Kerry Minnear, Gentle Giant

Kerry Minnear is one of the most cited inspirations we hear from our guests, and with good reason. Kerry’s work was and is groundbreaking, and we had the pleasure of covering some fascinating ground. Listening to this extremely humble pioneer and innovator is an hour very well spent. To listen / watch: * Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or: * Video: watch the embedded video below or check it and previous episodes out on our YouTube Channel Discussion topics covered during the show (links will open in new tab):   The remastered Playing The Fool – The Complete Live Experience Recollections of the original live recording (using Jethro Tull’s Maison Rouge mobile studio) How Dan Bornemark worked his magic to bring together the remaster Kerry’s musical upbringing Royal Academy of Music Auditioning for, and joining Gentle Giant The iconic Tony Visconti Recording Gentle Giant’s first album  Simon Dupree and the Big Sound – and bumping into an unknown called Reg Dwight The go-to keyboards used on the early Gentle Giant albums On being a ‘crazed combination of Stevie Wonder and Béla Bartók’ (on the Clavinet) The importance of counterpoint in Gentle Giant Key musical influences for Gentle Giant Balancing mediaeval sounds with the 1970s prog sound When Gentle Giant was Black Sabbath’s support slot Bringing Gentle Giant’s compositions to the live environment Gentle Giant – Free Hand Audience reaction to Gentle Giant’s music A great montage of Kerry in action Keeping sane whilst touring Kerry’s career post Gentle Giant The Reapers – Good Christian Men Rejoice Composing for the Azrael’s Tear soundtrack (1996) Thoughts for young musicians entering the industry We ask Kerry what his impact on music has been Desert Island Discs: O Magnum Mysterium – Morten Lauridsen, anything by Oscar Peterson, Playing The Fool, The Complete Live Experience – Gentle Giant,  Touring with Jethro Tull Gentle Giant – Funny Ways Key links: Buy some keyboard related merchandise Drop us a line via the website, Facebook, Instagram,