Gentle Giant: The Most Intricate Rock Band of All Time? Part 1 [Progressive Rock Guitar]

Hello YouTube family and Progressive Rock fans! I’m very excited to bring you Part 1 of my episode on Gentle Giant: The most intricate rock band of all time!

In the 1970’s, my friend, bandmate, and keyboardist extraordinaire, Sam Giunta, from the progressive rock band Syzygy introduced me to Gentle Giant’s 2nd album, aptly named, “Acquiring the Taste”. When I first heard this record, my mind was totally blown!

Gentle Giant weaves together classical music and rock music unlike no other artist before them or after them. Their music contains counterpoint, cannons, polyphony, and highly complex rhythms.

Although not known as a guitar band, the guitar player Gary Green is an incredibly intricate guitarist and contributor. In this episode, I highlight some of the greatest guitar figures in their music!

Every member of Gentle Giant was a multi-instrumentalist adding an extra layer of texture to their music. To this day, the band has one of the most loyal followings.

If you’re new to the band, I recommend you check out the songs that I’m covering in this episode so you can hear the context of these parts within the song. One thing you have to keep in mind when listening to this band is that all this music was cut to tape! Long before the benefits of digital recording allowed you to manufacture complexity. These guys would strike this wildly difficult music direct to tape!!

Get ready to have your mind blown by the technical chops of one of the greatest bands in history.

Tracks covered include:
1) Alucard (Album: Gentle Giant)
2) Pantagruel’s Nativity (Album: Acquiring the Taste)
3) Wreck (Album: Acquiring the Taste)
4) Plain Truth (Album: Acquiring the Taste)
5) The House, The Street, The Room (Album: Acquiring the Taste)

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT MY BONUS CLIP! In this clip, I take a moment to discuss the introduction of the song, “Pantagruel’s Nativity” where I break down some of their amazing compositional craft. Click here to watch:
   • Gentle Giant (Bonus Clip): Carl Balda...  

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0:00 Opening Riff
0:15 About Gentle Giant
1:23 Riff 1
2:52 Riff 2
4:00 Riff 3
5:28 Riff 4
6:53 Riff 5
9:42 Conclusion