The Missing Piece | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 26 August 1977 | |||
Recorded | May 1977 | |||
Studio | Relight Studios, Hilvarenbeek, The Netherlands | |||
Genre | Progressive rock | |||
Length | 36:28 | |||
Label | Chrysalis (UK) Capitol (US) | |||
Producer | Gentle Giant | |||
Gentle Giant chronology | ||||
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Singles from The Missing Piece | ||||
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The Missing Piece is the ninth studio album by British progressive rock band Gentle Giant, released in 1977. After the Interview tour this return to the studio marked a change of direction for the band with the first side of the album exploring different musical directions than the band was previously known for, including pop music and punk rock, while the second side was more in the vein of their signature progressive rock style. This was the last Gentle Giant album to chart in the United States.
The front cover of the album shows a puzzle piece that fits to an uncompleted puzzle shown on the back cover of the album. The puzzle, when completed, shows a picture of the front cover of their debut album. The Unburied Treasure box set includes a replica of the uncompleted puzzle from the back cover of the album.
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [2] |
The Globe and Mail wrote that "Gentle Giant has become more listenable by becoming more commercial... With The Missing Piece, the band devours mainstream and burps up a polished bit of formula recording." [3]
All lead vocals by Derek Shulman, except "As Old as You're Young", sung by Kerry Minnear and Derek Shulman.
All tracks are written by Kerry Minnear, Derek Shulman, and Ray Shulman
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "Two Weeks in Spain" | 3:07 |
2. | "I'm Turning Around" | 3:59 |
3. | "Betcha Thought We Couldn't Do It" | 2:25 |
4. | "Who Do You Think You Are?" | 3:35 |
5. | "Mountain Time" | 3:20 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
6. | "As Old as You're Young" | 4:21 |
7. | "Memories of Old Days" | 7:18 |
8. | "Winning" | 4:18 |
9. | "For Nobody" | 4:05 |
No. | Title | Length |
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10. | "For Nobody" (Live, exclusively on the 35th anniversary release) | 4:31 |
There are no official instrument credits listed on the album.
Chart (1977) | Peak position |
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Canada Top Albums/CDs ( RPM ) [4] | 81 |
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) [5] | 50 |
US Billboard 200 [6] | 81 |
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Derek Victor Shulman is a Scottish musician and singer, multi-instrumentalist, and record executive. From 1970 to 1980, he was lead vocalist for the band Gentle Giant.
Kerry Churchill Minnear is a multi-instrumentalist musician. He is known primarily for his work with the progressive rock band Gentle Giant from 1970 to 1980.
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