Gentle Giant: with or without Phil Shulman?

Easily WITH.

As a musician, Phil Shulman was the guy who influenced hardly vision of the band. He wrote all lyrics parts (Advent of Panurge or Knots for example). He was an accomplished musician, not a rookie as young Genesis musicians as Anthony Phillips or Mike Rutherford. Like compare Martin Smith or Malcom Mortimore with poorest drummers (for example John Mayhew (have respect for the guy the musician wasn't enough talented), Chris Stewart, John Silver, Ringo Starr, Pete Best, Doug Sandom etc... is totally out of subject.

Phil Shulman came from a complete musical education as same for Ray and Derek. They studied, play and love music for long time. Kerry Minnear was the other biggest creative part of the band. He was also a real talented singer (Pantagruel's Nativity).

Personnally my favorite tracks (I love all tracks of the four first albums) are (if I have to choose two tracks per albums will be (hard choice)):

Gentle Giant

- Giant
- Funny ways

Acquiring the Taste

- Wreck (or Black cat)
- Plain truth

Three Friends:

- Prologue
- Peel the paint

Octopus:

- Knots
- The advent of panurge

But this is a real hard choice. After Phil's left, I personnally love "Free hand", "In a glass house" and "The power and the glory". Interview was a real experiment album, as after the live album was released, they definitely lost their musical inspiration. Disco kill progressive rock :(

With

BaldJean wrote: most definitely with. after "Octopus" Gentle Giant lack a certain sound color which was present in the first 4 albums. to use an analogy: it is as if a painter who is well known for his use of a certain color, let's say umbra because that is the color Phil Shulman reminds me of regarding his sound, suddenly decides not to use that color anymore

Power and The Glory is their high point for me, so post-phil

The Bearded Bard wrote: Will vote with Phil when I have enough posts, 'cause I prefer their earlier albums.

haven't heard the last four though

Based on general sound alone, I prefer with Phil (and cringe at the final three albums), but, although Acquiring the Taste trumps all for me, I feel The Power and Glory, Free Hand, and Interview are a lot more solid than s/t, Three Friends, and Octopus. Post-Phil has my vote.

Edited by Polymorphia - February 22 2014 at 18:03

"Pretty masturbatory"??? Are you serious??? Are you musician to tell that Mr. "Genital Giant" (what a stupid name)? If you prefer commercial success that's your concern but don't speak when you didn't known. Giant, Acquiring, Three Friends and Octopus are definitely the best creative albums from the best band ever. Phil Shulman did a lot of influence during his time with Giant. But I think this is the majority: frustrated people who didn't have a life always find them better than these legendary and respectful creative artists. Ridiculous.

Free Hand and In a Glass House are my two favourite GG albums. So I join the ranks of the frustees (who btw are not in the majority right now), though I don't think that the departure of Phil was an improvement.