The last few years have been a treat for fans of 70s prog band Gentle Giant. A few of their albums have been remixed by the legendary Steven Wilson and given the 5.1 treatment, while elsewhere, the vaults have been raided for huge amounts of demo and live material.
Just as you might start to think there’s not much more to give, the band unveil their most lavish set to date. ‘Unburied Treasure’ is a strictly limited 30 disc box set, presenting the original albums alongside a wealth of live material. Even for hardcore fans, there’s almost as much unreleased live material in this set than anything else!
More info can be found in the below press release, along with links to an official YouTube video and more detailed info regarding the mammoth box of treasures.
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Authorised by all band members
Youtube link to box set trailer: – https://youtu.be/xlGEKIAyVJo
Gentle Giant emerged from the ashes of chart hitmakers Simon Dupree and the Big Sound to become standard-bearers of the Seventies progressive movement. Their career often paralleled Genesis, their neighbours in the record racks, but while they frequently fought shy of commerciality largely due to their pop past and paid the price in sales terms, their uncompromising attitude won them a strong following in continental Europe.
They also enjoyed cult status in the States. When Frank Zappa was asked in 1978 who he was currently listening to, he namechecked Queen and Gentle Giant. (Coincidentally, Roy Thomas Baker not only engineered Giants earliest sessions but went on to produce the iconic Bohemian Rhapsody.)
Strictly limited to 2,000 copies, this lavishly presented collection is clad in Bob Venables new artwork, based on the iconic sleeve created by illustrator and Bowie alumnus George Underwood for the bands Vertigo label debut in 1970. That full album has been remixed for this releases Blu-ray disc by prolific rock musician Steven Wilson, whose reputation for remixing prog-rock classics in recent years is second to none. The remix is available in high resolution 96/24 Stereo LPCM, 96/24 5.1 surround LPCM and DTS-HD 5.1 surround mixes, and the instrumental mixes for every track are also included.
The foundation of the set is the dozen albums officially released during Gentle Giants 11 years as a recording act but, for all their studio skills, Giants musical abilities were given freest rein on stage. Yet only one live album, 1977s double vinyl Playing The Fool, was issued in their lifetime, so fans will be in seventh heaven at the prospect of 15 unreleased sets. Covering almost every period of the bands existence, they allow the individual members multi-instrumental abilities to be appreciated to their fullest extent.
Arrangements were changed and refined from tour to tour, including many segues and medleys, so these concert recordings offer year-by-year evidence of the bands progression. All the music, live and studio, has been remastered by Pete Reynolds, acclaimed for his work on the Wishbone Ash box of 2018.
The audio experience is enhanced by a magnificent 136-page coffee table book. This combines rare photographs and memorabilia with a painstakingly researched history by Alan Kinsman. A fan for 45 years, he has achieved the near impossible by interviewing all members of the band in depth, including Phil Shulman who left brothers Derek and Ray to pilot the band in 1973 after providing much of the initial impetus. The result is a must-read that will unlock many mysteries, clear up misunderstandings and finally give the music the context it deserves.
Also exclusive to this limited edition set are:
A band photo signed by the classic line-up of Derek Shulman, Ray Shulman, Gary Green, Kerry Minnear and John Weathers.
An exclusive 96-page tour history book compiled by Jack Skelly offering informed commentary on the live recordings, set lists, on-the-road memorabilia and more.
Two replica posters, one from Giants debut gig in 1970 and the other promoting 1974s classic The Power And The Glory album.
Replicas of album giveaway items: the Playing The Fool LP booklet (included with the initial pressing only) and the Giant For A Day mask.
A replica of the jigsaw used to promote the Missing Piece album.
The chance to win a reproduction of Giants rarest ever piece of memorabilia a screen-printed mirror produced to promote The Power And The Glory; only 100 were originally created. A golden missing piece included at random in one box set may be traded in by the lucky winner for this coveted item.
For too long prog-rocks best-kept secret, Gentle Giant finally achieved wider recognition in 2015, upsetting the odds to scoop Prog magazines coveted Lifetime Achievement Award. Two years later, their home city of Portsmouth honoured their achievements both as a band and individually by inducting them into the Hall of Fame at the Guildhall; Derek went on to become a leading record-business figure, Ray a noted producer. Unburied Treasure is further recognition that this was a band ahead of its time, and one whose unwillingness to compromise has ultimately enhanced its legacy.
Giant always set out to have a good time and to make sure the audience had a good time, says drummer John Weathers. Wed always go on and see if we could play better than we did the night before. I cant wait to see this definitive box set.
Derek Shulman would like Gentle Giant to be remembered as a group with integrity. It wasnt done for any other reason than simply being together playing music and challenging ourselves to be better. We hated compromise, and we had a lot of integrity in terms of what the music was about.
For fans of quality progressive rock, Unburied Treasure is the motherlode.