DM>I received a 2 CD _Giant For A Life_ tribute album yesterday...
A Gentle Giant tribute CD!?  Where do I get one?
DM>Inasmuch as I only own their first 4 albums (_GG_ & _Acquiring The
DM>Taste_ on CD, _Three Friends_ & _Octopus_ on LP), plus the
DM>_Civilian_ cutout LP, much of the material is far less familiar
DM>to me than a Yes or Genesis tribute would be...
Civilian, alas, stinks.
DM>So, can you review for me which other GG albums to look for (used vinyl
DM>most likely, cheap CD's, possibly), and any to look out for?
"Free Hand" from '75 is EXCELLENT.  The follow up "Interview" very,
very good, but short. Their first self titled album "Gentle Giant" is
pretty good for as first album and much better than their LAST
album. The pre-"Free Hand" albums "The Power And the Gory" and "In
a Glass House" are pretty good too. The post-"Interview" albums get
very spotty, with some good cuts, some bad cuts, mostly due to an
(unsuccessful) attempt to break into the commercial market.  The ones I
have are "The Missing Piece,"  "Giant For a Day", which both have some
good cuts on them, and their worthless final album which you already
have, "Citizen."
But by far the best album of GG's to start with has got to be the double
live "Playing the Fool."  Despite your stated dislike of 70's live
albums in-general, this one does not exhibit the flaws you listed; it's
simply a fantastic album, covers most of their previous material, and
shows this band could actually play all that complex stuff LIVE.
 * OLX 2.1 TD * Don't hate yourself in the morning - sleep till noon.
--- Platinum Xpress/Win/Wildcat5! v2.0
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