Knots (Gentle Giant) - Behind the Score (Episode 17)
Added 2022-04-12 03:16:51 +0000 UTCKnots by Gentle Giant is one of the more unique and memorable tunes I've looked at recently. With its ties to psychology and the complicated "knots" we weave for ourselves, we dive into some of the ways these ideas manifest themselves in the music. I hope you enjoy!
Comments
I have known of Gentle Giant since the 70's, but I haven't really listened to any of their music. I really want to dig deeper now. Thank you for this!
Thom P
2022-04-16 11:30:20 +0000 UTCWonderful to hear this song examined and analyzed. Thanks, Doug. - Buffalo Fred
Fred Beaulieu
2022-04-14 16:15:40 +0000 UTCIan Anderson's favorite prog. band. He has talked about the way they would pick apart their performances after every concert when they toured with Tull. Those were the days!
David Granger
2022-04-14 00:14:55 +0000 UTCThis, and Keith Emerson's piano concerto are some of the pieces I was mostly interested (and hopeful) for as soon as the channel started branching out. Seriously it's even more involved than it shows on the surface with its Fugal tendencies hehe Highly recommend for everyone's listening pleasure (and perhaps a reaction on YouTube) to check out the live version... I can almost hear Alex (clockwork orange) saying with regards to this piece: "Knotty Knotty" Anyway, what a delight, one of my favorite musical journeys so far ! (amazing band)
Eduardo Alejandro del Corral Lira
2022-04-13 16:56:03 +0000 UTCMan this is fascinating. I feel kinda backwards to be a fan of Haken first then working backward to their influences with these classic bands for the first time. The same with the Zappa stuff I hear for example. Jack and Jill part reminds me of Somebody which Doug did on the EPL. Also hear a lot of these Juxtapositions in the album Aquarius. I love this. Thanks Doug.
Arrow2theACL
2022-04-13 03:45:36 +0000 UTC"Frank, blink, Blur-Dee-Do" at 17:53 has gotta be added to a future DD rewind video!
Jim Reeves
2022-04-12 21:56:48 +0000 UTCSaw GG do this on Valentines Day in 1974 in San Francisco. Opened for Alvin Lee. Talk about a contrast. Anyway, some in the crowd started throwing candy hearts at the band on stage until Derek almost walked off. Thankfully they finished the set. Alvin Lee sucked by comparison.
Jim Reeves
2022-04-12 21:52:28 +0000 UTCI'll have to think on that for a while...thanks.
R. Douglas Helvering
2022-04-12 19:50:32 +0000 UTCFor those that may not know, Doug's reaction to the entire album Free Hand can be found on his Vimeo account. Check the Daily Doug Directory for a direct link.
Arrow2theACL
2022-04-12 15:31:03 +0000 UTCThanks for this, Doug. Apart from the line and lyric analysis, I particularly enjoyed the comparison of the latter section to madrigal. Kerry Minnear took his degree in music composition from the Royal Academy of Music, and I think it's primarily his influence that creates that style of composition in subsequent other pieces, either in terms of vocal or instrumental counterpoint, notably on "Free Hand". In one or two interviews (primarily with the Italian press) done in their early touring days when Phil Shulman was still with the group, he particularly references Palestrina and others as being influential in their style of music. Great analysis of a fascinating piece. Thanks again !
Peter Tutak
2022-04-12 14:58:34 +0000 UTCSounds like the xylophone is actually stereo mic'd and therefore panned according to player perspective, much like drumsets are.
Steve Jones
2022-04-12 14:56:12 +0000 UTCCheers for this Doug it is years since I have heard this. Brilliant.
John Gamesby
2022-04-12 08:45:59 +0000 UTCI studied R D Laing's work on my psychology degree. His main idea is that for some, insanity is the only sane response to an insane world.
Chris Ramsbottom
2022-04-12 08:14:36 +0000 UTCThank you for doing this!!!
BRIAN MILLER
2022-04-12 04:21:19 +0000 UTCI just started listening to Gentle Giant within the last couple of years. This is one of my favorite Gentle Giant songs. It was so much fun to delve into it like this! I thought about the song in new ways. I love how the music reflected the lyrics particularly the way the people in the song's lyrics were constantly just out of step. Thanks for this. I really enjoyed it!
MARK KNOWLES
2022-04-12 04:05:01 +0000 UTC
