The Power and the Glory (Gentle Giant album)
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| Source | Rating |
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| Allmusic |   [1] |
| Sea of Tranquility |  [2] |
The Power and the Glory is the sixth album by the British progressive rock group Gentle Giant, released in 1974. Contrary to popular belief, the title of the album and its many lyrical themes were not inspired by author Graham Greene's novel of the same name, although Derek Shulman was aware of Greene's novel.[3] Guitarist Gary Green has cited this album as his favourite by the band.[4]
The concept album focused on an individual who means to do good using political power. He finds himself tempted to abuse the power, as have all of those who have come before, and ultimately becomes what he fought against.
Releases
The album was originally released in the US and Canada by Capitol Records, as would all Gentle Giant's albums until Civilian.
In a 2010 interview [5] Derek Shulman announced that the band are working at creating an animated film based around the themes, characters and songs of the album. The animations subsequently became available in the album's Blu-ray release, of July 2014, which also features a surround remix (both in stereo and 5.1 surround format) by Steven Wilson. The new edition was released by Alucard, the company that managed Gentle Giant material.[6]
Track listing
All songs written and composed by Kerry Minnear, Derek Shulman, and Ray Shulman, except where noted.
| 1. |
"Proclamation" |
6:47 |
| 2. |
"So Sincere" |
3:51 |
| 3. |
"Aspirations" (R. Shulman, Minnear) |
4:40 |
| 4. |
"Playing the Game" |
6:46 |
| 1. |
"Cogs in Cogs" |
3:07 |
| 2. |
"No God's a Man" |
4:27 |
| 3. |
"The Face" |
4:12 |
| 4. |
"Valedictory" |
3:21 |
| 9. |
"Proclamation" (Live) (bonus track on 35th anniversary CD edition) |
4:54 |
| 10. |
"The Power and the Glory" (bonus track available on certain editions only) |
2:53 |
Personnel
- Derek Shulman – lead vocals on tracks 1, 2 and 4-8, tenor saxophone (track 2)
- Kerry Minnear – Hammond organ (tracks 1, 2, 4-8), piano (tracks 1, 2, 5, 6, 7), Minimoog (tracks 2, 4, 5, 8), Clavinet (tracks 2, 4, 6, 7), electric piano (tracks 1, 3, 4), Mellotron (track 4), marimba (track 4), vibraphone (track 6), cello (track 2), lead vocals on tracks 2-4
- Ray Shulman – bass, violin (tracks 2, 4, 7), electric violin (track 7), acoustic guitar (track 6), vocals (tracks 1, 6, 8)
- Gary Green – electric guitar (tracks 1, 2, 4, 8), electric guitars (tracks 5-7), acoustic guitar (tracks 3, 4, 6), vocals (tracks 1, 6, 8)
- John Weathers – drums, tambourine[7] (tracks 2, 5, 7), sleigh bells (track 6), cymbals (track 1)
LP cover
The original LP cover was diecut, with rounded upper corners.
Charts
References
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| | | | Studio albums | |
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| | Other releases |
- Playing the Fool
- In Concert-BBC Radio 1
- Out of the Woods
- The Last Steps
- Under Construction
- King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents
- Out of the Fire
- Totally Out of the Woods
- Live in Rome 1974
- In'terview in Concert
- In a Palesport House
- Experience
- Artistically Cryme
- Endless Life
- The Missing Face
- Prologue
- Scraping the Barrel
- Playing the Cleveland
- Live in New York 1975
- Live in Santa Monica 1975
- Live in Stockholm '75
- King Alfred's College Winchester
- Gentle Giant Live at the Bicentennial 1776-1976
- Giant on the Box (DVD)
- GG at the GG (DVD)
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