When you first hear GG its like what is this ? Then after listening for awhile it hits you out of the blue like a friken fright train ,these guys are AMAZING ! I love GG , great great band and I think so badly underrated has one of the great progressive bands so many overlook !
From watching this channel I got into Gentle giant. I listened to 'three friends' I thought that was very good, then I bought 'Octopus' I did think - what is this, but I've persevered and I dig it! I'll pick up another album very soon....
Fr my first time listening to octopus and Power was I didn't hate them but didn't have a desire to relisten but after I came back to them they became quickly some of my top favorites
"What is this?" was indeed my first reaction when I came to GG, having heard quite a bunch of Prog Rock until then. Very similar to my first hearing of King Crimson's Lizard 😄. Anyway, after a while I felt more precisely how GG really sounded to me: like sort of an academic version of Jethro Tull.
My personal favorite. A little more approachable & not as atonal/polyrhythmic/difficult as some of the others (I disagree with Pete here). There is something so artistic, magical, even mystical about this one. Ten stars. ✨
I'd disagree here too, to be honest. Aquiring the Taste I find extremely melodic and accessible for this type of music a fine introduction (this or Octopus), it's far from as 'weird' an album as Interview or In a Glass House those will both take way longer for prog newbies to get into, I think. With The Missing Piece, Civilian and Giant for a Day, we're entering a (dare I say) 'poppier' side of Gentle Giant there.
@@TheTVisions Maybe....The main "problem" with Aquiring the taste for me is the lack of bombastic power, a main trademark in GG most acclaimed albums...But still a complex and full of diferent textures album...Even the band explain the intention to stay away from every single glimpse of poppery taking all the risk
"Acquiring the Taste" was actually the first GG album I was exposed to and loved it straight off. A friend of mine sent me a copy because I told him I had read the book.
Great list Pete. I would love to see a Van Der Graaf Generator ranking some time as well when you have time! Both bands took me a long time to get into but they both "clicked" with me around the same time.
So for me, i always thought that a group make no more than 5 or even 6 best albums... but GG got 7!!!: GENTLE GIANT (7): 1. Octopus 2. In the glass house 3. Three friends 4. Acquiring the taste 5. Free hand 6. (First) Gentle Giant 7. The power & the glory PINK FLOYD (6): 1. Dark side... 2. Animals 3. Wish you... 4. Meddle 5. Atom... 6. The wall YES (5): 1. Close... 2. Relayer 3. Tales... 4. Fragile 5. Yes album KING CRIMSON (5): 1. In the court... 2. Red 3. Discipline 4. Lark's... 5. Starless... GENESIS (5): 1. Selling... 2. Foxtrot 3. The lamb... 4. Nursery cryme 5. A trick... VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR (3): 1. Pawn hearts 2. Still life 3. Godbluff RUSH (3): 1. Moving pictures 2. Permanent waves 3. 2112 JETHRO TULL (3): 1. Thick... 2. Aqualung 3. Passion play SUPERTRAMP (3): 1. Crime... 2. Even... 3. Breakfast...
Pete you are a top shelf, high quality man amongst men . I for one love that you do this ! It's often the highlight of my day and you are well appreciated by me and the rest of us here I'm sure . Sea of Tranquility is right in my top 3 TH-cam channel 👍 👍 🙂
I’m loving your reviews. Of course, we’re gonna all disagree on the placement of “some LPS” but who in the hell cares? For the most part you are usually spot on dude. You pull shit out of the woodwork (Uriah Heep, Gentle Giant, Camel, etc etc) that no one else does. Keep on Rockin’ On!
The interesting thing about GG is that they don't have any recorded material that was not recorded in the 70's. In that sense they are not only a one decade band but a pure 70's one. It is true that Civilian was released in 1980 so you could say they went into the 80's just a tiny bit. I really wish they would have recorded at least one or two more albums but I think they just got burned out and their heart wasn't in it anymore.
They say they were killed by punk. They tried to change once the prog bands lost the favour of the public. I wish they did not move an inch and kept on doing what gave them pleasure. I mourn for them ever since, I just can't let go.
“Sometimes you’re in the mood to listen to something that doesn’t sound like anything else.” Pretty much hit the nail on the head with that statement. Certain bands get kudos from me for how unique they are, and Gentle Giant is a wonderful example.
Gentle Giant is the greatest Prog band, with the clearest sense of vision and motivic development lyrically, thematically and instrumentally with Power & Glory being their best example of this. It seems people these days assume prog = heavy and fast scales and individual virtuosity a la Dream Theatre. GG has the scope, virtuosity and musical purpose AND the sum is exponentially greater than the parts.
In a lot of respects, I think of good "prog" as being minimalism (ironically?). The Power and the Glory will likely always be my favorite GG album, as well. Acquiring the Taste, Octopus, Free Hand, and In a Glass House are all definitely somewhere next on my list. However, Interview (a very underrated GG record, imo) definitely has at least two or three of my all-time favorite GG tracks (I Lost My Head being my all-time favorite).
Well, Dream Theater was the best prog-metal band, now surpassed by Symphony X, but Gentle Giant is perhaps prog's pinnacle. I miss them for forty years!
@@joseandrade632 Well, I've been told that Symphony X are a prime example of when a band's members play too much in parallel, in regards to where each performer's own repetitions occur. Used to do a community radio program ('00-'03), where me and a couple others played primarily prog... Our main host was always wearing Symphony X shirts; so, I'm sure I've heard them before. But I still haven't really sat down to do any full-on investigation of any of their work. So, who knows... 🤷♂️ All I know is that "real prog" (in my mind) is when something simple has been made complicated by applying various interference patterns, and that the "really good prog" is when there are multiple interference patterns that somehow can coexist without their integrities being compromised.
@@joseandrade632 Oh I agree. I don't want to bash DT, I saw them in Mumbai.The individual virtuosity approach as a starting point doesn't seem as outright boundary-pushing as say, when I saw Yes & King C
@@jerrylev59 i worked there 1976-80 so saw them when they toured during that time which i recall was a few. have to admit was not am not a fan. but i am a fan of pete's passion for music!
Back in the 70’s one of the local FM stations would play “The Album of The Day” most every night at 11:00 PM. Since I had to go to bed, I would pop in a blank cassette into Ye Ole Auto-Reverse AKAI, and record the album, no matter who it was [typically a relatively little to unknown artist], to sample on the way to the Junior College the following morning. One night the album advertised was Gentle Giant’s “Octopus”, whom I had never heard. The next day I popped the tape into my ‘under-dash’ Craig cassette deck (with power-booster) and let ‘er rip. The first track, “The Advent of Panurge” wasn’t near finished before I knew I had to find everything I could by this band! Every time I could manage to get my hands on the $4.99 or $5.99 that it cost back then for a new LP it was off to the record store I’d go. I didn’t know anything about “In A Glass House” for a year or two afterward, and even then, had to order it via a JEM Import catalog and wait nearly 2 months for it to arrive at a favorite record store by snail mail. I’ve been a diehard GG fan ever since, and recently purchased the “Unburied Treasure” box as well. I’ve been collecting GG for decades, but after so many remasters, boots and import editions, I sadly feel my days of buying GG are over. I will keep my eyes and ears open for anything that may come down the pike, but I can’t imagine there being anything else. It is sad, as I agree with some of the reviewers that “Civilian” was (finally) a big step in the right direction for them. I truly believe that had they given it one more shot, it very well could have been the one to push them into the limelight; but I guess we’ll never know. They may have broken up 40 years ago, but for this GG lover, they shall remain in heavy rotation in my home and my vehicle until my last breath. By the way… as a short sidebar: The tape that recorded “Octopus” was a 90 min blank, so it continued to record the radio program far beyond the GG album alone. The very next track following ‘Octopus’ was “The Greatest Story Ever Told” by the often quirky and fun rock from ‘City Boy’. Needless to say, that track caught my ear as well, so I grabbed the LP soon thereafter. Although their only notable singles were “The Hap-Ki-Do Kid”, “She’s Got Style” and “5.7.0.5”, the majority of their catalog, especially the first 4-5 albums, were overlooked by radio and, for the most part, completely unknown to the masses. Perhaps had Mercury Records put a little more of their marketing budget behind them, they most certainly could have become much bigger. I never had the opportunity to see them live, so I had no idea if their live performances lived up to their studio tracks, but they truly should have had a better chance. If you’re not familiar with City Boy, I urge you to check them out. Like many other bands, if the track you’re listening to isn’t grabbing you … no problem. Let it play through as the tracks tend to change mid-stream, and rarely are two tracks the same. Very witty, quirky, rocking and fun music. Think early 10cc with a bit more power!! …but I digress.
Do you know Zinc by Eddie Jobson? Gary Green is featured on some tracks. Please check Three Friends on TH-cam. There are some ex-Giant members, Gary and Malcolm Mortimore, and ther is at least mone file featuring Kerry Minnear.
Really late to the party on this video. Thanks for not just the ranking, but explaining the albums. I should be the biggest Gentle Giant fan due to my love of prog and jazz, but I never really knew where to start. I'm doing the deep dive on Gentle Giant tonight. And those last 15 minutes? Awesome!
Keep up the good work Pete. Ignore the trolls. I've been a long-time prog fan, but only got into Gentle Giant within the past couple years. Currently getting them on vinyl. Love 'Octopus' and 'Free Hand'. Must get the rest. (Check those prices on the Roger Dean cover for 'Octopus' on vinyl. Yikes.) Using this video to target my next Gentle Giant purchases. Thanks.
Don't miss In a Glass House and Three Friends. And The Power and the Glory! And Interview! and... You won't be disappointed. Greetings from a die hard Portuguese fan who loves them since 72 (I was fourteen). Also don't miss Happy the Man, the sole band who dared explore the same regions.
+1 on that. Octopus is the ONLY GG LP I do NOT have. Embarrassingly enough, "Giant for a Day" was the first LP I got and my intro to them last year when I was introduced to them (via an article about the Steven Wilson remasters). Was browsing online for "Octopus" while his video was running and I couldn't find ANYTHING less than 50.00.
1, Power and the Glory 2, Octopus 3, In A Glass House 4, Free Hand 5, The Missing Piece 6, Interview 7, Three Friends All within 10% for me, I Love them All !!! But my favorite is "Playing The Fool" yes it is Live !! 👍🎶
true fans know you have the best channel going thanks pete i've found so many bands because of your channel hope you have some nice weather it great here in wisconsin
Gentle Giant was pure genius! Love your channel and thanks to you I now have a least 50 prog rock bands I've never heard of and will spend the rest of the winter giving them all a listen. I'll likely end up with several more favorites! Thanks again!
Wow, Pete, I was wondering if you were ever going to make an official album ranking for GG. Recently saw the top 10 songs list (and commented), then saw the GG history video. I love *ALL* 11 studio albums, plus the Playing The Fool live disc. The top 3, and *especially* the top 2, are just about interchangeable. Here we go: 11. Giant For A Day 10. Civilian 9. The Missing Piece 8. Three Friends 7. The Power and The Glory 6. Gentle Giant s/t debut 5. Free Hand 4. In'terview (very underrated) 3. Octopus 2. Acquiring The Taste 1. In A Glass House One other aspect of GG that puts them above their contemporaries (to me) is the fact that I truly love their *entire* discography; I can't say this to the full extent about other groups: Yes, Tull, Genesis...I love those groups to death, but they each have a couple (or more) discs that I can easily do without. I can't live without *any* of GG's albums (despite Giant For A Day clearly being the weakest of the bunch.) KC is the only other direct contemporary that may come close, but even they fall a tad short to me, simply because GG, whether the music was dense and complex, or stripped down and straightforward, offered some kind of color, flavor/taste/deliciousness in all of it.
I've been trying to get into Gentle Giant for years and even now watching this excellent ranking by the most honest TH-camr Pete in 2024 I can't get a handle on them. I must try again and listen to Free Hand with a very open mind and see what happens. I love the rant at the end and Pete you're so right to ban that idiot.
Wow! I can't believe that guy said all of that. You are my lifeline to music that I most likely wouldn't know anything about if it wasn't for you. I could always tell that this stuff comes from your heart. I love your channel. Keep up the good work!
Hi Pete, Thoroughly enjoyed this video. I have five gg lps and my favourite is acquiring the taste followed by the self titled album. I need to pick up a few more espicially ones that you've rated highly that i dont have. The amount of videos you're posting is exceptional Pete and very rewarding for us music fans, ie finding new music and discussing the great bands we love. Keep it coming Andy H
I appreciate what you do greatly, Peter. You always provide intelligent, informed reviews. You're one of the best sources of information on a plethora of bands and I've benefitted from your sound musical judgment. Congrats to you and the quality of your channel!
Love your reviews, your honesty and commitment to supporting many artists in the prog and rock genre. It's people like you that keep the flags flying and why many more get to hear about artists that would, in many cases, go unknown or unheard in an era of myopic media more concerned with satisfying record moguls with pop pap than the great sounds outside that bubble.
I discovered GG in the 70s, starting with Three Friends,which is still my favorite. Also love Glass House and Aquiring the Taste. Peel the Paint, Experience, The House-The Street-The Room all have these awesome guitar breaks. Saw them somewhere in Long Island in the 70s and loved the show!
Absolutely brilliant Pete...I'm an old GG fan from the UK who saw them in 70's. The love for this band never dies. I agree with your list..it definitely can change depending on the mood. I only found you on You Tube recently but totally dig what you are doing. I'm going through my old vinyl collection checking on LP's I had forgotten about. You are so right in your rant....Budgie are brilliant! Keep it going dude. Alan Brown
Pete, your content is great. I have enjoyed all your videos. Ive always enjoyed "Mining the old stuff". Thank you for turning me on to Gentle Giant!! Been enjoying them and been listening to a ton of Tull lately. You are appreciated!!! Cheers!! Keep up the good work!
Thanks for the information to dive more deeply into Gentle Giant. I ran across their Sight and Sound concert on TH-cam and feel like they are the pinnacle even if so long ago. I watched this video early on to get an idea and have listened to very little else since. I am really liking The Power and the Glory and Octopus. Gentle Giant is actually right up there. Acquiring the Taste has been a little harder to love, but I am continuing to listen to it and "getting" it. I feel like I could spend months straight on their one decade of music!
Thank God that i have found your channel! I´m a Prog Rock Fan but now i learn from you to listening music. In March i will see Sons of Apollo in Brno/Europe
Hi Pete, love your TH-cam channel. I'm 62 and living in Australia now but back in 1973 I was living in the UK and I discovered Gentle Giant. I had the privilege of seeing them play live on their 1976 Tour, the songs from this tour were released on Playing The Fool in early 1977. Whilst I have my own favourite GG album, The Power & the Glory, I totally understand and appreciate that this is a very subjective thing and I really enjoy your album ranking shows. I also want to say how cool it is that you included a ranking of Budgie albums. What a magnificent band. I also had the privilege of seeing them play live a number of times in the mid 70's when they were in their pomp. My absolute favourite band is the Groundhogs and Tony McPhee is not only a guitar hero of mine but I've also had the privilege of jamming with him in a pub in Wellington, Shropshire in England. He is an absolute legend and he is massively underated as a guitarist and composer in my humble opinion. In particular, Tony McPhee's 1970's albums with the Groundhogs such as Split, Thank Christ For The Bomb, Hogwash, Who Will Save The World, Solid, and Black Diamond deserve to be reviewed and ranked by you. Tony's innovative and groundbreaking use of the first guitar synth on the albums Solid, Crosscut Saw & Black Diamond is just brilliant. And not forgetting Tony McPhee's amazing 1973 solo album called The Two Sides Of Tony (TS) McPhee where side one explores Tony's Blues roots and side two is an amazing anti fox hunting synthesizer suite. And then there's his work on the album Blues Obituary from 1969. Definitely worth a listen. All the best to you. Regards, John
Love the rant. Even tho we have very different tastes in music, I still like hearing your opinions on these ranking the albums series. Very informative.. I need to get the GG remasters some day. Loved them back in the 70's.
Thanks for this list, I first heard their first album as a 13 year old in 1979. I was getting into Zeppelin, Sabbath, early Queen etc but I absolutely loved Gentle Giants first attempt. I never progressed much beyond Octopus but recently have started listening to their other albums and definitely appreciating their albums much more now. I still love that first album it’s just amazing. You have put me on to a few albums which I haven’t heard and I have down loaded ready for a 10 hour drive I have coming up and I am looking forward to listening to this new to me music
Hello Pete. First of all, I wanted to thank you for all of these great "Ranking the Studio Albums". You have certainly given me some great pointers as to where to find more great music. I have been a huge Prog-Rock fan (Yes, Genesis, Kansas, ELP, King Crimson). But I have not been able to get into Gentle Giant. I watched your ranking video last night - so I decided to listen to FREE HAND today while on a long walk at lunch. And it was very good - and I enjoyed it more than I realized. Thanks! I can't wait to get into their other albums. And then I will attempt to take on the work of Budgie.
What a great double dose of killer bands today. Budgie and Gentle Giant, 2 very criminally underrated bands with tons of incredible music! Two of my all-time faves, great vids 👍
Couldn’t agree more but GG took me a while to get into.Back in the 70s I bought Octopus thinking it might sound like Uriah Heep because of the Roger Dean cover.Ten years later I still had a mint Octopus copy cause I never played it.Just missing err The Missing Piece and Giant for a Day from collection.Brilliant band.Annoys the crap out of the missus which is a good thing.Always loved Budgie.
@@SomeSong2 Yep. Vastly different, yet connected by a sense of whimsy, not taking themselves too seriously, the obvious progressive side of the music...and incredible musicianship of course!
You are the reason I got into Gentle Giant, and I will be forever grateful! Your interview with Derek Shulman got me to take a risk and get that boxset of their discography and I am so glad I did it, in fact I wish more bands would make boxsets in that vein of being the entire discography (Live and Studio). It is an acquired taste for sure. I have not listened to them enough to rank them all, but my favorites are: 1. Octopus 2. The Power and the Glory 3. The Missing Piece 4. Interview 5. In a Glass House
Haven't heard the last few but I love what I have heard, especially the first 4. Here's my ranking: 7. Free Hand 6. Power and the Glory 5. In a Glass House 4. Three Friends 3. Gentle Giant 2. Octopus 1. Acquiring the Taste So hard to choose between those top 2 especially!
Just to put in my two cents about your content. I decided I wanted to fully explore the old prog rock about half a year ago and you have been my guide the entire time. These ranking the albums in particular have been immensely beneficial when exploring a new band. Some of my favorite music now I might not have come across without your videos. Thanks mate, I appreciate what you do.
Yeah Pete! GREAT synopsis of Gentle Giant...who I saw in 1975 in Seattle. Thank you for keeping this music alive. No words for GIANT... HUGELY influential and life changing. For me, I was introduced through 3 Friends and Acquiring the Taste... In a Glass House... OMG! LOVED the stories... they wrapped around in their beautiful music which magnified their stories. This was SOUL FOOD... which I so desperately needed at the time... and every time, all the time... in these times... cheers mate
Love what you do, Pete, and I appreciate your rant about the troll. What I love most about your channel is that you pull out some obscure (to me) bands that I have started listening to and spending money on (to support those bands). Keep it up!! I'm a long-time fan of GG, and started with Power and the Glory (so that one holds a special place), but I agree fully with your ranking. Rock on!
Ever since seeing my older brother carrying the Power and the Glory under his arm back in the early 70’s (Which I played the next day) I became a huge lifetime fan. Your review is without question the best I’ve ever seen. Thanks for giving The Boys in the Band the royal treatment that they so well deserve.
Great stuff Pete since watching this channel I’ve discovered several great bands. Keep it coming the more obscure the better, don’t let the bastards get you down.
GG is one of my all time favorite bands, so ranking the albums is extremely hard for me, and it feels like it could literally change tomorrow, but here goes. 11. Giant for a Day 10. Civilian 9. The Missing Piece 8. Interview 7. Three Friends 6. Octopus 5. In a Glass House 4. Gentle Giant 3. Free Hand 2. The Power And the Glory 1. Acquiring the Taste Man it's painful seeing how low some of these are but those first 7 are just so damn good. There's basically hardly any separation between them. It's funny you mentioned the part about how the first albums you heard were too much for you at first but then became your favorites, since that's exactly what happened to me. Acquiring the Taste was the first one I heard and man, it was definitely a difficult entry point like you said. Then I heard TPATG which blew me away and made a fan, and now years later Acquiring is my favorite haha. Each of my top 5 were my favorite at some point in time... what a discography!
I’m completely new to Gentle Giant. I purchased a record collection of an EMI technician in the U.K., and gave Octopus a try. I was absolutely blown away by the entire production. It was incredible. After hearing Octopus, and wanting to hear more, I did a little TH-cam search and discovered your channel. I absolutely share your love for gentle giant. I grew up in the grunge era, but after going through this collection I picked up, I’m now a huge prog fan. Love King Crimson, Yes, Gentle Giant, Gryphon and more. Love you content. Love your passion! Keep up the good work :) Love from the U.K.!
I know I’m really late to the party here,but I love your channel…thank you for helping me discover so much new music and coaching me on what albums to start with with your ranking the albums video.
My Ranking of Gentle Giant, Worst to Best. 11 - Giant for a Day (I like Words from the Wise) 10 - Civilian 9 - The Missing Piece 8 - Interview 7 - Free Hand 6 - The Power and the Glory 5 - Gentle Giant 4 - Acquiring the Taste 3 - Three Friends 2 - In a Glass House And...... 1 - Octopus
Gentle Giant Rocks. Your channel rocks... never stale, enjoy your personality and listening to you talk. Our tastes don't always exactly align, but I can always tell your rankings are sincere... and that you fkn love music in general!
Great video Pete. I’ve been a Gentle Giant fan since buying Octopus back in the 70s. To be honest, I only got interested in it initially because of the Roger Dean cover art because I was and still am a big Yes fan! However, it turned out to be the opening to a whole new branch of prog for me. As regards your rant, I’m sure you know that the vast majority of us who watch your channel really enjoy and appreciate what you do. Many thanks for all your time, effort and enthusiasm. Keep up the great work🙂
My main man Pete here, you rock dude. Love the show will always support and enjoy the music I've listened to and bought because of seeing you now. I became a fan here from a friends suggestion to watch the album ranking episode of BOC. I ended up buying all the BOC albums, several Kansas albums, 3 Budgie albums, now 4 Gentle Giant albums, a few Deep Purple ones .. the list goes on but you definitely gave me ideas on what to try out and it was great. My favorite band of all time is Rush, I didnt need to buy those recently because I've had the majority of them by the time I was 15. Thank you sir, bless you guys in the USA be safe
Bcs of u i have been introduced to so many prog and metal bands that i never heard of that i am starting to listen to some of them. Thank you for the introductions.
Any mention of gentle Giant is a great thing. Mentioning all their albums with such positive and accurate statements, is just wonderful. Check em out folks, your brain will thank you. Thanks Pardo
Gentle Giant albums are magical...first listen doesn't do it but the more you listen and get used to their complexities, the more you love them. Magic takes over and you can't stop playing them. Octopus for me too but only just most of the others in my top 50 albums of all time. regarding that negative comment, old farts like me love listening and watching you....that music is precious, more than diamonds. I can't stop watching you, don't agree with your choices often but , hey taste is taste.... and your presentation is spot on.
...Pete , you make Rock and Roll Fun and accessible...Holy Christ the Topics , the Guests , the Squares , Martin and Butch shows ....I for one appreciate the History going deep ....Hell , Music is part of my DNA , my Soul ....My Life ....anyrate , Rock On Brother with all you do !
Ok, before I watch, here is my list: 1. Octopus - the first I ever listed to. Hooked me. 2. In a Glass House 3. Three Friends 4. Power and the Glory 5. Free Hand 6. Civilian 7. Interview 8. Acquiring the Taste 9. Gentle Giant - Alucard is fantastic 10. The Missing Piece - Half of a great album 11. Giant for a Day I got into Gentle Giant because of a weekly radio show that was rebroadcast on a webplayer... cant remember the name now... But it was a couple of hours of Gentle Giant retrospective. I listened to it a few times and then had to start looking up all of their stuff. Sure glad I tuned in that week! thanks for the countdown.
Nice! Octopus was also the first I listened to. I was fascinated from the first note on but it actually took some time until it became my absolute favourite. May I ask why you ranked "Acquiring the taste" so low? I see it as the "younger brother" of "Octopus", the first "octo opus". I would say they continued the way they started at "Acquiring the Taste" on "Octopus" (with "Three Friends" as an interlude). I would say the style on the two albums is quite similar even there are differences in composition and genre influences.
Just jumping into Gentle Giant here in 2021, thanks to you Pete! I've just started, with Free Hand, as you suggested. Wow! I'm loving the music. They are unique, and wonderful. The only band they sort of remind me of is Kansas. They don't sound like them (at all), but have a similarly adventurous music spirit, and I went on a Kansas like journey while listening.
I've only just started listening to them a few weeks ago because of you and man.... what a band. I cant believe I never listened to them before now and I've listened to loads of obscure prog over the years. Also I didnt follow your sound advice and started with acquiring the taste which didnt put me off at all. I was hooked. I'm still getting through all the records so no where close to ranking them but if anyone hasn't heard Gentle Giant yet, I cant recommend them enough. Thanks Pete. Oh, and I agree, Free Hand is a great place to start
You tell em Pete!!!! 👏 You host a great site. Really is one of the best on TH-cam!! By the way, I saw Budgie a number of years back in a little club, they were fabulous.
just ordered 3 friends and octopus today. I owned a cut-out of interview many years ago which i liked but never really got to know. Thanks for your enthusiasm and insight. It's got me exploring and purchasing music again.
The Power and the Glory is the album that got me into Gentle Giant. Love that album.
Same for me. :-)
Yep, me as well. Love that album tons.
Octopus got me into GG, but Power and the Glory (steven wilson mix ;) ) is what got me hooked
Love the rant Pete...spot on...I love and appreciate all you do..✌️✌
Three Friends And Octopus are timeless Classics, Every Home Should Own Them
Octopus, the album I would take if I was cast away in an island and was allowed only one record.
In a Glass House....
@@joseandrade632 yesss agree
When you first hear GG its like what is this ? Then after listening for awhile it hits you out of the blue like a friken fright train ,these guys are AMAZING ! I love GG , great great band and I think so badly underrated has one of the great progressive bands so many overlook !
From watching this channel I got into Gentle giant. I listened to 'three friends' I thought that was very good, then I bought 'Octopus' I did think - what is this, but I've persevered and I dig it! I'll pick up another album very soon....
Fr my first time listening to octopus and Power was I didn't hate them but didn't have a desire to relisten but after I came back to them they became quickly some of my top favorites
No Other Band Could Touch The Giant!
"What is this?" was indeed my first reaction when I came to GG, having heard quite a bunch of Prog Rock until then. Very similar to my first hearing of King Crimson's Lizard 😄. Anyway, after a while I felt more precisely how GG really sounded to me: like sort of an academic version of Jethro Tull.
You have to aquire the taste to listen to aquiring the taste
After the 2nd listening catchs you forever!
My personal favorite. A little more approachable & not as atonal/polyrhythmic/difficult as some of the others (I disagree with Pete here). There is something so artistic, magical, even mystical about this one. Ten stars. ✨
I'd disagree here too, to be honest. Aquiring the Taste I find extremely melodic and accessible for this type of music a fine introduction (this or Octopus), it's far from as 'weird' an album as Interview or In a Glass House those will both take way longer for prog newbies to get into, I think. With The Missing Piece, Civilian and Giant for a Day, we're entering a (dare I say) 'poppier' side of Gentle Giant there.
@@TheTVisions
Maybe....The main "problem" with Aquiring the taste for me is the lack of bombastic power, a main trademark in GG most acclaimed albums...But still a complex and full of diferent textures album...Even the band explain the intention to stay away from every single glimpse of poppery taking all the risk
It´s sort of "nightmarish" wonderful...Specially Pantagruel...? just love the feel of it all (and Three Friends of course)
"Acquiring the Taste" was actually the first GG album I was exposed to and loved it straight off. A friend of mine sent me a copy because I told him I had read the book.
Three friends for me,not one filler track.
Just discovered your channel pete and as a big prog rock fan i think it's brilliant.
You’re doing a great job Pete. Thanks!!
My top 3:
1) The Power and the Glory
2) Acquiring the Taste
3) Octopus
Great list Pete. I would love to see a Van Der Graaf Generator ranking some time as well when you have time! Both bands took me a long time to get into but they both "clicked" with me around the same time.
So for me, i always thought that a group make no more than 5 or even 6 best albums... but GG got 7!!!:
GENTLE GIANT (7):
1. Octopus
2. In the glass house
3. Three friends
4. Acquiring the taste
5. Free hand
6. (First) Gentle Giant
7. The power & the glory
PINK FLOYD (6):
1. Dark side...
2. Animals
3. Wish you...
4. Meddle
5. Atom...
6. The wall
YES (5):
1. Close...
2. Relayer
3. Tales...
4. Fragile
5. Yes album
KING CRIMSON (5):
1. In the court...
2. Red
3. Discipline
4. Lark's...
5. Starless...
GENESIS (5):
1. Selling...
2. Foxtrot
3. The lamb...
4. Nursery cryme
5. A trick...
VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR (3):
1. Pawn hearts
2. Still life
3. Godbluff
RUSH (3):
1. Moving pictures
2. Permanent waves
3. 2112
JETHRO TULL (3):
1. Thick...
2. Aqualung
3. Passion play
SUPERTRAMP (3):
1. Crime...
2. Even...
3. Breakfast...
Pete you are a top shelf, high quality man amongst men . I for one love that you do this ! It's often the highlight of my day and you are well appreciated by me and the rest of us here I'm sure . Sea of Tranquility is right in my top 3 TH-cam channel 👍 👍 🙂
Octopus is best, I agree, would like to see your list of camel, they are really good and underrated
octopus
in a glass house
3 friends
free hand
civilian.
@Drew P. Weiner I totally agree !
Yes, please do a camel ranking - Mirage is my favourite!
It’s good but not their best love love love camel. But they have so many albums
Moonmadness is their best imho
I’m loving your reviews. Of course, we’re gonna all disagree on the placement of “some LPS” but who in the hell cares? For the most part you are usually spot on dude. You pull shit out of the woodwork (Uriah Heep, Gentle Giant, Camel, etc etc) that no one else does. Keep on Rockin’ On!
The interesting thing about GG is that they don't have any recorded material that was not recorded in the 70's. In that sense they are not only a one decade band but a pure 70's one. It is true that Civilian was released in 1980 so you could say they went into the 80's just a tiny bit. I really wish they would have recorded at least one or two more albums but I think they just got burned out and their heart wasn't in it anymore.
They say they were killed by punk. They tried to change once the prog bands lost the favour of the public. I wish they did not move an inch and kept on doing what gave them pleasure. I mourn for them ever since, I just can't let go.
Simply a masterpiece, I grew up listening to this band
“Sometimes you’re in the mood to listen to something that doesn’t sound like anything else.” Pretty much hit the nail on the head with that statement. Certain bands get kudos from me for how unique they are, and Gentle Giant is a wonderful example.
The progger’s prog band. Great video Mr. Pardo. It is a wise man that conditionally time stamps his opinions. 👍
Gentle Giant is the greatest Prog band, with the clearest sense of vision and motivic development lyrically, thematically and instrumentally with Power & Glory being their best example of this. It seems people these days assume prog = heavy and fast scales and individual virtuosity a la Dream Theatre. GG has the scope, virtuosity and musical purpose AND the sum is exponentially greater than the parts.
This^
In a lot of respects, I think of good "prog" as being minimalism (ironically?). The Power and the Glory will likely always be my favorite GG album, as well. Acquiring the Taste, Octopus, Free Hand, and In a Glass House are all definitely somewhere next on my list. However, Interview (a very underrated GG record, imo) definitely has at least two or three of my all-time favorite GG tracks (I Lost My Head being my all-time favorite).
Well, Dream Theater was the best prog-metal band, now surpassed by Symphony X, but Gentle Giant is perhaps prog's pinnacle. I miss them for forty years!
@@joseandrade632 Well, I've been told that Symphony X are a prime example of when a band's members play too much in parallel, in regards to where each performer's own repetitions occur. Used to do a community radio program ('00-'03), where me and a couple others played primarily prog... Our main host was always wearing Symphony X shirts; so, I'm sure I've heard them before. But I still haven't really sat down to do any full-on investigation of any of their work. So, who knows... 🤷♂️
All I know is that "real prog" (in my mind) is when something simple has been made complicated by applying various interference patterns, and that the "really good prog" is when there are multiple interference patterns that somehow can coexist without their integrities being compromised.
@@joseandrade632 Oh I agree. I don't want to bash DT, I saw them in Mumbai.The individual virtuosity approach as a starting point doesn't seem as outright boundary-pushing as say, when I saw Yes & King C
Started listening to them a week ago because of you...really loving octopus!
i got see them several times in the 70's whenever they played the tower theater in upper darby.
I only saw the last show in 1980 @ Tower, and they were still quite amazing!
@@jerrylev59 i worked there 1976-80 so saw them when they toured during that time which i recall was a few. have to admit was not am not a fan. but i am a fan of pete's passion for music!
Back in the 70’s one of the local FM stations would play “The Album of The Day” most every night at 11:00 PM. Since I had to go to bed, I would pop in a blank cassette into Ye Ole Auto-Reverse AKAI, and record the album, no matter who it was [typically a relatively little to unknown artist], to sample on the way to the Junior College the following morning. One night the album advertised was Gentle Giant’s “Octopus”, whom I had never heard. The next day I popped the tape into my ‘under-dash’ Craig cassette deck (with power-booster) and let ‘er rip. The first track, “The Advent of Panurge” wasn’t near finished before I knew I had to find everything I could by this band! Every time I could manage to get my hands on the $4.99 or $5.99 that it cost back then for a new LP it was off to the record store I’d go. I didn’t know anything about “In A Glass House” for a year or two afterward, and even then, had to order it via a JEM Import catalog and wait nearly 2 months for it to arrive at a favorite record store by snail mail. I’ve been a diehard GG fan ever since, and recently purchased the “Unburied Treasure” box as well. I’ve been collecting GG for decades, but after so many remasters, boots and import editions, I sadly feel my days of buying GG are over. I will keep my eyes and ears open for anything that may come down the pike, but I can’t imagine there being anything else. It is sad, as I agree with some of the reviewers that “Civilian” was (finally) a big step in the right direction for them. I truly believe that had they given it one more shot, it very well could have been the one to push them into the limelight; but I guess we’ll never know. They may have broken up 40 years ago, but for this GG lover, they shall remain in heavy rotation in my home and my vehicle until my last breath.
By the way… as a short sidebar: The tape that recorded “Octopus” was a 90 min blank, so it continued to record the radio program far beyond the GG album alone. The very next track following ‘Octopus’ was “The Greatest Story Ever Told” by the often quirky and fun rock from ‘City Boy’. Needless to say, that track caught my ear as well, so I grabbed the LP soon thereafter. Although their only notable singles were “The Hap-Ki-Do Kid”, “She’s Got Style” and “5.7.0.5”, the majority of their catalog, especially the first 4-5 albums, were overlooked by radio and, for the most part, completely unknown to the masses. Perhaps had Mercury Records put a little more of their marketing budget behind them, they most certainly could have become much bigger. I never had the opportunity to see them live, so I had no idea if their live performances lived up to their studio tracks, but they truly should have had a better chance. If you’re not familiar with City Boy, I urge you to check them out. Like many other bands, if the track you’re listening to isn’t grabbing you … no problem. Let it play through as the tracks tend to change mid-stream, and rarely are two tracks the same. Very witty, quirky, rocking and fun music. Think early 10cc with a bit more power!! …but I digress.
Do you know Zinc by Eddie Jobson? Gary Green is featured on some tracks. Please check Three Friends on TH-cam. There are some ex-Giant members, Gary and Malcolm Mortimore, and ther is at least mone file featuring Kerry Minnear.
Really late to the party on this video. Thanks for not just the ranking, but explaining the albums. I should be the biggest Gentle Giant fan due to my love of prog and jazz, but I never really knew where to start. I'm doing the deep dive on Gentle Giant tonight. And those last 15 minutes? Awesome!
It's about fucking time....the greatest prog band EVER..........
1. In a glass house
2. Free hand
3. Octopus
4. Three friends
5. Interview Wilson Remaster is outstanding 😅
Keep up the good work Pete. Ignore the trolls.
I've been a long-time prog fan, but only got into Gentle Giant within the past couple years. Currently getting them on vinyl. Love 'Octopus' and 'Free Hand'. Must get the rest. (Check those prices on the Roger Dean cover for 'Octopus' on vinyl. Yikes.)
Using this video to target my next Gentle Giant purchases. Thanks.
Don't miss In a Glass House and Three Friends. And The Power and the Glory! And Interview! and... You won't be disappointed. Greetings from a die hard Portuguese fan who loves them since 72 (I was fourteen). Also don't miss Happy the Man, the sole band who dared explore the same regions.
+1 on that. Octopus is the ONLY GG LP I do NOT have. Embarrassingly enough, "Giant for a Day" was the first LP I got and my intro to them last year when I was introduced to them (via an article about the Steven Wilson remasters). Was browsing online for "Octopus" while his video was running and I couldn't find ANYTHING less than 50.00.
1, Power and the Glory
2, Octopus
3, In A Glass House
4, Free Hand
5, The Missing Piece
6, Interview
7, Three Friends
All within 10% for me, I Love them All !!!
But my favorite is "Playing The Fool" yes it is Live !! 👍🎶
Thank you for doing what you do! Please don't ever stop!
I haven't heard of this band. I'm going to listen to them. Thank you for your ranking Gentle Giant.🎤🎸🎵🥁
Pete your channel introduced me. to this great band thank you.....
true fans know you have the best channel going thanks pete i've found so many bands because of your channel hope you have some nice weather it great here in wisconsin
Keep up the work Pete,we all enjoy your effort and shows !
Gentle Giant was pure genius! Love your channel and thanks to you I now have a least 50 prog rock bands I've never heard of and will spend the rest of the winter giving them all a listen. I'll likely end up with several more favorites! Thanks again!
Excellent channel and great place for music lovers and inspiration.Thanks Pete.
Wow, Pete, I was wondering if you were ever going to make an official album ranking for GG. Recently saw the top 10 songs list (and commented), then saw the GG history video.
I love *ALL* 11 studio albums, plus the Playing The Fool live disc. The top 3, and *especially* the top 2, are just about interchangeable.
Here we go:
11. Giant For A Day
10. Civilian
9. The Missing Piece
8. Three Friends
7. The Power and The Glory
6. Gentle Giant s/t debut
5. Free Hand
4. In'terview (very underrated)
3. Octopus
2. Acquiring The Taste
1. In A Glass House
One other aspect of GG that puts them above their contemporaries (to me) is the fact that I truly love their *entire* discography; I can't say this to the full extent about other groups: Yes, Tull, Genesis...I love those groups to death, but they each have a couple (or more) discs that I can easily do without. I can't live without *any* of GG's albums (despite Giant For A Day clearly being the weakest of the bunch.)
KC is the only other direct contemporary that may come close, but even they fall a tad short to me, simply because GG, whether the music was dense and complex, or stripped down and straightforward, offered some kind of color, flavor/taste/deliciousness in all of it.
I've been trying to get into Gentle Giant for years and even now watching this excellent ranking by the most honest TH-camr Pete in 2024 I can't get a handle on them. I must try again and listen to Free Hand with a very open mind and see what happens. I love the rant at the end and Pete you're so right to ban that idiot.
Thank you for what you do Pete, 👍👍👍👍👍👍!!
Hey Pete!! Watched This Again!!! So Good!!!! Thanks!!!
God Bless you 🙏. Keep up the good work so many people just NEED to hear about this stuff.
Wow! I can't believe that guy said all of that. You are my lifeline to music that I most likely wouldn't know anything about if it wasn't for you. I could always tell that this stuff comes from your heart. I love your channel. Keep up the good work!
Thank God for Prado.I am re-discovering my love for rock all over again.Please keep it up Pete
Hi Pete,
Thoroughly enjoyed this video. I have five gg lps and my favourite is acquiring the taste followed by the self titled album. I need to pick up a few more espicially ones that you've rated highly that i dont have. The amount of videos you're posting is exceptional Pete and very rewarding for us music fans, ie finding new music and discussing the great bands we love.
Keep it coming
Andy H
Pete, I said it before and I'll say it again, you're my go to for new music suggestions, thank you. Keep up the great work. Regards John.
I appreciate what you do greatly, Peter. You always provide intelligent, informed reviews. You're one of the best sources of information on a plethora of bands and I've benefitted from your sound musical judgment. Congrats to you and the quality of your channel!
Love your reviews, your honesty and commitment to supporting many artists in the prog and rock genre. It's people like you that keep the flags flying and why many more get to hear about artists that would, in many cases, go unknown or unheard in an era of myopic media more concerned with satisfying record moguls with pop pap than the great sounds outside that bubble.
Man, your choices are very close to my ranking. Thank you for your work, a labor of love indeed. Cheers from Brazil.
I discovered GG in the 70s, starting with Three Friends,which is still my favorite. Also love Glass House and Aquiring the Taste. Peel the Paint, Experience, The House-The Street-The Room all have these awesome guitar breaks. Saw them somewhere in Long Island in the 70s and loved the show!
Pete thanks so much for these videos. You’ve been very helpful in furthering my listening.
Absolutely brilliant Pete...I'm an old GG fan from the UK who saw them in 70's. The love for this band never dies. I agree with your list..it definitely can change depending on the mood. I only found you on You Tube recently but totally dig what you are doing. I'm going through my old vinyl collection checking on LP's I had forgotten about. You are so right in your rant....Budgie are brilliant! Keep it going dude. Alan Brown
Well said Pete.. I thoroughly enjoyed this video. Fantastic. Thank you so much.
Pete, your content is great. I have enjoyed all your videos. Ive always enjoyed "Mining the old stuff". Thank you for turning me on to Gentle Giant!!
Been enjoying them and been listening to a ton of Tull lately. You are appreciated!!! Cheers!! Keep up the good work!
Keep doing what your doing. Amazing stuff and I've discovered and now bought music from bands i had never heard of.
Thanks for the information to dive more deeply into Gentle Giant. I ran across their Sight and Sound concert on TH-cam and feel like they are the pinnacle even if so long ago. I watched this video early on to get an idea and have listened to very little else since. I am really liking The Power and the Glory and Octopus. Gentle Giant is actually right up there. Acquiring the Taste has been a little harder to love, but I am continuing to listen to it and "getting" it. I feel like I could spend months straight on their one decade of music!
Thank God that i have found your channel! I´m a Prog Rock Fan but now i learn from you to listening music. In March i will see Sons of Apollo in Brno/Europe
great great channel my friend.i can stay all day watching this
Thanks for this run-thru✨I’ve yet to discover this band that I’ve always heard of but never heard🌜
Hi Pete, love your TH-cam channel. I'm 62 and living in Australia now but back in 1973 I was living in the UK and I discovered Gentle Giant. I had the privilege of seeing them play live on their 1976 Tour, the songs from this tour were released on Playing The Fool in early 1977. Whilst I have my own favourite GG album, The Power & the Glory, I totally understand and appreciate that this is a very subjective thing and I really enjoy your album ranking shows. I also want to say how cool it is that you included a ranking of Budgie albums. What a magnificent band. I also had the privilege of seeing them play live a number of times in the mid 70's when they were in their pomp. My absolute favourite band is the Groundhogs and Tony McPhee is not only a guitar hero of mine but I've also had the privilege of jamming with him in a pub in Wellington, Shropshire in England. He is an absolute legend and he is massively underated as a guitarist and composer in my humble opinion. In particular, Tony McPhee's 1970's albums with the Groundhogs such as Split, Thank Christ For The Bomb, Hogwash, Who Will Save The World, Solid, and Black Diamond deserve to be reviewed and ranked by you. Tony's innovative and groundbreaking use of the first guitar synth on the albums Solid, Crosscut Saw & Black Diamond is just brilliant. And not forgetting Tony McPhee's amazing 1973 solo album called The Two Sides Of Tony (TS) McPhee where side one explores Tony's Blues roots and side two is an amazing anti fox hunting synthesizer suite. And then there's his work on the album Blues Obituary from 1969. Definitely worth a listen. All the best to you.
Regards,
John
I really enjoy your content and this Gentle Giant ranking was very helpful. Their music is great!
Love the rant. Even tho we have very different tastes in music, I still like hearing your opinions on these ranking the albums series. Very informative.. I need to get the GG remasters some day. Loved them back in the 70's.
Thanks for this list, I first heard their first album as a 13 year old in 1979. I was getting into Zeppelin, Sabbath, early Queen etc but I absolutely loved Gentle Giants first attempt. I never progressed much beyond Octopus but recently have started listening to their other albums and definitely appreciating their albums much more now. I still love that first album it’s just amazing. You have put me on to a few albums which I haven’t heard and I have down loaded ready for a 10 hour drive I have coming up and I am looking forward to listening to this new to me music
Hello Pete. First of all, I wanted to thank you for all of these great "Ranking the Studio Albums". You have certainly given me some great pointers as to where to find more great music. I have been a huge Prog-Rock fan (Yes, Genesis, Kansas, ELP, King Crimson). But I have not been able to get into Gentle Giant. I watched your ranking video last night - so I decided to listen to FREE HAND today while on a long walk at lunch. And it was very good - and I enjoyed it more than I realized. Thanks! I can't wait to get into their other albums. And then I will attempt to take on the work of Budgie.
What a great double dose of killer bands today. Budgie and Gentle Giant, 2 very criminally underrated bands with tons of incredible music! Two of my all-time faves, great vids 👍
Both amazingly different and unique as well as kickass.
Couldn’t agree more but GG took me a while to get into.Back in the 70s I bought Octopus thinking it might sound like Uriah Heep because of the Roger Dean cover.Ten years later I still had a mint Octopus copy cause I never played it.Just missing err The Missing Piece and Giant for a Day from collection.Brilliant band.Annoys the crap out of the missus which is a good thing.Always loved Budgie.
@@SomeSong2 Yep. Vastly different, yet connected by a sense of whimsy, not taking themselves too seriously, the obvious progressive side of the music...and incredible musicianship of course!
You are the reason I got into Gentle Giant, and I will be forever grateful! Your interview with Derek Shulman got me to take a risk and get that boxset of their discography and I am so glad I did it, in fact I wish more bands would make boxsets in that vein of being the entire discography (Live and Studio). It is an acquired taste for sure.
I have not listened to them enough to rank them all, but my favorites are:
1. Octopus
2. The Power and the Glory
3. The Missing Piece
4. Interview
5. In a Glass House
Haven't heard the last few but I love what I have heard, especially the first 4. Here's my ranking:
7. Free Hand
6. Power and the Glory
5. In a Glass House
4. Three Friends
3. Gentle Giant
2. Octopus
1. Acquiring the Taste
So hard to choose between those top 2 especially!
Hi Pete, love your channel, we don't always agree, and that's the fun of it, but you were spot on this time. Keep the lists coming.
Just to put in my two cents about your content. I decided I wanted to fully explore the old prog rock about half a year ago and you have been my guide the entire time. These ranking the albums in particular have been immensely beneficial when exploring a new band. Some of my favorite music now I might not have come across without your videos. Thanks mate, I appreciate what you do.
Thank you Steven!
Yeah Pete! GREAT synopsis of Gentle Giant...who I saw in 1975 in Seattle. Thank you for keeping this music alive.
No words for GIANT... HUGELY influential and life changing. For me, I was introduced through 3 Friends and Acquiring the Taste...
In a Glass House... OMG! LOVED the stories... they wrapped around in their beautiful music which magnified their stories.
This was SOUL FOOD... which I so desperately needed at the time... and every time, all the time... in these times... cheers mate
Love what you do, Pete, and I appreciate your rant about the troll. What I love most about your channel is that you pull out some obscure (to me) bands that I have started listening to and spending money on (to support those bands). Keep it up!!
I'm a long-time fan of GG, and started with Power and the Glory (so that one holds a special place), but I agree fully with your ranking. Rock on!
Ever since seeing my older brother carrying the Power and the Glory under his arm back in the early 70’s (Which I played the next day)
I became a huge lifetime fan. Your review is without question the best I’ve ever seen. Thanks for giving The Boys in the Band the royal
treatment that they so well deserve.
Caught "Giant" on the "Playing The Fool " tour in Toronto. Symphonic Slam opened. My first time ever hearing or seeing them. A big fan ever since.
Great stuff Pete since watching this channel I’ve discovered several great bands. Keep it coming the more obscure the better, don’t let the bastards get you down.
GG is one of my all time favorite bands, so ranking the albums is extremely hard for me, and it feels like it could literally change tomorrow, but here goes.
11. Giant for a Day
10. Civilian
9. The Missing Piece
8. Interview
7. Three Friends
6. Octopus
5. In a Glass House
4. Gentle Giant
3. Free Hand
2. The Power And the Glory
1. Acquiring the Taste
Man it's painful seeing how low some of these are but those first 7 are just so damn good. There's basically hardly any separation between them.
It's funny you mentioned the part about how the first albums you heard were too much for you at first but then became your favorites, since that's exactly what happened to me. Acquiring the Taste was the first one I heard and man, it was definitely a difficult entry point like you said. Then I heard TPATG which blew me away and made a fan, and now years later Acquiring is my favorite haha. Each of my top 5 were my favorite at some point in time... what a discography!
I’m completely new to Gentle Giant. I purchased a record collection of an EMI technician in the U.K., and gave Octopus a try. I was absolutely blown away by the entire production. It was incredible. After hearing Octopus, and wanting to hear more, I did a little TH-cam search and discovered your channel. I absolutely share your love for gentle giant. I grew up in the grunge era, but after going through this collection I picked up, I’m now a huge prog fan. Love King Crimson, Yes, Gentle Giant, Gryphon and more.
Love you content. Love your passion! Keep up the good work :)
Love from the U.K.!
I know I’m really late to the party here,but I love your channel…thank you for helping me discover so much new music and coaching me on what albums to start with with your ranking the albums video.
They were great. One of the most amazing rock bands ever.
My Ranking of Gentle Giant, Worst to Best.
11 - Giant for a Day (I like Words from the Wise)
10 - Civilian
9 - The Missing Piece
8 - Interview
7 - Free Hand
6 - The Power and the Glory
5 - Gentle Giant
4 - Acquiring the Taste
3 - Three Friends
2 - In a Glass House
And......
1 - Octopus
Love the rant appreciate you pete keep doin' what you do thank you.
Gentle Giant Rocks. Your channel rocks... never stale, enjoy your personality and listening to you talk. Our tastes don't always exactly align, but I can always tell your rankings are sincere... and that you fkn love music in general!
Would love a run down of pendragon.
Great video Pete. I’ve been a Gentle Giant fan since buying Octopus back in the 70s. To be honest, I only got interested in it initially because of the Roger Dean cover art because I was and still am a big Yes fan! However, it turned out to be the opening to a whole new branch of prog for me.
As regards your rant, I’m sure you know that the vast majority of us who watch your channel really enjoy and appreciate what you do. Many thanks for all your time, effort and enthusiasm. Keep up the great work🙂
My main man Pete here, you rock dude. Love the show will always support and enjoy the music I've listened to and bought because of seeing you now. I became a fan here from a friends suggestion to watch the album ranking episode of BOC. I ended up buying all the BOC albums, several Kansas albums, 3 Budgie albums, now 4 Gentle Giant albums, a few Deep Purple ones .. the list goes on but you definitely gave me ideas on what to try out and it was great. My favorite band of all time is Rush, I didnt need to buy those recently because I've had the majority of them by the time I was 15. Thank you sir, bless you guys in the USA be safe
So much good music to listen and enjoy, and so little time...
Bcs of u i have been introduced to so many prog and metal bands that i never heard of that i am starting to listen to some of them. Thank you for the introductions.
Thanks for reminding me of this great band!
Great rant! So glad I discovered your channel, keep it up man!!!
Any mention of gentle Giant is a great thing. Mentioning all their albums with such positive and accurate statements, is just wonderful. Check em out folks, your brain will thank you. Thanks Pardo
To your last words in the video: Thank you, I appreciate your videos much! Got many good tips for albums I own now. BR, from Austria, Joe
I absolutely agree to your speech about a youtuber who trash you. You give good critics even if i don't agree all the time. Keep going man...
Great video, Pete!
You should make monthly updates on your Gentle Giant album rankings.
Gentle Giant albums are magical...first listen doesn't do it but the more you listen and get used to their complexities, the more you love them. Magic takes over and you can't stop playing them. Octopus for me too but only just most of the others in my top 50 albums of all time. regarding that negative comment, old farts like me love listening and watching you....that music is precious, more than diamonds. I can't stop watching you, don't agree with your choices often but , hey taste is taste.... and your presentation is spot on.
...Pete , you make Rock and Roll Fun and accessible...Holy Christ the Topics , the Guests , the Squares , Martin and Butch shows ....I for one appreciate the History going deep ....Hell , Music is part of my DNA , my Soul ....My Life ....anyrate , Rock On Brother with all you do !
Ok, before I watch, here is my list:
1. Octopus - the first I ever listed to. Hooked me.
2. In a Glass House
3. Three Friends
4. Power and the Glory
5. Free Hand
6. Civilian
7. Interview
8. Acquiring the Taste
9. Gentle Giant - Alucard is fantastic
10. The Missing Piece - Half of a great album
11. Giant for a Day
I got into Gentle Giant because of a weekly radio show that was rebroadcast on a webplayer... cant remember the name now... But it was a couple of hours of Gentle Giant retrospective. I listened to it a few times and then had to start looking up all of their stuff. Sure glad I tuned in that week! thanks for the countdown.
Nice!
Octopus was also the first I listened to. I was fascinated from the first note on but it actually took some time until it became my absolute favourite.
May I ask why you ranked "Acquiring the taste" so low? I see it as the "younger brother" of "Octopus", the first "octo opus". I would say they continued the way they started at "Acquiring the Taste" on "Octopus" (with "Three Friends" as an interlude). I would say the style on the two albums is quite similar even there are differences in composition and genre influences.
Just jumping into Gentle Giant here in 2021, thanks to you Pete! I've just started, with Free Hand, as you suggested. Wow! I'm loving the music. They are unique, and wonderful. The only band they sort of remind me of is Kansas. They don't sound like them (at all), but have a similarly adventurous music spirit, and I went on a Kansas like journey while listening.
I've only just started listening to them a few weeks ago because of you and man.... what a band. I cant believe I never listened to them before now and I've listened to loads of obscure prog over the years. Also I didnt follow your sound advice and started with acquiring the taste which didnt put me off at all. I was hooked. I'm still getting through all the records so no where close to ranking them but if anyone hasn't heard Gentle Giant yet, I cant recommend them enough. Thanks Pete. Oh, and I agree, Free Hand is a great place to start
I saw Gentle Giant in the late 70's at the Roxy in Hollywood. Tightest band that I ever saw.
Amazing Pete, fast forward to July 2021, the number three is number one! Not knocking, goes to show tastes and moods change and that’s totally fine!
You tell em Pete!!!! 👏 You host a great site. Really is one of the best on TH-cam!! By the way, I saw Budgie a number of years back in a little club, they were fabulous.
Saw them five times.
just ordered 3 friends and octopus today. I owned a cut-out of interview many years ago which i liked but never really got to know. Thanks for your enthusiasm and insight. It's got me exploring and purchasing music again.
Great list for a truly unique band, Pete. The top 8 are all essential; a real treasure trove.
Thanks, Pete. Keep up the great work.
Agree with your Gentle Giant choices... thanks for all you do..I really appreciate being able to see this kind of content.