GG AT THE GG

1) Concert from early 1978 (The Missing Piece tour) 2) Videos (3 from 1976, 3 from 1978) 3) Picture gallery (1973-1978) 4) Concert footage from 1974-75

The last one (4) is of rather poor quality, and doesn't add much to the disc. Material from the same period appears on the first DVD, and is better represented there.

It's hard not to compare this DVD to the first DVD "Giant On The Box". That DVD captured the band in an earlier period (1974-75), and showed what most fans consider to be "the real Gentle Giant", featuring complex interwoven instruments and melodies. This DVD shows the band in their later years (1976-1978) when the band shifted to a simpler style of music, and songs that are more straightforward rock. The band also looks more "plain" and "modern" on this DVD, less like the early 70's avant rockers with longer hair, etc.

The main feature of this DVD is the 1) Concert. Though the focus is on songs from The Missing Piece, some older tracks are featured, including Funny Ways, Playing the Game, and Free Hand. Some of the songs really rock, such as For Nobody, and Betcha Thought We Couldn't Do it. Memories of Old Days has all band members on guitar (even drummer John Weathers and keyboardist Kerry Minnear pick up the instrument). Singer Derek Shulman plays the small, strange, homemade "Shulberry" guitar on Playing the Game. The concert has better picture and sound quality than the abbreviated concerts on Giant On the Box. The downside is, again, that the music is not as progressive and interesting on this DVD. One song that is particularly not in the Gentle Giant style is Mountain Time. Who took over their bodies for the playing of this song?

The videos are typical lip-sync stuff. Three songs are from 1978's Giant For a Day, and don't really represent what the band was about. Luckily, three songs from 1976's Interview are included. These show the band farther back in time, and closer to their "golden years". The picture quality is quite good too.

The picture gallerys are interesting. Though small, there are even a few pictures with original 6th member Phil Shulman. One of the galleries is set to music, and is sort of like another video.

Overall, this DVD is a must for die-hard Gentle Giant fans. For the general prog. community though, it would be better to check out the other DVD first (i.e. Giant On the Box), which better shows what Gentle Giant was about. I'll admit, this one kind of grows on a person over time, making it easier to appreciate.

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