Acquiring the Taste
Acquiring the Taste is the second album by British progressive rock band Gentle Giant, released in 1971 on the Vertigo label. It was the final album by the band to feature original drummer Martin Smith.
Background
The album was recorded at Advision Studios in London, with engineers Martin Rushent, Big A and Garybaldi, and at AIR Studios in London, with engineer Bill Price.Artwork
The album cover artwork shows a giant tongue performing what appears to be anilingus. When the album gatefold sleeve is opened completely, however, it shows that the tongue is actually licking a peach.Personnel
Gentle Giant
- Gary Green – 6-string electric guitar, 12-string electric guitar, 12 string electric wah-wah guitar, mandolin, bass guitar, donkey's jawbone, cat calls, voice on track 8
- Kerry Minnear – Minimoog, piano, Hammond organ, Mellotron, harpsichord, electric piano, celeste, clavichord, xylophone, vibraphone, tympani, cello, maracas, tambourine, lead vocals, vocals
- Derek Shulman – alto saxophone, clavichord, cowbell, lead vocals, vocals
- Phil Shulman – clarinet, trumpet, alto and tenor saxophone, piano, claves, maracas, lead vocals, vocals
- Ray Shulman – bass, violin, viola, electric violin, Spanish guitar, 12 string guitars, tambourine, skulls, organ bass pedals, vocals
- Martin Smith – drums, tambourine, gong, side drum
Guest musicians
- Paul Cosh – trumpet, organ
- Tony Visconti – descant recorders, treble recorder, tenor recorder, bass drum, triangle
- Chris Thomas – Moog programmer
Release details
- 1971, UK, Vertigo 6360 041, release date July 16, 1971, LP
- 1971, UK, Vertigo 6360 041, release date ? ? 1971, Cassette
- 1971, US, Vertigo VEL 1005, release date August 1971, LP
- 1971, US, Vertigo VEL 1005, release date ? ? 1971, Cassette
- 1997, UK, Vertigo 842 917-2, release date ? February 1997, CD
- 1997, US, Polydor 8429172, release date ? February 1997, CD
- 2004, Russia, Somewax 189-2, release date ? ? 2004, CD
- 2005, UK, Repertoire REPUK1072, release date 28 November 2005, CD
- 2005, UK, Repertoire REPUK1111, release date ? ? 2005, CD
- 2012, UK, BGO Records BGOCD1095, release date ? ? 2012, CD