Amazon.co.uk allows you to pay for your items in your local currency. Restrictions apply. Learn More. |
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
In a Glasshouse is one of my favourite albums of all time and i am sure that many other reviewers will give a good idea of the musical content. However K. Demitriou highlights a problem for anyone wanting to invest in GG cd's. There have been so many remasters released by different labels some exellent and others not so. It is not easy to know which versions to go for. I have spent a small fortune trying to get the best versions as Giant are my favourite band of all time. I hope i can help any bewildered fans or newcomers with the following recommendations. For the first four albums i would opt for the versions released by the Repetoire label, the sound quality is full lively and dynamic and the original cover art is exactly reproduced with gatefold sleeves. All are available on this site.
After this it gets a little more difficult. I have not heard any of the 35th anivesary releases but for me I want the original artwork wherever possible. I have the same version of In a Glasshouse that K. demitriou mentions in his review here, mainly because it is the only version other than the 35th aniversary release that I have been able to find. Compared to the Repetoire releases i agree that the sound quality is not as good but i would not go as far as him and describe it as poor and i would definately get this if you like the album. For The Power and the Glory I would recomend the Capitol import version that is available from EliteDigital one of the Amazon sellers. You can find it in the GG section on this site. It has the original artwork reproduced in the standard cd format and has a good punchy sound however it is 20 quid for a new copy. For Free Hand and Interview I have the BGO doublepack version but I am hoping to replace this as the sound quality is the weakest of the GG cds that I own. The latter GG albums I dont have although i will get the missing piece as there are some good tracks but its far from their best.
Finally love and respects to GG and all the fans. Keep flying the flag!
After this it gets a little more difficult. I have not heard any of the 35th anivesary releases but for me I want the original artwork wherever possible. I have the same version of In a Glasshouse that K. demitriou mentions in his review here, mainly because it is the only version other than the 35th aniversary release that I have been able to find. Compared to the Repetoire releases i agree that the sound quality is not as good but i would not go as far as him and describe it as poor and i would definately get this if you like the album. For The Power and the Glory I would recomend the Capitol import version that is available from EliteDigital one of the Amazon sellers. You can find it in the GG section on this site. It has the original artwork reproduced in the standard cd format and has a good punchy sound however it is 20 quid for a new copy. For Free Hand and Interview I have the BGO doublepack version but I am hoping to replace this as the sound quality is the weakest of the GG cds that I own. The latter GG albums I dont have although i will get the missing piece as there are some good tracks but its far from their best.
Finally love and respects to GG and all the fans. Keep flying the flag!
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I bought this directly from i think the keyboard player Kerry Minnear some years ago and thought it desperately needs a review.
This is to me, the finest of Gentle Giant's albums. I got into them via a guy called Brian who claimed he knew them at school (maybe Portsmouth, where some of them came from). He financed a demo album for my band 'Ayup' in 1973, but dissapeared a few years later. Having borrowed a few of their earlier albums, I thought yes, this band is different to every other 'Proggy' band. A mix of King Crimson and Yes perhaps best describes them with maybe a touch of Tull (For a modern interpretation try Spocks Beard/Neal Morse).
Now for the album : An extension of their previous 'Octupus' with more folky contributions. The first track (always good to break the ice at parties!!) is pretty normal GG (for them). Track 2 is the awkward one 'An Inmates Lullaby' one of the weirdest from GG (guaranteed NOT to break the ice at parties!!!) 'Way of Life' is a great rockier track with unusual vocal line, braking into a chamber piece and returning back to the previous section, ending with a great repeated line with keyboards fading away before the glorious 'Experience' with very complex rhythms. A quieter almost hymn like vocal follows until the typical GG soft/loud riff starts, briefly returning to the hymn then ending a complex fadeout. Reunion - a folky/chamber piece follows before the great title track with it's folky start then great sax and change of key building up to the killer heavy riff from Gary's guitar at 4:14, Derek Shulman at his vocal best with probably Kerry on the quieter bits, some unusual slide from Gary Green, until Derek returns for the repeated vocal fading out with that great riff. But beware it's party time again with a short resume of each track. My version also has a couple of live european bonus tracks from 'Glasshouse'. This is highly recommended with a unique CD cover ( as near as poss to the LP version)
This is to me, the finest of Gentle Giant's albums. I got into them via a guy called Brian who claimed he knew them at school (maybe Portsmouth, where some of them came from). He financed a demo album for my band 'Ayup' in 1973, but dissapeared a few years later. Having borrowed a few of their earlier albums, I thought yes, this band is different to every other 'Proggy' band. A mix of King Crimson and Yes perhaps best describes them with maybe a touch of Tull (For a modern interpretation try Spocks Beard/Neal Morse).
Now for the album : An extension of their previous 'Octupus' with more folky contributions. The first track (always good to break the ice at parties!!) is pretty normal GG (for them). Track 2 is the awkward one 'An Inmates Lullaby' one of the weirdest from GG (guaranteed NOT to break the ice at parties!!!) 'Way of Life' is a great rockier track with unusual vocal line, braking into a chamber piece and returning back to the previous section, ending with a great repeated line with keyboards fading away before the glorious 'Experience' with very complex rhythms. A quieter almost hymn like vocal follows until the typical GG soft/loud riff starts, briefly returning to the hymn then ending a complex fadeout. Reunion - a folky/chamber piece follows before the great title track with it's folky start then great sax and change of key building up to the killer heavy riff from Gary's guitar at 4:14, Derek Shulman at his vocal best with probably Kerry on the quieter bits, some unusual slide from Gary Green, until Derek returns for the repeated vocal fading out with that great riff. But beware it's party time again with a short resume of each track. My version also has a couple of live european bonus tracks from 'Glasshouse'. This is highly recommended with a unique CD cover ( as near as poss to the LP version)
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
1973's In A Glass House was the fifth studio album that the British Progressive Rock band Gentle Giant released overall and the second of their albums to feature John Weathers on the drums. As usual Gentle Giant fail to disappoint; this is a brilliant album hands down, just like every other Gentle Giant album before it, and even a few after it too.
Gentle Giant were consistent as well as talented, creative and eclectic. If you like one of their songs you won't hear another that sounds like it, but you will likely love most of the assorted songs they made. As a rule, the band cover a whole lot of musical ground in each song, more on each album and a great deal across their whole career. You never know where a song will go and how many moods and tones it will cover, but you can be fairly certain that it will be entertaining.
Compared to the album which preceded it In A Glass House is different different, a bit more out there, a little more progressive but still innately Gentle Giant. The level of creativity and musicianship on the album is utterly exceptional. Gary Green is in fine form in particular here delivering a great performance and as always Kerry hits it out of the park with ace keyboard and moog throughout. In fact, each member is a simply superb musician and usually all deserve immense praise.
One thing that makes In A Glass House stand out in the catalogue is that the album arguably has a much simpler approach to vocals than other Gentle Giant records, but then it also has as complicated if not more complicated music. Luckily that complex music is held tightly together by John Weathers' funky and brilliant drumming, which melts away any apparent chaos or pretensions with a flick of the drumstick, leaving the listener receptive and probably even wanting more.
All six of the albums tracks are worth exploring, but highlights include the rocking title track 'In A Glass House' and the jaunty 'Experience.'
For the most part this is a pretty difficult album to criticise if you are into this sort of music in the first place. Admittedly, the DRT remaster lacks the punch and energy of the Vertigo editions of Octopus or Acquiring The Taste but after about twenty seconds you'll be lost in the performance anyway. It may not be bombastic but at least it is clear, if a little quiet.
Overall, this is a very good album from a very good band. If you like prog you should at least try out the band, and if you like the band then this album is pretty essential listening. I highly recommend it, along with most of the band's entire discography.
Gentle Giant were consistent as well as talented, creative and eclectic. If you like one of their songs you won't hear another that sounds like it, but you will likely love most of the assorted songs they made. As a rule, the band cover a whole lot of musical ground in each song, more on each album and a great deal across their whole career. You never know where a song will go and how many moods and tones it will cover, but you can be fairly certain that it will be entertaining.
Compared to the album which preceded it In A Glass House is different different, a bit more out there, a little more progressive but still innately Gentle Giant. The level of creativity and musicianship on the album is utterly exceptional. Gary Green is in fine form in particular here delivering a great performance and as always Kerry hits it out of the park with ace keyboard and moog throughout. In fact, each member is a simply superb musician and usually all deserve immense praise.
One thing that makes In A Glass House stand out in the catalogue is that the album arguably has a much simpler approach to vocals than other Gentle Giant records, but then it also has as complicated if not more complicated music. Luckily that complex music is held tightly together by John Weathers' funky and brilliant drumming, which melts away any apparent chaos or pretensions with a flick of the drumstick, leaving the listener receptive and probably even wanting more.
All six of the albums tracks are worth exploring, but highlights include the rocking title track 'In A Glass House' and the jaunty 'Experience.'
For the most part this is a pretty difficult album to criticise if you are into this sort of music in the first place. Admittedly, the DRT remaster lacks the punch and energy of the Vertigo editions of Octopus or Acquiring The Taste but after about twenty seconds you'll be lost in the performance anyway. It may not be bombastic but at least it is clear, if a little quiet.
Overall, this is a very good album from a very good band. If you like prog you should at least try out the band, and if you like the band then this album is pretty essential listening. I highly recommend it, along with most of the band's entire discography.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Sorry, Alucard and Gentle Giant - BAD vinyl/cover
To put it mildly: This is a real dissapointment! Why? Because of the terrible quality of the vinyl. I mean: How COULD you do this to such a classic prog jewel? Read more
Published 13 months ago by Musick
who the hell remastered this ????
Another great album by the prog pioneers GG with great arrangements musianship.......bla bla bla......everyone knows how great GG are and how great this album is... Read more
Published on 14 Jun 2007 by K. Dimitriou
Great
This is absolutely amazing what a great album. For all you die-hard Gentlegiant fans, this is an absolute must have. Read more
Published on 16 Feb 2001
a sparkling example of progressive rock with a capital P
A timeless example of a group of unparalleled musicians exploring the far reaches of what can be achieved with an extensive range of instruments both traditional and unexpected. Read more
Published on 24 Jan 2001 by mark.goodenough@virgin.net
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192198663_.gif){kind=small}
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
