#1 · 1971
Second studio album showcasing their complex and experimental progressive rock, with over thirty instruments played by the band.
8 tracksVertigo labelLP, AlbumProgressive Rock
Artist page · 04/07/2026
Gentle Giant
Gentle Giant, formed in London in 1970, crafted progressive rock blending medieval, classical, jazz, and rock influences throughout a decade of activity until 1980.
14Albums on Vinyles.com
1021Discogs releases
435kLast.fm listeners
About
Gentle Giant, A decade of intricate British prog rock, 1970–1980.
14 vinyls spanning genres from prog to avant-garde; original UK pressings from the 1970s range €9–€115.
Gentle Giant originated in London, UK, in early 1970, founded by the Shulman brothers Phil, Derek, and Ray, alongside Gary Green, Kerry Minnear, and Martin Smith. Known for complex compositions, the band incorporated over thirty instruments across its recordings. Their sound fuses prog rock, art rock and avant-garde elements, with multi-instrumentalist members contributing to dense arrangements and multi-part vocals. Over ten years, they released 14 vinyl records reflecting evolving styles, from early experimental work to more accessible melodies later in their career.
Their discography features notable studio albums such as "Free Hand" (1975), "The Power And The Glory" (1974), and "In A Glass House" (1973).
Discography
Gentle Giant — Discography
Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.
Alucard · 2014Live At The Bicentennial 1776-1976
Live
Glass House Records · 2005Live In New York 1975
Live
Glass House Records · 2005Live In Santa Monica 1975
Live
Glass House Records · 2003Artistically Cryme
Studio
Glass House Records · 2003The Missing Face
Studio
Glass House Records · 2000In'terview In Concert
Live
Glass House Records · 2000In A Palesport House
Studio
King Biscuit Flower Hour Records · 1998Live On The King Biscuit Flower Hour
Studio
Alucard · 1997Under Construction
Studio
Red Steel Music · 1996The Last Steps
Studio
Chrysalis · 1980Civilian
Studio
Chrysalis · 1978Giant For A Day
Studio
Chrysalis · 1977Playing The Fool
Studio
Chrysalis · 1977The Missing Piece
Studio
Chrysalis · 1975Free Hand
Studio
WWA Records · 1974The Power And The Glory
Studio
WWA Records · 1973In A Glass House
Studio
Vertigo · 1972Octopus
Studio
Vertigo · 1972Three Friends
Studio
Vertigo · 1971Acquiring The Taste
Studio
Vertigo · 1970Gentle Giant
Studio
Studio album
Live / EP
Playlist
Signature tracks
The tracks that sum up Gentle Giant's career.
01
The Advent of Panurge
Octopus · 1972
02
Aspirations
The Power And The Glory · 1974
03
Funny Ways
·
04
Think of Me With Kindness
Octopus · 1972
05
Proclamation
The Power And The Glory · 1974
06
Knots
Octopus · 1972
07
A Cry for Everyone
Octopus · 1972
08
The Boys in the Band
Octopus · 1972
The essentials
The 3 Gentle Giant albums you absolutely need
Our pick, validated by the editorial team.
#2 · 1975
Their commercially successful album demonstrating more accessible melodies and prog rock sophistication, reaching US Billboard 200.
7 tracksChrysalis labelLP, Album1975 original pressing UK
#3 · 1974
Prog rock album themed on power and corruption; original US Capitol pressing is notable for collectors.
8 tracksCapitol Records USLP, Album, Stereo1974 pressing
Go further
Artists similar to Gentle Giant
Artists who share part of Gentle Giant's musical DNA.
Collectors
For vinyl die-hards
The hidden side of the catalogue: rare pressings, sought-after matrices, Discogs values.
Market values (source: Discogs)
For each reference edition, these cards summarise the state of the global Discogs market. Market position places the average price of a copy between the observed min and max prices. Average price is the price seen for a mint-condition copy. Copies available counts listings currently for sale. Collectors who want it is the number of Discogs users who added it to their wantlist without owning it — a good signal of upcoming demand.
Free Hand
Market position
i
Min price 5 €Max price 20 €
Average price
15,38 €
Only 57 copies for sale on Discogs
215 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
The Power And The Glory
Market position
i
Min price 10 €Max price 16 €
Average price
13,01 €
Only 25 copies for sale on Discogs
1 011 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
In A Glass House
Market position
i
Min price 15 €Max price 21 €
Average price
18,06 €
Only 39 copies for sale on Discogs
1 038 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Three Friends
Market position
i
Min price 33 €Max price 61 €
Average price
51,00 €
Only 32 copies for sale on Discogs
400 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Octopus
Market position
i
Min price 17 €Max price 115 €
Average price
59,95 €
Only 62 copies for sale on Discogs
929 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Acquiring The Taste
Market position
i
Min price 26 €Max price 50 €
Average price
40,00 €
Only 27 copies for sale on Discogs
1 256 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Notable pressings & editions
Face B
Side B: the hidden stories of Gentle Giant
Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.
"Our aim was to push boundaries of contemporary popular music even if it meant losing mainstream appeal."— Derek Shulman
01Formation
Gentle Giant formed in London in 1970
The band was formed by brothers Phil, Derek, and Ray Shulman, alongside Gary Green and Kerry Minnear. They quickly became known for their multi-instrumental skills and complex compositions.
02Album
1972 release of "Three Friends"
The band's first concept album, exploring themes of growing apart through different life paths. Released during Malcolm Mortimore's tenure on drums before John Weathers took over.
03Album
"Free Hand" original UK pressing from 1975
This version on Chrysalis label is noted among collectors, with around 15 copies for sale typically priced between €15 and €20.
04Tour
European tour in 1972 opening for Jethro Tull
Gentle Giant toured Germany, Italy, and France in 1972, including shows in Lyon and Paris, supporting Jethro Tull before drummer Malcolm Mortimore was injured in a motorcycle accident.
05Album
"Octopus" recorded in London studios in late 1972
The album featured eight pieces, with Renaissance and medieval music influences, and included a European cover by Roger Dean. Phil Shulman departed after this release.
Records by Gentle Giant
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CDs by Gentle Giant
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FAQ
FAQ: Gentle Giant on physical formats
The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.
When was Gentle Giant formed and where?
Gentle Giant was formed in London, United Kingdom, in February 1970.
What genres does Gentle Giant's music cover?
Their music spans progressive rock, art rock, avant-garde elements, classical, medieval, jazz, and rock influences.
Which Gentle Giant album is considered their most commercially successful?
"Free Hand" (1975) is their most commercially successful album, reaching 48th on the US Billboard 200 chart.
How many vinyl records by Gentle Giant are listed on Vinyles.com?
There are 14 vinyl records by Gentle Giant available in the Vinyles.com catalog.
What is the price range for original UK pressings of Gentle Giant albums?
Original UK pressings from the 1970s generally range from around €9 to €115, depending on the album and condition.
Did Gentle Giant tour France during their career?
Yes, Gentle Giant toured France in 1972, with concerts in cities such as Lyon and Paris.
Are there notable colored vinyl editions for Gentle Giant albums?
Yes, some releases include colored vinyl editions, such as the "Missing Piece" on green vinyl, offering collectors special variants.
Which band members were multi-instrumentalists?
Except for the first two drummers, all members, including the Shulman brothers, Gary Green, and Kerry Minnear, were multi-instrumentalists.
Transparency
Sources & method
This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.
Our method
- Discographic data from MusicBrainz (dates, countries, activity period).
- Tracklists, artwork and genres retrieved via Discogs Masters.
- Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
- Audience and similar artists via Last.fm.
- Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editorial team.
Last updated: 04/07/2026