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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

3.07

Votes

102

Genres

  • Rock

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Reviews

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Jan 03 2024
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5

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

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Jan 29 2024
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3

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

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Feb 10 2024
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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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Jan 17 2024
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3

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

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Jan 27 2024
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3

Hippies meet progs in the collision of decades

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Jan 29 2024
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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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Feb 28 2024
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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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Feb 28 2024
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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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Jan 18 2024
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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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Mar 07 2024
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4

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

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Jan 02 2024
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3

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

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Jan 17 2024
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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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Feb 09 2024
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3

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

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Feb 10 2024
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3

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

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Feb 22 2024
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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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Feb 28 2024
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3

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

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Mar 06 2024
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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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Jan 12 2024
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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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Feb 23 2024
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2

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

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Jun 01 2024
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4

Whatever you’re expecting going into this one, you’re probably wrong – loved getting lost in the rich narrative structure this LP built, and how it twisted and turned through a few different styles on its way through. Well ahead of its time, too, for being released in 1970. A good deal of psych-meets-prog innovation wonder that sadly doesn’t seem to be reflected in the main 1001 canon picks of the era.

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Jul 18 2024
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4

Gentle and proggy. Meandering and intricate, but accessible and engaging. I really liked this. Rating: 3.5 Playlist track: Flight of the Ibis Date listened: 17/07/24

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Jul 13 2024
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4

This album was an interesting listen. It’s easy to place it alongside other folk albums that trended towards the experimental often incorporating jazz and classical elements. However, this album can earlier than Steely Dan for example making this a worthy inclusion on the list.

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Jul 20 2024
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4

Creative, stylistically far ranging and full of surprises. Also a little meandering and self-indulgent. Frequently brilliant. Fave Songs: Flight of the Ibis, Birdman, Is She Waiting?

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Sep 18 2024
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4

An enjoyable journey - interesting to listen to and definitely feels of its era. Some great flute parts and in particular loved the epic opening and second half “Birdman.” Really lovely listen for this evening.

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May 11 2024
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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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Jun 15 2024
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3

Interesting blend of 60s classic rock and 70s more prog rock. strums along nicely but doesn't massively stand out at any point 3.3

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Aug 02 2024
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3

This was a nice retro album. It didn’t feel too prog rock like and more stunted to an instrumental 70s classic rock. Overall it was pretty good, and I listened to it several times as it was pretty easy going. None of the songs were bad. I didn’t find myself wanting to listen to any one specifically but they flowed together quite well. 6.3/10

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Jun 24 2024
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2

Eh. It wasn't particularly good or bad. It was just there. No need to revisit it.

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Jul 06 2024
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2

Rock progresivo. Un tanto aburrido. Un 2.

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