Listen again to that speedy little intro to “Mr. Class” and pay special attention to the bass. Then listen to the “Three Friends” finale again and also pay special attention to the bass line and you’ll notice it’s all the same notes as the intro, just slowed down to fit the tempo of the song. Isn’t that just the coolest thing ever? That, to me, is the essence of progressive rock. Three Friends was my intro to GG and remains my favorite progressive rock album of all time.
It took me years of listening too to notice that. There are LOTS of little Easter Eggs like that in Gentle Giant music. I think there are even more motivic reprises (if that's the term) throughout the Free Hand album.
Did you notice that the bass line of the intro of Mister Class is the same as the guitar/bass line of Three Friends. The tempo is just slower for Three Friends......it's awesome!!!
I've been listening to this album for over 50 years and I'd never noticed that before. Now I'll never not hear it, it makes such sense with the tracks being joined together 😂
Peel the Paint is one of the most badass songs ever… the heavy part of course. I love Derek’s lyrics in Mr. Class and Quality. Look around my house and see the prizes I have showing, House and car and pretty wife have all been won by knowing…etc. …choose my friends for my own ends…all so true as are Peel the paint’s and Working all day’s. Intelligent band, love them!
What a wonderfully cohesive album this is. It's not as 'immediate' as Octopus or In a Glass House but shows the developing talents and musical intelligence of a band, somewhat underrated at the time but perhaps even better regarded in 2022 than they were in 1972.
The Three Friends title track is an amazing piece of music, a true inspiration. I think any of the Classical composers would have been proud to have composed that melody and chord sequence, seriously! Arguably GG's crowning glory of a single track, which is saying so much about how good the track is because we all know the countless gems of tunes they have across their albums! That melody of notes that the bass, keys and guitar play in tandem is just impeccable, it feels like it could just repeating in a loop into eternity and beyond....
I was introduced, against my will, to Gentle Giant in the mid 1970’s. I initially hated Proclamation off The Power and the Glory album, but I loved Cogs in Cogs so I found myself listening to the whole album. Over time I learned to appreciate Proclamation and it became a favorite, along with the rest the album. At the same time I was introduced to Three Friends which I came to like much quicker. It is still among my favorite GG albums although it’s kind of like having a favorite child. I have all the original albums (in CD form) and love them all, Acquiring the Taste, Three Friends, Octopus, In a Glass House, The Power and the Glory, Free Hand and Interview being my absolute favorites.
I knew from a Kerry Minnear's interview, that the outro was played by mellotron connected to the guitar amplifier to obtain a full sound, majestic sound.
Gentle Giant are to prog rock what Rossini is to classical music : a genuine compositional enjoyment. A true medicine for body, spirit and soul. I love them for ever.
Yes, absolutely, when the epilogue starts I get sad chills and an ecstatic sense of young wonder simultaneously. How GG manages to do that in their progression of chords, I don't know, and you have to listen to the whole album first for it to work and work it does. I guess this is when people listened to albums from start to finish; it was a form of discovery. 1) Three Friends 2) In a Glass House 3) Free Hand 4) Acquiring the Taste 5) Octopus 6) The Power and the Glory 7) Gentle Giant 8) Civilian 9) Interview 10) The Missing Piece 11) Giant for a Day Also the live album Playing the Fool is in my top 5 best live albums EVER. Cheers, Justin 🎶
These are my two favorite songs from the album along with the first two ("Prologue" and "Schooldays"). "Mister Class and Quality?" has a good syncopated rhythm between blues rock, jazzy intonations as well as a little funky side. "Three Friends" is a finale which I would have liked to last longer as I like its penetrating and enveloping atmosphere, with choirs giving an almost religious feel, which is all the more reinforced by the organ as well than this majestic-sounding mellotron. it's ecstatic ! Perhaps you could linger on the underrated Interview (1976) or even Civilian (recorded in 1979 and released in 1980) which is Gentle Giant's last album.
Interview and civilian aren't bad but considering Justin hasn't heard Free Hand, Aquiring the Taste, or the debut, I would recommend those first. Those albums are essential Gentle Giant material imo.
GG is my favorite band and it's impossible for me to rank the seven albums from 'Acquiring the Taste' to 'Interview', but I'd suggest listening to 'Free Hand' next.
Yes, when I saw them the first thing I noticed was the stage setup with the many different instruments. I can't play this album without playing Three Friends a couple of times afterwards😊🎷🎹🎸✌️
They were the first concert my friend and ever saw back in 76 in Central Park NYC. I had never heard of them before. They simply blew us away. Unbelievable great show. They got me and my friend completely hooked on them and concerts in general ever since. Been going to several concerts a year ever since. I did saw and spoke to Derek Shulman at one show in the city that we attended and I thanked him for the brilliant GG music and concerts and that they were a big staple in my life and how really sad it was for me when they broke up. They were brilliant and ahead of their time.
Maybe the Genesis song you were looking for is "The Return of the Giant Hogweed". hera cleum mante gazzi aaaani. It is also one of the most majestic endings ever. (And the title contains "Giant".) I still can't say what is my favorite GG album from "Gentle Giant" to "Interview". They are all great in their own right. But "Free Hand" contains "On Reflection" what gives it a little advantage. And the live album "Playing the Fool" is in my top list of live albums beside "Yessongs", "Genesis Live", ELP "Welcome Back..." , Deep Purple "Made in Japan", Rory Gallagher "Irish Tour" , Cockney Rebel "Face to Face", Roxy Music "Viva, my 9 Beethoven symphonies conducted by Wilhelm Furtwängler and a fistful of others.
I also thought Return of the giant hogweed... but fountains of salmacis is a good shout too. For me, the three friends ending and return of the giant hogweed are so special. Also, And you and I buy Yes.. Steven Wilson is the only one who has managed to get that special ending thing too... ❤
Interview is probably not the most favourite album of any fan's of GG , but what an absolute stonker of a track ' I lost my head ' is. Starts off in familiar GG fashion, slow , beguiling and musical , and then gets as meaty as hell with an irresistible groove. Actually one of my favourite stand alone tracks of there's. Three friends for me is probably in top 3 with Power and the glory , and Free hand. Fantastic stuff. Thanks JP. 😍
MC&Q is a toe-tapper from beginning to end. When the guitar solo section comes in, it grooves so much I find myself unknowingly turning the volume up in my car. Three Friends is a very memorable melody and you will find yourself humming it often. All their albums have their moments. Like Steely Dan, so hard to pick a favorite. Thanks!
hey Justin - I so love that you did this album - I do very much like all their early ones more or less equally - just sheer brilliance! The finale that you felt having some resonance to a Genesis' finale is the one of 'Selling England': 'Aisle of Plenty'. Interesting, that the GG album came out just before the Genesis one... soo they might have listened to it, and got inspired?!? :)
Totally agree with the majestic 'Three friends' section, not typical of GG but very Genesis like. Loved your comment about their roadies. I was so lucky to see the band whenever they toured the UK and I have always admired their sound crew, with the vast array of instruments to look after and connect up to the P.A. in a relatively more primitive era when acoustic instruments in particular created a real challenge to be incorporated into a rock mix. Whoever was on the mixing desk and trying to keep track of all the switchovers on stage was a miracle worker, he must have been playing the desk like an instrument in itself.
Kerry Livgren, primary composer, orchestrator, lyricist, and multi-instrumentalist of my favorite band, Kansas, has said in interviews & his autobiographies that GG was his favorite & most influential band. And you can hear that in Kerry's incredible prog compositions. Btw, it's time for listening to & analysis of Kerry's Kansas deep tracks! PLEASE!
Three friends is in the same kind of melody as band Premiata Forneria Marconi , song : " Impressioni Di Settembre " and recently band Wobbler , song "Dwellers of the Deep" ( ending )
Best progressive rock album by GG and of all time! With each listen you discover something new! I was 17 yrs o when i bought this CD now 34 I still played it. Amazing
On my Mellotron there are 2 adjustable banks so I can play Organ and Mellotron simultaneously and control the volume balance. Kerry probably didn’t do this because the timing would be locked in and I don’t hear that.
So Justin , like you , my first experience of Gentle Giant was with ‘ The Advent … ‘ , but mine was via a mantle radio on my bedhead in our home in Hobart , Tasmania , here downunder , back in 1972 . My listening enjoyment was immediately magnified thanks to GG from that time on . For various reasons , many of which you have mentioned , I just keep coming back to this album . It’s therefore , for me , my #1 . Whereto next ? If your still going to do track by track album listens , I’m going to suggest , perhaps unusually , their 1970 debut . You can then appreciate the leap that resulted in ‘ Acquiring The Taste ‘ to the best effect , then leading on to ‘ Freehand ‘ , especially the recent Steven Wilson remixes . After that , probably in chronological order . There’s much left to enjoy 👍 Thanks again for your great observations .
“As accessible i think it is ,no concessions are made".A perfect and intelligent reaction.Also one of my favourite G.G.album.I revisit this album every time I feel the need to listen G.G.without making my neurones spinning.
It's hard to list favorites... but I'll try- But first, I must say that WHATEVER albvum you hear first... it remains a special album, so ... I'm sure everyone will be able to guess which one is my first. 1. Playing the Fool (GENTLE GIANT LIVE) 2.Three Friends 3. Power and The Glory 4. Octopus 5. Acquiring The Taste 6. In a Glass House 7. Gentle Giant 8. Free Hand 9. Missing Piece 10. Interview and that's it for me... the other albums after these....eh.
I usually show newcomers to prog Schooldays or Mister Class and Quality? from this album, as well as Playing The Game, The Advent Of Panurge, (The House, The Street, The Room), and In A Glass House (even though it’s not accessible it’s one of my favorites so I pop it in if I can)
Bought my first GG album in 1977; these 2 are easily IMHO the best tracks on the album...you have to play them as one, which you did. Thanks. BTW: Free Hand is my favourite GG album ...and by a long way IMHO.
Glad you like the album, it's my favorite among their catalogue. Imo the only one without any track that just isn't quite up to the rest. Maybe also because it's a more cohesive work than say octopus. I recommend Free Hand next, my nr. 2 and the first one I really got into.
There is something special about this song that rounds off this concept album. Studying bass and practicing to this as a 70's teen I loved Ray's jazzy basslines throughout and all the wonderful syncopation around it. One of the coolest ever written. It has all the beauty and the best of that emotional lushness early Prog contributes to the genre! Hope you get to "Acquiring the Taste soon!!! another unique GG top favorite
What's the coolest thing abouth those two tracks, is that the starting bass line on Mr. Q&Q is the same as the one that plays over the final song Three Friends, but played 3 times faster...
There is a lot of irony in "Mr. Class and Quality", for example the line "Mr. Class and Quality, I never talk about it". Oh, you don't? What are you doing now? And calling workers "lazy" when they actually labor in their sweat while you just give or take another order? Yeah, pity on you, how hard-working you are. And of course you deserve it all!
Being a newbie (well after three, four albums can you be) to Gentle Giant, I do think this album is my favorite so far. It seems more finessed and planned. I’m not going to rush out and buy it but, it was enjoyable. The initial tune was similar in category to some of Yes, but instead of a mind workout, it was more of a mind puzzle. Reminds me of my job, you never know what the project will be, what puzzle will need to be solved and you might have to stop at a moment’s notice to do something else (with a new puzzle) and then, come back to it. It really set me up for today… Three Friends Fast, this was reacted to pretty dang quick. Wish you could do others that quickly. DS: T(SOL) Yeah, seems SOL , we’ll see.
I love the Three Friends album, but I really can't rank it above The Power And the Glory, Freehand or Acquiring the Taste for example. Because : that's exactly how you said they are, they're different from each other, that's what makes GG discography awesome and powerful. And about the next album, I think you didn't do the whole Acquiring The Taste, excepting (if I remember right) "Pantagruel's Nativity", the first track, so why not finishing the dinner lol. Thanks for the lovely reaction and analysis, as usual ofc, bis bald!
I came here by searching "gentle giant mister reaction", lucky you did one already. Thanks, nice to see a reaction and great choice. I thought you could've meant "The Battle of Epping Forest" by Genesis ending. At least that's what I thought when u mentioned it.
Great tracks. First one contains many of the elements they would further develop on Free Hand some years later. That driving rhythm section especially.
Hi JP. Dave from Across The Ocean. Love the majesty of the final track. That organ/mellotron sounds to me like Hero and Heroine by The Strawbs, and as for Genesis fade-outs, my favourites are Los Endos, Afterglow and of course Supper's Ready - not sure about their similarity to 3F.
Was my first GG album back in the day and still my fav, tho constantly wrestling with a few others for the top spot... lol. TBH, Power and the Glory is in the middle of the pack for me... Cannot put in exact order, but other tops for me are Free Hand, Octopus, Glass House, and certainly some gems to be found in many others!
Grand finale! The thing that made Genesis and vdgg more accessible to me was that they had those heavy melodic choirs. Like in this last song. Conclusion: the final song of the album makes all album worth.
Really digging these tracks. The lyrics are so true... While Three Friends does have a Genesis type feel, the song it reminds me of the most is the end of Terrapin Station by The Grateful Dead.
I hoped you'd discover that sense of ecstasy when they hit the final song, Three Friends. It's haunting and thrilling and your face showed you absolutely felt all of that. It's quite unique in the GG canon and for me resonates in a couple of Cardiacs tracks - Big Ship and The Whole World Window. I have not tried to work out the timing for this track it seems unnecessary - the music teeters and balances perfectly throwing chords out at seemingly random moments with toset incessant octave runs on the guitars and organ, mellotron and bass pedals grounding the whole thing.
Always thought that the "bluesy" aspects to "Mister Class & Quality" had, like the lyrics, a bit of an ironic tone. This is a song about a guy who probably collects blues records, like his other "prizes" (car, house, wife) but he doesn't understand the life of the kind of person who would actually sing the blues.
The first eight albums are all great, so it's hard to rank them. However, the following order has emerged for me over the years, with the eighth album being very close to the first: 1 Three Friends 2 The Power and the Glory 3 Octopus 4 Acquiring the taste 5 Interview 6 In the Glass House 7 Free Hand 8 Gentle Giant The last three albums interest me little and I rarely put them on. Possible order: Missing Peace, Civilian, Giant for a day I'd go with Acquiring the Taste, since you've already started it as others have mentioned. (Or with Yezda Urfa, inspired by GG among others - ceterum censeo.)
The best of prog, imo, seems to be classical music, with rock/blues flavouring, done with rock instruments. This is good (yes, I am certain there is better but that doesn't take away for this). Just a reminder to Justin that Canada Day (July 1st) is coming in case he was hoping to feature a Canadian act (s) for that day. Stan Rogers has an acapella song ("Northwest Passage") that is considered by some to be a second Canadian national anthem though I prefer either "Barrett's Privateers" (an anti war sea shanty) or "Mary Ellen Carter" (a song of courage and resilience). Just no Celine Dion. Nickleback or Justin Bieber please. Seeing as you are on vacation (harvesting coffee with Juan Valdez?) this is probably too late.
For Canada day, can I nominate the Barenaked Ladies track 'Grade 9'. It mightn't have the gravitas of the aforementioned ones, but a top tune none the less. And quite universal, speaking for a lot of our school days, Canadians and many other nationalities alike :)
@@jfergs.3302 I think I would start him with "One Week" or "Pinch Me" before I went for "Grade 9" though lyrically it does have some Zappa vibes but musically it is pretty basic though solid. I drove the band to the airport one year after the Winnipeg Folk Festival. They taught me about a local coffee shop I didn't know existed.
*Voivod* ! Runs off, jinxing to avoid being deaded by various silicon-based missiles. Maybe *Jack Luminous* , so as to maximize their airtime? ruclips.net/video/afH7ByUeWpY/видео.html
@@maruad7577 I'd agree re 'One Week', but 'Pinch me, I think's a bit samey. With 'Grade 9' I love the nod to schools days, and the homage to Rush, and Vince Guaraldi. Re your airport ride, I hope they gave you a better tip than the nice coffee shop 🙂
you are probably thinking of SUPPERS READY. I love Genesis... but this album... It. Is. SOOOOO good. It's in a class of it's own, even among Gentle Giant albums. The drummer is not my favorite drummer but,I wouldn't have it any other way, this album is a diamond. Every song is better that the last one, right up until the end.
The bass line at the very beginning of Mr. Class and Quality is the exact same bass line that repeats throughout the entire song Three Friends. Just a different tempo.
This song makes me think of Pink Floyd's "Dogs" - told from the Dog's perspective while he's still on the way up and the Devil hasn't taken his due yet.
This is their first truly great album IMO. The first two are very strong, but Three Friends is where GG hit their stride, and they really don't let up until The Missing Piece. Every album between this one up to and including Interview is a 10/10 for me, so I have such a hard time ranking them. What I can say, without doubt, is that it is their most emotive album. Yes, it deals with heady political and existential themes, but the framing narrative imbues the whole thing with a greater sense of humanity than, say, The Power and the Glory. The themes of nostalgia and the innocence of childhood versus the hardships of adulthood are presented in a way that makes it feel raw and personal rather than a purely intellectual exercise. That makes it a pretty unique entry in their discography, but is also one of the reasons why I find myself spinning it less often. I really have to be in the right frame of mind for it, or I can find it rather overwhelming!
Well said, it triggers things in me that their other albums don't. Even though most of their albums are marvellous. I also love the textures on this, you still get the heavy soul textures with Phil Shulman still around with his voice and saxes. My favourite album ever.
This album takes a little time to get going, but there's no denying it ends strong. I'd rank it overall just behind the Octopus/Glass House/Power and the Glory triumvirate.
FREE HAND (Wilson Mix) hands down for your next foray. I can't really choose between In A Glass House, The Power & The Glory and Free Hand as their best album. For me, that's the time they could do no wrong, not a clunker or so-so track. I agree Three Friends can be a very good introduction to the band, but listened to in sequence, it's a bit of a let down from Acquiring The Taste. But all the way to The Missing Piece, there is much to enjoy on every single album. Giant for a Day and Civilian are something quite different, to be discussed eventually maybe possibly...
I like to imagine "Three Friends" being the song you hear right after you die and your soul is heading towards the pearly gates.
Listen again to that speedy little intro to “Mr. Class” and pay special attention to the bass. Then listen to the “Three Friends” finale again and also pay special attention to the bass line and you’ll notice it’s all the same notes as the intro, just slowed down to fit the tempo of the song. Isn’t that just the coolest thing ever? That, to me, is the essence of progressive rock. Three Friends was my intro to GG and remains my favorite progressive rock album of all time.
I never noticed that myself aha
@@minmodulation It took me years to notice it. It’s so subtle.
I second the motion.
It took me years of listening too to notice that. There are LOTS of little Easter Eggs like that in Gentle Giant music. I think there are even more motivic reprises (if that's the term) throughout the Free Hand album.
@@wardka “Motivic reprise”, is that what it’s called? Very apt. What are some examples you can think of from the Free Hand album?
And this is why imo Three Friends is my favorite GG album. So good.
agreed, love the outro
Did you notice that the bass line of the intro of Mister Class is the same as the guitar/bass line of Three Friends. The tempo is just slower for Three Friends......it's awesome!!!
I've been listening to this album for over 50 years and I'd never noticed that before. Now I'll never not hear it, it makes such sense with the tracks being joined together 😂
Thank you Michel ; same as Andrew Marshall ; realising that Shulman brothers , Gary Green plus Kerry Minnear are genius of genius ; so high level !
Absolutely. They did the same thing on The Power and the Glory with the two tracks Proclamation and Valedictory, what a band really
Peel the Paint is one of the most badass songs ever… the heavy part of course. I love Derek’s lyrics in Mr. Class and Quality. Look around my house and see the prizes I have showing, House and car and pretty wife have all been won by knowing…etc. …choose my friends for my own ends…all so true as are Peel the paint’s and Working all day’s. Intelligent band, love them!
My favorite GG song from my favorite GG album. "Mr. Class and Quality" is the song that made me fall in love with Gentle Giant in 1973. So long ago.
If you enjoyed this album I think you will really love the previous one, Acquiring the Taste. Some great tracks and some hidden gems on there!
I vote for Acquiring the Taste also!
There's everything in there, it make a good afternoon.
What a wonderfully cohesive album this is. It's not as 'immediate' as Octopus or In a Glass House but shows the developing talents and musical intelligence of a band, somewhat underrated at the time but perhaps even better regarded in 2022 than they were in 1972.
One of my favorites, I consider a genuine Rock masterpiece, both alone and as a duo. So full of character, passion, power.
The Three Friends title track is an amazing piece of music, a true inspiration. I think any of the Classical composers would have been proud to have composed that melody and chord sequence, seriously! Arguably GG's crowning glory of a single track, which is saying so much about how good the track is because we all know the countless gems of tunes they have across their albums! That melody of notes that the bass, keys and guitar play in tandem is just impeccable, it feels like it could just repeating in a loop into eternity and beyond....
Absolutely precise!
Bloody brilliant!
Ray's bass playing on the outro..... OMG!!!!
I was introduced, against my will, to Gentle Giant in the mid 1970’s. I initially hated Proclamation off The Power and the Glory album, but I loved Cogs in Cogs so I found myself listening to the whole album. Over time I learned to appreciate Proclamation and it became a favorite, along with the rest the album. At the same time I was introduced to Three Friends which I came to like much quicker. It is still among my favorite GG albums although it’s kind of like having a favorite child. I have all the original albums (in CD form) and love them all, Acquiring the Taste, Three Friends, Octopus, In a Glass House, The Power and the Glory, Free Hand and Interview being my absolute favorites.
I knew from a Kerry Minnear's interview, that the outro was played by mellotron connected to the guitar amplifier to obtain a full sound, majestic sound.
Gentle Giant are to prog rock what Rossini is to classical music : a genuine compositional enjoyment. A true medicine for body, spirit and soul. I love them for ever.
Favorite song of the album
THIS is the MUSIC 👍 an orgasm... Thanks from Italy!
Rest in Peace Ray Shulman...
Yes, absolutely, when the epilogue starts I get sad chills and an ecstatic sense of young wonder simultaneously. How GG manages to do that in their progression of chords, I don't know, and you have to listen to the whole album first for it to work and work it does. I guess this is when people listened to albums from start to finish; it was a form of discovery.
1) Three Friends
2) In a Glass House
3) Free Hand
4) Acquiring the Taste
5) Octopus
6) The Power and the Glory
7) Gentle Giant
8) Civilian
9) Interview
10) The Missing Piece
11) Giant for a Day
Also the live album Playing the Fool is in my top 5 best live albums EVER. Cheers, Justin 🎶
The album Gentle Giant (1970) is the missing piece
@@michelcolmant1714 , oh! You're right! Thanks!
I agree with this. GG always. Nobody else did what they did.
We *told* you brother!
Love the Interstellar feel of Three Friends :)
These are my two favorite songs from the album along with the first two ("Prologue" and "Schooldays").
"Mister Class and Quality?" has a good syncopated rhythm between blues rock, jazzy intonations as well as a little funky side.
"Three Friends" is a finale which I would have liked to last longer as I like its penetrating and enveloping atmosphere, with choirs giving an almost religious feel, which is all the more reinforced by the organ as well than this majestic-sounding mellotron. it's ecstatic !
Perhaps you could linger on the underrated Interview (1976) or even Civilian (recorded in 1979 and released in 1980) which is Gentle Giant's last album.
Agree
Interview and civilian aren't bad but considering Justin hasn't heard Free Hand, Aquiring the Taste, or the debut, I would recommend those first. Those albums are essential Gentle Giant material imo.
One of the greatest pieces by the greatest band,brilliant
GG is my favorite band and it's impossible for me to rank the seven albums from 'Acquiring the Taste' to 'Interview', but I'd suggest listening to 'Free Hand' next.
Free Hand is sublime.
Free Hand was my entry
Yes, when I saw them the first thing I noticed was the stage setup with the many different instruments. I can't play this album without playing Three Friends a couple of times afterwards😊🎷🎹🎸✌️
They were the first concert my friend and ever saw back in 76 in Central Park NYC. I had never heard of them before. They simply blew us away. Unbelievable great show. They got me and my friend completely hooked on them and concerts in general ever since. Been going to several concerts a year ever since. I did saw and spoke to Derek Shulman at one show in the city that we attended and I thanked him for the brilliant GG music and concerts and that they were a big staple in my life and how really sad it was for me when they broke up. They were brilliant and ahead of their time.
Maybe the Genesis song you were looking for is "The Return of the Giant Hogweed".
hera
cleum
mante
gazzi
aaaani.
It is also one of the most majestic endings ever. (And the title contains "Giant".)
I still can't say what is my favorite GG album from "Gentle Giant" to "Interview". They are all great in their own right. But "Free Hand" contains "On Reflection" what gives it a little advantage. And the live album "Playing the Fool" is in my top list of live albums beside "Yessongs", "Genesis Live", ELP "Welcome Back..." , Deep Purple "Made in Japan", Rory Gallagher "Irish Tour" , Cockney Rebel "Face to Face", Roxy Music "Viva, my 9 Beethoven symphonies conducted by Wilhelm Furtwängler and a fistful of others.
My guess for the Genesis song ending refered to is : The Fountain of Salmacis.
I also thought Return of the giant hogweed... but fountains of salmacis is a good shout too. For me, the three friends ending and return of the giant hogweed are so special. Also, And you and I buy Yes.. Steven Wilson is the only one who has managed to get that special ending thing too... ❤
One of the band members was (maybe still is?) A school teacher !! Hence the album three friends !?
Actually, Phil was inspired by a casual meeting with some school friends.
Interview is probably not the most favourite album of any fan's of GG , but what an absolute stonker of a track ' I lost my head ' is. Starts off in familiar GG fashion, slow , beguiling and musical , and then gets as meaty as hell with an irresistible groove. Actually one of my favourite stand alone tracks of there's. Three friends for me is probably in top 3 with Power and the glory , and Free hand. Fantastic stuff. Thanks JP. 😍
Such a good album, especially the second side, my favourite by Gentle Giant. So glad you enjoyed it
MC&Q is a toe-tapper from beginning to end. When the guitar solo section comes in, it grooves so much I find myself unknowingly turning the volume up in my car. Three Friends is a very memorable melody and you will find yourself humming it often. All their albums have their moments. Like Steely Dan, so hard to pick a favorite. Thanks!
hey Justin - I so love that you did this album - I do very much like all their early ones more or less equally - just sheer brilliance! The finale that you felt having some resonance to a Genesis' finale is the one of 'Selling England': 'Aisle of Plenty'. Interesting, that the GG album came out just before the Genesis one... soo they might have listened to it, and got inspired?!? :)
Totally agree with the majestic 'Three friends' section, not typical of GG but very Genesis like. Loved your comment about their roadies. I was so lucky to see the band whenever they toured the UK and I have always admired their sound crew, with the vast array of instruments to look after and connect up to the P.A. in a relatively more primitive era when acoustic instruments in particular created a real challenge to be incorporated into a rock mix. Whoever was on the mixing desk and trying to keep track of all the switchovers on stage was a miracle worker, he must have been playing the desk like an instrument in itself.
Kerry Livgren, primary composer, orchestrator, lyricist, and multi-instrumentalist of my favorite band, Kansas, has said in interviews & his autobiographies that GG was his favorite & most influential band. And you can hear that in Kerry's incredible prog compositions.
Btw, it's time for listening to & analysis of Kerry's Kansas deep tracks! PLEASE!
@ roundabout 10.30 I think the Genesis track that you are trying to remember is possibly the end of 'Suppers ready'
You sir are a skilled listener! I enjoy hearing your reactions. Cheers!
Three friends is in the same kind of melody as band Premiata Forneria Marconi , song : " Impressioni Di Settembre " and recently band Wobbler , song "Dwellers of the Deep" ( ending )
Best progressive rock album by GG and of all time! With each listen you discover something new! I was 17 yrs o when i bought this CD now 34 I still played it. Amazing
Compo is of the charts in this; what brain would imagine this;old souls
Three Friends was my introduction to Gentle Giant and continues to be my favorite Gentle Giant album.
I've been getting into GG's early "Nothing At All" lately. Always fun to hear both the change and the continuity in their sound.
On my Mellotron there are 2 adjustable banks so I can play Organ and Mellotron simultaneously and control the volume balance. Kerry probably didn’t do this because the timing would be locked in and I don’t hear that.
So Justin , like you , my first experience of Gentle Giant was with ‘ The Advent … ‘ , but mine was via a mantle radio on my bedhead in our home in Hobart , Tasmania , here downunder , back in 1972 . My listening enjoyment was immediately magnified thanks to GG from that time on .
For various reasons , many of which you have mentioned , I just keep coming back to this album . It’s therefore , for me , my #1 .
Whereto next ?
If your still going to do track by track album listens , I’m going to suggest , perhaps unusually , their 1970 debut . You can then appreciate the leap that resulted in ‘ Acquiring The Taste ‘ to the best effect , then leading on to ‘ Freehand ‘ , especially the recent Steven Wilson remixes . After that , probably in chronological order .
There’s much left to enjoy 👍
Thanks again for your great observations .
“As accessible i think it is ,no concessions are made".A perfect and intelligent reaction.Also one of my favourite G.G.album.I revisit this album every time I feel the need to listen G.G.without making my neurones spinning.
It's hard to list favorites... but I'll try- But first, I must say that WHATEVER albvum you hear first... it remains a special album, so ... I'm sure everyone will be able to guess which one is my first.
1. Playing the Fool (GENTLE GIANT LIVE)
2.Three Friends
3. Power and The Glory
4. Octopus
5. Acquiring The Taste
6. In a Glass House
7. Gentle Giant
8. Free Hand
9. Missing Piece
10. Interview
and that's it for me... the other albums after these....eh.
Ray Shulman was a killer monster of the bass guitar, as well as other instruments. What a master.
Absolutely agreed Glen!
I usually show newcomers to prog Schooldays or Mister Class and Quality? from this album, as well as Playing The Game, The Advent Of Panurge, (The House, The Street, The Room), and In A Glass House (even though it’s not accessible it’s one of my favorites so I pop it in if I can)
Bought my first GG album in 1977; these 2 are easily IMHO the best tracks on the album...you have to play them as one, which you did. Thanks. BTW: Free Hand is my favourite GG album ...and by a long way IMHO.
Lovely analysis Jason... so glad you are finding so much from GG...more to explore and discover 👍👍
Glad you like the album, it's my favorite among their catalogue. Imo the only one without any track that just isn't quite up to the rest. Maybe also because it's a more cohesive work than say octopus.
I recommend Free Hand next, my nr. 2 and the first one I really got into.
There is something special about this song that rounds off this concept album. Studying bass and practicing to this as a 70's teen I loved Ray's jazzy basslines throughout and all the wonderful syncopation around it. One of the coolest ever written. It has all the beauty and the best of that emotional lushness early Prog contributes to the genre! Hope you get to "Acquiring the Taste soon!!! another unique GG top favorite
What's the coolest thing abouth those two tracks, is that the starting bass line on Mr. Q&Q is the same as the one that plays over the final song Three Friends, but played 3 times faster...
Ending of dancing with the moonlit knight, firth of fifth or Entangled maybe? All three have similar epic, trailing off, blissful vibes
There is a lot of irony in "Mr. Class and Quality", for example the line "Mr. Class and Quality, I never talk about it". Oh, you don't? What are you doing now? And calling workers "lazy" when they actually labor in their sweat while you just give or take another order? Yeah, pity on you, how hard-working you are. And of course you deserve it all!
Being a newbie (well after three, four albums can you be) to Gentle Giant, I do think this album is my favorite so far. It seems more finessed and planned. I’m not going to rush out and buy it but, it was enjoyable.
The initial tune was similar in category to some of Yes, but instead of a mind workout, it was more of a mind puzzle. Reminds me of my job, you never know what the project will be, what puzzle will need to be solved and you might have to stop at a moment’s notice to do something else (with a new puzzle) and then, come back to it. It really set me up for today…
Three Friends Fast, this was reacted to pretty dang quick.
Wish you could do others that quickly. DS: T(SOL)
Yeah, seems SOL , we’ll see.
I love the Three Friends album, but I really can't rank it above The Power And the Glory, Freehand or Acquiring the Taste for example.
Because : that's exactly how you said they are, they're different from each other, that's what makes GG discography awesome and powerful.
And about the next album, I think you didn't do the whole Acquiring The Taste, excepting (if I remember right) "Pantagruel's Nativity", the first track, so why not finishing the dinner lol.
Thanks for the lovely reaction and analysis, as usual ofc, bis bald!
Acquiring the Taste would be amazing!
Perfeição define
I came here by searching "gentle giant mister reaction", lucky you did one already. Thanks, nice to see a reaction and great choice. I thought you could've meant "The Battle of Epping Forest" by Genesis ending. At least that's what I thought when u mentioned it.
Ty Lukas :) I think you may be on to something!
uu, I think I found what I thought it to be "Watcher of the Skies"! ty, and much more reaction videos of great songs,
Great tracks. First one contains many of the elements they would further develop on Free Hand some years later. That driving rhythm section especially.
Hi JP. Dave from Across The Ocean. Love the majesty of the final track. That organ/mellotron sounds to me like Hero and Heroine by The Strawbs, and as for Genesis fade-outs, my favourites are Los Endos, Afterglow and of course Supper's Ready - not sure about their similarity to 3F.
Was my first GG album back in the day and still my fav, tho constantly wrestling with a few others for the top spot... lol. TBH, Power and the Glory is in the middle of the pack for me... Cannot put in exact order, but other tops for me are Free Hand, Octopus, Glass House, and certainly some gems to be found in many others!
Definitely one of the best prog-rock albums. Love it. Real fun to listen to it again with you, JP!
Great work JP . Took a while for me to love this album . Power and the glory is my number 1 .
In a Glass House gets my nostalgic vote because it’s the first album from GG that I heard. I like them all, though. Looking forward to what’s next.
That's their finest achievement.
Grand finale!
The thing that made Genesis and vdgg more accessible to me was that they had those heavy melodic choirs. Like in this last song. Conclusion: the final song of the album makes all album worth.
Giant is such an easy band to love...Hopefully you get to love them as long as I have ( 40+ years)
Really digging these tracks. The lyrics are so true... While Three Friends does have a Genesis type feel, the song it reminds me of the most is the end of Terrapin Station by The Grateful Dead.
I hoped you'd discover that sense of ecstasy when they hit the final song, Three Friends. It's haunting and thrilling and your face showed you absolutely felt all of that. It's quite unique in the GG canon and for me resonates in a couple of Cardiacs tracks - Big Ship and The Whole World Window. I have not tried to work out the timing for this track it seems unnecessary - the music teeters and balances perfectly throwing chords out at seemingly random moments with toset incessant octave runs on the guitars and organ, mellotron and bass pedals grounding the whole thing.
Did you work out what that Genesis track was ?
Aquiring The Taste!
😀
CARDIACS - The Everso Closely Guarded Line
Always thought that the "bluesy" aspects to "Mister Class & Quality" had, like the lyrics, a bit of an ironic tone. This is a song about a guy who probably collects blues records, like his other "prizes" (car, house, wife) but he doesn't understand the life of the kind of person who would actually sing the blues.
Outstanding!
No matter how many times I hear each & every Gentle Giant album, my favorite Gentle Giant album is always the last one I listened to.
...except for the last 3 which will always be my 3 least favorites.
@@BayouMaccabee but we don't listen to those much.
I believe the Genesis song you were thinking of was Seven Stones.
I think the Genesis song Three Friends reminds you of is Seven Stones. Lots of grandiose organ and mellotron.
I think you may be right!
My favorite is tied between In A Glass House and Three Friends
The first eight albums are all great, so it's hard to rank them. However, the following order has emerged for me over the years, with the eighth album being very close to the first:
1 Three Friends
2 The Power and the Glory
3 Octopus
4 Acquiring the taste
5 Interview
6 In the Glass House
7 Free Hand
8 Gentle Giant
The last three albums interest me little and I rarely put them on. Possible order: Missing Peace, Civilian, Giant for a day
I'd go with Acquiring the Taste, since you've already started it as others have mentioned. (Or with Yezda Urfa, inspired by GG among others - ceterum censeo.)
Perhaps it reminds you of the last section of Genesis' Seven Stones.
hammond + mellotron m300(one of the rarest models)
The best of prog, imo, seems to be classical music, with rock/blues flavouring, done with rock instruments. This is good (yes, I am certain there is better but that doesn't take away for this).
Just a reminder to Justin that Canada Day (July 1st) is coming in case he was hoping to feature a Canadian act (s) for that day. Stan Rogers has an acapella song ("Northwest Passage") that is considered by some to be a second Canadian national anthem though I prefer either "Barrett's Privateers" (an anti war sea shanty) or "Mary Ellen Carter" (a song of courage and resilience). Just no Celine Dion. Nickleback or Justin Bieber please. Seeing as you are on vacation (harvesting coffee with Juan Valdez?) this is probably too late.
For Canada day, can I nominate the Barenaked Ladies track 'Grade 9'. It mightn't have the gravitas of the aforementioned ones, but a top tune none the less. And quite universal, speaking for a lot of our school days, Canadians and many other nationalities alike :)
@@jfergs.3302 I think I would start him with "One Week" or "Pinch Me" before I went for "Grade 9" though lyrically it does have some Zappa vibes but musically it is pretty basic though solid. I drove the band to the airport one year after the Winnipeg Folk Festival. They taught me about a local coffee shop I didn't know existed.
*Voivod* !
Runs off, jinxing to avoid being deaded by various silicon-based missiles.
Maybe *Jack Luminous* , so as to maximize their airtime? ruclips.net/video/afH7ByUeWpY/видео.html
@@maruad7577 I'd agree re 'One Week', but 'Pinch me, I think's a bit samey. With 'Grade 9' I love the nod to schools days, and the homage to Rush, and Vince Guaraldi. Re your airport ride, I hope they gave you a better tip than the nice coffee shop 🙂
@@jfergs.3302 The sameyness of "Pinch Me" is a feature in my mind. It highlights the point of the song.
Trick of the tail!!
You should do a video comparing GG albums, and ranking them.
you are probably thinking of SUPPERS READY. I love Genesis... but this album... It. Is. SOOOOO good. It's in a class of it's own, even among Gentle Giant albums. The drummer is not my favorite drummer but,I wouldn't have it any other way, this album is a diamond. Every song is better that the last one, right up until the end.
Probably my favourite album of theirs but all of their classic albums are brilliant. My second favourite is probably Acquiring The Taste.
I think you might be thinking of Watcher of the Skies?
The bass line at the very beginning of Mr. Class and Quality is the exact same bass line that repeats throughout the entire song Three Friends. Just a different tempo.
This song makes me think of Pink Floyd's "Dogs" - told from the Dog's perspective while he's still on the way up and the Devil hasn't taken his due yet.
Sing it, bruh!
For me, it's 1. Power and the Glory 2. Free Hand and 3. Three Friends.
You really need to check out Free Hand.
This is their first truly great album IMO. The first two are very strong, but Three Friends is where GG hit their stride, and they really don't let up until The Missing Piece. Every album between this one up to and including Interview is a 10/10 for me, so I have such a hard time ranking them. What I can say, without doubt, is that it is their most emotive album. Yes, it deals with heady political and existential themes, but the framing narrative imbues the whole thing with a greater sense of humanity than, say, The Power and the Glory. The themes of nostalgia and the innocence of childhood versus the hardships of adulthood are presented in a way that makes it feel raw and personal rather than a purely intellectual exercise. That makes it a pretty unique entry in their discography, but is also one of the reasons why I find myself spinning it less often. I really have to be in the right frame of mind for it, or I can find it rather overwhelming!
I can't help but agree.
Well said, it triggers things in me that their other albums don't. Even though most of their albums are marvellous. I also love the textures on this, you still get the heavy soul textures with Phil Shulman still around with his voice and saxes. My favourite album ever.
total bopfest
Three Friends is one of the most beautiful tracks in prog. Try to figure out the time signature, it's not the most common one.
Prefab sprout!!!!
This album takes a little time to get going, but there's no denying it ends strong. I'd rank it overall just behind the Octopus/Glass House/Power and the Glory triumvirate.
FREE HAND (Wilson Mix) hands down for your next foray. I can't really choose between In A Glass House, The Power & The Glory and Free Hand as their best album. For me, that's the time they could do no wrong, not a clunker or so-so track. I agree Three Friends can be a very good introduction to the band, but listened to in sequence, it's a bit of a let down from Acquiring The Taste. But all the way to The Missing Piece, there is much to enjoy on every single album. Giant for a Day and Civilian are something quite different, to be discussed eventually maybe possibly...
What track is my autoharp? What! You haven’t miked my autoharp!
If Gentle Giant and Kate Bush had a baby, you’d be that baby.
First album
I heard by them and still my favorite. My favorite band no close second.
L'apogée
Ace report