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.
last.fm page
Similar Artists
Raconteur Troubadour Lyrics
Gentle Giant
Gather round the village square
Come good people both wretched
and fair.
See the troubadour play on the drum
Hear my songs on the lute that I strum.
I will make you laugh,
Revel, Merry-dance.
Throw your pennies, then you'll hear
more of
the story-telling half.
There's no other chance,
Always move on
Raconteur, troubadour.
Take the face that you see for the man,
Clown and minstrel, I am what I am.
All my family, not of my kin.
Home, wherever, the place that I'm in.
Humors give me wage,
Favors for my art.
Rising, falling
Everyone struggle on.
All the world's a stage
All can play their part.
I have chosen
Raconteur, troubadour.
Dusk is drawing my story is spun,
Dawn is falling my day's work is done.
Morning, rested I set on my way.
Find new faces to offer my play.
I will make you laugh,
Revel, Merry-dance.
Throw your pennies, then you'll hear
more of
The story-telling half.
There's no other chance.
Always move on
Raconteur-Troubadour.
Note:
Here we have tried to capture something
of the medieval English troubadour,
by the instrumentation, arrangement
and lyrics.
-----------------------------------------------