The Power and the Glory (Gentle Giant album)

The Power and the Glory
Studio album by Gentle Giant
Released	September 20, 1974
Recorded	December 1973 – January 1974, Advision Studios, London
Genre	Progressive rock, experimental rock, symphonic rock
Length	37:11
Label	Vertigo/WWA, Capitol
Producer	Gentle Giant
Gentle Giant chronology
In a Glass House (1973)In a Glass House1973 The Power and the Glory (1974) Free Hand (1975)Free Hand1975
Alternative cover
2005 35th anniversary reissue cover 2005 35th anniversary reissue cover

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic
Sea of Tranquility

The Power and the Glory is the sixth album by the British progressive rock group Gentle Giant, released in 1974. Contrary to popular belief, the title of the album and its many lyrical themes were not inspired by author Graham Greene's novel of the same name, although Derek Shulman was aware of Greene's novel. Guitarist Gary Green has cited this album as his favourite by the band.

The concept album focused on an individual who means to do good using political power. He finds himself tempted to abuse the power, as have all of those who have come before, and ultimately becomes what he fought against.

Releases

The album was originally released in the US and Canada by Capitol Records, as would all Gentle Giant's albums until Civilian.

In a 2010 interview Derek Shulman announced that the band are working at creating an animated film based around the themes, characters and songs of the album. The animations subsequently became available in the album's Blu-ray release, of July 2014, which also features a surround remix (both in stereo and 5.1 surround format) by Steven Wilson. The new edition was released by Alucard, the company that managed Gentle Giant material.

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Kerry Minnear, Derek Shulman, and Ray Shulman, except where noted. 

Side one
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Proclamation"	6:47
2.	"So Sincere"	3:51
3.	"Aspirations" (R. Shulman, Minnear)	4:40
4.	"Playing the Game"	6:46

Side two
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Cogs in Cogs"	3:07
2.	"No God's a Man"	4:27
3.	"The Face"	4:12
4.	"Valedictory"	3:21

Bonus tracks on remastered CD
No.	Title	Length
9.	"Proclamation" (Live) (bonus track on 35th anniversary CD edition)	4:54
10.	"The Power and the Glory" (bonus track available on certain editions only)	2:53

Personnel

• Derek Shulman – lead vocals on tracks 1, 2 and 4-8, tenor saxophone (track 2)
• Kerry Minnear – Hammond organ (tracks 1, 2, 4-8), piano (tracks 1, 2, 5, 6, 7), Minimoog (tracks 2, 4, 5, 8), Clavinet (tracks 2, 4, 6, 7), electric piano (tracks 1, 3, 4), Mellotron (track 4), marimba (track 4), vibraphone (track 6), cello (track 2), lead vocals on tracks 2-4
• Ray Shulman – bass, violin (tracks 2, 4, 7), electric violin (track 7), acoustic guitar (track 6), vocals (tracks 1, 6, 8)
• Gary Green – electric guitar (tracks 1, 2, 4, 8), electric guitars (tracks 5-7), acoustic guitar (tracks 3, 4, 6), vocals (tracks 1, 6, 8)
• John Weathers – drums, tambourine (tracks 2, 5, 7), sleigh bells (track 6), cymbals (track 1)

LP cover

The original LP cover was diecut, with rounded upper corners.

Charts

Year	Chart	Position
1974	US Billboard 200	78

References

• Interview with Derek Shulman, 17 February 2010, by Wayne Klein http://www.dvdivas.net/INDEX-PROGRESSIVELAND.html
• Interview with Gary Green, 12 February 2010, by Wayne Klein http://www.dvdivas.net/INDEX-PROGRESSIVELAND.html