Gentle Giantformed out of the blues based group Simon Dupree & The Big Sound, which featured the multi-instrumental Shulman brothers Derek, Ray, and Phil. They joined with guitarist Gary Green, keyboard player Kerry Minnear, and a series of drummers (John Weathers most consistently) to play music beyond the scope of ordinary rock, though with still a hint of blues in Green's guitar. Minnear's elaborate arrangements featured elements of both medieval polyphony and twentieth century composition. In particular, the complex four-part vocal arrangements give the band its unusual character, with each part functioning independently rather than forming simple harmonies. The instrumental parts were just as complex, often featuring interlocking parts often in odd meters, all backed by a solid drum pattern.
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Gentle Giant
1. Yes it's been hard, going a long time
and we're together even now.
Why do you ask? Surely you know it!
Isn't it clear just when and how.
What can we tell you?
At the beginning had no direction,
any other way.
After the fourth one, realisation,
finding our road, the same as if today.
2. Well we all hear, everyone, no-one,
not to not say, we like a lot.
Want to be seen rock and roll music,
Don't take us something that we're not.
True it looks better, tide looks like turning,
so all in all we feel we are alright.
Yes we had troubles, much more than many,
rather have none and do we think what's right.
What are your plans, for the future now?
And can you say who does the writing?
How did you get -- who gave the name of the band?
3. Now that he's gone, turn off our faces,
wait for the new man to arrive.
Soon the same song, sung for the next one,
saying our piece, though not alive.
What can we tell you?
At the beginning had no direction,
any other way.
After the fourth one, realisation,
finding our road, the same as if today.
Repeat of verse 2