Memory:Steve Jeffery
I had the privelage of seeing Gentle Giant 3 times in the early seventies in Wales. In each case I was greatly impressed by the musicianship, being a budding musician myself. The 3 gigs featured the 3 different drummers. I bought all albums as they came out and still have copies, some autographed. I am slowly building up my CD collection to include all albums.
I, like another of your correspondents, was also greatly impressed by their beer swilling ability, being fairly famous in my neck of the woods for similar feats. It seemed only to add to the convivial atmosphere they were able to produce.
I remember in the 1st concert being really into the multiparticipant drum solo on 'Nothing at all' and actually dancing on stage with them on the 2nd gig to 'Plain Truth'. Ray Shulman's antics with his violin on that number were something to behold. They were brilliant. The xylophone solos were inspiring, the arangements amazing, and the music was just orgasmic.
In retrospect, and I know that this is probably an unpopular opinion amongst GG fans, I believe they suffered from the loss of the first two drummers, Malcolm Mortimore and Martin Smith. John Weathers just lacked the subtlety of expression that both of these great drummers could produce(sorry John).
This leads me to my meeting with the band after the gig in Barry. I think it was around the time of the Octopus/In a Glass House albums, both fine pieces of work. I went into the dressing room after the gig to get my albums autographed. I had a bit of a chat with the band. I remember being delighted to find out that Kerry Minnear had the same favourite album as myself -- Acquiring the Taste. One of the band then asked what I thought of the new drummer. The foolishness of youth brought my honest reply to the tune of something like "I can take him or leave him." At this point John Weathers rose to his full height (and he was a giant of a man, excuse the pun) and I thought that he was going to punch my lights out. Fortunately Kery and, I believe, Ray Shulman intervened and shepherded me to the door before any damage could be done. I often wonder if any of them remember the incident. Probably not.