The Power and the Glory (Gentle Giant album)

The Power and the Glory
Studio album by Gentle Giant
Released September 20, 1974
Recorded December 1973 – January 1974, Advision Studios, London
Genre Progressive rock, experimental rock, symphonic rock
Length 37:11
Label Vertigo/WWA, Capitol
Producer Gentle Giant
Gentle Giant chronology
In a Glass House
(1973)		 The Power and the Glory
(1974)		 Free Hand
(1975)
Alternative cover
2005 35th anniversary reissue cover
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]
Sea of Tranquility[2]

The Power and the Glory is an album by the British progressive rock group Gentle Giant, released in 1974. Contrary to popular belief, the title of the album and its many lyrical themes were not inspired by author Graham Greene's novel of the same name, although Derek Shulman was aware of Greene's novel.[3] Guitarist Gary Green has cited this album as his favourite by the band.[4]

The concept album focused on an individual who means to do good using political power. He finds himself tempted to abuse the power, as have all of those who have come before, and ultimately becomes what he fought against.

Releases

The album was originally released in the US and Canada by Capitol Records, as would all Gentle Giant's albums until Civilian.

In a 2010 interview [5] Derek Shulman announced that the band are working at creating an animated film based around the themes, characters and songs of the album. The animations subsequently became available in the album's Blu-ray release, of July 2014, which also features a surround remix (both in stereo and 5.1 surround format) by Steven Wilson. The new edition was released by Alucard, the company that managed Gentle Giant material.[6]

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Kerry Minnear, Derek Shulman, and Ray Shulman, except where noted. 

Side one
No. TitleWriter(s) Length
1. "Proclamation"    6:47
2. "So Sincere"    3:51
3. "Aspirations"  R. Shulman, Minnear 4:40
4. "Playing the Game"    6:46
Side two
No. TitleWriter(s) Length
1. "Cogs in Cogs"    3:07
2. "No God's a Man"    4:27
3. "The Face"    4:12
4. "Valedictory"    3:21
Bonus tracks on remastered CD
No. Title Length
9. "Proclamation" (Live) (bonus track on 35th anniversary CD edition) 4:54
10. "The Power and the Glory" (bonus track available on certain editions only) 2:53

Personnel

LP cover

The original LP cover was diecut, with rounded upper corners.

Charts

Year Chart Position
1974 US Billboard 200 78

References

  1. ↑ Eder, Bruce (2011). "The Power and the Glory - Gentle Giant | AllMusic". allmusic.com. Retrieved 26 June 2011.
  2. ↑ Pardo, Pete (2011). "Review: 'Gentle Giant: The Power and the Glory-35th Anniversary Edition (remaster)' - Sea of Tranquility - The Web Destination for Progressive Music!". seaoftranquility.org. Retrieved 26 June 2011.
  3. ↑ Interview with Wayne Klein, 16 February 2010, from "Progressive Land"
  4. ↑ "Progressive Land" Interview with Gary Green by Wayne Klein http://www.dvdivas.net/INDEX-PROGRESSIVELAND.html
  5. ↑ 17 February 2010 Interview for Progressiveland website with Derek Shulman by Wayne Klein
  6. ↑ http://stevenwilsonhq.com/sw/headphonedust/gentle-giant-the-power-and-the-glory-sw-remix-blu-raycd/
  7. ↑ Gentle Giant's website (www.blazemonger.com/GG/)
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