UK Progressive Rock legends Gentle Giant have shared the official video for the Steven Wilson remix of “Betcha Thought We Couldn’t Do It.” The track is taken from the band’s 1977 album “The Missing Piece,” of which a brand new Steven Wilson remix was released earlier this year. A short sharp shock of uptempo Rock, it’s often seen as the band’s riposte to the Punk Rock that was raging around them at the time. Watch the video through the youtube player below:
“The Missing Piece” is is often cited by fans as the start of the band’s shift towards simpler, less complex music which was even more apparent on their final two albums, 1978’s “Giant For A Day” and 1980’s final studio album “Civilian.”
In 1977 Gentle Giant recorded their ninth studio album âThe Missing Pieceâ. It was a time of change. Punk, Disco and Rap were altering the musical landscape and even this well-established Progressive Rock band were willing to explore new directions. Side one saw them experimenting with quirky Pop (âTwo weeks in Spainâ), a grandiose power ballad (âIâm turning aroundâ), syncopated Funk (âWho do you think you are?â) and even the Punky aggression of âBetcha thought we couldnât do it.â Meanwhile the call and response Soul shouting of âMountain Timeâ hearkened back to the âbig soundâ of their Simon Dupree R & B revue days.
Purchase here:Â https://GentleGiantUK.lnk.to/TMP
Normal service was resumed on side two with some of their most sublime and intricate Progressive stylings to date. The breezily baroque âAs old as youâre youngâ led into the yearningly elegiac âMemories of Old Daysâ with a particularly heartfelt vocal from Derek Shulman. The percussive tour de force of âWinningâ then set up the blazing finale of âFor Nobody,â another mind blowing complex collection of driving intertwining riffs that the band would nonchalantly thunder through with apparent ease.
It remains a polarizing effort amongst fans to this day, some bemused by its diversity, others enchanted by its versatility and sense of humor. âThe Missing Pieceâ certainly proves that Gentle Giant could play anything they set their minds to. It was the last Gentle Giant album to chart in the USA.
Award winning producer and musician Steven Wilson continues his association with the band, remixing the album in Dolby Atmos, Stereo and 5.1 surround sound. In addition, the digipak CD/Blu-ray version also contains an instrumental mix, the original 1977 stereo mix and videos for each track. All remixes except the Atmos contain a bonus track, a previously unreleased outtake of âWinning.â
Gentle Giantâs âThe Missing Pieceâ Steven Wilson Remix will be released on CD, 5.1 Blu-Ray and 180g vinyl on 29th March, 2024.
Tracklist:
SIDE A
1. Two Weeks in Spain 3:04
2. Iâm Turning Around 3:58
3. Betcha Thought We Couldnât Do It 2:16
4. Who Do You Think You Are? 3:37
5. Mountain Time 3:21
SIDE B
1. As Old As Youâre Young 4:21
2. Memories Of Old Days 7:22
3. Winning 4:15
4. For Nobody 4:09
5. Winning (Outtake) 3:31 (Bonus Track)
Lineup:
Derek Shulman / Lead Vocals
Kerry Minnear / Keyboards, Vocals
Ray Shulman / Bass Guitar, 12 string Guitar
Gary Green / Electric and Acoustic Guitars
John âPugwashâ Weathers / Drums and Percussion
