In A Glass House
by Gentle Giant
Artist:
Gentle Giant
Label:
WWA Records
Catalog#:
WWA 002
Format:
Vinyl
Country:
United Kingdom
Released:
1973
| Tracklist | |||
| A1 | The Runaway | 7:24 | |
| A2 | An Inmates Lullaby | 4:27 | |
| A3 | Way Of Life | 7:45 | |
| B1 | Experience | 7:47 | |
| B2 | A Reunion | 2:08 | |
| B3 | In A Glass House | 7:41 | |
| B4 | Index | 0:20 | |
Credits
Bass Guitar, Violin, Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals – Ray Shulman
Drums – John Weathers
Engineer – Gary Martin (3)
Guitar [6 String], Twelve-string Guitar, Mandolin, Recorder [Alto] – Gary Green
Keyboards [All], Percussion [Tune] – Kerry Minnear
Percussion – Gary Green, John Weathers, Ray Shulman
Photography – Martyn Dean
Producer – Gentle Giant
Tape [Operator] – Paul Hardingham
Vocals, Alto Saxophone [Alto Sax], Soprano Saxophone [Soprano Sax] – Derek Shulman
Vocals, Recorder – Derek Shulman, Kerry Minnear
Written-by [All Songs By] – Shulman*, Minnear*, Shulman*
Notes
Album comes in a gimmix cover with the center part of the jacket front side being transparent foil with black print on it; there is a printed cardboard insert that provides the remainder of the cover image.
Release also contains a printed inner sleeve with the lyrics.
Track B4 is not mentioned on the release, but the music is present on the disc.
All songs for Alucard Music. An Alucard Production.
Recorded at Advision Studios, London. July '73
Recording produced by W.W.A. Records and marketed by Phonogram.
"Super De Luxe".
This stereo record can be played on mono reproducers provided either a compatible or stereo cartridge wired for mono is fitted. Recent equipment may already be fitted with a suitable cartridge. If in doubt, consult your dealer.
Printed and made in England.
On Sleeve: PATENT Nos. 1,125,555. 4919 000 1541 — 3 539. Made in Great Britain.
On Labels: Stereo. All compositions published by Alucard Music Ltd. ℗ 1973.
Strawberry Bricks Entry:
Gentle Giant recorded their fifth album in the still-settling wake of the eldest Shulman Phil's departure. The band was back at Advision, but for the first time since their debut without engineer Martin Rushent. Like the black-and-white cover, In A Glass House has a stark, monochromatic feel to it; but nevertheless contains some classic Giant material. "The Runaway" kicks off on John Weathers's solid offbeat; and along with "Experience," both songs would remain concert favorites for some years, albeit in shortened form. "An Inmates Lullaby," one of the quiet tunes on the album, is exceptional: The track's percussive vibes provide emphasis rather than embellishment. "Way of Life" clicks away under Weathers's fierce tempo, but it sounds a little too neat; while the noodling arrangement of "Experience" opens the second side. But all of Gentle Giant's studio trickery sounds, well, just like studio trickery. And although Weathers's drums are curiously up in the mix (a good thing), one can't help but get the feeling that the album was constructed, layer by layer and part by part, rather than played by a band. Still, it's difficult to throw stones at the album: The luscious melody and strings of "A Reunion" complement a tender vocal from Kerry Minnear and together are sublime. The title track is the album's hardest rocking affair, and also perhaps the most successful; its incessant beat drives the song forward through its various sections, holding interest throughout. Gary Green's guitar work is particularly strong here, as is Derek Shulman's direct vocal. Though the album never saw release in the US, it went on to sell a reputed 150,000 copies on import and attain near-legendary status with fans. Not bad for an album that was rejected by their US label, Columbia.
