Kerry Minnear, Gentle Giant

The Keyboard Chronicles

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:

1. Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or:
2. 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

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