Exelente performance de esta gran composición de Gentle Giant,una agrupación que hizo música de calidad ,en nada se compara a la basura que se escucha hoy en día en las radios !
Actually, this is a pretty verbatim version of the song. Of course they replaced the vibe solo in the original with a bitchin' piano solo and arranged the vocals to cover for the child's voice in the original but this version lauds the greatness of Gentle Giant live amazingly. Nice that Malcolm was the drummer on the original so the drum parts were right on, as is the rest of the parts. Gary and Malcolm and I believe Kerry Minnear are the only originals in this vid. Not sure about Kerry though.
I wonder which musicians I see. Three friends is Gary and Kenny, but do I see Ray and Derek or Phil? De bassplayer looks like Ray Shulman and de singer like Derek of Phil.
I like the fact that there is no dislike here... It proves that nobody who is uninterested by great music comes here to say stupid shit about how justin bieber and rebecca black ruin today's music. I'm so tired of reading those comments
That is Gary Green on the Gibson SG with glasses. Is that Malcolm Mortimore on drums and Kerry Minnear on keyboards? The quality is incredible to play this "live." The better quality sound system and improved keyboards help. Amazing.
Reserve judgement until seen live. As a well seasoned Giant fan (been with them since day 1) I have to admit it's bloody good. The telling is in the live show, which the vid suggests would be excellent. However the purist in me, I am sure, would miss the chemistry and stage presence of the brothers Schulman and Kerry. Having said that never saw Malcolm live. Gary - good on yer! Get out on the local circuits and let's see the legendary foot stomp. Still love your guitar style.
What a haunting song. This one sounds even more amazing to me than when I first heard it (and frequently listened to the entire album) as a college sophomore in 1986.
Yep, I was getting into '70s progressive rock in the mid-'80s.
This is amazing! I can't believe the virtuosity of these guys...this sounds identical to GG's iconic original! I shudder to think of the amount of practice that it must have taken to perfect this song.
Wow, really great ! This band brings Gentle Giant's music back to life. Is there a chance that we could see them playing in France one of these days ?
Thank-you Three Friends! While Gentle Giant's music is technically challenging, it is the passion that the musicians have for it that draws listeners in to this special world. ALL of the members of this band have devoted a great deal of their time to recapture the magic of this music and I hope that they are creating new pieces to satisfy us as listeners and themselves as musicians. This music has a timeless quality and we as fans are looking forward to the new additions to the repertoire!
@mattleemattlee123 I agree 100%. I was STUPID and missed them when they did a few nights at the Whiskey on Sunset Bl, I believe. This was back in 1981-1982... I am guessing.
I am pretty sure that was their last appearance in LA.
How!? how in gods name can they keep on beat like that? so tight! especially the singing...I wonder if they occasionally play "by feel" or is all strict and measured...ridiculous!
This is amazing, I used to listen to this song, this was our theme song in school in the 70's me and my friends. It makes me want to cry its so beautiful. They play it superbly.
I am so happy to see this. As a big Gentle Giant fan, I found it hard to believe that the guys who played such fine music with such passion would just get tired of it and go do something else. A rose is a rose....Long play Three Friends!
@progmeck1 Tell me about it. I'm 23 and I don't like any new bands out there...most are pure rubbish! Nothing compares to the 70's music. This is a prime example.
@JimSVoit if you like 70s music listen to the wrek.org show Stonehenge, live streaming or archived- its a great show - (wrek is the ga tech radio station)
Even though "Freehand", "The Power and the Glory", "Octopus", and others were probably much bigger sellers, and better produced, I still keep coming back to this haunting album! There is just something special and unique about it! And this band comprised of at least two members of Gentle Giant, (as well as other talented players) do justice to this piece off that glorius album!
To be frank, when I first heard about Three Friends, I was worried that they were going to sound... well... half-arsed when compared to the original Gentle Giant performances. I was amazed when a few live clips started to emerge though. They play with a remarkable degree of energy and passion which more than does justice to the originals. I just wish that I had a chance to see them here in Australia.
As marvelous as this video is, I still must comment on my pet peeve: Why is it that whenever, for instance here, when the keyboard player is doing a solo the person filming focuses on the rest of the band????????????????? This never ceases to totally amaze me! Is it stupidity???
I think this is not live, and I that the solo is not scored and has some impro in it. It probably wasn't syncing visually with what was recorded before. Samething happens on Pantagruel Nativity with the «vibraphone» solo played on keyboard at 3:40
@SibKat They surely recorded in some extra tracks or punched vocals and stuff in after the recording of the video, u can clearly see it when the singer in black goes "are call.." on the cut he doesnt sing the next phrase, anyway, I loved it, though the timing was a little fluffy at the first part...but man, as Zappa would put it "This is a hard one...to play". Not sure but doubt GG played this one live entirely, maybe some excerpts as they loved to do.I'm Going to see them in Germany 3 sep woo!
@VladtheEmailer It's like on the Jimi Hendrix DVD from Woodstock that came out a few years ago. When Jimi's old bandmate (from an r&b showband they used to play together in, whom he invited to play in the band) does a guitar solo (and a good one at that), the camera is on Jimi's fingers the whole time! Idiots!
The whole section where he sings "Remember.......remember when we..." is one of the most gorgeous things ever written. I get chills everytime I hear it, and I've heard it hundreds of times!
I'm totally speechless. I've seen Three Friends live (with Kerry) in Shoreham a few months ago (which was really amazing), but this, with the sound and video is just an amazing new way to experience GG music. This songs is one of my favorite songs, and this performance gave it a whole new life.
@ProjectRnL I'd pay good money to see them live, just to keep them together! It's so wonderful- not only to see a band that obviously loves to play the music of Gentle Giant this much, but to actually have two of the members of Gentle Giant in the band!!
@JoeSzilagy - I think Malcolm was only on the Three Friends studio album. Weathers joined for Octopus and if I recall, it was Martin Smith on the 2 albums prior to 3 Friends...
This is stunning! The only thing that doesn't quite work is the voice hocketing (if that's the right term) in the verses, it sounds a bit daleky. Don't know how you'd fix it though.
@matreynolds1 True. I love this song but playing it and singing it must be so difficult. Maybe The two-voice alternation (hocket) needs a bit more practice... Roger should wait a bit longer to follow Mick (it's an 8th note's time).
These recordings are absolutely fantastic, thanks so much for sharing with the world. It's so exciting to watch songs like this one performed live. The music sounds so fresh and invigorating in this re-born version.
@pinkydasminky I think the tron part might be coming from the laptop i.e. through a sequencer. I am pretty sure that some vocals were overdubbed because during the counterpoint sections in the first half I do hear a third voice but I see only 2 people singing.
@pinkydasminky I don't know if it's overdubbed so much as sequenced or a triggered sample. Maybe? Or he's playing two layered channels on the keyboard>
Exelente performance de esta gran composición de Gentle Giant,una agrupación que hizo música de calidad ,en nada se compara a la basura que se escucha hoy en día en las radios !
DonVitoco72 2 weeks ago
That's not Kerry
BodyHardFreak 2 weeks ago
Actually, this is a pretty verbatim version of the song. Of course they replaced the vibe solo in the original with a bitchin' piano solo and arranged the vocals to cover for the child's voice in the original but this version lauds the greatness of Gentle Giant live amazingly. Nice that Malcolm was the drummer on the original so the drum parts were right on, as is the rest of the parts. Gary and Malcolm and I believe Kerry Minnear are the only originals in this vid. Not sure about Kerry though.
chungiemunchin 3 weeks ago
:-) good work!!!
fogliolinasullacqua 1 month ago
bad ass band hankster 777
TheHankster777 1 month ago
it´s a perfect job!!!
sanchozaragoza 1 month ago
Great !!!!
josbots 2 months ago
I wonder which musicians I see. Three friends is Gary and Kenny, but do I see Ray and Derek or Phil? De bassplayer looks like Ray Shulman and de singer like Derek of Phil.
Who knows the exact names of this players?
54187Rob 2 months ago
WOOOW! AWESOME VIDEO! Nice song choice! Hard to coordinate the voices, eh? Amazing job, mates! Cheers from Brazil!
MokRodrigues 3 months ago
I actually kind of like this more than the original. Can't really say, the original always winds up winning for me, but this is much different.
Liton777 3 months ago
I've died and gone to heaven...
MarcieMusic 3 months ago
Greatest performance i've ever seen on YouTube. This is It! Masterful. Wow.
SandSpock33 3 months ago
I like the fact that there is no dislike here... It proves that nobody who is uninterested by great music comes here to say stupid shit about how justin bieber and rebecca black ruin today's music. I'm so tired of reading those comments
titoine1212 4 months ago
Why did no-one tell me about this??? Aaaaaagghhhhhhh!
periurban 4 months ago
That is Gary Green on the Gibson SG with glasses. Is that Malcolm Mortimore on drums and Kerry Minnear on keyboards? The quality is incredible to play this "live." The better quality sound system and improved keyboards help. Amazing.
NormanStansfield1 5 months ago
This is them, isn't it so? The original crew! Good.
dengdiddididdi 5 months ago
@dengdiddididdi gary green on guitar is original
boriserosh 4 months ago
Who are these guys? That was pretty damn good!
Ingramdumpkiss 5 months ago
desde chile, gracias por hacer que la musica sea mas completa!!
janobass2 5 months ago
dang when will they come to califonia!!!!!
joealanouf 5 months ago
From Chile a hug, thank you very much for the renaissance of the Gentle Giant sound
janillodrum 5 months ago
I was listening at this ... back in 1973 ... GREAT !
tigerlami 5 months ago
great !! by a great Gentle Giant's fan
whirp 6 months ago
great stuff, even better than the original.
karlkotas 6 months ago
GOD, you guys made me understand how complex is this song. no words for... perfect
ripaseca 6 months ago
marvolous!
daviaroeira 7 months ago
Reserve judgement until seen live. As a well seasoned Giant fan (been with them since day 1) I have to admit it's bloody good. The telling is in the live show, which the vid suggests would be excellent. However the purist in me, I am sure, would miss the chemistry and stage presence of the brothers Schulman and Kerry. Having said that never saw Malcolm live. Gary - good on yer! Get out on the local circuits and let's see the legendary foot stomp. Still love your guitar style.
pantagruelification 8 months ago
Awesome!
BreadandCircusesTV 8 months ago
DID RAY SHULMAN DIED???
NolikargAven 8 months ago
@NolikargAven No Ray's alive and well living in London, Derek in New York, Kerry in England. They just didn't want to be involved with this...
farkinelify 8 months ago
this song is dark
eliunger16 8 months ago
@eliunger16 uplifting
B360Lightning 7 months ago
NOICE
ActualBird 8 months ago
Great is not enough. From an old supporter with love.
rickydall 9 months ago
great cover!!!!!
KaiserSoseProduction 9 months ago
THESE GUYS ARE GENTLE GIANT????THATS GARY,JONH??
NolikargAven 9 months ago
Copie perfette dei GG :D
grandiosi
great
thelusienorchestra 9 months ago
Che musica e che musicisti. Ottimo
velo220957 9 months ago
What a haunting song. This one sounds even more amazing to me than when I first heard it (and frequently listened to the entire album) as a college sophomore in 1986.
Yep, I was getting into '70s progressive rock in the mid-'80s.
threeby8887 9 months ago
Breathtaking performance and musical complexity.....
krome50 9 months ago
Wow, beautiful. About as good as I've heard Giant performed (not meaning to take anything away from the Shulmans or Minnear),
deepseaelk 10 months ago
About as fantastic and wonderful as music can get!
Carlo8836 10 months ago
Fantastic, genius.......
daniloentidade 10 months ago
This song is of musical genius, fascinating and whimsical. This is one of the greatest original Gentle Giant songs. Takes me to another dimension. :)
B360Lightning 10 months ago
I LOOOOVE YOOOOOUUU!!!!!!
drogato86 10 months ago
(L)
robloncio 10 months ago
Beautiful
sonicfuker 11 months ago
Que bonito cover de Gentle Giant, Felicidades y mas promoción al Rock Progresivo, salu2.
Prackertier 11 months ago
dear god... brilliant. just brilliant.
rockrootsrebel9 11 months ago
amazing dudes. !!
sachabaptista 11 months ago
UNREAL. I cannot believe this song can be played live.
MawcDrums 11 months ago
Great!
Boyshkin 11 months ago
Uno dei brani più belli dei Gentle Giant, suonato in modo divino
velo220957 11 months ago
I Love this! Incredible!
Esqpainting 11 months ago
Fantastic! Come to Brazil (2)
rushgeo 11 months ago
Great!! from Brazil
diegofalabella 1 year ago
Si avverte l'assenza scenica dei fratelli Shulman... .
ariacurva 1 year ago
Bravi, bravi, bravi !!!
ariacurva 1 year ago
That's HP music, Mozart or Beethoven would have been fans of these guys for sure!!!
BauerAlejandro 1 year ago
What a magnificent performance!
getstek 1 year ago
Wow, this is really good. It must have cost you some time to get it right.
pimtelman 1 year ago
jezuz
outstanding
you guys fuckin nailed it
cardhang 1 year ago
This is amazing! I can't believe the virtuosity of these guys...this sounds identical to GG's iconic original! I shudder to think of the amount of practice that it must have taken to perfect this song.
carterdoleman 1 year ago
Very accurate!
akitaman1988 1 year ago
Fantastic, when do you come to Denmark??
ArtzBiber 1 year ago
Absolutely great !!!!!!!
ppaul3 1 year ago
Especially when you have such good musicians performing it!
2318PAM 1 year ago
Good Music always stands the test of time.
cmikex2 1 year ago
Wow, really great ! This band brings Gentle Giant's music back to life. Is there a chance that we could see them playing in France one of these days ?
philrouge77 1 year ago
Thank-you Three Friends! While Gentle Giant's music is technically challenging, it is the passion that the musicians have for it that draws listeners in to this special world. ALL of the members of this band have devoted a great deal of their time to recapture the magic of this music and I hope that they are creating new pieces to satisfy us as listeners and themselves as musicians. This music has a timeless quality and we as fans are looking forward to the new additions to the repertoire!
RoundSounds 1 year ago
Absolutely amazing. Talk about talent. Although the keyboardist is doing this great, it's too bad Kerry Minnear is not there. He was a musical god.
ronsarian 1 year ago
@ronsarian I second that ... your brother !!!
racer500gp 1 year ago
....masters
SoSeventies 1 year ago
For God's sake, COME TO L.A. There are a WHOLE bunch of rabid fans that will do whatever it takes to see you!
mattleemattlee123 1 year ago
@mattleemattlee123 I agree 100%. I was STUPID and missed them when they did a few nights at the Whiskey on Sunset Bl, I believe. This was back in 1981-1982... I am guessing.
I am pretty sure that was their last appearance in LA.
krsongs 1 year ago
I remember sitting and listening to this album over and over when it first came out. I love it
MrOldGuy69 1 year ago
Toute la finesse de School Days joué live. Wow !
Quels musiciens !
Kakiousse 1 year ago
How!? how in gods name can they keep on beat like that? so tight! especially the singing...I wonder if they occasionally play "by feel" or is all strict and measured...ridiculous!
Letviets 1 year ago
This is amazing, I used to listen to this song, this was our theme song in school in the 70's me and my friends. It makes me want to cry its so beautiful. They play it superbly.
dejahthoris 1 year ago
Impresionante!! Por favor, vengan a Venezuela, serán bienvenidos!!
orlandomarquez00 1 year ago
Sad without menier
PaulThe123 1 year ago
Watching this has made my day....I am 17 again complete with afghan coat and Three Friends album (complete wuth plastic rain cover!) under my arm.
Vivandthexmen 1 year ago
@Vivandthexmen Cheers from Poland, I'm 19, girl and I love GG but it is nearly impossible to get their CD's in my country
hatiffnatka 1 year ago
I am so happy to see this. As a big Gentle Giant fan, I found it hard to believe that the guys who played such fine music with such passion would just get tired of it and go do something else. A rose is a rose....Long play Three Friends!
zoegraceli 1 year ago
I can hardly believe what I just watched. Please come to the US!
kingcherub 1 year ago
In 200 Years, when most of todays music crap will be disappeared, people will ask " How could musicians in the 1970 created such masterpieces?"
progmeck1 1 year ago
@progmeck1 Tell me about it. I'm 23 and I don't like any new bands out there...most are pure rubbish! Nothing compares to the 70's music. This is a prime example.
JimSVoit 9 months ago
@JimSVoit if you like 70s music listen to the wrek.org show Stonehenge, live streaming or archived- its a great show - (wrek is the ga tech radio station)
dejahthoris 7 months ago
Even though "Freehand", "The Power and the Glory", "Octopus", and others were probably much bigger sellers, and better produced, I still keep coming back to this haunting album! There is just something special and unique about it! And this band comprised of at least two members of Gentle Giant, (as well as other talented players) do justice to this piece off that glorius album!
JoeSzilagy 1 year ago
I could die from a heart attack watching this alive
juanbrujox 1 year ago
Superbly authentic!
schmutzgreiffer 1 year ago
muito bom
z3z4z3z4z3z4z3z4 1 year ago
good band and for me the best disc of gentle giant
rodcaiman 1 year ago 2
To be frank, when I first heard about Three Friends, I was worried that they were going to sound... well... half-arsed when compared to the original Gentle Giant performances. I was amazed when a few live clips started to emerge though. They play with a remarkable degree of energy and passion which more than does justice to the originals. I just wish that I had a chance to see them here in Australia.
RT83 1 year ago
I saw GG several times in the late 70's, with the huge neon sign at the back of the stage. PRETENTIOUS - Moi ?
One oif the most technically proficient and eclectic bands we ever produced.
Andersonshelta 1 year ago
this song was the "gentle giant"? Or is it an original song of three friends?
progdandrea 1 year ago
@progdandrea
Its an old Gentle Giant track off the album coincidentally called 'Three Friends' made in 1972. .
charleslsegal 1 year ago
@charleslsegal thank yoU!
progdandrea 1 year ago
As marvelous as this video is, I still must comment on my pet peeve: Why is it that whenever, for instance here, when the keyboard player is doing a solo the person filming focuses on the rest of the band????????????????? This never ceases to totally amaze me! Is it stupidity???
VladtheEmailer 1 year ago
@VladtheEmailer
I think this is not live, and I that the solo is not scored and has some impro in it. It probably wasn't syncing visually with what was recorded before. Samething happens on Pantagruel Nativity with the «vibraphone» solo played on keyboard at 3:40
SibKat 1 year ago
@SibKat They surely recorded in some extra tracks or punched vocals and stuff in after the recording of the video, u can clearly see it when the singer in black goes "are call.." on the cut he doesnt sing the next phrase, anyway, I loved it, though the timing was a little fluffy at the first part...but man, as Zappa would put it "This is a hard one...to play". Not sure but doubt GG played this one live entirely, maybe some excerpts as they loved to do.I'm Going to see them in Germany 3 sep woo!
sicochoco 1 year ago
@VladtheEmailer It's like on the Jimi Hendrix DVD from Woodstock that came out a few years ago. When Jimi's old bandmate (from an r&b showband they used to play together in, whom he invited to play in the band) does a guitar solo (and a good one at that), the camera is on Jimi's fingers the whole time! Idiots!
JoeSzilagy 1 year ago
The whole section where he sings "Remember.......remember when we..." is one of the most gorgeous things ever written. I get chills everytime I hear it, and I've heard it hundreds of times!
VladtheEmailer 1 year ago
I'm totally speechless. I've seen Three Friends live (with Kerry) in Shoreham a few months ago (which was really amazing), but this, with the sound and video is just an amazing new way to experience GG music. This songs is one of my favorite songs, and this performance gave it a whole new life.
ProjectRnL 1 year ago
Comment removed
charleslsegal 1 year ago
@ProjectRnL
You lucky so and so , I'd love the chance to see them live !
I look forward to the day they play in England again.
charleslsegal 1 year ago
@ProjectRnL I'd pay good money to see them live, just to keep them together! It's so wonderful- not only to see a band that obviously loves to play the music of Gentle Giant this much, but to actually have two of the members of Gentle Giant in the band!!
JoeSzilagy 1 year ago
Wow.
I saw them 4 times in the 70s, but they never did this one.
Great to hear it.
In ANY incarnation--What a frikkin' band!
notrombones 1 year ago
Who is here from the original lineup ?
Its obviously Gary Green on guitar and maybe Kerry Minnear or keyboards.
Anyone else ?
godu1111 1 year ago
@godu1111 Malcolm Mortimore on drums, who was on that album, and the first- maybe more? Anyone?
JoeSzilagy 1 year ago
@JoeSzilagy
Your reply to my comment just popped up in my inbox and made me watch this video again.
thanx :)
friggen awosome !
godu1111 1 year ago
@JoeSzilagy - I think Malcolm was only on the Three Friends studio album. Weathers joined for Octopus and if I recall, it was Martin Smith on the 2 albums prior to 3 Friends...
maida1982a 1 year ago
@maida1982a
Not correct. Gary Green - playing the Gibson SG was the one and only GG lead guitarist and played on all their albums.
mjzammit1956 10 months ago
Unreal! I just wish Ray would get involved in the project.
flammaster 1 year ago
@KERDEVAN
you lucky so and so, I'm desperate to see them in England !
charleslsegal 1 year ago
that's true! great quality! but that leaves me more anxious too. i want to see something from the last gigs!
Pectiniculus 1 year ago
THE definitive sounding Three Friends; no other uploader comes CLOSE to these high quality recordings! Thanks! yeah
zfloid44 1 year ago
Thanks zboyphillips, very kind of you to share the clips on here.
tremblantbear 1 year ago
Wow, never though I'd ever be able to see video of anyone doing this live. Incredible.
Slntpsych 1 year ago
breath taking.
johnnythelowery 1 year ago
Comment removed
jeffauger 1 year ago
once again, the keyboardist is jammin' his balls off and the camera person has not a clue ;)
prosoloist 1 year ago
I can't wait to hear news from the coming gigs!! We're only days from that.
Pectiniculus 1 year ago
This is stunning! The only thing that doesn't quite work is the voice hocketing (if that's the right term) in the verses, it sounds a bit daleky. Don't know how you'd fix it though.
matreynolds1 1 year ago
@matreynolds1 True. I love this song but playing it and singing it must be so difficult. Maybe The two-voice alternation (hocket) needs a bit more practice... Roger should wait a bit longer to follow Mick (it's an 8th note's time).
Pectiniculus 1 year ago
The only overdub is John playing mellotron strings in the slow middle passage.
Keyboard sounds are generated from a Muse Receptor 2 Pro. Good noises!
farkinelify 1 year ago
<3 <3 <3
Tarrelit 1 year ago
Awesome, thanks for sharing!
pantagruel6 1 year ago
These recordings are absolutely fantastic, thanks so much for sharing with the world. It's so exciting to watch songs like this one performed live. The music sounds so fresh and invigorating in this re-born version.
hyperboreal 1 year ago
@pinkydasminky I think the tron part might be coming from the laptop i.e. through a sequencer. I am pretty sure that some vocals were overdubbed because during the counterpoint sections in the first half I do hear a third voice but I see only 2 people singing.
ChrisEchoes 1 year ago
WOW! A freshly filmed Three Friends rehearsal? It sounds totally great.
Great footage, feels like we're in the studio with you guys. I cannot wait until the Keswick Theater show on June 20th.
petecellar 1 year ago
the jazzy bit at 6:38 reminds me of another great band Refugee, with Patrick Moraz on keyboards.....
Tuurke01 1 year ago
@pinkydasminky I don't know if it's overdubbed so much as sequenced or a triggered sample. Maybe? Or he's playing two layered channels on the keyboard>
tomlovin2 1 year ago
This is absolutely smashing stuff! Thanks for posting!
Tuurke01 1 year ago
BRILLIANT!!!! Yet again this band is amazing. First time I've heard this song. Thank you x x x x
princesslilliput 1 year ago