THE ORIGINAL STUDIO GENTLE GIANT - VOL. 2

"The Original Studio Gentle Giant - Vol. 2", is, as its name indicates, the second part of two compilation albums released by the band in 1974. The other is "The Original Studio Gentle Giant - Vol. 1", released in the same year. This is a compilation album that comprises tracks from three albums of them, their fourth studio album "Octupus" released in 1972, their fifth studio album "In A Glass House" released in 1973 and their sixth studio album "The Power And The Glory" released in 1974. All these three albums are excellent albums that deserve to be considered three masterpieces.

So, "The Original Studio Gentle Giant - Vol. 2" was released in 1974 and has ten tracks. The first track "The Boys In The Band" was released on "Octupus". "The Boys In The Band" is the only instrumental track on that album. It's a relatively complex and a fast jazz musical composition with different rhythms and tempos. It's a song well arranged with some excellent solos by keyboards, guitar and saxophones. We are in presence of a magnificent track. The second track "Knots" was also released on "Octupus". "Knots" is the less accessible track on that album and is one of the most complex and intricated songs ever composed by them. It's an avant-garde song that explores a cappella by the four vocalists of the band. This song is a perfect example how great and astonishing is the vocal work of this incredible group. It's true this is a difficult song to hear, but this is truly a great piece of music. The third track "The Advent Of Panurge" was another great track released on "Octupus". "The Advent Of Panurge" is a track strongly influenced by jazz music, full of energy, with varied melodies and different singing styles. It's apparently a chaotic song where all instruments seem to be played in different directions. What is more impressive on this track is that in the end we have a song with an excellent harmony. The fourth track "Experience" was released on "In A Glass House". "Experience" is an extraordinary track, very inventive and with a complex structure. Basically, this is a perfect example of Gentle Giant's medieval complex sound. But, the song comprises also many other and varied forms of music. The song is also rich of wonderful vocal harmonies. This is probably the most complex track on that album. The fifth track "The Runaway" was also released on "In A Glass House". "The Runaway" is a track with an extraordinary and surprising start where the band seems to break some glasses. This is a great song with rich varieties of styles and textures and is extremely melodic. But, it's at the same time complex and very creative. This is an excellent track, one of the best tracks ever released by them and a perfect opener to that album. The sixth track "In A Glass House" was another track released on "In A Glass House". "In A Glass House" is the lengthiest track on that album. It's an excellent composition with great harmony between all instruments. The chorus performed by the four singers is of superior quality. It has also a hard rock section with a memorable guitar riff, in the second part of the song. This is a great track that closes magnificently that amazing album. The seventh track "The Power And The Glory" is the title track of "The Power And The Glory". However, "The Power And The Glory" wasn't an ordinary track of that album. It was a mere bonus track, only available on certain editions of that album. It didn't originally appear on that album because it hadn't been written yet, when the album was released. It's a good song, a short theme with the classic Gentle Giant's sound. But, it seems to be less complex than the typical works of them. This song came out as a single, and so, no wonders that it's a bit simpler than what the band was accustomed to do. The eighth track "Proclamation" was released on "The Power And The Glory". "Proclamation" is one of the two lengthiest tracks on that album and remains a brilliant opening track. It's a song with the typical Gentle Giant's relatively complex musical arrangements, with great melody. This is one of my favourite themes from them. The ninth track "Playing The Game" was also released on "The Power And The Glory". "Playing The Game" is one of the lengthiest tracks on that album. It's a dynamic and a relatively complex theme. It's a really multi-faceted and pure prog song, in the Gentle Giant's pure style. The tenth track "Cogs In Cogs" was another track released on "The Power And The Glory". "Cogs In Cogs" is the smallest track on that album. It's an excellent heartfelt ballad very quiet and with very complex multi-part vocal harmonies. It's a track with a very intricate orchestral arrangement.

Compilation: "The Original Studio Gentle Giant - Vol. 2" is a good compilation of the band. It covers the fourth, fifth and sixth studio albums of them, which are three excellent albums. It has three tracks from each of them, plus a non album's track. The selection is excellent, but those albums are three masterpieces that all tracks would be an excellent option. "Octopus" is one of the most beautiful and brilliant albums of them. Ray Shulman even said that "Octopus" was probably the Gentle Giant's best album. "In A Glass House" is simply brilliant. It's, one of their best works and is also one of the greatest progressive albums ever made. "The Power And The Glory" is a true amazing album, not only in its technically accomplished prog music, but also in its clever concept. It has numerous emotional and virtuoso moments.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

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