Interview: Mike Keneally & Gary Green, Kerry Minnear, Malcolm Mortimore (of Gentle Giant)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ต.ค. 2017
- It is an honor and a privilege to present this group conversation between Mike Keneally and three members of Gentle Giant: Gary Green (guitar), Kerry Minnear (keyboard), and Malcolm Mortimore (drums). It was Mike's first time meeting Kerry and Malcolm. In this diverse interview, they discuss songwriting, deadlines, the power of hats, investing in music, live performance, and more.
Thanks to Morgan Miller (@morgazmo on Instagram) for his camera help.
Full interview transcript available at makeweirdmusic.com/interview/k...
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Gentle Giant should be in the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame for brilliant writing. Nobody touches them..Even Zappa loved these guys.
The hall of fame wouldn’t do them justice. GG made art in the form of music.
Yea..The Hall of Shame doesn't fit for GG. They should be in another Hall. Albert Hall...:)))))))))
long life to Gentle Giant. Real genius in music. They do deserve more recogntion.
Agreed
Kerry Minnear is a musical genius.
+jdmresearch yep!
I completely agree!
pretty much
His music is extraordinary. I consider myself (and so do others) a decent keyboard player. But his compositions blow me away with their imagination and complexity. His polyrhythms are stunning. And what’s equally stunning is that the rest of the band understand and follow them. It must be unique for five such talented musicians to be in the same band. If only they would reform for one more concert...
@Cathode Roy They stopped touring in 1980.
Listening to these musical wizards makes my heart feel so good.
+Ryan Good that’s exactly the intended effect!! Thanks for watching.
I saw Gentle Giant at the Roxy, leaning on the stage
Literally blown away, while the amazing Gary Green was playing these amazing lines in various time signatures, while bouncing on one foot like a court jester. Bravo!!!
Lucky you!
Mike and Kerry both go through the same agonies about their compositions as the rest of us. Most encouraging.
Yes. The best thing I’ve discovered running this channel is seeing just how human these artists are.
Look at the way Kerry moves his fingers during the interview! Suppressed genius.
I was surprised to hear Kerry say he felt he was less valid because he hasn't been actively writing. He's was a monster and I believe he still is
Love you Kerry, thanks for all the music and all the inspiration for this keyboardplayer, i would not be the same without Gentle Giant, and your music got me through hard times. Many blessings from Norway.
It doesn’t get much better than this.
+Spuzzwick thanks Nick. 💖
Three friends was the first album I ever bought being a youngster. It was kind of driving my sister and mother mad when I payed it, me telling them how superb this music was, they telling me that a child could do at least as good. Well, I guess that's the reason I went later to the conservatory and they didn't haha! LOL! :-)
Hah. That didn’t go where I expected. My wife doesn’t like their music for different reasons.
What a mind blowing delight to be the fly on the wall to that discussion. I was transported back to my very first listening to Gentle Giant (very first album). I got hipped to Giant as they were producing each album real time. The jump from GG to Acquiring the Taste was astounding. Then Three Friends was just as creative but very much in keeping with the advancing development and high standards that was already becoming their brand. When I put Octopus on the turntable, I thought to myself, they've arrived at a point where the collective finally found how to record and capture the band in the studio. The compositions and performance were once again so original and without repetition of that which had come before! John Weathers rock solid unapologetic drumming locked everything down which is to say, gave everyone in the band as much freedom to explore the outer regions of incredibility while remaining accessible to their more sophisticated fans. There hasn't been invented yet, the adjectives to convey how masterful and wonderful GG music is to those of us who hold their music dear. To hear them talk on the subject of inspiration, composition, touring etc., brings me such joy. Thanks to all who made this happen.
So glad you enjoyed the video and come to it with good intentions and spirit. Thank you for the comment.
Most writers are limited to how well their band mates can perform. Never a problem with GG!
We are so privileged to witness these people's existence! Deepest respect.
Totally agree. It’s a great time to be alive.
Good to see Gary up and about! For the last few years I'd heard nothing but that he had heart problems or something. He looks in good health too.
He’s in much better health now. I just saw him this week. He’s back to his old self.
Any chance 'Three Friends' will continue? Better still, has Kerry gotten over that thing where he felt he shouldn't be playing Giant's music, or whatever it was? That was kind of silly. To have at least three original members of Gentle Giant together would be wonderful! Still, even without Kerry, the version of 'Three Friends' that is heard here is wonderful!: th-cam.com/video/pRxDv2Jx_90/w-d-xo.html AMAZING!!
Gentle Giant’s music is incredible and unique. Thanks for posting.
Well, I think this interview is more a reflection of who they are as opposed to who we may want them to be. I learned a lot about these guys after developing relationships with them. It’s easy to listen to their music for decades and develop an idea of what they should be, only to find out they’re not that way at all. Sorry you were disappointed, but I’m glad to have captured it and released it.
I’m glad you captured and released it also. Any exposure touches on their brilliance. Gentle Giant’s music imho is timeless. It’s as fresh and unique today as it was when released 40+ years ago (wow time flies). I guess it is difficult for me to accept their overly humble demeanor.. Thank you again for posting.
Thank you SO much for this interview! It really made my day (or night rather)!
+House of The Red Thunder you’re so welcome!! I’m so glad to have had the privilege of releasing it for you and others.
Kerry Minnear , one of the greatest, and I might say under rated prog keyboardist of all times.
Agreed
I guess he should have worn a cape. Sorry -- Rick Wakeman love pisses me off when Giants like Mr Minnear remain unknown. He's my hero
Wow, what a find here on TH-cam. I've just finished loving "Three Friends" and really admire all these musicians.
There’s more on our channel! Take some time and explore.
When I have writer's block... which is 99% of the time... I resort to arranging other people's compositions, or reharmonizing other songs...
Or just create myself a musical puzzle, or musical game, and start there.
Kerry minnear is one of the best musicians of the XX century. I so wish he would still be making music.
or giving music clinics...
man, if this legend lived in Argentina I would take music classes with him almost everyday
I think Kerry would relate to this hah. Thanks, Dam
GG is like the Stravinsky of Prog Rock
Yes!
Fondly remember the day a friend gave me a cassette of "Octopus" which was taped wrongly, starting with "The Boys in the Band" as the first track, BANG ! Floored in a nanosecond, and then going out and buy "Free Hand", I still get big loads of serotonin to this day....
The day will come when the world recognize GG as the most important band ever created. :-)
ShareTheSphere I don’t know if “most important” can really go to any other band than the Beatles. Not discrediting Gentle Giant though, they are incredible musicians who made at least half a dozen superb Prog rock albums.
@@locustboy8448 Depends on what we see as important. I see it in terms of how free your mind can be as a composer. How undbound to commercial demands performing can be.
ShareTheSphere Ah yes, in terms of pure art and experimentation GG are definitely up their with Zappa and The Residents.
There were "prog" bands and then, miles above, Gentle Giant.
Yep
Gaint was one of the giants of Prog for sure, but I’d put Foxtrot by Genesis up against Octopus. Definitely one of the greats though.
I think it is a bit of an unfair statement. The reason is that music has to come to your heart, and that is different for everybody. Some prefer Yes, others Genesis, other GG, etc. To have all of them to listen to is the biggest achievement of prog to me.
At 66 yrs of age, I have to agree with Rondo. As much as I absolutely have loved GG since I saw them in the early 70s, I still love other proggers like YES, Greenslade, early Genesis (with Gabriel)
to name but a few and these bands cannot and must not be compared to GG because they have their own 'special' sound and legitimately bring that to the 'prog' table!
This makes me so happy, that I’m watching it all over again. And again. Thanks, Anthony!
I know, right?! So fun.
I can't imagine my life without bands like Hatfield and the North and Gentle Giant.
Two similar bands in my opinion for the fact that, using Gary's words, the interplay between the instruments is not focused on a particular player's soloing skill.......both bands offered organic music with little space for soloing. A group ensemble effort yes....they were real bands, made of real composers and musicians.
Totally agree.
I support your statement. Please do not let Happy the Man slip into oblivion either, they are also members of this restrictive league.
Lisa Miao there was some soloing in GG music, the vibes solo on funny ways springs to mind right away.
Thank you for Publishing this :-)
Thanks so much for appreciating it. Lots of other MK and GG content on the channel. Enjoy and please share.
Thanks for sharing this! Like Mike, I'm bowled over by this music, even now. I can't believe I got to be at GORGG this year! Have a great day.
+WickedWonder1979 sweet! Glad you enjoyed and attended. Did we meet?
I’m starting to get the impression that Kerry is a serious introvert. I could be wrong, but I think it’s likely that he didn’t sing lead vocals live more out of personal preference and comfort than having the ability “to sustain” his voice live. As an introvert myself, I respect that he is his own person and not craving to be the center of attention, and in this world the most interesting people follow their own path rather than follow everyone else. Kerry really did compose the path forward!
He is definitely an introvert. Wonderful man and a dear friend.
This is amazing.
Mike credits GG with a lot of his guitartistry learning. This warms my cockles.
Feel so blessed to have been a part of this In'terview!
Glad I brought my camera!
-morgazmo
Thanks for your help, Morgan!
Great insight here! Love this interview!
+Mind Upside excellent! Glad you enjoyed. Please share!
Gentle Giant = THE most original, colorful, diverse, and hilariously sophisticated bands to ever exist.
I am pretty sure I agree.
I was at that Miami show! They were indeed sickand it was indeed an amazing show!
Mike kennealy blew my mind when I heard about his music at times I was like eh sometimes he will make awkward circus music random but then I gave it more of a chance to listen man hes so unique so many fun chords, different elements he adds and oh he can sing really well my hip hop friends will ask me who's that playing hehe maybe hes not famous but at least he knows that we love his music and support him in a way
This band does not get enough praise and their all still with us , if you could talk Derek out of retirement i bet they would play what a treat that would be.
the sequence beginning at around 43:40 is great with Keneally's "i'm 87.3º done..." (by chance relatively close to 87.3º of the way through the tape!). his insistence - not atall defensive - that "i think you have to stand behind these statements & simultaneously see the absurdity in them" is key to a relatively stable coëxistence with whatever reality has to throw at you & a means even moreso to seeing one's way beyond the odds that get heaped in the way all the time to actually being able to DO things, whatever those things may be; a detail (or percentage thereof) at a time.
thanks for the opportunity of getting to voyeurize this discussion!
So glad we were able to make it happen. Thanks for enjoying!
Malcom’s drumming on three friends is essential. Truly influential on me
Gary Green is such a funny guy , all members of Gentle Giant seem like the most "casual" and nice musicians ever (I guess that having a rather short professional career could be the case)
Gary is so charismatic! They're all great. Malcolm is wonderful, too.
Thanks immensely for filming/posting. Wished I was there!
You’re very welcome. Thanks for appreciating it. Please share and get the word out. Lots of other MK/GG content on the channel/site.
Make Weird Music Cheers, will do. Hope to visit Manchester ReUnited this summer! Be great to meet MK! I played with DevTownsend in the early years whom MK may know? :)
Yes Mike and Devin are making music together. I don’t think it’s been released yet. I’d love to interview Devin, but I don’t think he’d do it. Anyway, maybe I’ll see you in Manchester!
Make Weird Music sounds good! Ya never know about interviews?
I listen to "Three Friends " constantly. It's so innovative I listen to "Octopus " , "Power And The Glory"; "Freehand "', "Interview ", and "Missing Piece" as well.
They are my favorite band ever, that's for sure. Thanks for watching, James!
The music of Gentle Giant is one of my best friends.
Me too. I never get sick of it.
I could sit in a corner of the room, well far away from them, and just listen to them for hours.
Me too. This conversation was over too fast
Gary talks of how the audience is smart and appreciative.
People cry over beautiful music because they understood it but will never be able to do it.
Gary is very wise. Thanks for watching, Rob
some incredible music these guys made.
Absolutely.
good to meet you!
Kerry's arpeggios are so fast and smooth. He is the greatest ! Gary plays intricate riffs eight measures at least. He is one of the greatest as well.
He really is the best. I love the guy
I wish I knew what each individual member of GG had most input on individual tunes.
There’s already a lot of documentation of that. I also interviewed Kerry on the site a while back. It’s text-only.
Need more
I know. It was hard enough getting everyone to sit in the same room at the same time. haha
Absolute GIANTS !!!
Yep! Too few know.
❤️
Thanks for watching!
They need some popular movie/biopic to be made about them. It would definitely help them become more popular as a band
That's not a bad idea..........
@ 2:21 the Bob Dylan cover he's referring to-Bob's tipping his hat to George Harrison for giving him the Gibson he's holding. Pretty cool!
Everything mike says is a hat tip
Kerry Minear is the "Gentle Giant" himself ! There are a Audio Interview with him alone, very very intresting, but i dosent found it on the web annymore...?! Anybody that have a link? Plesse help....!!
I’ve been looking for that myself! I have a text interview with him on my site.
Is this it?
th-cam.com/video/0QVRlXt0b5E/w-d-xo.html
What year is this interview from? I love them so much.
Date and time are listed right at the beginning. I think it was October 2016
How did Steve Wilson get the rights to make the remixes? And i would love to hear a GG album produced by MK. Or even a live tour with MK & SW playing GG.
SW offered to do it, as he’s done with JTull, Yes, and others. There won’t be any new GG material, but I’m working on some fun ideas in a similar vein.
Make Weird Music I think Steven Wilson did an excellent job on the remixes, I especially love what he did with the Tull catalogue and box sets, the one I most enjoy was Too old to rock n roll, love the power and the glory of the GG ones he remixed.
Ray Shulman said that Steven told him that he was a huge Giant fan when they were working together on the Grace For Drowning blu-ray. Steven said he had wanted to mix these albums for a number of years. Ray said he spoke to Kerry and Derek and they all graciously agreed to let Steven do as he pleased.
In the interview, Ray went as far as to say that he asked Steven to ignore the original mix and just do it as he heard it, but of course Steve would never do that cuz he respects the original work so much.
I'll look for the interview and post it here :)
What other bands utilize the "In The Round" concept musically? I can't think of any other band than Gentle Giant.
Lots of examples of it, but probably only artists that are inspired by GG haha
I would like that Kerry participate more...
It was quite the effort to get him in front of the camera! :) I’m grateful we got him into the conversation.
Sun Ra wore some great hats.
That he did!
The Power and The Glory
Listen to it before you vote.
And watch the Prisoner episode "Free For All"
Thank you Gays for your gorgeous music that you created in the 70s
When was this recorded?
October 4, 2017, if I interprete interview and relating website well: www.gorgg.org/
Correct!
There´s always an ugly bump in the creative process. It happens when fantasy meets the reality of something that needs a lot of work before it becomes as good as what you first imagined. You have to power through that bump with irrational faith.
Mike is just gushing about Gentle Giant here. He gushes MORE about GG after receiving praise from them, which would be almost too much for any musician.
A whole lotta gushing going on!! :)
Mike is a hufe fan of GG
I’m sure this Mike is a fine guy but I came here to listen the Giants talk about THEIR music...
Hah. You should do some research. :) mike is great and Gary is the only talker of the bunch.
@@MakeWeirdMusic Probably true...but I heard more from Kerry here than perhaps all the other interviews I have seen put together. He did some great bits for the On the Box dvd...had no idea he had such profound writer's block.
steven wilson was absent mixing someones album thats what hes good at who needs musicians
i agree with you, he has a gift for mixing, but please don't be unfair, I've seen him live twice and each time it was amazing.