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/Three Friends ....CD $17.99
Gentle Giant/Octopus ....CD $17.99
In 1970, the brothers Derek, Ray and Phil Shulman founded Gentle Giant. Derek was the lead vocalist and played alto sax and bass, Ray sang and played bass & violin, and Phil handled the saxophone and added vocals. Kerry Minnear, on keyboards, came straight from the Royal Academy of Music. Gary Green became the guitarist despite his blues based background. The original lineup had Martin Smith on drums. Malcolm Mortimore replaced him in late 1971 and was drummer for the featured "Three Friends" album. John Weathers joined the band in1972 and is drummer for the featured "Octpus" album. GG's utilization of complex classical chord and time patterns, together with hard rock, blues, jazz and even medieval melodies and themes, set them apart from other "progressive" groups of their time or since. The band toured Europe and North America extensively. Their live shows were always spectacular in both musical precision and presentation. The band's ability to change instruments seamlessly during a composition was awe inspiring to their legion of fans. These two comprehensive releases will be an important addendum to cement Gentle Giant's influential place in the history of progressive rock. Three Friends and Octopus have been re-mastered from the original 1/4 inch tapes and presented in a special digipack format. They are both presented with the original artwork, including the famous Roger Dean illustration of "Octopus" from the UK. A special booklet is included in the package with quotes from band members who reflect on their memories and photos from their personal archives. Also included as bonus material are rare live recordings from both albums as well as 'snippets' of behind the scenes recording out-takes. Fans of the band in the USA and Canada will be able to hear the CDs as they remember them in their original vinyl format.
Gentle Giant/Freehand (180 Gram Vinyl) ....LP $27.99
Gentle Giant/In a Glass House (180 Gram Vinyl) ....LP $27.99
Gentle Giant/The Power and the Glory (180 Gram Vinyl) ....LP $27.99
Gentle Giant/The Power and the Glory (180 Gram Vinyl) ....import LP +
7" single $32.99
Direct Metal Mastered 180 Gram Vinyl! For the very first time in over thirty five years the most popular and successful Gentle Giant albums 'Freehand,' 'In A Glass House' and 'The Power And The Glory' will be available on high quality 180g Vinyl in their original format. These LPs have been DIRECT METAL MASTERED from the original 1/4" tapes and dutifully re-create the LPs that were originally released in the 1970s. The result is a superior product that will undoubtedly be a 'must have' for dedicated Gentle Giant fans everywhere. The import edition of Power & the Glory includes a bonus 7 inch vinyl single with 'The Power And The Glory' b/w 'Proclamation-Live 1977.' Now for a limited time, anyone ordering any of the Gentle Giant LPs will also receive a collectable Gentle Giant 'I Love Vinyl' button. Offer only good while supplies last! Be sure to ask for it!
Gentle Giant/In a Glass House ....CD $11.99 |
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Gentle Giant/Power & the Glory ....CD $11.99 |
Gentle Giant/Free Hand ....CD $11.99 |
Gentle Giant/Playing the Fool ....CD $12.99 |
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Gentle Giant/Interview ....CD $11.99 |
Gentle Giant/Missing Piece ....CD $11.99 |
Gentle Giant/Giant for a Day ....CD $11.99 |
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Gentle Giant was born out of the ashes of Simon Dupree & the Big Sound, a successful UK based rock and R&B outfit led by brothers Derek, Ray and Phil Shulman. Their biggest hit, Kites, is still remembered fondly even today. In 1970 the brothers Shulman founded Gentle Giant. Derek was the lead vocalist and played alto sax and bass, Ray sand and played bass and violin, and Phil handled the saxophone and added vocals. Kerry Minnear, the keyboardist, was recurited after graduation from Royal Academy of Music with a degree in composition. Gary Green became the guitarist despite his blues-based background. Their original lineup also featured Martin Smith on drums, then Malcome Mortimore and eventually John Weathers in 1972, who became the mainstay in their 10 years of existence. Phil left in 1972 leaving the classic 5-piece line-up featured on these recordings. Gentle Giant's utilization of complex classical chord and time patterns, together with hard rock, blues, jazz and even medieval melodies and themes set them apart from any other 'progressive' group of their time or any subsequent era. These albums are fully remastered from the original 1/4 inch tapes.
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.
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/A Brief Moment Of Panic ....import CD $15.99
(excerpt from 'Telead')
Download Stream
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')
Download Stream
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')
Download Stream
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/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/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.
Order Now!
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