Free Hand
Free Hand | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | 22 August 1975 | |||
Recorded | April 1975 | |||
Studio | Advision, London | |||
Genre | Progressive rock | |||
Length | 36:50 | |||
Label | Chrysalis (UK) | |||
Producer | Gentle Giant | |||
Gentle Giant chronology | ||||
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"On Reflection" | ||||
sample of the song |
Free Hand is the seventh
In addition to the usual
A 1990 CD re-issue in the US by One Way Records used an alternate stereo mix. This version revealed some different details in the musical and vocal parts. However, this edition may have actually been a reduction or variation of the 4-channel mix.
On 25 June 2021 a new remix by musician and producer
International releases of the album include a slightly different position of the hand featured on the cover.
Reception
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [1] |
Sea of Tranquility | [2] |
The Great Rock Bible described the album:
Duly signing a new deal in Britain with Chrysalis Records, their seventh album Free Hand (1975), again only found a paying audience (and Top 50 status) across the water. However, it did contain impressive vocal gymnastics, much in evidence on jewels in the crown, "Just The Same" and the renaissance/retro, part a cappella/part folk-rocker "On Reflection"; the latter combining four pieces of group scribed fugue. Minnear's un-medieval meanderings on the ivories for the pure-prog title track was just the ticket for a group still going strong despite others such as ELP and the aforementioned Genesis and King Crimson were collapsing under rock's evolution. Although at times exquisitely off-kilter, tracks such as "Time To Kill", the beautiful "His Last Voyage", the folkie "Mobile" and Tudor-esque instrumental ditty "Talybont", gave the set an aura of accessibility – a classic![3]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Kerry Minnear, Derek Shulman, and Ray Shulman
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Just the Same" | 5:33 |
2. | "On Reflection" | 5:43 |
3. | "Free Hand" | 6:14 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
4. | "Time to Kill" | 5:08 |
5. | "His Last Voyage" | 6:26 |
6. | "Talybont" (instrumental) | 2:43 |
7. | "Mobile" | 5:03 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
8. | "Just the Same" (Live; on the 35th anniversary CD edition) | 4:50 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
8. | "1976 Intro Tape" (previously unreleased) | 1:39 |
9. | "Just the Same" (BBC session John Peel) | 6:05 |
10. | "Free Hand" (BBC session John Peel) | 6:08 |
11. | "On Reflection" (BBC session John Peel) | 5:42 |
12. | "Give It Back" (International 7" mix) | 3:48 |
13. | "I Lost My Head" (7" mix) | 3:29 |
Personnel
- Gentle Giant
- descant recorder(2, 6), co-lead vocals (2)
- honky-tonk piano (7), celesta (2), glockenspiel (2), vibraphone (1, 2, 5), marimba (2), timpani (2), harp (2), cello (2), tenor recorder (6), lead vocals(2–5)
- treble recorder (6), alto saxophone(1)
- Ray Shulman – bass, electric violin (7), violin (7), viola (2), co-lead vocals (2)
- percussion(2)
- Additional Personnel
- Engineer – Gary Martin
- Assistant engineer – Paul Northfield
- Cover Design - Gentle Giant
- Graphics - Richard Evans
There are no instrument credits listed on the album.[clarification needed]
Charts
Chart (1975) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[4] | 49 |
US Billboard 200[5] | 48 |
Chart (2021) | Peak position |
---|---|
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[6] | 43 |
Scottish Albums (OCC)[7] | 24 |
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[8] | 20 |
7 |
Release history
Region | Date | Label |
---|---|---|
United States | 21 or 28 July 1975 | Capitol Records |
United Kingdom | 22 August 1975 | Chrysalis Records |
References
- ^ Taylor, Robert (2011). "Gentle Giant: Free Hand | AllMusic". AllMusic.com. Retrieved 26 June 2011.
- ^ Pardo, Pete (2011). "Review: 'Gentle Giant: Free Hand – 35th Anniversary Edition (remaster)' – Sea of Tranquility – The Web Destination for Progressive Music!". SeaOfTranquility.org. Retrieved 26 June 2011.
- ^ "Gentle Giant biography". The Great Rock Bible. 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
- ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 4033a". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- ^ "Gentle Giant Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
External links
- Gentle Giant – Free Hand at Discogs
- "Free Hand" on YouTube