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From the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

McDonald and Giles

Ian McDonald

Michael Giles

1970

McDonald and Giles
Album Summary

This album has been submitted by a user and is not included in any edition of the book.

McDonald and Giles is an album released by British musicians Ian McDonald and Michael Giles in 1970. The album was first issued on Island Records (ILPS 9126) in the UK and Cotillion Records (SD 9042), a division of Atlantic Records, in the US. The album was recorded at Island Studios between May and July 1970. Although McDonald and Giles remains popular among King Crimson fans, its commercial success was limited. The duo did not record a second album, but Giles did contribute drums and vocals to "Demimonde" on McDonald's solo album Drivers Eyes. Ian McDonald and Michael Giles were members of the original King Crimson line-up, and were featured performers on the band's debut album, In the Court of the Crimson King (1969). Both left the group at the end of its first United States tour in early 1970, although Giles agreed to play on the second King Crimson album, In the Wake of Poseidon (1970). Two other King Crimson members also worked on McDonald and Giles: Peter Giles and Peter Sinfield. The music on McDonald and Giles emulates many of the pastoral and musically complex elements of King Crimson, while generally avoiding that band's darker tendencies. The song "Flight of the Ibis" has a melody and rhythm similar to King Crimson's "Cadence and Cascade", with different lyrics. The album contains a guest appearance by Steve Winwood, playing organ and piano on "Turnham Green". Winwood's group Traffic were working on John Barleycorn Must Die at Island Studios at the same time. Michael Giles' drum solo in "Tomorrow's People – The Children of Today" has been sampled by a number of rap and hip-hop artists, most notably the Beastie Boys, on the track "Body Movin'", from the album Hello Nasty.

Wikipedia

Rating

3.05

Votes

65
Genres
Rock

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Reviews

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Wed Jan 03 2024
5

These guys can get it. Nice album, thanks for submitting it. Congrats on finishing!

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Wed Jan 17 2024
3

A nice proggy time that doesn't hit the ear-grating heights of something like Yes

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Sat Jan 27 2024
3

Hippies meet progs in the collision of decades

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Mon Jan 29 2024
2

I was so excited for this given the pedigree of the two featured musicians, but it really just did not click for me. It's a shame, as prog is arguably my favorite genre, but I felt like an outsider looking in and seeing all the dislikeable things about it highlighted. Oh well.

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Wed Feb 28 2024
2

Not really sure what to make of this. It didn't annoy me, that's at least something. It was just 'there' and when it was done it wasn't there anymore.

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Wed Feb 28 2024
2

Well, apparently these had something to do with King Crimson. Sure sounds that way. But these guys took it to the next step, which ment more complicated passages. For me that was just too much to take.

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Thu Jan 18 2024
4

I don't think this really pushes boundaries to the extent of most other prog rock but it was decently entertaining and the last song was a nice payoff. 7/10

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Sat Feb 10 2024
4

Coulda, woulda, shoulda been on the list? May not be as influential as some of the prog that did make the cut, but certainly as enjoyable, if not more, to listen to. Love the sound separation and mixing. Each instrument is isolated clearly and the elements are well balanced. Would be a good record to test your audio setup.

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Thu Mar 07 2024
4

Nice early prog rock. Very pleasant and interesting. 4 stars.

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Tue Jan 02 2024
3

Renaissance fair type jazz prog stuff, I'm kinda stoned and it's doing it alright for me.

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Wed Jan 17 2024
3

This seems like something that would’ve been on the main list. King Crimson prog but with some jazzy notes. Interesting

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Mon Jan 29 2024
3

Journey before destination still implies a destination. This has a lack of destination in my opinion, but fun prog.

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Fri Feb 09 2024
3

Heart sank at the thought of more prog but liked quite a bit of this, especially the last track

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Sat Feb 10 2024
3

Groovy and chill prog. Definitely better than most prog that came after it but still... not my thing.

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Thu Feb 22 2024
3

I'm generally a King Crimson fan but my reaction to this was fairly lukewarm. I didn't dislike it, it had some solid high points but also some places where it lost me entirely.

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Wed Feb 28 2024
3

Very oldschool progrock. It seems more accessible than some of the newer stuff.

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Wed Mar 06 2024
3

Firmly in the as-piece tradition, contrasted with the as-record. Well-played, the music goes down easy, doesn't leave a particular scene or sensation. That is, similar enough to the other early Floyd material, just less oriented to song.

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Fri Jan 12 2024
2

I'm a big fan of King Crimson so this is a nice find. However, early 70's prog was pretty "out there" and this is no exception and it sounds a lot like early Gong. This is a also bit too folky and and not enough King Crimson for my tastes.

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Fri Feb 23 2024
2

Beatles vibe with progressive things. Interesting but not my thing honestly

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Sat May 11 2024
3

I like this more than King Crimson - more easy to digest with some great drum rhythms and Beatles-style singing. Good.

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