Gentle Giant was born out of the ruins of Simon Dupree & the Big Sound, an
R&B-based outfit led by brothers Derek, Ray, and Phil Shulman. After switching to
psychedelia in 1967 and scoring their only major hit that year with "Kites," as
Gentle Giant the group abandoned both the R&B and psychedelic orientations of the
previous band; Derek sang and played guitar and bass, Ray played sang and played bass and
violin, and Phil handled the saxophone, augmented by Kerry Minnear on keyboards, and Gary
Green on guitar. Their original lineup also featured Martin Smith on drums, but they went
through several percussionists in the first three years of their existence.
In 1970, Gentle Giant signed to the Vertigo label, and their self-titled first album
— a shockingly daring work mixing hard rock and full electric playing with classical
elements — came out later that year. Their second effort, 1971's Acquiring The Taste,
was slightly more accessible and their third, Three Friends, featuring Malcolm Mortimore
on drums, was their first record to get released in the U.S. (on Columbia). Their fourth
album, 1973's Octopus, looked poised for a breakthrough; it seemed as though they had
found the mix of hard rock and classical sounds that the critics and the public could
accept, and they finally had a permanent drummer in the person of John Weathers, an
ex-member of the Graham Bond Organisation. - All Music Guide
Alucard Records was created and is run by Gentle Giant keyboardist Kerry Minnear to
release important archival material by the band. DRT Entertainment is run by Gentle
Giant's lead vocalist Derek Shulman.
Gentle Giant/King Alfred's College 1971 ....import CD $18.99
This new release on the Alucard label is the earliest ever live recording of Gentle Giant, made in 1971 at King Alfred's College, Winchester and features Martin Smith on drums. Some of the tracks never featured on studio recordings making this unique CD a vital part of any Gentle Giant collection. As Phil Shulman comments in the liner notes: ".....For us, this CD provides a real memory jolt - reminding us of songs that we haven't thought about for a long time and brings nostalgia for the early hopes and dreams of a new band, Gentle Giant." Initial pressing comes in a slipcase. Tracks include: Giant, Hometown Special, City Hermit, Funny Ways, Plain Truth, Alucard, Isn't It Quiet and Cold, Why Not, The Queen and Peel Off the Paint.
Damon Shulman/Vultures and Sheep ....import CD $18.99
(excerpt from 'Vultures and Sheep')
Vultures & Sheep is the third solo release from Damon Shulman. All songs are written and played by Damon with cameo performances from sons Elliot, Rowan and Joel. There are 8 songs on the album each having its own theme, though ostensibly linked by the author's transitory concerns regarding adult life today. Post production and mastering by Ray Shulman with contributions from many other members of the Shulman clan.
Damon Shulman/A Brief Moment Of Panic ....import CD $15.99
(excerpt from 'Telead')
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Damon Shulman is part of a long musical tradition. His father and uncles were the founding members of Gentle Giant. His latest release is entitled 'A Brief Moment of Panic' and is written, performed and produced solely by Damon at his own studio. The album is an eclectic mixture of music and sound. Damon is not afraid to pay homage to prog, punk, jazz and to classical; but for all of that there is a huge originality in his sounds, his tempi, his arrangements and his divergences. What makes Damon's music even more engaging and interesting are his heart-felt lyrics. Listen!
Gentle Giant/GG at the GG ....import DVD-NTSC + CD $25.99
(excerpt from 'On Reflection')
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The famous BBC Sight & Sound concert, from the Missing Piece tour (60 min). Golders Green Hippodrome, London - January 5th 1978 - includes Two Weeks In Spain, Freehand, On Reflection, I'm Turning Around, Just The Same, Playing The Game, Memories Of Old Days, Betcha Thought We Couldn't Do It, JP Weathers presents, Funny Ways, For Nobody, Mountain Time. Plus a commentary track by Gary, John, Derek, Kerry & Ray. Extras include various music videos shot in 1976 & 1978; Octopus Medley from a 1974 Old Grey Whistle Test; 2 Galleries from Gary's collection set to music; and for the menu NEW MUSIC from Kerry using John's drumming lifted from the bands multitracks thanks to Dan Bornemark. Plus a bonus CD featuring the Concert plus Whistle Test Tracks.
Gentle Giant/Giant on the Box ....DVD + CD $27.99
(excerpt from 'Funny Ways')
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Previously available as an expensive import, Derek Shulman's DRT Entertainment is now giving this DVD/CD a proper domestic release. In 1974 Christopher Nupen, the celebrated classical music director, invited the band to record this concert in a Brussels film studio to be broadcast as a Sunday Concert on German television station ZDF. In addition to this 50 minute concert, the DVD also includes a 30 minute concert taped while touring the US in 1975. Gentle Giant recorded this TV special at the Terrace Theatre, Long Beach, California. The US release includes all the content from the European release and adds on top of that the VH1 Classics special feature on Gentle Giant's 35th Anniversary Series and some extra tracks on the accompanying soundtrack CD.
Gentle Giant/Interview (35th Anniversary Edition) ....CD $12.99
(excerpt from 'Another Show')
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Interview is universally considered to be a must-have recording for all Gentle Giant Fans. Recorded at a frenetic pace, the band had the impossible task of topping their classic, Free Hand. While they didn't surpass the success of previous efforts, they did continue to propel their unique brand of complex music into surprising new directions. Interview is actually a concept album centering on a fictitious interview based upon the music business. There are the typical complex harmonies and intricate musical passages, but the real progress is in the group's expanded sound, thanks in large part to Kerry Minnear's stellar keyboard innovations. The songs are as memorable as those on Free Hand, with the reggae-styled "Give It Back" being a standout. This remastered version will no doubt excite the GG community, particularly with the addition of the previously unreleased live track "still tba.". Remastering overseen by Derek Shulman and released on his DRT Entertainment label.
| Gentle Giant/Giant for a Day (35th Anniversary Edition) ....CD $12.99 | Gentle Giant/The Missing Piece (35th Annivesary Edition) ....CD $12.99 | |
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| (excerpt from 'It's Only Goodbye') Download Stream |
(excerpt from 'Memories of Old Days') Download Stream |
(excerpt from 'Funny Ways') Download Stream |
Having sold in excess of 3 million units in North America throughout their career, Gentle Giant were without question one of the premier bands to emerge from the progressive rock era. With a unique sound that melded hard rock and classical music, Gentle Giant was one of the few bands of the era to experience both critical acclaim and major commercial success. To commemorate the 35th Anniversary of Gentle Giant's debut release, DRT Entertainment is releasing special editions of select Gentle Giant albums. These 35th Anniversary Editions are digitally remastered with new packaging elements and previously unreleased BONUS live tracks.
Gentle Giant/The Power and the Glory (35th Anniversary
Edition) ....CD $12.99no longer available, sorry
(excerpt from 'Proclamation')
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Released soon after the end of the Nixon/Watergate scandal, The Power & The Glory tells a very political tale of rise to power, ideals, confidence, manipulation, compromise, betrayal and abuse. Political implications aside, the music is perfectly performed (with just the right amount of dirty edge), cleanly recorded and, as stated before, contains a musical freshness and energy that still holds up today. The song "Playing The Game" actually garnered some serious airplay upon the original release, including KMET in Los Angeles. The Power & The Glory will satisfy listeners starved for something classic yet new on multiple levels. Remastering overseen by Derek Shulman and released on his DRT Entertainment label.
Gentle Giant/In a Glass House (35th Anniversary Edition)
....CD $13.99no longer available, sorry
(excerpt from 'An Inmates Lullaby')
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Precisely why In a Glass House, recorded in 1973, was never released in the U.S. is one of those great mysteries of the pop music business. Easily one of the group's most pleasing records — they rock out in various places and elsewhere perform all kinds of little experiments with percussion instruments ("An Inmate's Lullaby"), or create a strange, otherworldly sort of modern medievalstyle music ("Way of Life"). A complex and dynamic listen, In a Glass House yields truly amazing GG songs that make the album a must-have for all fans. This remastered edition also includes a previously unreleased live performance of "Experience."
Gentle Giant/Free Hand (35th Anniversary Edition)
....CD $12.99no longer available, sorry
(excerpt from 'Just the Same')
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Free Hand is perhaps Gentle Giant's most realized effort. After the excellent In a Glass House, the group further developed their renaissance-medieval approach, producing one of the most creative and complex recordings in progressive rock history. Their vocal approach to the four-part fugue "On Reflection" was revolutionary for its time and is looked upon as one of the genre's defining moments. Despite the complexity of the arrangements, the music never sounds academic and in fact is very accessible thanks to several melodic hooks. The combination of superb musicianship, dry wit, and creative compositions make this an essential and historical recording. The original release sold over 250,000 units in North America. This remastered edition also includes a previously unreleased live performance of "Just the Same."
Gentle Giant/Scraping The Barrel ....4CD set $49.99
The 4-CD sequel to "Under Construction" is finally available! This incredible set contains 12 hours of material!
Three new compositions that reunite four members of the band!
Solo material by Kerry Minnear, Gary Green, Ray Shulman and John P. Weathers, and a
previously unreleased single from Simon Dupree and the Big Sound!
Special mixes, demos, edits and outtakes!
One data disc entirely dedicated to audio files and visuals!
Rare MPEG films starring the hilarious Mr. John P. Weathers and the gentle Mr. Minnear!
Over 200 mp3 files covering 8 hours rehearsals, concerts, demos, and more!
Sample archive with 100 original Gentle Giant studio sounds!
PDF versions of tour booklets, promo material, Kerry's original manuscripts, stickers and
bonus stories!
Original artwork by original Giant artist George Underwood!
32 page booklet!
Over 200 photos!
Gentle Giant/In a Glass House ....import CD $15.99
A concept album, supposedly about how people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. But this short explanation does not do justice to the album, which is a complex tour-de-force. An essay about the album, written by Michael Heatley, is found in the CD liner notes. The album was never released in the USA, but was in great demand as an import. After many years out of print, In A Glass House is finally available on CD again. The members of Gentle Giant have remastered and released the album independently, through Kerry Minnear's company Alucard Publishing. The album includes two live bonus tracks: "The Runaway/Experience" from the Playing The Fool tour (but not the same version as on the album) and "In A Glass House" from Muenster 1974.
Gentle Giant/Under Construction ....import double CD $24.99
Under Construction is the long-awaited new album by Gentle Giant: a 2-CD archive of unreleased tracks from Gentle Giant's original master tapes. In a bold move, the band has released Under Construction independently and is selling it as a limited edition. The music on Under Construction spans Gentle Giant's entire career, beginning before their debut album and ending with material written during the Civilian era. It includes:
Never-before-heard tracks such as "Freedom's Child," "Hometown Special," "Weekend Cowboy," "Bringing Me Down," and more!
Demo versions of familiar Gentle Giant songs, as originally presented to the band for rehearsal.
Unreleased live tracks.
Prerecorded music played by Gentle Giant before their concerts.
Live, in-the-studio recording sessions, so you can hear how the Boys In The Band worked together.
A diverse library of sound effects from Gentle Giant records, ready for use in your own recordings, royalty-free.
Plus a 28-page booklet full of photos, essays by band members, and original artwork! All this on two CDs packed with nearly 150 minutes of music. Under Construction is sure to please all loyal fans of Gentle Giant.
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