@@EgotisticalObserver Except, correctly nuanced, they are underappreciated, never underrated (by any honest and open ears not separated by a parvenu's brain).
Gentle Giant opened for Yes during the Yes - Relayer tour. Gentle Giant was well received amongst the Yes fans and we ended up seeing Gentle Giant 3 times. After that I purchased all GG albums as they came out. They were never my favorite, but I enjoyed the complexities and syncopation of the music and they ended up being among my favorite bands of the time. They put on a good performance in concert. Last game I played was Wii Bowling, my wife bought us "bowling shirts" and we get somewhat competitive.
I'm repeating myself here, but for those who are knew to the complexity of Gentle Giant and never heard them before. Having read all that was out in the day about them and by the other Top prog acts of their day in Melody Maker, Circus, Cream and many other music rags of the day ... High prase came from the Top bands and player who Loved GG like Steve Hackett, Gabriel, Phil Collins, Bruford & Wetton from Crimson, All of Jethro Tull, Yes mates Jon Anderson, Wakeman, Howe & Squire, Frank Zappa and so many more !! They understood how good their music, writing was and unique they were !! High praise by the Best : )
It is odd but also wonderful how Gentle Giant changed for me over the years. Seven years ago, when I was discovering them song for song, they often sounded goofy to me. Back then I loved them as I do now. They swung and grooved as they do now. But at the time they were always a little silly to me. Now? These songs are really emotional to me. They grab you with two strong hands, like a good old memory can do. And their lyrics have begun to hold meaning or understanding for me. An absolute favourite for me. But I digress. The last game I played was finding another pun for Justin. But forcing it would B flat, and it could get me in treble.
Before I forget; I can recommend the album: Three friends. Also a great album to get to know Gentle Giant. Stil the same coffee as yesterday 😋 I love this music. Beautiful harmonies, crazy complicated tunes, nice transitions and excellent musicianship.
Some curiosities about this song instrumentation: first of all, the sound that seems like bass, is actually Kerry's doing his thing on Moog. Then, there are two guitars making a counterpoint between themselves: the main one is Gary, and the other is Ray. This can be seen on the live version of 1978. Now concerning about the first sound of the song: a lot will talk about Shulberry, but in fact this instrument was invented a couple of years latter. They tried to play "Playing the Game" live in 1975, but it was dropped since it wasn't working out. Then, the roadies of the band came up with this instrument, called it "Shulberry", and then "Playing the Game" was played from 1977 to Civilian's tour in 1980. In the studio version, you are hearing notes of xylophone by Kerry and Ray making a smooth struck on the top three strings of the violin with a drum stick: they both are doing this at the same time. That's what really is happening here.
The more I listen to this I am convinced it’s Gary using a Fender XII and Ray is shadowing Kerry with his Fender Precision bass. Live Gary opted to play six string guitar so Ray could have something to do. Derek played this weird Electric Dulcimer thing that only plays that “alarm clock “ sound. I saw them open for Yes also it’s my favorite concert ever.
@@shyshift Actually I think the bass parts are just the first notes. The other ones of the main verses are made on minimoog (this instrumentation and a lot of sheet music from this album are depicted in a dissertation named "EXPOSING CORRUPTION IN PROGRESSIVE ROCK: A SEMIOTIC ANALYSIS OF GENTLE GIANT’S THE POWER AND THE GLORY".
@@shyshift Simply click on "download" here and you can read: uknowledge.uky.edu/music_etds/149/ It's a great general insight on The Power and the Glory and how the members of the band really think music and how their creative process flow. You'll notice that, in fact, the genius here is Ray Shulman, not Kerry Minnear (although he was also brilliant in my opinion).
@@augustovasconcellos19 thanks. Ever wonder why John Weathers intentionally looked like the Giant from the debut on but not joining the band for 2 years into the future?
So jazzy, so syncopated. That percussion instrument in the beginning that drives the song is their own invention called the “Schulberry” if I’m not mistaken. Check out the live version of this at Golder’s Green. They talk about it I think.
I remember reading the Rolling Stone review of this album and the reviewer gave it one and a half stars out of 5. I don't recall the whole review, but what stood out was the reviewer stating how disjointed and angular the songs were. And yeah, that's Gentle Giant! This album and maybe In a Glass House are their most jagged sounding records. But hey, that's why fans of the band love them. They don't fit into a mold. They are unique and proud of it. Even their worse albums have a tinge of the GG uniqueness, (except, maybe Giant For a Day). I have to agree this is a great gateway album into Gentle Giant, (that album cover leaped out back in the day and it had rounded corners like a playing card). Keep up with the whole album reviews of their works. You should not be disappointed with Free Hand, In a Glass House, Three Friends, Interview, etc.
I sort of liked this song in some way. So smooth but still full of textures. Like a mix of early Genesis and Steely Dan with a touch of early Yes and a hint of Camel... with the organ played softly like a cautious Ian Lord from Deep Purple. I apparently missed them totally in the 70s as I had no idea of their existence before you brought them to my attention.
Just really started to get into GG recently mostly thanks to watching your reaction videos. I started with their first album and moved on to this one and am now working through the others. Being a huge Genesis fan I struggled with GG to begin with but now I can't stop listening to them. Really enjoy the complex time signatures and the multi instruments and the musicianship. Great headphone music.
Octopus is a great album to continue on with your discovery, if you haven’t listened to it already. Acquiring the taste is my favourite off of their output but it really is something to get into
@@meurglysthefourth Actually I forgot about Octopus but I have listened to that a lot too. Dipped into Three Friends and Acquiring The Taste as well as the live album, Playing The Fool. All great listens. Not so sure about the later stuff. Nobody seems to be too enthusiastic about the last three or so.
@@SteveHutton The last three will grow up on you when you take into account the struggle they had at that time which made them take a shift in the old direction. The songs are quite simple, but you will eventually like them. Civilian is a pretty solid album, by the way.
@@SteveHutton I think The Missing Piece is actually one of their best albums, and a far more fun and musically successful attempt at "commercialized prog" than what Genesis or Yes were doing in the late 70's. I think it gets a bad rap mostly because GG fans have a particularly anti-commercial bent.
@@SteveHutton Well in my eyes at least the last three albums are decent for what they are, but nothing special. Side 2 of The Missing Piece is reminiscent of their earlier work and is actually quite fine, but GFAD does nothing for me. Civilian, however, is the best of the bunch imo, you just have to adjust your expectations a bit
They ALWAYS played this live, at least every tour i saw (3). It had this great shock ending, rewritten for the live version, that always totally slayed people. And the Shulberry of course. Great memories! One of my favorite Minnear organ solos at 5:25
Yeah they get even more in this kind of groove in the next Album "Free Hand". Which happens to be my favourite of theirs. After finishing glory you should check that one out next.
Derek Shulman's throaty voice seems to be the main bone of contention for many people with this band, beyond their general musical complexities. While it's not the absolute best, I certainly wouldn't hold it against them.
I think Shulman's voice is fine most of the time, but there are a few songs that really come off worse for it. "River", "Experience", and "The Face" are all recordings where if if I'd been the producer, I would have made them go back for another take, because he hits certain notes where he just sounds unpleasantly shrill. It's unfortunate, because "Experience" and "The Face" in particular are great, great songs but not done justice by the canonical recordings.
It's crazy how excited I get when you listen to music that I have history with. Thanks for sticking with this one. I agree with your assessment 100% and it's why I feel lucky that this and Glass House were my first 2 GG albums. I had already heard Yes before so I was ready to go backward into Gentle Giant's somewhat more challenging earlier discography after hearing those 2 records.
I have missed some of your listening sessions lately including this one.G.G.always have filled my musical needs.I was one of the lucky ones to have seen them live in 1973,and I can tell you that Derek Shulman,the main singer of the group and one of the 3 brothers of the band,had a giant and impressive presence on stage that melted perfectly with the rest of the band.His singing abilities live were the same as in studio.Thank you kindly Justin to remind me how old I am :)
Always loved this track and the playing of drummer John Weathers ! As someone mentioned in the comments, there is something about certain harmonies or chord sequence that reminds me of Steely Dan's early days.
Great song and great review, again! My favorite track off that album. When I was in high school the real litmus test amongst proggers was whether you had Gentle Giant's album, In A Glass House. It was an English import only in the 70s, never released in the US (back then). Only reason I mention it is that there are a couple songs off that album with guitar solos with as much groove and grit as the organ solo off Playing the Game. It would be a great next GG album for you to review.
This was always one of my favorite GG songs. I love when the guitar and bass go into the round, and the Hammond in the middle instrumental break is great as well. I think you would also really like the album Three Friends, which is their only concept album (it's about 3 school friends who go in different directions in their lives). It's also one of their more accessible albums.
This is the most “accessible” GG album and my favourite. I’m not mad on the vocalist but then some people don’t like Jon Anderson’s voice ( although Yes is my favourite band).I don’t listen to Rush and Genesis because of their singers. Gentle Giant produce such complex music but it’s also melodic and it takes great skill and songwriting to achieve that !
I hear you, I can`t listen to Rush for that spesific reason. But I love Dereck`s belting voice. So much power and intensity, it`s just insane. I imagine the earth shakes a bit when he yells atloud.
Great reaction Justin, ...still more to come on this album. Also hoping you will get to listen to the Free Hand eventually, which is an absolute gem of an album and is probably the last of their great progressive records of this period. I love the Power and the Glory , but Free Hand is outstanding.
I wore this record out as a kid. Gentle Giant and Klatuu were my go to bands after the Beatles split up. I was yet to discover Rush, Yes, and Genesis. Now is a good time to request Spock’s Beard Thoughts part 2 from their amazing album V. Probably why I like SB so much is that it reminds my of GG. Same playful syncopated layering with an inherent groove. Ps, Frisbee golf (poor man’s golf)...and sidecar can tag along. Try that at a country club.
Great reaction, JP. You are right, this album is a great place to start with Gentle Giant. It was the first one I bought, way back when, and it set me up to appreciate some of the even more challenging music from the band. Gentle Giant stands apart from most of the other big prog bands of the era. How so? Well, bands like King Crimson and Yes and Genesis were brilliant, but could get a bit grandiose at times. And I like that. But Gentle Giant took a different approach. They were more subtle and whimsical, a bit more jazzy, less prone to take themselves seriously, while still playing intelligent music with plenty of fine grooves. I suppose they were a bit closer to Zappa than they were to Crimson or Yes.
The best Giant album.... Absolutely great mix, the separation is brilliant. The perfect album to check out your new high end stereo system. The fades from left to right are killer.
Interesting tune. Almost a cut and paste construction with another song thrown in the middle. The beginning and ending vocals didn’t sound too bad. That’s a compliment. Smooth keys... who plays smooth keys... maybe David Sancious on Transformation (Speed of Love). Although, the next song is a blazer of guitar also played by DS. Pleeeeeze. Peace and Music
Cat on lap in sunshiney study and i ask myself is this better than Jethro Tull ? Coz both evaded me - or I them - back when bands kidnapped my living. I find the space within this more palatable than the last JT you played - less convoluted - but as it faded out it reappeared as a complex fusion choppy choppy jazz sauna hot tub session in the dry dusty study Cat groomed himself and I thought Field Music have a new LP this month There are parallels and influences here so thank you Justin for allowing me to Study This Game of Gentle Giant's long lost history. Giants have been Overlooked. No Really. They Have. In other news , 1981's Ive Got the Rock n Rolls Again by the Joe Perry Project included Play the Game. A great song from a great LP. Life indeed is Ridiculous in it's Bonkyrsness-ness. Thank God Knows eh? Diolch J. Great Sounds!
I am an old Gentle Giant fan and this track is one of those that I think of one of their attempts at a pop tune. Having said that it is one of my favorites by them. I think this album needs to be heard in it’s entirety. At least hear Cogs in Cogs and No Gods a Man... More Giant, please. P.S. I agree that this is a perfect GG gateway intro for newbies.
Last game I played? World of Warcraft with guys I have been gaming online with for almost 20 years (one of who I have been RPG/board gaming with, on and off, for close to 40 years). Edited to add that it was actually No Man's Sky that I was playing last. Just restarted after not playing for a year or so. I really liked this song. I haven't bought the album yet but it is just a matter of time and effort (mostly the latter). "Down at the bus station Shark grins and sandpaper conversation Men's faces women's bodies on the magazine stand And a headline about Sarajevo and Tehran"
Last video game i played was Mario Land on the Gameboy, old school 👾 Love this whole album, can't get enough of it. Ain't nothing beating Gentle Giant in their prime
I had not heard this one before, but it took 18 seconds to recognize it as Gentle Giants. I went back and checked! Albums were expensive in those days so you couldn't buy them all. I decided to buy Octopus, but it was out of stock so I got Three friends. (If you plan to do that one: its a concept album!). I think we can agree: this (Playing the game), was good, but not their best?
After hearing this the first time back in the 1970s I ran out and purchased all their early releases--IMMEDIATELY. The Shulmans I guess came from one of these families where the parents said "you will learn to play an instrument," rather than "do you think maybe you possibly wouldn't mind if we asked you to...etc." which few if any kids respond to the way you'd like. Much less ALL of them. Probably not a Joe Jackson and HIS kids situation, but probably the boys were told they'd be learning, rather than asked whether it would be okay with them. Just my guess. That said, I find neither the singing nor the songs themselves precious the way so much Genesis is for me. If Genesis spent less time exploring the tenderer side of Peter Hammill's feelings and more time, well, rocking out (or at least adjusted the balance between the two), I'd like them as much as I like Yes or G. Giant. When they kill it, they kill it, only I wish they'd kill it more of the time the way the others I mentioned did.
Last game I played was The Sorcerers Cave a RP card and dice game in which you build the Cave as you go. I picked it up at a Yard sale and never got round to playing it until my daughter suddenly got into RP and D&D. Apparently it now sells for £125 on eBay!! Back to music- GG produce another Stellar track with interweaving melodic strands. Bit of a Canterbury sound to this before it goes all Kansas! It’s odd - I’ve always felt this was a tricky album for people new to GG to get into. I’d choose Octopus, Three Friends, In a Glass House or Free Hand.
This makes me want to listen to Cats and Rats (in this neighbourhood) from Mike Rutherfords first solo album Smallcreeps Day. (An excellent album to explore, JP).
The stringed instrument strummed throughout most of the song is a homemade three string one of a kind thing called a shulberry. It was lost long ago and never replicated
@@JustJP On the studio version it's not the Shulberry: it's a mix of a vibraphone note (played by Kerry) and Ray gently strucking the last three notes of his violin with a drum stick. Shulberry was invented in late 1976, so "Playing the Game" could be played live since early 1977.
Very happy to see you like what I think is the best track on this awesome album, with all due respect I think you should listen to Acquiring The Taste after you're done with this album
First GG I purchased it was an 8 track. But the first song I heard was The Advent Of Panurge from Octopus at a friend’s house in Sacramento. He had the American cover lp with the Octopus inside a mason jar. I tried to buy that but this was being released and I went with the newest. Top 5 band.
I don't remember how or when I first heard Gentle Giant, but remember liking them some. Picked up one album (The Missing Piece) and liked a few songs off if it, but never got into much else of theirs. "For Nobody" might be a good song to react to :-)
I agree, The Power & the Glory (and In A Glass House, from the year before) are the perfect gateway albums. Derek Shulmann's voice is an acquired taste, for sure.
Love this song. I think it's a perfect song to introduce people to Gentle Giant. On live versions the Hammond B3 solo was replaced with a Gary Green guitar solo. I'm not sure the album is the best one for people new to Gentle Giant. "Three Friends" or "Free Hand" would be better.
Please, please, please do a full album listen to Gentle Giants conceptual album Three Friends. Released in 1973, I heard it first in 1977 when I saw it in my friends older brother's record collection and asked him to play it. Up to that point the only progressive rock that I'd heard and liked was Rick Wakeman's Journey To The Center of the Earth (which by the way you should also listen to). I was sixteen and I could almost hear my mind going "pop!". An outstanding album with interesting time signature changes and vocal parts between the three brothers.
The music is like a mix between commercial 80's soul pop and 70's prog jazz. It should be better than it is. It's interesting, but I don't find it particularly enjoyable to listen to. The album cover, however, is brilliant! As are quite a few of the bands covers. I'd buy the vinyl version just to frame that thing and hang it on my wall.
Justin this is just too random, I was going to ask you to hurry up and finish this album under the comments of today`s video! I`m new to GG so I`m just a few weeks ahead of you, but this album is pure class! This song is actually the worst on the album (in my opinion), but that just go to show how great the album is. The next two songs on the album are my absolute favourites. I`m so looking forward to seing you try to count time signatures in Cogs in Cogs (carefull how you pronuciate that), and comming up woefully short! I will be watching and laughing my ... off :)
Sometimes I feel that GG had some sort of complacency in constructing intricate songs to the detriment of musicality. A decent track, though not outstanding. The best song on any Royalty will always and forever be Sex Pistol's God Save the Queen.
GG, always interesting, but this not one of my faves. There's lots of individual parts, and vocals that are very good. And undeniably GG, but even with the reprise it's a little too fractured for me. A little cut 'n' pasty. I love the guys/band, but some times they can over egg the pudding. Of course, coming after the sublime 'Aspirations', maybe just too tough an act to follow.
the greatest most criminally underated band ever
I love how under every single gentle giant video on youtube 99% of the comments are this haha. It’s so true tho
How true and perfectly said.Agree 100%
@@EgotisticalObserver Except, correctly nuanced, they are underappreciated, never underrated (by any honest and open ears not separated by a parvenu's brain).
@@groovinhooves What is a parvenu's brain?
Gentle Giant opened for Yes during the Yes - Relayer tour. Gentle Giant was well received amongst the Yes fans and we ended up seeing Gentle Giant 3 times. After that I purchased all GG albums as they came out. They were never my favorite, but I enjoyed the complexities and syncopation of the music and they ended up being among my favorite bands of the time. They put on a good performance in concert. Last game I played was Wii Bowling, my wife bought us "bowling shirts" and we get somewhat competitive.
That sounds like a lot of fun!🎳
Cool, but I would say that "good" performance in concert is understating it.
I'm repeating myself here, but for those who are knew to the complexity of Gentle Giant and never heard them before.
Having read all that was out in the day about them and by the other Top prog acts of their day in Melody Maker, Circus, Cream and many other music rags of the day ...
High prase came from the Top bands and player who Loved GG like Steve Hackett, Gabriel, Phil Collins, Bruford & Wetton from Crimson, All of Jethro Tull, Yes mates Jon Anderson, Wakeman, Howe & Squire, Frank Zappa and so many more !! They understood how good their music, writing was and unique they were !! High praise by the Best : )
It is odd but also wonderful how Gentle Giant changed for me over the years. Seven years ago, when I was discovering them song for song, they often sounded goofy to me. Back then I loved them as I do now. They swung and grooved as they do now. But at the time they were always a little silly to me.
Now? These songs are really emotional to me. They grab you with two strong hands, like a good old memory can do. And their lyrics have begun to hold meaning or understanding for me. An absolute favourite for me.
But I digress. The last game I played was finding another pun for Justin. But forcing it would B flat, and it could get me in treble.
The puns, I like it🤭
Cogs and cogs is the sweet spot on this album
My favorite as well.
@@avantprog6902 Pantagruel's Nativity from acquiring the taste is My favorite song
@@melvinwomack3717 Unreal piece of music
Cogs In Cogs will rip your head off. The Face is the sleeper on this album. Deceivingly complex composition.
@@melvinwomack3717 I like that too, also the last cut on Octopus, can't recall the name.
Before I forget; I can recommend the album: Three friends. Also a great album to get to know Gentle Giant.
Stil the same coffee as yesterday 😋
I love this music. Beautiful harmonies, crazy complicated tunes, nice transitions and excellent musicianship.
One of their best albums, both musically and thematically
Some curiosities about this song instrumentation: first of all, the sound that seems like bass, is actually Kerry's doing his thing on Moog. Then, there are two guitars making a counterpoint between themselves: the main one is Gary, and the other is Ray. This can be seen on the live version of 1978.
Now concerning about the first sound of the song: a lot will talk about Shulberry, but in fact this instrument was invented a couple of years latter. They tried to play "Playing the Game" live in 1975, but it was dropped since it wasn't working out. Then, the roadies of the band came up with this instrument, called it "Shulberry", and then "Playing the Game" was played from 1977 to Civilian's tour in 1980. In the studio version, you are hearing notes of xylophone by Kerry and Ray making a smooth struck on the top three strings of the violin with a drum stick: they both are doing this at the same time. That's what really is happening here.
The more I listen to this I am convinced it’s Gary using a Fender XII and Ray is shadowing Kerry with his Fender Precision bass. Live Gary opted to play six string guitar so Ray could have something to do. Derek played this weird Electric Dulcimer thing that only plays that “alarm clock “ sound. I saw them open for Yes also it’s my favorite concert ever.
@@shyshift Actually I think the bass parts are just the first notes. The other ones of the main verses are made on minimoog (this instrumentation and a lot of sheet music from this album are depicted in a dissertation named "EXPOSING CORRUPTION IN PROGRESSIVE ROCK: A SEMIOTIC ANALYSIS OF GENTLE GIANT’S THE POWER AND THE GLORY".
@@augustovasconcellos19 wow how does one get to read that?
@@shyshift Simply click on "download" here and you can read: uknowledge.uky.edu/music_etds/149/
It's a great general insight on The Power and the Glory and how the members of the band really think music and how their creative process flow. You'll notice that, in fact, the genius here is Ray Shulman, not Kerry Minnear (although he was also brilliant in my opinion).
@@augustovasconcellos19 thanks. Ever wonder why John Weathers intentionally looked like the Giant from the debut on but not joining the band for 2 years into the future?
So jazzy, so syncopated. That percussion instrument in the beginning that drives the song is their own invention called the “Schulberry” if I’m not mistaken. Check out the live version of this at Golder’s Green. They talk about it I think.
Is that like a dingleberry?
It's a Shulberry...the band invented that instrument
I remember reading the Rolling Stone review of this album and the reviewer gave it one and a half stars out of 5. I don't recall the whole review, but what stood out was the reviewer stating how disjointed and angular the songs were. And yeah, that's Gentle Giant! This album and maybe In a Glass House are their most jagged sounding records. But hey, that's why fans of the band love them. They don't fit into a mold. They are unique and proud of it. Even their worse albums have a tinge of the GG uniqueness, (except, maybe Giant For a Day). I have to agree this is a great gateway album into Gentle Giant, (that album cover leaped out back in the day and it had rounded corners like a playing card). Keep up with the whole album reviews of their works. You should not be disappointed with Free Hand, In a Glass House, Three Friends, Interview, etc.
Gentle Giant never got the love they deserved.
This song actually got some FM radio airplay back in 1974!
I would live for them to get some airplay in 2021!
I sort of liked this song in some way. So smooth but still full of textures. Like a mix of early Genesis and Steely Dan with a touch of early Yes and a hint of Camel... with the organ played softly like a cautious Ian Lord from Deep Purple. I apparently missed them totally in the 70s as I had no idea of their existence before you brought them to my attention.
Glad youre enjoying them now🙂
I agree, "Playing the game" is a very good starting point. It has all of GG's trademark instrumental moves, but with an accessible melody to carry it.
You know I can’t resist a Gentle Giant reaction.
Just really started to get into GG recently mostly thanks to watching your reaction videos. I started with their first album and moved on to this one and am now working through the others. Being a huge Genesis fan I struggled with GG to begin with but now I can't stop listening to them. Really enjoy the complex time signatures and the multi instruments and the musicianship. Great headphone music.
Octopus is a great album to continue on with your discovery, if you haven’t listened to it already. Acquiring the taste is my favourite off of their output but it really is something to get into
@@meurglysthefourth Actually I forgot about Octopus but I have listened to that a lot too. Dipped into Three Friends and Acquiring The Taste as well as the live album, Playing The Fool. All great listens. Not so sure about the later stuff. Nobody seems to be too enthusiastic about the last three or so.
@@SteveHutton The last three will grow up on you when you take into account the struggle they had at that time which made them take a shift in the old direction. The songs are quite simple, but you will eventually like them. Civilian is a pretty solid album, by the way.
@@SteveHutton I think The Missing Piece is actually one of their best albums, and a far more fun and musically successful attempt at "commercialized prog" than what Genesis or Yes were doing in the late 70's. I think it gets a bad rap mostly because GG fans have a particularly anti-commercial bent.
@@SteveHutton Well in my eyes at least the last three albums are decent for what they are, but nothing special. Side 2 of The Missing Piece is reminiscent of their earlier work and is actually quite fine, but GFAD does nothing for me. Civilian, however, is the best of the bunch imo, you just have to adjust your expectations a bit
They ALWAYS played this live, at least every tour i saw (3). It had this great shock ending, rewritten for the live version, that always totally slayed people. And the Shulberry of course. Great memories! One of my favorite Minnear organ solos at 5:25
I can see that as a drummer, you can dig this thoroughly.
Absolutely!
Well that will do me, great track, great band. Nice one!
Yeah they get even more in this kind of groove in the next Album "Free Hand". Which happens to be my favourite of theirs. After finishing glory you should check that one out next.
This is one of their more straight ahead yet still brilliant songs. Love this one! GG is so great.
Derek Shulman's throaty voice seems to be the main bone of contention for many people with this band, beyond their general musical complexities. While it's not the absolute best, I certainly wouldn't hold it against them.
I think Shulman's voice is fine most of the time, but there are a few songs that really come off worse for it. "River", "Experience", and "The Face" are all recordings where if if I'd been the producer, I would have made them go back for another take, because he hits certain notes where he just sounds unpleasantly shrill. It's unfortunate, because "Experience" and "The Face" in particular are great, great songs but not done justice by the canonical recordings.
I think it's one of the GG's most beautiful riffs.
It's crazy how excited I get when you listen to music that I have history with. Thanks for sticking with this one. I agree with your assessment 100% and it's why I feel lucky that this and Glass House were my first 2 GG albums. I had already heard Yes before so I was ready to go backward into Gentle Giant's somewhat more challenging earlier discography after hearing those 2 records.
I have missed some of your listening sessions lately including this one.G.G.always have filled my musical needs.I was one of the lucky ones to have seen them live in 1973,and I can tell you that Derek Shulman,the main singer of the group and one of the 3 brothers of the band,had a giant and impressive presence on stage that melted perfectly with the rest of the band.His singing abilities live were the same as in studio.Thank you kindly Justin to remind me how old I am :)
this was the 1st GG album i heard way back in the 70s.. still sounds original and amazing..!
Always loved this track and the playing of drummer John Weathers !
As someone mentioned in the comments, there is something about certain harmonies or chord sequence that reminds me of Steely Dan's early days.
Love me some Gentle Giant!!! What a great song.
This tune and So Sincere are my favorite of their songbook. Thanks for checking it out dude
Great song and great review, again! My favorite track off that album. When I was in high school the real litmus test amongst proggers was whether you had Gentle Giant's album, In A Glass House. It was an English import only in the 70s, never released in the US (back then). Only reason I mention it is that there are a couple songs off that album with guitar solos with as much groove and grit as the organ solo off Playing the Game. It would be a great next GG album for you to review.
love you analysis into the words of the song ,have heard it many times but never knew the true meaning. Thanks great job done.
Appreciate that David!🤴
Dope track. Dig that Minimoog bass.
My favorite song of the album. This and proclamation was my introduction to them. Great review as always.
This was always one of my favorite GG songs. I love when the guitar and bass go into the round, and the Hammond in the middle instrumental break is great as well. I think you would also really like the album Three Friends, which is their only concept album (it's about 3 school friends who go in different directions in their lives). It's also one of their more accessible albums.
This is the most “accessible” GG album and my favourite. I’m not mad on the vocalist but then some people don’t like Jon Anderson’s voice ( although Yes is my favourite band).I don’t listen to Rush and Genesis because of their singers.
Gentle Giant produce such complex music but it’s also melodic and it takes great skill and songwriting to achieve that !
I hear you, I can`t listen to Rush for that spesific reason. But I love Dereck`s belting voice. So much power and intensity, it`s just insane. I imagine the earth shakes a bit when he yells atloud.
@@progqueen6219 👍👍
Thank god, you come back to it !
😃
The very start reminds me a little of "Happy Talk" from 1982 by Captain Sensible (bass player in The Damned).
The middle piece is Kerry Minnear's part. He has the soft voice och he is the keyboard player as well.
Great reaction Justin, ...still more to come on this album. Also hoping you will get to listen to the Free Hand eventually, which is an absolute gem of an album and is probably the last of their great progressive records of this period. I love the Power and the Glory , but Free Hand is outstanding.
I wore this record out as a kid. Gentle Giant and Klatuu were my go to bands after the Beatles split up. I was yet to discover Rush, Yes, and Genesis. Now is a good time to request Spock’s Beard Thoughts part 2 from their amazing album V. Probably why I like SB so much is that it reminds my of GG. Same playful syncopated layering with an inherent groove.
Ps, Frisbee golf (poor man’s golf)...and sidecar can tag along. Try that at a country club.
Love this song. Not a ton to say, it's just super smooth, it hits, full of layers. Mhm!
Agree, good starting point this album for beginners.
Love this song. This was the one GG album that I remember owning and this song has a great jazzy groove and Genesis like vocals.
Hey, congrats on 15,000 subs! 👍👍👍
Ty Ola!
@@JustJP This if course means Genesis The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
@@olabergvall3154 definitely! Coming next Saturday
Great reaction, JP. You are right, this album is a great place to start with Gentle Giant. It was the first one I bought, way back when, and it set me up to appreciate some of the even more challenging music from the band. Gentle Giant stands apart from most of the other big prog bands of the era. How so? Well, bands like King Crimson and Yes and Genesis were brilliant, but could get a bit grandiose at times. And I like that. But Gentle Giant took a different approach. They were more subtle and whimsical, a bit more jazzy, less prone to take themselves seriously, while still playing intelligent music with plenty of fine grooves. I suppose they were a bit closer to Zappa than they were to Crimson or Yes.
The best Giant album.... Absolutely great mix, the separation is brilliant.
The perfect album to check out your new high end stereo system.
The fades from left to right are killer.
Steven Wilson’s 5.1 with visuals is absolutely stunning.
Great song!
Interesting tune. Almost a cut and paste construction with another song thrown in the middle. The beginning and ending vocals didn’t sound too bad. That’s a compliment.
Smooth keys... who plays smooth keys... maybe David Sancious on Transformation (Speed of Love).
Although, the next song is a blazer of guitar also played by DS. Pleeeeeze.
Peace and Music
Smooth keys? High compliment! Peace, music and good strokes to you as well.
Love these videos, also May 1st(Lamb) is fast approaching!
On the way!
Love it!...anyone else notice Derek Shulman sounds like Paul Stanley from Kiss??
Cool! I totally forgot about this one. :) And........fooled you with the "fade out" huh? lol
Cat on lap in sunshiney study and i ask myself is this better than Jethro Tull
? Coz both evaded me - or I them - back when bands kidnapped my living.
I find the space within this more palatable than the last JT you played - less convoluted - but as it faded out it reappeared as a
complex fusion choppy choppy jazz sauna hot tub session in the dry dusty study
Cat groomed himself and I thought
Field Music have a new LP this month
There are parallels and influences here so thank you Justin for allowing me to
Study This Game of
Gentle Giant's long lost history.
Giants have been Overlooked. No Really. They Have.
In other news , 1981's Ive Got the Rock n Rolls Again by the Joe Perry Project included Play the Game. A great song from a great LP. Life indeed is Ridiculous in it's Bonkyrsness-ness.
Thank God Knows eh?
Diolch J. Great Sounds!
I am an old Gentle Giant fan and this track is one of those that I think of one of their attempts at a pop tune. Having said that it is one of my favorites by them. I think this album needs to be heard in it’s entirety. At least hear Cogs in Cogs and No Gods a Man... More Giant, please. P.S. I agree that this is a perfect GG gateway intro for newbies.
Last game I played? World of Warcraft with guys I have been gaming online with for almost 20 years (one of who I have been RPG/board gaming with, on and off, for close to 40 years). Edited to add that it was actually No Man's Sky that I was playing last. Just restarted after not playing for a year or so.
I really liked this song. I haven't bought the album yet but it is just a matter of time and effort (mostly the latter).
"Down at the bus station
Shark grins and sandpaper conversation
Men's faces women's bodies on the magazine stand
And a headline about Sarajevo and Tehran"
Last video game i played was Mario Land on the Gameboy, old school 👾
Love this whole album, can't get enough of it. Ain't nothing beating Gentle Giant in their prime
This is my favourite song of the album. But there are many songs in In a Glass House that are even better.
I had not heard this one before, but it took 18 seconds to recognize it as Gentle Giants. I went back and checked! Albums were expensive in those days so you couldn't buy them all. I decided to buy Octopus, but it was out of stock so I got Three friends. (If you plan to do that one: its a concept album!). I think we can agree: this (Playing the game), was good, but not their best?
Great song, and agreed it's one their most accessible. You have to check out the Golders Green video for a look at Derek's Schulberry guitar.
After hearing this the first time back in the 1970s I ran out and purchased all their early releases--IMMEDIATELY. The Shulmans I guess came from one of these families where the parents said "you will learn to play an instrument," rather than "do you think maybe you possibly wouldn't mind if we asked you to...etc." which few if any kids respond to the way you'd like. Much less ALL of them. Probably not a Joe Jackson and HIS kids situation, but probably the boys were told they'd be learning, rather than asked whether it would be okay with them. Just my guess.
That said, I find neither the singing nor the songs themselves precious the way so much Genesis is for me. If Genesis spent less time exploring the tenderer side of Peter Hammill's feelings and more time, well, rocking out (or at least adjusted the balance between the two), I'd like them as much as I like Yes or G. Giant. When they kill it, they kill it, only I wish they'd kill it more of the time the way the others I mentioned did.
Hey JP, you probably got requests for this before --- Roy Harper's "The Game (Parts 1-5)" (1975). A really good way to let the mind wander.
Yup, its deep on the list 😃
Last game I played was The Sorcerers Cave a RP card and dice game in which you build the Cave as you go. I picked it up at a Yard sale and never got round to playing it until my daughter suddenly got into RP and D&D. Apparently it now sells for £125 on eBay!! Back to music- GG produce another Stellar track with interweaving melodic strands. Bit of a Canterbury sound to this before it goes all Kansas!
It’s odd - I’ve always felt this was a tricky album for people new to GG to get into. I’d choose Octopus, Three Friends, In a Glass House or Free Hand.
Sounds like a pretty cool game!
This makes me want to listen to Cats and Rats (in this neighbourhood) from Mike Rutherfords first solo album Smallcreeps Day. (An excellent album to explore, JP).
The stringed instrument strummed throughout most of the song is a homemade three string one of a kind thing called a shulberry. It was lost long ago and never replicated
Thats really interesting, never even heard of it. Ty!
@@esdel1955 🤯
@@JustJP On the studio version it's not the Shulberry: it's a mix of a vibraphone note (played by Kerry) and Ray gently strucking the last three notes of his violin with a drum stick. Shulberry was invented in late 1976, so "Playing the Game" could be played live since early 1977.
Very happy to see you like what I think is the best track on this awesome album, with all due respect I think you should listen to Acquiring The Taste after you're done with this album
He’s already done a full album review of Octopus. About a year ago?
@@sidecardog5244 ah well, acquiring the taste it is then. Thanks btw for the insight, might as well watch them
Gotta check out Nectar- Remember the Future, I guarantee you will absolutely love this!
First CD by them I bought. Still my favorite
First GG I purchased it was an 8 track. But the first song I heard was The Advent Of Panurge from Octopus at a friend’s house in Sacramento. He had the American cover lp with the Octopus inside a mason jar. I tried to buy that but this was being released and I went with the newest. Top 5 band.
Like this GG song, yes I do...
I don't remember how or when I first heard Gentle Giant, but remember liking them some. Picked up one album (The Missing Piece) and liked a few songs off if it, but never got into much else of theirs. "For Nobody" might be a good song to react to :-)
The song that features the "Shulberry".
I agree, The Power & the Glory (and In A Glass House, from the year before) are the perfect gateway albums. Derek Shulmann's voice is an acquired taste, for sure.
The last game I played was with the fragile lives of my minions. Fun.
Languid leviathans do not play games! But timid titans play games with thrones. Peace.
Yezda Urfa soon, please. The Gentle Giant meets Yes band that sadly got lost in the sands of time. Last game I played: golf, this morning, in Orlando.
Love this song. I think it's a perfect song to introduce people to Gentle Giant. On live versions the Hammond B3 solo was replaced with a Gary Green guitar solo. I'm not sure the album is the best one for people new to Gentle Giant. "Three Friends" or "Free Hand" would be better.
I see the cow from Atom Heart Mother has stuck around...:)
The cow predated AHM by a long while. It may have been on the first reaction Justin posted as JustJP (though I wouldn't swear to it).
I'm gonna spend more money and get the T-shirt with this album cover. Thanks, I'm sure my wife won't appreciate it! Lol...
Lol!
Please, please, please do a full album listen to Gentle Giants conceptual album Three Friends. Released in 1973, I heard it first in 1977 when I saw it in my friends older brother's record collection and asked him to play it. Up to that point the only progressive rock that I'd heard and liked was Rick Wakeman's Journey To The Center of the Earth (which by the way you should also listen to). I was sixteen and I could almost hear my mind going "pop!". An outstanding album with interesting time signature changes and vocal parts between the three brothers.
0:15 I laughed so hard because I do myself exact same reflexion, and litteraly just after you did it
😅
@@JustJP It's funny. By the way this music is the best of this album
In A Glass House - The Runaway
Three Friends is my favorite album of theirs, although Free Hand has some of their best songs by far
My favorite too, Three Friends is a bit underrated imo
@@Alix777. Three Friends has one of the best endings considering all rock albums from the 70's.
If you react to GG then I'm with you and the channel...Great stuff.
The music is like a mix between commercial 80's soul pop and 70's prog jazz. It should be better than it is. It's interesting, but I don't find it particularly enjoyable to listen to.
The album cover, however, is brilliant! As are quite a few of the bands covers. I'd buy the vinyl version just to frame that thing and hang it on my wall.
Would definitely look great on vinyl!
OH YEAH!!
MARIO 3D WORLD GANG!!
I would really love to see you react to Bolero by Maurice Ravel. :)
didn't expect to lose the game here. very upset Justin
Would you say I caused some distress?😉
Gee, thanks, JP. I just lost the game... 😩
😉🤣
:D :D :D
The singer sounds like Chris Squire?
Don’t hear it.
Justin this is just too random, I was going to ask you to hurry up and finish this album under the comments of today`s video!
I`m new to GG so I`m just a few weeks ahead of you, but this album is pure class! This song is actually the worst on the album (in my opinion), but that just go to show how great the album is. The next two songs on the album are my absolute favourites. I`m so looking forward to seing you try to count time signatures in Cogs in Cogs (carefull how you pronuciate that), and comming up woefully short! I will be watching and laughing my ... off :)
Hahaha ty Queen! I'm definitely looking forward to Counting out the Time!
A song about hubris. Somehow, we can bet he will lose at some point
I bet you are pretty aware that things won't go the way he wants it; after the rise comes the fall.
So it seems!
This song was inspired by Richard Nixon. 😉
god of war
Sometimes I feel that GG had some sort of complacency in constructing intricate songs to the detriment of musicality. A decent track, though not outstanding. The best song on any Royalty will always and forever be Sex Pistol's God Save the Queen.
GG, always interesting, but this not one of my faves. There's lots of individual parts, and vocals that are very good. And undeniably GG, but even with the reprise it's a little too fractured for me. A little cut 'n' pasty. I love the guys/band, but some times they can over egg the pudding. Of course, coming after the sublime 'Aspirations', maybe just too tough an act to follow.