| Gentle Giant |
| The Power And The Glory |
Gentle Giant — The Power And The Glory
Ξ The concept album focused on an individual who means to do good using political power. He finds himself tempted to abuse the power, as have all of those who have come before, and ultimately becomes what he fought against.
Ξ The album was originally released in the US and Canada by Capitol Records, as would all Gentle Giant's albums until Civilian.
Ξ In a 2010 interview Derek Shulman announced that the band are working at creating an animated film based around the themes, characters and songs of the album. The animations subsequently became available in the album's Blu–ray release, of July 2014, which also features a surround remix (both in stereo and 5.1 surround format) by Steven Wilson. The new edition was released by Alucard, the company that managed Gentle Giant material.
Location: United Kingdom
Album released: September 20, 1974
Recorded: December 1973 — January 1974, Advision Studios, London
Record Label: Alucard Music, ALUGG039
Duration: 46:28
Tracks:
01. Proclamation 6:57
02. So Sincere 3:52
03. Aspirations (R. Shulman, Minnear) 5:22
04. Playing The Game 6:46
05. Cogs In Cogs 3:09
06. No God's A Man 4:26
07. The Face 4:13
08. Valedictory 3:27
Bonus Tracks:
09. The Power And The Glory 2:59
10. Aspirations (Instrumental Out–Take) 5:17
Ξ All songs written and composed by Kerry Minnear, Derek Shulman, and Ray Shulman, except where noted.
Ξ The original LP cover was diecut, with rounded upper corners.
AWARDS:
Ξ 1974 US Billboard 200 #78
Musicians:
Ξ Derek Shulman — lead vocals on tracks 1, 2, 4–8, tenor saxophone (track 2)
Ξ Kerry Minnear — Hammond organ (tracks 1, 2, 4–8), piano (tracks 1, 2, 5, 6, 7), Minimoog (tracks 2, 4, 5, 8), Clavinet (tracks 2, 4, 6, 7), electric piano (tracks 1, 3, 4), Mellotron (track 4), marimba (track 4), vibraphone (track 6), cello (track 2), lead vocals on tracks 2–4
Ξ Ray Shulman — bass, violin (tracks 2, 4, 7), electric violin (track 7), acoustic guitar (track 6), vocals (tracks 1, 6, 8)
Ξ Gary Green — electric guitar (tracks 1, 2, 4, 8), electric guitars (tracks 5–7), acoustic guitar (tracks 3, 4, 6), vocals (tracks 1, 6, 8)
Ξ John Weathers — drums, tambourine (tracks 2, 5, 7), sleigh bells (track 6), cymbals (track 1)
Credits:
Ξ Fred Kevorkian — Remastering
Ξ Gary Martin — Engineer
Review
By Corbet, Progarchives
Ξ This is one of the most aggressively challenging and complex progessive albums Gentle Giant ever released, which of course means it is one of the most aggressively challenging and complex albums ever made. The opening track wastes no time before descending into a menacing, claustrophobic "chorus" with crunching chords and masterful dissonant vocals, while "So Sincere" follows it up as a kind of miniature bible for GG's off–kilter approach to music making. "Cogs in Cogs" can barely contain itself as it races through dense tangles of raucous keyboard riffs and shouted vocals, when suddenly we find ourselves amidst a shifting patchwork of voices all falling in and out of time with one another like some animated jigsaw puzzle. Gentle Giant were the mad geniuses of the prog world, and this is their mad genius album — it's hard to believe that there were still more masterpieces to come after this one.
Review
Reviewer: Pete Pardo; Added: July 21st 2006; Score: ****½
Ξ Revered by many as one of the strongest of the Gentle Giant releases, 1974's The Power and the Glory has received sparkling remaster treatment from Derek Shulman's DRT Entertainment. With crisp, powerful sound, this new reissue is a must have for the Gentle Giant fan who is looking to replace their old CD version, and for the new fan, to hear this legendary prog rock band the way they should be heard.
Ξ While some may argue whether Octopus, In a Glass House, Acquiring the Taste, Three Friends, Free Hand, or this one remains the gem that stands out in the Gentle Giant catalog, there's no doubt that The Power and the Glory has its share of classic songs. "Proclamation" bristles with newfound life here, as the sparkling clarity of Kerry Minnear's keyboards and Gary Green's guitar perfectly meshes with the nimble bass and drums from Ray Shulman and John Weathers. Derek Shulman's crafty vocal interplay with Minnear on the fan favorite "So Sincere" really makes this quirky gem come to life, bolstered by Ray's muscular bass lines and the constantly shifting tempo changes between guitar and keyboards. Green's solo here is raw and bluesy, savage in it's intent and flawless in its execution. The moody and reflective "Aspirations" is accentuated by calming vocals and Minnear's haunting electric piano and Green's emotional acoustic guitar strums. The band bounced back for some bouncy and quirky prog on the song "Playing the Game", again with Green and Minnear carrying the main theme while Weathers and Shulman provide a tight groove. The clever lyrics allow Derek to put in a grand and majestic vocal performance here, as he interjects his unique style between the many musical passages throughout this piece. Listen especially for Minnear's awesome Hammond solo here, proof positive that he was always among the keyboard greats like Emerson, Wakeman, and Banks.
Ξ For the ultimate in complex prog rock interplay, go no further than "Cogs in Cogs", a furious workout for the entire band, featuring Green's heavy riffs, Minnear's nimble Moog runs, rock solid rhythms, and Shulman's aggressive vocal performance. The majestic "No God's a Man" combines deft acoustic and ethereal electric elements, along with that famous Gentle Giant multi–layered vocal approach, and is one of the sleepers of the album. The guitar/violin/cello number "The Face" is a real treat, and one of the album's most fun tracks, and I'm sure the band had a blast putting this little rocker together in the studio. Again, Derek's vocal is right on target here, providing the lead in for the rest of the band to project in their complex yet catchy musical lines. Ξ Not only is Ray a rock solid bass player, but his scorching violin adds a nice element here, and Gary's wicked guitar lead is a real stunner. The band excels at powerful hard rock on "Valedictory", with Minnear's roving synth lines playing the perfect foil to Green's muscular riffs and Shulman's acrobatic bass grooves.
This remaster also contains the unreleased studio title track, which is more of a straightforward quirky hard rock song, but it still works. In addition, Derek Shulman has included a live version of "Proclamation" from ZDF German TV in 1974. It's not the best quality recording, but it suffices as a decent extra–added bonus. Packaging wise, you get the booklet in its original LP concept, shape, and foldout, plus complete lyrics. Ξ Overall, it's a nice presentation of a classic album, and a must have for Gentle Giant fans. :: http://www.seaoftranquility.org/
Website: http://www.blazemonger.com/
The Power And The Glory lyrics:
Run, run, the shotgun has got you in it's range.
Turn, turn away, when it's time to make a change.
Look where you're going. Try not to lose your way.
What good is knowing you have to go away?
Go, you make go, never know, never know.
Time's run away, so have to go, have to go.
Put back the ace black, you never made it good.
Go while you can go. Go while the going's good.
Chorus:
And the power and the glory is over, so I'll take it.
The power and the glory is over, so I'll make it.
The power and the glory is over, and I'll break it.
The power and the glory is over....
Face up to reason, you know it's up to you.
Do what you can do, all that you have to do.
Move over now, and I'll try to take your place.
Time to remember that I have won the race.
Go, you make go, never know, never know.
Time's run away, so have to go, have to go.
Pick up the pieces, to you I'll have to stand.
Break up the power, the glory's at the end.
[Chorus:]
Run, run, the shotgun has got you in it's range.
Turn, turn away, when it's time to make a change.
Look where you're going. Try not to lose your way.
What good is knowing you have to go away?
[Chorus, ad lib]
PROCLAMATION:
1.
You may not have all you want or you need
All that you have has been due to my hand,
It can change, it can stay the same,
Who can say, who can make their claim.
2.
The situation we are in at this time
Neither a good one, nor is it so unblest
It can change, it can stay the same,
I can say, I can make my claim.
Hail........ Hail........ Hail.
3.
Unity's strength and all must be as one,
Confidence in you hope will reflect in me
I think everyone not as my nation for
You are my people and there must be no change.
It can change, it can stay the same
I will say, I will make my claim.
Hail........ Hail........ Hail.
Hail to Power and to Glory's way.
Hail to Power and to Glory's way.
Hail to Power and to Glory's way.
Hail to Power and to Glory's way.
Day by day.
(repeat verses 1 & 3)
_____________________________________________________________
| Gentle Giant |
| The Power And The Glory |
Ξ The concept album focused on an individual who means to do good using political power. He finds himself tempted to abuse the power, as have all of those who have come before, and ultimately becomes what he fought against.
Ξ The album was originally released in the US and Canada by Capitol Records, as would all Gentle Giant's albums until Civilian.
Ξ In a 2010 interview Derek Shulman announced that the band are working at creating an animated film based around the themes, characters and songs of the album. The animations subsequently became available in the album's Blu–ray release, of July 2014, which also features a surround remix (both in stereo and 5.1 surround format) by Steven Wilson. The new edition was released by Alucard, the company that managed Gentle Giant material.
Location: United Kingdom
Album released: September 20, 1974
Recorded: December 1973 — January 1974, Advision Studios, London
Record Label: Alucard Music, ALUGG039
Duration: 46:28
Tracks:
01. Proclamation 6:57
02. So Sincere 3:52
03. Aspirations (R. Shulman, Minnear) 5:22
04. Playing The Game 6:46
05. Cogs In Cogs 3:09
06. No God's A Man 4:26
07. The Face 4:13
08. Valedictory 3:27
Bonus Tracks:
09. The Power And The Glory 2:59
10. Aspirations (Instrumental Out–Take) 5:17
Ξ All songs written and composed by Kerry Minnear, Derek Shulman, and Ray Shulman, except where noted.
Ξ The original LP cover was diecut, with rounded upper corners.
AWARDS:
Ξ 1974 US Billboard 200 #78
Musicians:
Ξ Derek Shulman — lead vocals on tracks 1, 2, 4–8, tenor saxophone (track 2)
Ξ Kerry Minnear — Hammond organ (tracks 1, 2, 4–8), piano (tracks 1, 2, 5, 6, 7), Minimoog (tracks 2, 4, 5, 8), Clavinet (tracks 2, 4, 6, 7), electric piano (tracks 1, 3, 4), Mellotron (track 4), marimba (track 4), vibraphone (track 6), cello (track 2), lead vocals on tracks 2–4
Ξ Ray Shulman — bass, violin (tracks 2, 4, 7), electric violin (track 7), acoustic guitar (track 6), vocals (tracks 1, 6, 8)
Ξ Gary Green — electric guitar (tracks 1, 2, 4, 8), electric guitars (tracks 5–7), acoustic guitar (tracks 3, 4, 6), vocals (tracks 1, 6, 8)
Ξ John Weathers — drums, tambourine (tracks 2, 5, 7), sleigh bells (track 6), cymbals (track 1)
Credits:
Ξ Fred Kevorkian — Remastering
Ξ Gary Martin — Engineer
Review
By Corbet, Progarchives
Ξ This is one of the most aggressively challenging and complex progessive albums Gentle Giant ever released, which of course means it is one of the most aggressively challenging and complex albums ever made. The opening track wastes no time before descending into a menacing, claustrophobic "chorus" with crunching chords and masterful dissonant vocals, while "So Sincere" follows it up as a kind of miniature bible for GG's off–kilter approach to music making. "Cogs in Cogs" can barely contain itself as it races through dense tangles of raucous keyboard riffs and shouted vocals, when suddenly we find ourselves amidst a shifting patchwork of voices all falling in and out of time with one another like some animated jigsaw puzzle. Gentle Giant were the mad geniuses of the prog world, and this is their mad genius album — it's hard to believe that there were still more masterpieces to come after this one.
Review
Reviewer: Pete Pardo; Added: July 21st 2006; Score: ****½
Ξ Revered by many as one of the strongest of the Gentle Giant releases, 1974's The Power and the Glory has received sparkling remaster treatment from Derek Shulman's DRT Entertainment. With crisp, powerful sound, this new reissue is a must have for the Gentle Giant fan who is looking to replace their old CD version, and for the new fan, to hear this legendary prog rock band the way they should be heard.
Ξ While some may argue whether Octopus, In a Glass House, Acquiring the Taste, Three Friends, Free Hand, or this one remains the gem that stands out in the Gentle Giant catalog, there's no doubt that The Power and the Glory has its share of classic songs. "Proclamation" bristles with newfound life here, as the sparkling clarity of Kerry Minnear's keyboards and Gary Green's guitar perfectly meshes with the nimble bass and drums from Ray Shulman and John Weathers. Derek Shulman's crafty vocal interplay with Minnear on the fan favorite "So Sincere" really makes this quirky gem come to life, bolstered by Ray's muscular bass lines and the constantly shifting tempo changes between guitar and keyboards. Green's solo here is raw and bluesy, savage in it's intent and flawless in its execution. The moody and reflective "Aspirations" is accentuated by calming vocals and Minnear's haunting electric piano and Green's emotional acoustic guitar strums. The band bounced back for some bouncy and quirky prog on the song "Playing the Game", again with Green and Minnear carrying the main theme while Weathers and Shulman provide a tight groove. The clever lyrics allow Derek to put in a grand and majestic vocal performance here, as he interjects his unique style between the many musical passages throughout this piece. Listen especially for Minnear's awesome Hammond solo here, proof positive that he was always among the keyboard greats like Emerson, Wakeman, and Banks.
Ξ For the ultimate in complex prog rock interplay, go no further than "Cogs in Cogs", a furious workout for the entire band, featuring Green's heavy riffs, Minnear's nimble Moog runs, rock solid rhythms, and Shulman's aggressive vocal performance. The majestic "No God's a Man" combines deft acoustic and ethereal electric elements, along with that famous Gentle Giant multi–layered vocal approach, and is one of the sleepers of the album. The guitar/violin/cello number "The Face" is a real treat, and one of the album's most fun tracks, and I'm sure the band had a blast putting this little rocker together in the studio. Again, Derek's vocal is right on target here, providing the lead in for the rest of the band to project in their complex yet catchy musical lines. Ξ Not only is Ray a rock solid bass player, but his scorching violin adds a nice element here, and Gary's wicked guitar lead is a real stunner. The band excels at powerful hard rock on "Valedictory", with Minnear's roving synth lines playing the perfect foil to Green's muscular riffs and Shulman's acrobatic bass grooves.
This remaster also contains the unreleased studio title track, which is more of a straightforward quirky hard rock song, but it still works. In addition, Derek Shulman has included a live version of "Proclamation" from ZDF German TV in 1974. It's not the best quality recording, but it suffices as a decent extra–added bonus. Packaging wise, you get the booklet in its original LP concept, shape, and foldout, plus complete lyrics. Ξ Overall, it's a nice presentation of a classic album, and a must have for Gentle Giant fans. :: http://www.seaoftranquility.org/
Website: http://www.blazemonger.com/
The Power And The Glory lyrics:
Run, run, the shotgun has got you in it's range.
Turn, turn away, when it's time to make a change.
Look where you're going. Try not to lose your way.
What good is knowing you have to go away?
Go, you make go, never know, never know.
Time's run away, so have to go, have to go.
Put back the ace black, you never made it good.
Go while you can go. Go while the going's good.
Chorus:
And the power and the glory is over, so I'll take it.
The power and the glory is over, so I'll make it.
The power and the glory is over, and I'll break it.
The power and the glory is over....
Face up to reason, you know it's up to you.
Do what you can do, all that you have to do.
Move over now, and I'll try to take your place.
Time to remember that I have won the race.
Go, you make go, never know, never know.
Time's run away, so have to go, have to go.
Pick up the pieces, to you I'll have to stand.
Break up the power, the glory's at the end.
[Chorus:]
Run, run, the shotgun has got you in it's range.
Turn, turn away, when it's time to make a change.
Look where you're going. Try not to lose your way.
What good is knowing you have to go away?
[Chorus, ad lib]
PROCLAMATION:
1.
You may not have all you want or you need
All that you have has been due to my hand,
It can change, it can stay the same,
Who can say, who can make their claim.
2.
The situation we are in at this time
Neither a good one, nor is it so unblest
It can change, it can stay the same,
I can say, I can make my claim.
Hail........ Hail........ Hail.
3.
Unity's strength and all must be as one,
Confidence in you hope will reflect in me
I think everyone not as my nation for
You are my people and there must be no change.
It can change, it can stay the same
I will say, I will make my claim.
Hail........ Hail........ Hail.
Hail to Power and to Glory's way.
Hail to Power and to Glory's way.
Hail to Power and to Glory's way.
Hail to Power and to Glory's way.
Day by day.
(repeat verses 1 & 3)
_____________________________________________________________