Giants in Their Day

[Jeff Higgins]

A couple of recent threads (what are you listening to today, the prog rock thread, etc.) got me to perusing You Tube for some video of some old favorites. I love You Tube for that - bringing back cherished memories of some really great bands I used to enjoy in my youth (and still enjoy today).

Well, here is what I think is a representative clip of one of my all-time favorites, a little known English band known as Gentle Giant. I fell in love with their music and their irreverent approach to music as a kid, back when all of my friends were listening to the likes of Black Sabbath, Van Halen, and other metal bands. These guys were really, really different.

In the end, though, being so different proved to be their undoing - their record label demanded more "mainstream" music (that would actually sell). That they did finally produce on their last two albums, but their hearts weren't in it. Giant fans like myself were confused and felt betrayed. The whole thing came unraveled, the band broke up, never to re-unite again. What a shame. I think they were one of the most innovative, talented collections of musicians ever pulled together in a single band. I miss 'em, but at least I have You Tube: