Gentle Giant: Free Hand, Live 1978

by Kevin Johnson | Saturday, January 19th, 2013

I’m not sure how I stumbled onto this video, but I’m sure glad I did. Gentle Giant’s “Free Hand” is already an awesome song, but add bassist Ray Shulman’s ballsy tone and energetic performance to the mix, and it’s a home run.

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Comments:

Troy Hughes says:

January 28, 2013 at 5:10 am

My brother-in-law owns the burst that the guitarist is playing. It’s known as “GG” in the collectors market.

Tim Clemons says:

January 23, 2013 at 6:10 pm

When I saw GG the first time in Salem Derek and Ray’s other brother was still in the band. I can’t think of his name off the top of my head.

Erica Joe Briffa says:

January 22, 2013 at 6:55 pm

I was fortunate enough to watch them perform in, of all places, Harpo’s in Detroit. Why they were there I could never figure out, but what an amazing display of musicianship. I was a fan of Ray Shulman’s playing immediately. This opened a flood gate of memories!

Jason Boismier says:

January 22, 2013 at 6:55 pm

incerdible…

Kevin Johnson says:

January 22, 2013 at 9:10 pm

Too cool!

Bruno Migliari says:

January 20, 2013 at 6:55 pm

That’s testament to how progressive rock can also be funky. Great band, great bassist!

Spencer Venne says:

January 20, 2013 at 12:40 pm

How have I never heard of these guys before? This is bad ass. Kevin, thank you for posting this!

Kevin Johnson says:

January 20, 2013 at 2:10 pm

You bet!

Tim Clemons says:

January 28, 2013 at 6:10 pm

I sure hope you check out some of their other videos on YouTube. This isn’t even their best song.

Tim Clemons says:

January 19, 2013 at 4:55 pm

I’ll show my age; I don’t know anybody that had heard of Gentle Giant back in their day. I went to a Uriah Heep/Foghat concert around 1973 and GG opened. My perspective on bass playing has never been the same since. I’ve always liked the out there bass players and Ray Schulman is one of if not the best bass player ever in my humble opinion. He’s also a good guitar, trumpet, descant recorder and violin player.

Max Tucker says:

January 19, 2013 at 10:10 pm

Yes and ELP had a baby, and they named it Gentle Giant.

Tim Clemons says:

January 20, 2013 at 2:10 pm

Yeah, Max; and as so often happens, the offspring is better than the originals.

Trey Smith says:

January 19, 2013 at 12:54 pm

wow this is like halfway between Yes and King Crimson…interesting.

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