On December 1, 1972, “Vertigo” label released “Octopus”, the fourth Gentle Giant album. It was recorded July – August 1972, at “Advision Studios” in London, and was produced by Gary Green, Kerry Minnear, Derek Shulman, Phil Shulman, Ray Shulman and John Weathers. In the Q & Mojo “Classic Special Edition Pink Floyd & The Story of Prog Rock”, “Octopus” was ranked at number 16 in its list of “40 Cosmic Rock Albums”. “Prog Magazine” ranked the album at number 65 in its list of “The 100 Greatest Prog Albums of All Time”.
Personnel:
- Gary Green- electric guitars, percussion
- Kerry Minnear- lead and backing vocals, piano, Hammond organ, Minimoog, electric piano, Mellotron, Clavinet, harpsichord, regal, vibraphone, cello, percussion
- Derek Shulman- lead vocals, alto saxophone
- Phil Shulman – lead and backing vocals, trumpet, tenor saxophone, mellophone
- Ray Shulman- bass, violin, viola , electric violin, acoustic guitar, percussion, backing vocals
- John Weathers- drums, bongos, varispeed cymbal, xylophone
- Martin Rushent – engineer
- Cliff Morris – mastering
- Geoff Young – tape operator
- John Berg – cover concept, design
- Fluid Drive – art
- Charles White III – illustration
- Kenny Kneitel – design
- Michael Doret – lettering
Track listing:
All lyrics by Derek Shulman and Phil Shulman, all music by Kerry Minnear and Ray Shulman.
- The Advent of Panurge
- Raconteur Troubadour
- Knots
- A Cry for Everyone
- The Boys in the Band
- Dog’s Life
- Think of Me with Kindness
- River
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