Gentle Giant self-titled album

Gentle Giant, Gentle Giant's debut album from 1970

It was with this splendid debut that Gentle Giant began their journey to greatness, and as often happens with some of the songs that decades later are remembered as among their finest, I'm talking about Giant and the subsequent Funny Ways, fantastic pieces with unparalleled themes.

A short album, about 37 minutes, but they were the beginning of something unique and, subjectively, for me, Gentle Giant's best album, even though they later gave us other great masterpieces.

Among my favorites, I must also add "Isn't It Quiet and Cold?", a relaxing, unplugged-style track with beautiful strings, and the incredibly powerful "Nothing at All," where everyone is excellent: magnificent vocals, guitar, keyboards, drum solo, and piano.

We don't even want to mention "Why Not?", a fantastic song with superb guitar. And it also contains "The Queen," their personal rock version of "God Save the King," the national anthem of the United Kingdom, which, as is well known, changes to "God Save the Queen" depending on the reigning monarch.

This is one of the most original and creative bands to have presented themselves to the world with this album, a harmony and perfect synergy between the instruments and the vocals, with songs all equal in beauty of composition and execution. 

Many don't consider it their best, that's fine, but I don't think anyone can argue with the fact that it's a must-have.

The Tracks

1. Giant (6:22)
2. Funny Ways (4:21)
3. Alucard (6:00)
4. Isn't It Quiet and Cold? (3:51)
5. Nothing at All (9:08)
6. Why Not (5:31)
7. The Queen (1:40)
Duration 36:53

Line-Up

- Derek Shulman - lead (1-3, 5, 6) and backing vocals, bass (4)
- Gary Green - lead guitars, 12-string guitar (2, 4)
- Kerry Minnear - Hammond, Minimoog, Mellotron, electric, acoustic, and honky-tonk pianos, timpani, xylophone, vibraphone, cello, bass, lead (3, 6) and backing vocals
- Phil Shulman - alto and tenor saxophones, trumpet, recorders, lead (2-5) and backing vocals
- Ray Shulman - bass, violin (2, 4), electric (5-7) and acoustic (5) guitars, triangle (2) Backing vocals
- Martin Smith - drums, percussion
With:
- Paul Cosh - tenor horn (1)
- Clare Deniz - cello (4)