Admirers of such prog rock heavyweights as of Pink Floyd, earlier Genesis, Yes, Renaissance, and Jethro Tull are sure to enjoy the latest release from Giannotti, entitled ‘The Great Unknown.’ The Connecticut-based singer/guitar/flute (multi instrumentalist) has previously appeared on the Jasper Wrath Album, three of Cannata/Cannata-Arc Angel CD’s and the 1997 Jasper Wrath ‘Anthology’ release, before recently issuing his aforementioned solo debut.
And Giannotti worked with the best in the business on ‘The Great Unknown,’ by enlisting Jonathan Wyner (who has previously worked with James Taylor, David Bowie, Aerosmith, Kiri Te Kanawa, etc.) to master the album, and having artist Ioannis (who has worked with Fates Warning, Dream Theater, AC/DC, Deep Purple, King Crimson etc.) to supply the artwork for the album cover.
Speaking to the Classic Rock Revisited site, Giannotti was asked the meaning behind the album’s mysterious title. “Well Jeb, the answer to that question is…….. Unknown. Sorry, couldn’t resist. No secret meaning, it sounded mysterious and I like a little mystery. The Unknown is really about the future, for better or worse. In the title track it’s making it for the better. For the most part I like my lyrics to be positive and uplifting. Too much negativity out there.”
In the same interview, Giannotti was also asked if ‘The Great Unknown’ was written as a concept album. “It was never intended to be a concept album, although ‘Sacred Ground’ fits perfectly coming off ‘The Great Unknown.’ That said, because the theme of all seven pieces were written from the same perspective, they do seem to fit. The track order had to be in that sequence to make it work.”
Additionally, the reviews regarding ‘The Great Unknown’ have been stellar, as evidenced by a write-up in Progression Magazine by John Collinge, which stated “Giannotti is an excellent singer, player, and composer of melodies that register addictively from the first listen. He also writes enchantingly cogent lyrics, whose themes of inner/outer travels through time and distance impart a wistfully poignant sense of wonder.”
Additionally, Classic Rock Revisited gave it an “A” rating, and offered further praise – “This one is a winner from start to finish. Buy this one and support real music being made by real artists.” And writer Jeb Wright has been a supporter of Giannotti and his music, stating that “What was created is a complex and multi-demensional album that is honest and pure in it’s intention. This is a classy, thought and feeling provoking album from the opening note until the finale” and “‘The Great Unknown’ is a progressive, art rock masterpiece.”
”The Great Unknown” Track Listing:
- Intentions – Letting Go
- Voyage
- Dance of the Gnome
- The Great Unknown
- Sacred Ground
- Corridor of Doors
- A World Away