Memory:105043@compuserve.com
I have had the great pleasure of seeing Gentle Giant perform three times in my life. The first two were in the acoustically perfect Chicago Auditorium. I have never seen a band so musically diverse, intense and tight in all my life. Some of the images that have stayed with me is Kerry Minnear's unbelieveable composition and keyboard artistry, John's swinging beat and the highly underated bass playing of Ray (compare his work with Chris Squire in his prime). As an amateur and later professional musician I have been in several Midwestern US bands that performed GG material in the 1970's and 1980's. It was a riot to perform pieces such as The House, The Street, The Room, Words From The Wise, and Convenience to disbelieving club crowds. When applying for admission to music school, I transcribed On Reflection and re-arranged it for men's choir and percussion ensemble.