and Free Hand (1975), it'll be interesting to hear if you still think P & G (1974) is their best effort. I can't choose: these albums are GG at the height of their inspiration, even though there is amazing stuff (like Advent of Panurge) on all their albums from 1970 to 77.
The Title song still got to come, that's a massive track, happy listening
Yeah this is a lovely interlude before, well, the character grows up a bit (but just a bit). :)
Vocals and percussion instruments only need apply here - intriguing arrangement! It really is a nice little lullaby.
You have to listen to His Last Voyage from the album Free Hand- it's masterpiece.
Saw Gentle Giant 4 times. Definately music to be seen. Brilliant musicians.
I saw Gentle Giant 3 times the Free hand ,the Missing piece & Civilian tour which they played at the Stone pony / NJ which was incredible to see them in a small club.
I'm liking my GG journey. All new to me. Looking forward to more. Thank you.
It has a charm, ready to contribute to a larger piece of music; dabbling with the contents of the school orchestra cupboard. The lyrical contrast is either heightened by the percussion party, or is just ill-matched; I don't feel sufficiently engaged to worry which.
"It seemed to fill my head with ideas - only I don't know exactly what they are."
:)
Excellent review. This song intends to be a soft and delicate interlude to the next song, but with deep and highly imagistic lyrics to describe a mental prison.
I love this album. I remember having to work to find the import to buy after it's release since it had no US release. It really is a shame that the masters are lost and we will never get to hear a Steven Wilson remix/remaster. Thanks JP for reacting to this and exposing a newer generation to these masters of their genre.
Always interesting to listen to JP !!! as Gentle Giant is my favourite band
Great review! So many times I watch reviews which are glib and give the subject no real consideration, especially where prog reviewers feel like they have to do a Giant review. I think you are also right in judging this track to work only in it's place on the album. Thanks for the video.
Thank you for that Mat:)
You're going to reallllly love the album Free Hand... whenever you get to it
Great analysis. The next song also starts immediately after this without a pause so the album does have a connected theme. And by the way I recall Derek Shulman saying that IAGH got all the accolades and the band liked the album quite a lot, but they felt Power was their best album although I'm on of the IAGH accoladers.
The beginning interlude killed me 😂 😂
How to turn a nightmare into music. That's Gentle Giant. Justin! How about reviewing Larks Tongues in Aspic By King Crimson? What a ride that'll be!! Greetings from East Sussex, UK. 🙏👍👍🌠💫🤭🎶🎶
In A Glass House is my favorite Gentle Giant album
This is really a sad song 😢. Used to be a video on Utube to this song using old black and white asylum footage featuring shock treatments and assorted catatonic inmate zombies. Very sad.
Afternoon, Justin. Dave from London, enjoying the Fancy Colours of the leaf fall. This is the side of GG that I prefer. This quieter soundscape showcases the brilliant range of instrumentation that you have highlighted, from marimba to celesta. Beautiful. Still with the tricksy rhythms but maybe not the manic intensity. Think I would have preferred Kerry to take the vocals though.
Kerry's doing the backing vocals.
@@seangearhart2494 Thanks, Sean. Kerry takes the lead on some of GG's quieter tracks (although I gather he doesn't do it live), and I prefer his style on them.
Oh man, theit second album you’re doing. You’ve got quite a (nice) trip ahead of you
Immediately recognizable as a Gentle Giant song. Why do it the easy way as you can make it much much more complicated and it still sounds wonderful.
I was just thinking about what poor Justin is going to have to do once he buys a stereo system with turntable and CD player. He will have several months of listening in addition to what he needs to listen to for his videos. He may need to take a vacation before his ears wear out.
Nice little song that precedes the next one which comes in immediately and kicks ass. So you're missing out on the song order effect of the album - as you mentioned. Keep on with this album - their best in my opinion.
Nice review! Yes I agree TPATG really is a near perfect album, it is most definitely their best IMO. I really like this one too though.
What? So soon? I'm not complaining mind you. 😁 Interesting that you see this song in relation to the "Glass House" theme as the innmate trying to break the glass/break free of his state of mind (and maybe into something worse). I actually see it more as we are the ones in the glasshouse throwing stones, thinking that this only happens to "other" people. In fact I think like 1 out of 2 will at some point in our lives have mental issues severe enough to qualify as a diagnosis. So maybe we shouldn't throw stones, because we might end up in a place not too far away from this fellow. 🙃
That sounds pretty good to me :D
It's nice, it's clever but as someone said below, it's an interlude, not a track you would listen to on its own.
1973, the year that brought us Dark Side of the Moon, Tales From Topographic Ocean, Brain Salad Surgery, and Selling England by the Pound
And above all, A Passion Play and Quadrophenia !!!
@@Katehowe3010 I was never really drawn to Queen, yet Freddie was a great singer and a great performer and all four of them were very competent musicians but I don't know, something made this band not really attracted me (neither in the 70s nor 80s). I like a few songs but nothing more and listening to an entire Queen album has always been painful to me.
@@Katehowe3010 Yes I understand what you mean, although I quoted Quadrophenia which is not a progressive album and I could also quote the vastly underrated Deep Purple's Who Do We Think We Are (which I always prefered to the revered Machine Head) plus Band on the Run by Paul McCartney and Wings. You will notice that I did not mention Sweet Freedom by Uriah Heep so as not to bicker us ! .-))
Prog, prog and more prog! Queen? C'mon Chris. Don't plant Queen seeds in JP's brain. Fairport and Pentangle - sure. But please - is there in all the annals - notice I didn't write anals - in all the annals of pop music - Queen leads the way as the most overrated. If I ever hear another track by them - it'll be too soon. 'We Will Rock You' - for that alone they should be chastised and criticized...forever!
More Aerosmith - Slade - Sweet - Gary Glitter - Boston - Kansas - Styx - Journey - UFO - All part of your DNA? Rolf Harris too? Spare us these greats - I'd actually rather react to more tired old tepid Collins era Genesis than any of these todgers. BTW I'm getting away with this at work - so I know I'll have to go suddenly - so if that's soon I'll read at you later!
I’ll have to relisten to the lyrics and your commentary, was too much into my thoughts. Heard the gist and started thinking of myself and others going through this time of panisanity…
My friend’s out of rehab but still seems not like his old self. This is slowly becoming clear that he might never be the friend of old.
Trying to wrap my head around this.
He was my backboard a lot with my artwork, not always complimentary with my direction, which was fine. I expected it, actually. He hasn’t painted in awhile and doesn’t want to talk art anymore.
Anyway, I’m gearing up to work again, at work and at home, with or without his reflections.
Back to the music, not so much a lullaby for me but a dream composition that one wakes up with playing in your head. I found it comfortable, not as crazy weird as others. It was nice.
Peace and Musical dreams
You know, sometimes things happens as to change us forever. It doesn't mean a complete change of character, just that one aspect or two of our personality changes. Often it can be beacuse it has outlived its purpose and is now just a burden and an old habbit. Other times it's a result of the need for self preservation, meaning that an activity/interest can instigate an unhealthy thought process/ destabilization of the psyche. and send someone in a downwards spiral (which offcourse is best to avoid). I don't what kind of rehab (and it's not my business) your friend was in, but drugs can also alter the brain chemicals and therefore change how the brain works.
In any case I'm guessing your friend is still there, just maybe a little different. Maybe you'll need to spend your time doing other things than you did before? Wether it be some other creative activities or something not creative at all? You know your friend better than me, so you'll have a much better idea. What I am certain of however, is that your friend will be glad someone still values his friendship. Rehab rarely builds confidence or selfworth in one self, so maybe he just need someone else to value his company.
Anyway (sorry for the long comment), I wish you the best of luck, both with your own projects and with your friend. 🙂
@@progqueen6219
I appreciate your insights.
Thank you.
This song is awesome just because I can't imagine ANY of the major prog bands of the day tackling something like it. Maybe Van der Graaf, but even for them this would have been... peculiar. This goes much farther toward the kind of avant garde music of Henry Cow.
Someone once told me that Gentle Giant was like The Archies on Vivarin. We parted ways. These nouns have died from life. And speaking of Edgard Varese, his brilliant work, "Ionization", from around '34, is a percussive masterpiece that has inspired Fripp, Zappa, and probably these guys. There are several great and groovy version on the internics. Do some reactions to several, and I'm sure one or two will be gems. As Horace says..."delight and instruct"...or inform. And you do. Some reviewers delight but don't inform, and others inform but do not delight. You do both. Every time. Even with your eyes, you convey meaning. Anyways...Have you yet done "Free Hand"? I'm just finding my way around.
I never listen to this song separately but nor will I skip it listening to the side A or the whole album. After all this is a concept album.
I hadn't heard this song before but I like it. The music itself sounds like a retreat to childhood, to simpler times, being cared for instead of being out on one's own. Btw, this was the b-side to the single 'In a Glass House'.
My standard approach to new groups is to start with a compilation and go from there but I think that was the wrong approach with Gentle Giant since it ignores the concept portion of concept albums.
Grapes 1, Sausage Links 0.
Hoping you'll be getting back to ABWH soon 🙂
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@@jeffschielka7845 😎
Teak Boys!
Very 😎
@@Katehowe3010 What "superior artists" are you referring to?
The thing is she a man the song also inmates lullaby leads into the next song you'll notice so you want a kind of run the end of the song and right after the timpani drops down boom you'll see what I'm saying but you might not have heard that song yet so you'll have to react to it but yeah it's you know did the first song it goes in from that one you know and then the runaway piano and then it goes right into that and then it just like all those three songs are connected way of life I think it's the name of it if you notice on the marimbas they have these baffles underneath all the wood blocks and it's on a track in the move and it creates that vibrato effect have I seen those on marimbas back in the day I don't know where I was should I could have been in Tijuana anywhere but I seen you guys playing the marimbas and they had these baffles underneath and they would move and you could speed them up or slowing down and it gives it that cool sound also if you notice the timpani drums are tuned to notes you know you have the pedal that you you can put in different positions and and they would have them to do certain notes which is pretty amazing yeah I'd stake my reputation on it this is going to be one of your favorite albums as well as power and the glory I know it was mine when I first heard it and got to well actually to get acclimated cuz he have to get acclimated to a gentle giant album if you're first initiated to this group you know what I'm talking about but once you get familiar with your surroundings well after that it was like oh my God I can't believe there is the music that is this original that was the thought that went through my mind it was really profound how how could this be possible that some musicians could come up with music that is so departed from most of the music that's out there now Granite they're all these great things that have happened before this however this was like some kind of odd major Quantum Leap into unknown territory how I can say is even though I'm old now I was so lucky to be born when I was it was the perfect time to be able to be there when the Beatles first came along and then all the Psychedelic and then Here Comes This it was like a whole league Christ yeah Google screwed that up that's all right you know what I'm talking about and then you had Gabriel doing cool stuff in the 80s and a few things here and there and then the 90s had a few you know good bands whatnot and then it all just petered out from there I guess I blame the music industry the corporation's the Takeover of radio stations the conglomeration of everything and reality shows on MTV all that stuff all that corporate crap Ola pretty much ruined it and I really do think it's a systematic destruction which took place to get rid of or almost like before there were platform said it was deplatforming music before they were internet platforms I really truly believe that that there are status quo powers-that-be to think hey we don't want these musicians to have any influence on how people could feel or think and especially we don't want their attention to be diverted wewa their focus on what WE want them to be focused on and in the process we get rid of the risk of these so-called musicians getting some sort of message out there that might free up people's minds they found I believe they really did find out I mean back in the day it was like oh look at this we're so in all these damn records isn't this great and all the people who ran all the record companies didn't give a shit like hey get them out here get whoever you got and get that record out because with the Beatles and the stones and all that stuff they were just selling records like hotcakes and all these bands got through all these great musicians had a place to go to get their music out there because the music industry was making money hand over fist then a lot of these damn producers figured hey there's a certain formula that will make a hit song so get away from your originality in your creativity so you can sell records and then Wall Street got involved and said we want you to play these songs on the radio or we're going to hold back our advertising so even the DJ's became formatted and they were being told what records to play what songs to play I Remember many years ago they talked about the Last free-form FM station that closed down in New York City I guess that was like 20 some years ago already and everything got bought out by cumulus and all that Clear Channel whatever the fuck but yeah in the 70s there was a time. Where yeah these fans weren't played on the radio / say every once in awhile but their music Still snuck through because there was a market for it at the record store you can go and buy in Port records and they had all these really cool creative bands you might not be able to get the American release sometimes you would you know Van Der graaf generator was released on the Charisma label and on Buddha in fact the funny thing is the English version of Pawn Hearts by Van de Graaff generator doesn't have one little song on that album it was just like an extra track or something but it's on the American version which I think is hilarious it was actually written by George Martin by the way the producer of The Beatles and it's just like a minute-long lesson I think it's about a little over a minute long record Believe It or Not which used to be a psychedelic label it's funny because there's a song by George Martin gets released on the American release of the pain Hearts album Van de Graaff generator album it's not on the great Charisma label album I mean there was such a robust market for really good music to the point where you could actually have concerts and you would get you know really good attendance I mean when I saw pfm at the Roxy shit it was standing room only of course they even played at Madison Square Garden for Christ's sakes I think gentle giant played there too that's playing in playing the fool I believed might have been maybe not but I'm guessing anyway I know pfm played there which is absolutely crazy but I guess they sold the tickets I mean proof positive they put out a live album pfm cook sorry Jess and I went on to dating long but you know how it is anyhow yeah another epic masterpiece I'll be looking for the next adventure
This is a concept album. Maybe it would have been better done as a whole album listen.There is just a certain flow to some albums that don't work as well chopped up. Just a thought. Take care Justin and stay the best!
For me, this one always seemed to be their most advant-garde song in the repertoire. Not one of my favs, but so interesting 🤨
P&G is great but you'll feel differently when you finish this album. And then you'll rethink all of that when you get to Free Hand haha
GG an intense rock band about all styles of criminal lockdown, very appropriate for modern day times? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Maybe it is the instrumentation, but this screams ZAPPA. Some may think Gentle Giant is not worth listening to, but for me they are one of the top prog bands. Their music and concepts are unique and intriguing, not top 40 tunes.
Careful of those ducks JP . Love this album , band , prog . Ducks are good to. Power and the glory is my fav.
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🙉. Noises for Kiffer.
Maybe you need to consider the "simplicity" here in comparison to some other band? (And that would be in comparison to just about any other band?) I think you might come back from a detailed try-out of that model of things on some otherwise spectacular song, thinking that the only way in which there's "not much going on" here, is in terms of the measuring-redwood of Gently Gigantic Standards. So they have transformed you into Pantagruel. Next thing you'll be eating horses as snacks, and drowning a village every time you pee. (If a certain Francois Rabelais is anything to go by.)
All percussion except for the vocals.
Probably their weirdest song ever.
"weird" lol hardly...have you listened to any classical or chamber music?
@@timcardona9962 Weird compared to their entire catalog. Yes I was playing Classical in school from 1965-1970 Trumpet.
And Tim I love everything Gentle Giant has released even Giant For A Day and I saw them open for Yes in 1976.
Did you shell out for Unburied Treasure? I did.
@@shyshift Awesome. I guess I dont really see much difference between this and some stuff from Free Hand or even Advent of Purnage. It's all coming from the same place imo
Wow, I just dont get it.
I always thought it was an intriguing piece but a bit disjointed & boring from my perspective. Far to be my favourite track from Gentle Giant.
the tune and lyrics seem transparent, sparse, simple. And then not