Gentle Giant – The Missing Piece Discussion
Interview with Derek Shulman
1. The Missing Piece marked a departure from Gentle Giant’s previous sound. What motivated the band to explore diverse genres like pop, funk, and punk on this album, considering the changing musical landscape in 1977?
We decided to try to shorten & simplify some of the tracks on this album to accommodate the changing musical times. I think by & large we had fun trying something ‘new’ to see if we could still keep our musical integrity while trying to be a little more ‘commercial’.
2. Can you share insights into the collaborative process during the recording of “The Missing Piece”? How did the band approach blending various musical styles into a cohesive album?
Ray & Kerry wrote most of the music and then I would get together with them to get a feel as to how we would interpret the songs lyrically.
3. Steven Wilson played a significant role in remixing the album. What was the band’s collaboration like with him, and how did his involvement impact the final sound and presentation of the album?
Steven Wilson has become a trusted friend & fan of the band for many years. His remix of this album really did bring out some of the missing elements that were obvious in hindsight. Both Ray & Gary’s bass & guitar sounds are much clearer & more aggressive in this remix which was the original intention.
4. The track “Two Weeks in Spain” is described as an experiment with quirky pop. What inspired the band to delve into this genre, and how did the creative process differ for this particular track?
Two Weeks In Spain is an experimental fun ‘dipping of toes in the ‘commercial’ music waters’. It is (hopefully) quite tongue in cheek and very ‘British’ in the way it is sung & played.
5. On side two of the album, Gentle Giant returned to their intricate progressive stylings. Could you elaborate on the inspiration and creative process behind tracks like “As Old As You’re Young” and “Memories Of Old Days”?
I think that side 2 of this album was the counterpoint to side 1. We were ‘progressing’ & experimenting with musical styles & on Side 1. Side 2 had a more reflective atmosphere to it. It was almost as if we were getting off the train we had been on for the past 8+years.
6. Given the polarizing nature of “The Missing Piece” among fans, how did the band react to the diverse reactions and opinions on the album at the time of its release, and how do you perceive its impact on Gentle Giant’s overall discography?
The fans were somewhat surprised by the direction of the album especially the first side of TMP. However as a group who always needed to grow & experiment it was important to the band to see if we could retain our musicality while making music that was less complex.
7. The album features a remix in Dolby Atmos, Stereo, and 5.1 surround sound by Steven Wilson. How does this remix enhance the listening experience, and what aspects of the original recording did the band find important to preserve or enhance in the remix?
Steven’s remix has really clarified the instrumentation & space between them in this mix probably more than any other remixes he has done for GG. The placement of the vocals are also much better than the original mix.
8. With “The Missing Piece” being the last album to chart in the USA for Gentle Giant, how did the band navigate the evolving music industry landscape during that time, and did this influence their creative decisions on the album?
We were obviously aware that bands in our ‘genre’ were able to make popular ‘singles’ and expand their fan base to include ‘casual’ listeners. I think this was certainly if not in the back of our minds then subconsciously. However we weren’t able to make that leap and in many ways we’re glad that this was the case.
9. The instrumental mix and original 1977 stereo mix are included in the CD/Blu-ray version. How do these different mixes provide listeners with new perspectives on the album, and what was the band’s intention behind including them?
I believe our fans love to hear the intricacies of the musical parts under the vocal lines. GG compositions were usually thematic and in the instrumental versions you can pick out the themes in the various instruments.
10. The bonus track, a previously unreleased outtake of “Winning,” is included in the remix. Can you share the story behind this outtake and why it was chosen as a bonus track for this release?
The bonus track was a surprise to the band also. I think Steven liked the way it was put together with crazy percussion noises & pots & pans.
Preorder The Missing Piece here: https://GentleGiantUK.lnk.to/TMP
