Gentle Giant - Three Friends [1972]

Three Friends (1972) is a concept album by the British progressive rock band Gentle Giant. The group's third album was also their first American release to chart, peaking at #197 on the Billboard 200. It marked a change in drummers from Martin Smith to Malcolm Mortimore. It is Gentle Giant's first concept album, dealing with three childhood friends whose lives take them very different places. It was also their first self-produced album. The two former albums were produced by David Bowie and T.Rex producer Tony Visconti.

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Gentle Giant's third album (and their first self-produced effort, Tony Visconti having run the sessions on the two previous records) was another advance, this time in the direction of a harder rock sound -- everything sounds turned up here, especially the guitars, the bass, and the electronic keyboards. Three Friends hardly sacrificed any of the group's progressive intentions, however, and there are some softer moments here, such as the playful, sprightly first half of "Schooldays"; the harmonies and arrangements still had a distinctly medieval feel, and the melodies, though a little harder to discern here (which made them even more appealing when they did become obvious), were quite engaging. This is supposed to be a concept album, about the relationship between three friends across a lifetime, and the original notes and lyrics have been reprinted, but none of that is necessary in order to enjoy the songs here. - by Bruce Eder, Allmusic

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Track List:
1. "Prologue" – 6:13
2. "Schooldays" – 7:37
3. "Working All Day" – 5:12
4. "Peel the Paint" – 7:31
5. "Mister Class and Quality?" – 3:23
6. "Three Friends" – 5:26

# Kerry Minnear - Keyboards, Vibraphone, Percussion, Moog, Vocals
# Ray Shulman - Basses, Violin, 12 String Guitar, Vocals
# Gary Green - Guitars, Percussion
# Derek Shulman - Vocals
# Malcolm Mortimore - Drums
# Philip Shulman - Saxophones and Vocals



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