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I dream. I hope. I always will. | I dream. I hope. I always will. | ||
== | == Liner notes == | ||
<cite> These liner notes are reproduced with the kind permission of the Terrapin Trucking (UK) Ltd. </cite> | |||
The twelfth and final Gentle Giant album, 'Civilian', appeared in the spring of 1980, a little over a decade after the bands formation. After ten studio albums in as many years, the band had built up a formidable back catalog of distinctive music which had consistently polarized listeners and defied categorization. True, there had been a steady shift toward a more accessible style, especially after the release of 'Interview' in 1976, but the diverse influences which had been so adroitly combined on their earlier recordings had continued to set their music apart throughout their career. | |||
'Civilian' was the final stage in Giant's move toward a more mainstream approach. It was unique among their albums in that the material was written and recorded in America, the territory in which the group had increasingly seen their greatest chance of commercial success. From the outset, vocalist Derek Shulman had shouldered much of the responsibility of dealing with the business side of Gentle Giant, and by the late Seventies, whilst continuing as an active band member, had effectively assumed the role of manager. His decision to relocate in Los Angeles in 1979, the first and only year of the band's existence during which there was no new Giant album, reflected the group's desire to succeed in the US marketplace. | |||
With Derek settled in California, and after a longer than usual break from the routine of writing, recording, and touring, Gentle Giant reconvened late the same year to begin work on a new album. With a view to achieving a more Transatlantic feel, the band moved temporarily to Los Angeles, where the material for 'Civilian' took shape over a five month period stretching into early 1980. Keyboard player Kerry Minnear, by this time married and with a young daughter, found the exercise something of a strain: 'I must say I didn't really like it over there... I found LA an uncomfortable place, rather threatening. We spent four months writing and another month recording, but I don't have particularly fond memories of any of it.' | |||
Bassist Ray Shulman was equally unimpressed: 'I had a horrible time... I hated the whole process of going over to California to write, it seemed so unnatural. It definitely wasn't a good experience for me, although I would have to admit it proved quite interesting.' | |||
Whether the band achieved their goal of a more American ambience is open to debate. 'Civilian' is for the most part, a fairly straightforward high-energy rock album, undoubtedly a musical vindication of Giant's decision to move further towards the rock mainstream, and the logical conclusion of the work begun on 1977's 'The Missing Piece' and continued on 'Giant for a Day' the following year. As for a more American flavor, the main concession to US taste is probably in the song structures, which are generally uncomplicated, but somehow Gentle Giant retained a quintessentially English quality despite all their efforts to accommodate the American ear. | |||
Starting with 'Convenience (Clean and Easy)', a blistering opener which focuses on the American way of life, 'Civilian' once again shows Giant's ability to write and play in a number of styles. Although the medieval influence has almost totally disappeared, the brooding magnificence of 'Inside Out' and the delicate keyboard work on 'Shadows on the Street', the latter reminiscent of mid-Seventies pieces such as 'Freehand' and 'No God's a Man', maintain the Gentle Giant tradition. Elsewhere, upbeat rock numbers are littered with the prominent motifs and complex instrumental interplay which had always characterized the band's output. | |||
As a bonus on this, the first reissue of 'Civilian', and therefore it's first outing on CD, a rare previously-unissued tack is included. The sheer complexity of Giant's music and the lengthy process of recording each number to their own exacting standards, meant that the band committed hardly anything to tape which did not make it onto a finished album. 'Heroes' was a rare exception. Recorded during the 'Civilian' sessions, it failed to appear only because of the need to keep running times down on the old vinyl format. Sadly, the original 24-track master of 'Heroes' has been lost so a cassette copy has been used to allow it's inclusion here, but any loss of quality is more than offset by it's rarity value. | |||
Despite the obvious strength and immediacy of 'Civilian', opinions of the album differ widely within the group. Ray Shulman's intense dislike of the American experience probably goes a long way to explaining his antipathy. He has previously described it as 'a disaster', and more recently said: 'It didn't feel as if it was going anywhere... Even now, I just can't listen to it." Kerry Minnear found himself contributing more to this album than to it's immediate predecessors, and professes himself to be happy with the results. Drummer John Weathers, the only member of Giant still gigging (with Welsh survivors Man), remains most enthusiastic: 'It was a fantastic album... There's some tremendous stuff on there. For me 'Number One' is one of the best things we ever recorded.' | |||
Sadly for the faithful few, 'Civilian' was to be Gentle Giant's swansong. After a short break, the band met in New York for some promotional work prior to their scheduled Spring tour of the States. Kerry had never enjoyed touring, but now the prospect of a lengthy separation from his wife and child whenever the band took to the road was enough to convince him that it was time to call it a day. He broached the subject with Derek during their stay in New York and was surprised to find that the vocalist had been thinking along much the same lines. Considering it better - and fairer - to do so sooner rather than later, the two immediately announced their decision to quit. There was no question of Gentle Giant continuing without them, and the group went on to fulfill their live obligations in the knowledge that they would be their last. | |||
Although bootleg recordings of gigs on this final tour show the band had lost none of its power and precision, it was an uncharacteristically undisciplined affair in other respects, as Ray Shulman later recalled, 'It was very decadent in a way, very drunken... I remember our last gig in Milwaukee, we had this crazy prize-giving ceremony, issuing all our road crew with different 'trophies'. The crowd couldn't work it out - They'd come to see a music show, and instead there was this mad spectacle. It became remarkably self-indulgent at times.' | |||
Since Gentle Giant's demise, the Shulman brothers have remained active within the music business, Derek choosing to stay in the States to work for Phonogram, and later running his own label. Ray, meanwhile, returned to England to pursue a career as a producer, initially working with acts on the One Little Indian label, but more recently branching out to build his reputation through work with other artists. Kerry Minnear spent the early Eighties working with a Christian group in Cornwall, contributing to several 'praise tapes', including a collection of Christmas carols for which he wrote new arrangements. These days he makes his living from teaching music, and from the occasional foray into the world of TV music, but has plans to record an album of his more recent compositions when time and money permit. | |||
Guitarist Gary Green elected to stay in America, and according to Ray lives 'somewhere in the middle of nowhere, occasionally putting in an appearance with local bands.' Meanwhile John Weathers thunders on, as powerful as ever, propelling Man to further glories. | |||
'Civilian' was the last in a line of strikingly original albums, each with it's own character, but each recorded with the same care and attention to detail. Gentle Giant were a unique proposition, five talented musicians with the ability to blend widely differing musical traditions into a coherent whole. Ray Shulman later summed up the band's philosophy thus: 'We could never see the point in doing anything twice - we are always looking for something new, something different.' Kerry Minnear contends that 'The chemistry between us was something you could never reproduce - I don't think any of us could ever find it with anyone else. It was a thoroughly professional band, almost total co-operation and tremendous mutual support.' | |||
Their music is undoubtedly not to everyone's taste, but for those who take the time and trouble to listen, the rewards are considerable. | |||
- Alan Kinsman. With thanks for their assistance to Kerry Minnear, Ray Shulman and John 'Pugwash' Weathers. | |||
== Reviews and Ratings == | == Reviews and Ratings == | ||