Octopus
by Gentle Giant
- Type: Album
- Released: 1 December 1972
- Label: Vertigo, Columbia
- Country: United Kingdom
- Length: 49:50
- Community rating: 4.81/5 from 8 ratings
Artists on this release: Kerry Minnear, Ray Shulman, Gary Green, Derek Shulman, Phil Shulman, John Weathers
Album Notes & Community Reviews
'Octopus' consolidates the band's eclectic progressive rock style, merging hard rock with medieval and chamber music elements, exemplified by the complex, madrigal-like vocal polyphony of "Knots". The album's virtuosic musicianship serves lyrical themes inspired by the writings of authors like François Rabelais and Albert Camus. Marking the final appearance of Phil Shulman and the debut of drummer John Weathers, the recording is frequently cited as one of Gentle Giant's definitive and most-balanced works.
Genres
Descriptors: progressive, complex, experimental, virtuosic, intricate
Tracklist
- The Advent of Panurge (04:43)
- Raconteur, Troubadour (04:04)
- A Cry for Everyone (04:06)
- Knots (04:11)
- The Boys in the Band (04:35)
- Dog's Life (03:13)
- Think of Me with Kindness (03:35)
- River (05:59)
- Excerpts from Octopus(Live 1976) (15:24)
Credits
- Kerry Minnear - keyboards, moog synthesizer, vibraphone, cello, percussion, lead and backing vocals
- Ray Shulman - bass, violin, guitar, percussion, vocals
- Gary Green - guitars, percussion
- Derek Shulman - lead vocals, alto saxophone
- Phil Shulman - trumpet, saxophones, mellophone, lead and backing vocals
- John Weathers - drums, xylophone, percussion
- Gentle Giant - production
- Martin Rushent - engineering, laughter, coin spin
- Mike Viccars - moog operator
- Cliff Morris - mastering
- Geoff Young - tape operator
- Murray Krugman - american supervision
- Roger Dean - illustration and art (uk)
- John Berg - cover concept & design
- Fluid Drive - art (us)
- Charles White III - illustration (us)
- Kenny Kneitel - design
- Michael Doret - lettering