they sound great! Love hearing Mortimore doing Weathers! Kerry, finally, heard again...fantastic. My favorite keyboard player of all time. Funkiest, oddball parts ever.
I've seen Gentle Giant twice, and, despite a few discouraging comments, "Three Friends" sound absolutely superb!! Gary has contributed to this music in a VERY big way, and has every right to play it, and keep it alive, poking it's beautiful head through all of the worthless crap out there nowadays! Malcolm too, with all that great stuff he played, and these other guys who are obviously so devoted. Sure, I'd like to hear them write new some stuff too. I say write to their website!
Anyone who wants to can cover GG, YouTube has lots of vids of guys trying. At least the a capella quintet doing ON REFLECTION are trying to make it fresh. While the analogy of 3 Friends to an orchestra might be apt I'm not sure that rock musicians as a cover band makes the music scene richer. Rock can and should be new in some way, else why bother? GG were an adventure, 3 Friends are a product, Beatlemania with more challenging material. GG now should be a starting point, not the end point.
I understand the attraction of Three Friends but I'm no more satisfied by a tribute or decades later reunion by/ to Gentle Giant than I am nostalgia surrounding arena bands. If Kerry, Malcolm and Gary have new Giant-esque material in them then bring it on, but the idea that multiple keyboards, multiple guitarists, no Shulmans doing old material is a revelation escapes me. I love the YouTube vids of the real Giant doing what no one else could do; Three Friends don't replace that magic for me.
@baddogmaine I don't know...I'm sort of happy that somebody out there is still willing and able to play this stuff before it slips away. Funny how nobody expects a symphony to write their own new material, but instead appreciate that they are usually performing pieces by long dead composers.
Oh man, this is the best. THANK YOU, Gentle Giant, for all the years of fabulous music and listening! Somebody please send me email if these guys come to the San Francisco Bay Area. What a treat it is to see you NOW!!!! GREAT!!!!
Wonderful! Gary, it's great to see you in such fine form and obviously having fun with this. I could tell it was you right off. You still get that right foot going. :OD Any chance you are coming to the West Coast USA? Maybe after a run through Japan next year? I would plan my life around that one.... Anywho, best of luck with this- it is so fun to think my boys (11/14 yo.) might get a chance to hear you play live!!!
Just saw Three Friends in Glenisde PA. Unbelievable!!! And Mick Wilson wasn't even singing because he had some visa issues... but the singer they brought in was exceptional and the whole band just gelled amazingly. THANK YOU Gary for doing this... my best two best friends from college days (WE three friends) never thought we'd see this music played live, on stage ever again. It here it was and done superbly so.
@OcracokeC Glad you enjoyed the show, and your comments re the replacement singer Pierre Bordeleau are extra special. He did an amazing job and deserves major kudos for filling in at such short notice. His capabilities were never in doubt if you know him and I'm proud to say that I'm one of those people.
@OcracokeC maybe next time this happens they could get Derek...that would be awesome...id like to see them all together for a reunion....id travel crosscountry for it...but i better not hold my breath haha
Fanstastic! I wish y be here in Montreal, reeincarnating GG back then I attented most of their shows since 74, is the Band willing to travel up here? Greats clubs to play and exposure.
It's wonderful to see at least a few of the boys get back together and play. I've only seen GG play live once, and it was the best thing I'd ever seen. John Weathers was playing drums at the time and was of course masterful, but Malcom Mortimore is great! I read that Kerry is no longer with them and that leaves a big, gaping hole. How many more can they lose? Kills me that Ray and Derek can't be bothered, although no one can blame them - and I bet Derek might be permanently rusty...
it's SO nice to see a band i loved as a young man still being musical and capable. so many returned bands make you swell with hope but cringe with embarrassment. not the case at all here. i look forward to much more music from them (new & old).
If you want your mind really blown listen to "Talybont" from Free Hand right after hearing this song and notice its virtually the same melody with a slightly different phrasing. It took me ten years or so of listening to discover this. (Well, maybe I'm a little slow.) Also there's at least one other piece from the same album that does this too with yet another changed phrasing. Top that, Lady Gaga! And the music industry wonders why it's doing so poorly today.
@jhbdfbksdhgfjldsnglg I gotta get new glasses. I read "Kerry has three left hands." Well, sometimes it sounds that way, doesn't it? Too bad, I just now find out about this project and it's over. :-(
So glad that Kerry, Gary and Malcolm are working together again! There are so many of us GG fans who badly wanted some kind of a reunion and I've been rather disappointed in Derek & Ray's staunch refusal to do one. Yes I respect it, but still...At least they're not standing in the way of this project it seems. Re the new project - hmm, it didn't used to take two keyboards and two guitars, but I ain't complaining. They sound just great to me, and of course the vox has to be different. Yay!!
Progressive in the US is largely underground (and I'm not talking about Prog Metal...). There are a lot of fans of this sound, but, unfortunately, we are all playing in our basements and reliving the good ole days. I hope Kerry comes back to Three Friends...this is THE sound for me...Tim, Detroit, MI.
I wish Gary Green lived closed to me. I am from the East Coast and moving back..I am doing two albums of Progressive music and he is my favorite guitarist multi instrumentalist.
Too bad progressive music isn't cool in the US right now and I am having trouble finding help, but some people are are supportive. I love this band. Too bad it took me till last year to hear of them. I don't why more people in the US don't speak about them that I know right now.
Malcolm is AMAZING!!! He faithfully cops the Pugwash parts. I'm totally impressed. Not a technical, but rather a "style legacy" thing which he chose to respect and embrace. AWESOME. Just thrilled about this.
Damn..that is good stuff. It's so nice to see groups like this reunite in some form or another. Hopefully they will continue and make new albums....they got a fan in me...that's a sure thing!!
Wow, this brings a lot of memories... GG is one of the best bands of all times. Even today their music still ahead of time. It is great to see Kerry Minnear, Gary Green and Malcolm Mortimore playing together again, wish it was the complete GG set. IMHO Ray and Kerry were the best arrangers of the band. Thanx for posting this. Bravo
Why?! John even joined the guys in many occasions. I thought it would be more difficult wih Derek and Ray. But if this is confirmed....what a pity! But all of us still have a litle hope...
Ae you sure?!!! We never know! I said that all fans of GG (and when we say "fan" we suppose to mention REAL fans) are waiting anxiously for the original guys to join the current project. I also say that John, Derek and Ray would rarely get back. But you know, human soul is a mistery...
not all the fans are waiting, the REAL fans know that John,Ray & Derek will not be joining this group or any other Gentle Giant project. Just enjoy what we have, they are as good as it's going to get...
Bravo Guys!! Wow, what a breath of fresh air in a sea of musical mediocrity these days!!!! Bring back great prog! Thanks GG guys. You are the best for putting this back together for us all. Let's do that prog tribute fest together next year!
THis is GREAT to see after all these decades....NEVER thought it would be especially without the Schulmans Hmmmm! Wow! everything great though I will always miss my favorite Ray and the singer's a bit winy with less grit. Oh well!
I saw Giant 11 times in the time they were together. The 1st time they were supporting Stray and the Groundhogs at Birmingham Town Hall. I loved their music instantly.We have been waiting for a reunion for so long.Real music. This is just fantastic. I want to see them live.
I think if you watch a "tribute" band you would expect them to sound a lot like the records. This is not a "tribute" band. This is an evolution of the original and sounds glorious to me.
Great! I had no idea some of Gentle Giant had gotten back together again. Someone told me that Minnear wanted nothing to do with GG music, but I see that was false.
Great to see Gary and Kerry, and even Malcolm.. but the bass and vocals need improving. This sure isn't Ray and Derek! Glad I got to see the real band twice! :) It's my favorite band in the world, along with King Crimson.
So, sorry, but they just aren't very good. The bass player is missing notes and is using the wrong tone, and the singer just doesn't have the power that Derek had. I can play the bass parts better than this guy (and bass in general), and I can sing the parts better too!
Sorry, but they are not of the same caliber as the originals .
Well I'm sorry that you weren't at the show...if you were, you would not have been so negative, you would have been overjoyed like the rest of the GG fans in attendance.
Personally I'm looking forward to seeing this band live, and I'm happy they are doing this. But a little constructive criticism is not a bad thing.
Let's be honest, If you saw a cover band playing GG songs, and it had this singer and bass player, you would say the same thing. They are probably great doing other styles of music, but don't quite cut it here.
1. David please direct me to the videos of your bass playing & singing skills so I can comment on them publically as you have here.
2. This was the FIRST gig of a band who is NOT Gentle Giant & has more members in it that weren't in Gentle Giant, than there are that were. The band has balls, period.
3. There is one Ray Shulman. Ray Shulman is not an option. Roger Carey is an incredible & diversely talented bass player. I guess you were late for your audition so you missed out on this gig.
Exactly. You need a pick to get Ray's tone. It was warm yet biting. Roger is good, but he needs to be more up front. And some of the parts are just hard to play with fingers. I'm a finger player most of the time, but using a pick works best with Ray's parts, since that's how they were played.
I played a Ric for many years, and Ray Shulman was about the only prog player (along with Wetton) not getting that Ric tone. I used to wonder why he used a P bass. Now I really appreciate Ray's tone, and get something close from my neck pickup, which I actually designed to sound like Ray. :)
i very much adrore these guys, but the proclem i have is the passion(perhaps not passion but grunt) within the vox, it sounds toooo polished. Derek never had that whole-roundedness, which to me was a positive criterion of giants sound. still gotta dig it tho
hey gary, i'm so jacked to see you playing again, you sound wonderful. never dreamed i'd see kerry again, it's a dream come true. tell k to watch the gendes giant version of just the same -- my key solo is a musical attempt to describe the million ways minnear completely influenced my playing, about all the things he did that i love so very much. your friend jamie p
A wonderful clip - thankyou so much for sharing GG (Gary Green) and GG on top form :-) Aside of this band, Roger Carey is a very accomplished bass player. Sheer joy!
Not to argue with Tarabos, but the HELL this isn't GG! Ray is one of my favorite bassists, and I loved Derek's voice and showmanship, but come ON. Two seconds into this song and there isn't anyone else in the world that sounds like this. I couldn't be happier with this reunion and totally look forward to any new material and (esp.) seeing them live!
WOW! This is exciting! I love GG, and I'm glad to see that some of them are playing this stuff live again! Crazy that mick from 10cc (another one of my favorite bands) has joined them!
It has been wise to call this band THREE FRIENDS.Without Ray and Derek it cannot be G.G. (and shouln´t be). I hoped for a reunion from 1980 to 1995. But when I listened to all the other reunion /come back bands, I hoped G.G. will rather not reform to keep the legend alive. I hope now 3 Friends will offer a good new album at least (new material) I think it will be a brief affair, like, let´s say Happy the Man´s attempt a couple of years ago...(I hope no boooh shouts from the brave G.G. fans)
I don't think it's a good comparison. Happy The Man had problems because the guitarist didn't feel comfortable playing exactly what was written without any bit of improvisation. I don't think this would happen to any band led by Kerry Minnear. They are much more "musical" and used to be more full of energy on stage than Happy The Man. GG's main composer was Minnear and not the Shulman brothers, by the way. So the concept of GG is still there, in Three Friends, and not in Derek's disc label.
Man, this is completely incredible! A dream coming true! I have to admit I cried when I saw Gary Green's steps... how I miss them... I hear GG in every oportunity I have in all weeks in my life... WHY I HAD TO BORN IN SOUTH AMERICA??? Help...
I saw GG in 1980 right before they broke up, and they were incredible. These guys sound JUST LIKE the original! So good to see them out there again, esp. Kerry Minnear, one of the most underrated rock keyboardists ever!
Too bad actual ability, artfulness and talent count for nearly nothing in terms of any semblance of practical success in today's wealthy-spoiled-brats-with-connections-dummied-down-mass-marketed-oriented music biz.
Though, for that matter, genuine goodness appears to have not even been very important back in the 70s. But these days it's far, far worse...exceptions dwindling to nothing.
The creative professions simply cannot be taken seriously anymore. Why lie?
Nor it did back then (70's). Gentle Giant did have many conflicts with record labels and distributors. What the rock world is really missing now is some guys with enough courage to match this!! Even 30 years later, GG music sounds so full of energy and originality for rock standards.
nomorephil, are you telling me they're going to be in N. America in September? ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING? If they aren't going to play the west coast, I will damn well fly to Montreal. OH HELL YES! This (to me) is as great as the Beatles re-forming!
If the bass player can emulate the animation of the original bassist, that would be a major plus, from the old videos I have seen. I believe that energy was a big asset to the original band. Sounds great though...
I was there!!!!!!!!! Drove 500 miles each way just to see the guys again. What a natural high and the fans weren't the only ones who enjoyed themselves.
Thanks for posting this. Never thought I'd ever see any of these legendary musicians (well at least three of them) onstage again performing this wonderfully unique tunes again. This is going to make a certain fan base very happy.
do you mean touring the US?
adap2it 5 months ago
My God this is amazing! Are these guys touring? I would love to see them =D
lookitztyrant 5 months ago
they sound great! Love hearing Mortimore doing Weathers! Kerry, finally, heard again...fantastic. My favorite keyboard player of all time. Funkiest, oddball parts ever.
kennywowie 7 months ago
I've seen Gentle Giant twice, and, despite a few discouraging comments, "Three Friends" sound absolutely superb!! Gary has contributed to this music in a VERY big way, and has every right to play it, and keep it alive, poking it's beautiful head through all of the worthless crap out there nowadays! Malcolm too, with all that great stuff he played, and these other guys who are obviously so devoted. Sure, I'd like to hear them write new some stuff too. I say write to their website!
guitbibble 8 months ago
Anyone who wants to can cover GG, YouTube has lots of vids of guys trying. At least the a capella quintet doing ON REFLECTION are trying to make it fresh. While the analogy of 3 Friends to an orchestra might be apt I'm not sure that rock musicians as a cover band makes the music scene richer. Rock can and should be new in some way, else why bother? GG were an adventure, 3 Friends are a product, Beatlemania with more challenging material. GG now should be a starting point, not the end point.
baddogmaine 9 months ago
I understand the attraction of Three Friends but I'm no more satisfied by a tribute or decades later reunion by/ to Gentle Giant than I am nostalgia surrounding arena bands. If Kerry, Malcolm and Gary have new Giant-esque material in them then bring it on, but the idea that multiple keyboards, multiple guitarists, no Shulmans doing old material is a revelation escapes me. I love the YouTube vids of the real Giant doing what no one else could do; Three Friends don't replace that magic for me.
baddogmaine 9 months ago
@baddogmaine I don't know...I'm sort of happy that somebody out there is still willing and able to play this stuff before it slips away. Funny how nobody expects a symphony to write their own new material, but instead appreciate that they are usually performing pieces by long dead composers.
PecosMtJeff 9 months ago
This is the best prog band of all times!!
oleomilani 11 months ago
unfortunately, John can no longer play...
adap2it 1 year ago
Brilliant !!!!! Never knew they were together again playing gg must see them live pity pugwash isn't playing he is a drum god
sdenny 1 year ago
gary green, the best dance ever!
progdandrea 1 year ago
With love and admiration
Absolute french FAN squirt in his "pantalon" for listenig this "run"...(sorry for my so perfect english...)
"On est tout p'tit, on mérite pas"
merci à vous.
adrienchpoil 1 year ago
Comment removed
adrienchpoil 1 year ago
I'd give up every concert I've ever seen to be able to see one show with any one of the GG lineups, one of the most amazing bands ever.
jeffersontool 1 year ago
Gary Green is one of my favorite guitarists ever.
jeffersontool 1 year ago
love you ringo starr!
slapfunker 1 year ago
Oh man, this is the best. THANK YOU, Gentle Giant, for all the years of fabulous music and listening! Somebody please send me email if these guys come to the San Francisco Bay Area. What a treat it is to see you NOW!!!! GREAT!!!!
kilvan66 1 year ago
So great to see these guys playing music that is so loved by so many of us. I wish they'd come to Los Angeles for a show.
fredfx 1 year ago
So great to see these guys playing music that is so loved by so many of us. I wish they'd come to Los Angeles for a show.
fredfx 1 year ago
Wonderful! Gary, it's great to see you in such fine form and obviously having fun with this. I could tell it was you right off. You still get that right foot going. :OD Any chance you are coming to the West Coast USA? Maybe after a run through Japan next year? I would plan my life around that one.... Anywho, best of luck with this- it is so fun to think my boys (11/14 yo.) might get a chance to hear you play live!!!
BRIANPERKINS100 1 year ago
I'm so pleased to see the music has'nt been forgotten,or lost. The most under-rated group ever lives on!
holdersteven 1 year ago
On top of their game!
hb32100 1 year ago
Gentle Giaaaaaaaant :)
Strate2 1 year ago
Just saw Three Friends in Glenisde PA. Unbelievable!!! And Mick Wilson wasn't even singing because he had some visa issues... but the singer they brought in was exceptional and the whole band just gelled amazingly. THANK YOU Gary for doing this... my best two best friends from college days (WE three friends) never thought we'd see this music played live, on stage ever again. It here it was and done superbly so.
OcracokeC 1 year ago
@OcracokeC Glad you enjoyed the show, and your comments re the replacement singer Pierre Bordeleau are extra special. He did an amazing job and deserves major kudos for filling in at such short notice. His capabilities were never in doubt if you know him and I'm proud to say that I'm one of those people.
Dave Sr.
adap2it 1 year ago 2
@OcracokeC maybe next time this happens they could get Derek...that would be awesome...id like to see them all together for a reunion....id travel crosscountry for it...but i better not hold my breath haha
PeeceSells 1 year ago
Fanstastic! I wish y be here in Montreal, reeincarnating GG back then I attented most of their shows since 74, is the Band willing to travel up here? Greats clubs to play and exposure.
tremblantbear 1 year ago
@tremblantbear I guess you are too late...they played in Montreal tonight, but you could catch them in Quebec tomorrow (June 16)
adap2it 1 year ago
@adap2it
Where in QC,? I will make the trip, thnks to you for advertising and caring,,,
tremblantbear 1 year ago
@tremblantbear They are at Le Palais Montcalm, 995, Place d'Youville QC. Enjoy the show...I'll be seeing them on Saturday at Nearfest.
adap2it 1 year ago
It's wonderful to see at least a few of the boys get back together and play. I've only seen GG play live once, and it was the best thing I'd ever seen. John Weathers was playing drums at the time and was of course masterful, but Malcom Mortimore is great! I read that Kerry is no longer with them and that leaves a big, gaping hole. How many more can they lose? Kills me that Ray and Derek can't be bothered, although no one can blame them - and I bet Derek might be permanently rusty...
beeroosterm 1 year ago
J'aime bien ca!
devantsijepuis 1 year ago
all sound great. Gary -man you sound REALLY great.
maida1982a 1 year ago
it's SO nice to see a band i loved as a young man still being musical and capable. so many returned bands make you swell with hope but cringe with embarrassment. not the case at all here. i look forward to much more music from them (new & old).
victrolux 1 year ago
If you want your mind really blown listen to "Talybont" from Free Hand right after hearing this song and notice its virtually the same melody with a slightly different phrasing. It took me ten years or so of listening to discover this. (Well, maybe I'm a little slow.) Also there's at least one other piece from the same album that does this too with yet another changed phrasing. Top that, Lady Gaga! And the music industry wonders why it's doing so poorly today.
wardka 2 years ago
OK, maybe the ending was Kerry's idea. It's just a cool chord!
waynedanberry 2 years ago
on Malcolm Mortimore s homage it says that karry have left three friends..
Why..and is he coming back????
jhbdfbksdhgfjldsnglg 2 years ago
@jhbdfbksdhgfjldsnglg I gotta get new glasses. I read "Kerry has three left hands." Well, sometimes it sounds that way, doesn't it? Too bad, I just now find out about this project and it's over. :-(
wardka 2 years ago
I like that ending. I bet it was Gary's idea.
waynedanberry 2 years ago
I always loved the way Gary Green played. Had seen GG many times in NY. Always outstanding.
VSNROCKS 2 years ago 5
@VSNROCKS I'm sure I was at those shows, too!
Great times & Great memories of an amazing time in music.
Glad I was there!
Loving this new stuff too!
Cheers!
syr1811 2 years ago
Kerry's unfortunately decided not to continue playing with Three Friends.
christoofart 2 years ago
So glad that Kerry, Gary and Malcolm are working together again! There are so many of us GG fans who badly wanted some kind of a reunion and I've been rather disappointed in Derek & Ray's staunch refusal to do one. Yes I respect it, but still...At least they're not standing in the way of this project it seems. Re the new project - hmm, it didn't used to take two keyboards and two guitars, but I ain't complaining. They sound just great to me, and of course the vox has to be different. Yay!!
fabrikk60 2 years ago 2
Awesome...they're back in Mtl in June 2010 and I'll be there!!!
vbobcan 2 years ago
I could not believe I would see them again, thank you sooo much man
123zboom 2 years ago
Golden age of Music!!
larochea103 2 years ago
Progressive in the US is largely underground (and I'm not talking about Prog Metal...). There are a lot of fans of this sound, but, unfortunately, we are all playing in our basements and reliving the good ole days. I hope Kerry comes back to Three Friends...this is THE sound for me...Tim, Detroit, MI.
Sailjunkie61 2 years ago
Great!
I wish Gary Green lived closed to me. I am from the East Coast and moving back..I am doing two albums of Progressive music and he is my favorite guitarist multi instrumentalist.
Too bad progressive music isn't cool in the US right now and I am having trouble finding help, but some people are are supportive. I love this band. Too bad it took me till last year to hear of them. I don't why more people in the US don't speak about them that I know right now.
Lov it.
gojiberries1 2 years ago
It's a law: pop-rock get a lot more people supporting, but progressive get more loyal people =/
Gentle Giant forever
Sinapsis09 2 years ago 2
Yes in that you have the reason.
julyvalls 2 years ago
Malcolm is AMAZING!!! He faithfully cops the Pugwash parts. I'm totally impressed. Not a technical, but rather a "style legacy" thing which he chose to respect and embrace. AWESOME. Just thrilled about this.
TheRealSlipperman 2 years ago
Damn..that is good stuff. It's so nice to see groups like this reunite in some form or another. Hopefully they will continue and make new albums....they got a fan in me...that's a sure thing!!
poodius7 2 years ago
the "best" song by the GGs. I heart it literally more than a 1000s times! Let us hope that THREE FRIENDS will produce a brand new album..........
Tarabos1 2 years ago
If you all tour please for the love of god come to southern california!!!
whiskeynale69 2 years ago
Wow, this brings a lot of memories... GG is one of the best bands of all times. Even today their music still ahead of time. It is great to see Kerry Minnear, Gary Green and Malcolm Mortimore playing together again, wish it was the complete GG set. IMHO Ray and Kerry were the best arrangers of the band. Thanx for posting this. Bravo
tboneplayer8 2 years ago
John is no longer physically able to play the drums. The last time he actually played the drums was in 2001.
adap2it 2 years ago
@adap2it Sorry my friend actually he was with Wild Turkey recording and on stage in 2006.
123zboom 1 year ago
@123zboom I repeat that the last time JPW played a real set of drums was in 2001. He has since played on stage several times using hand drums.
adap2it 1 year ago
Why?! John even joined the guys in many occasions. I thought it would be more difficult wih Derek and Ray. But if this is confirmed....what a pity! But all of us still have a litle hope...
brastoki 2 years ago
Ae you sure?!!! We never know! I said that all fans of GG (and when we say "fan" we suppose to mention REAL fans) are waiting anxiously for the original guys to join the current project. I also say that John, Derek and Ray would rarely get back. But you know, human soul is a mistery...
brastoki 2 years ago
yes I am sure, Ray & Derek, 99% sure, John,100%....
adap2it 2 years ago
Great, of course! But all fans are waiting Ray, John and Derek!!! This would be indescribably perfect!!!
brastoki 2 years ago
not all the fans are waiting, the REAL fans know that John,Ray & Derek will not be joining this group or any other Gentle Giant project. Just enjoy what we have, they are as good as it's going to get...
adap2it 2 years ago
I like the bit at 2.08 where Gary wipes his nose on his sleeve, slings the result over the front row and then hits a monumental bummer.
Fernweeks 2 years ago
@Fernweeks Yeah, he misses a couple notes after that too. xD
Oh well. He's still Gary Green and he's still awesome.
todaystomsawyer 2 years ago
brilliant althoug i miss ray & derek
trackuinthebush 2 years ago
Love this ...I'd pay to these guys....but you need Andrea Bocelli to replace Derek S. ..
Tweekerhead 2 years ago
Bravo Guys!! Wow, what a breath of fresh air in a sea of musical mediocrity these days!!!! Bring back great prog! Thanks GG guys. You are the best for putting this back together for us all. Let's do that prog tribute fest together next year!
Ray - Living with the Past
RayTull 2 years ago
THis is GREAT to see after all these decades....NEVER thought it would be especially without the Schulmans Hmmmm! Wow! everything great though I will always miss my favorite Ray and the singer's a bit winy with less grit. Oh well!
wigginsdesign 2 years ago
I saw Giant 11 times in the time they were together. The 1st time they were supporting Stray and the Groundhogs at Birmingham Town Hall. I loved their music instantly.We have been waiting for a reunion for so long.Real music. This is just fantastic. I want to see them live.
newknackerdog 2 years ago
I think if you watch a "tribute" band you would expect them to sound a lot like the records. This is not a "tribute" band. This is an evolution of the original and sounds glorious to me.
TheAlec696 2 years ago
Well put...my sentiments exactly, and yes, it does sound glorious.
adap2it 2 years ago
yes indeed --sainthood only a matter of time now.
GGIANTNUT 2 years ago
Great! I had no idea some of Gentle Giant had gotten back together again. Someone told me that Minnear wanted nothing to do with GG music, but I see that was false.
terransage 2 years ago
Please come to Albuquerque, TF! Then happiness will be mine.
terransage 2 years ago
Good to see Gary's still got the back kick
ArtVandalay666 2 years ago
After performing at the PMFM, Three Friends are going to Japan and Germany!!
Pectiniculus 2 years ago
and if only they'd come to Australia.
RT83 2 years ago
Great to see Gary and Kerry, and even Malcolm.. but the bass and vocals need improving. This sure isn't Ray and Derek! Glad I got to see the real band twice! :) It's my favorite band in the world, along with King Crimson.
DavidRavenMoon 2 years ago
the bass & vocals need no improvement, these are just the elements that make 3F different from Gentle Giant...get used to it!!
adap2it 2 years ago
So, sorry, but they just aren't very good. The bass player is missing notes and is using the wrong tone, and the singer just doesn't have the power that Derek had. I can play the bass parts better than this guy (and bass in general), and I can sing the parts better too!
Sorry, but they are not of the same caliber as the originals .
DavidRavenMoon 2 years ago
Well I'm sorry that you weren't at the show...if you were, you would not have been so negative, you would have been overjoyed like the rest of the GG fans in attendance.
adap2it 2 years ago
Personally I'm looking forward to seeing this band live, and I'm happy they are doing this. But a little constructive criticism is not a bad thing.
Let's be honest, If you saw a cover band playing GG songs, and it had this singer and bass player, you would say the same thing. They are probably great doing other styles of music, but don't quite cut it here.
DavidRavenMoon 2 years ago
1. David please direct me to the videos of your bass playing & singing skills so I can comment on them publically as you have here.
2. This was the FIRST gig of a band who is NOT Gentle Giant & has more members in it that weren't in Gentle Giant, than there are that were. The band has balls, period.
3. There is one Ray Shulman. Ray Shulman is not an option. Roger Carey is an incredible & diversely talented bass player. I guess you were late for your audition so you missed out on this gig.
nomorephil 2 years ago
Comment removed
DavidRavenMoon 2 years ago
I now have a video of me playing Cogs in Cogs at my channel.
I like the band a lot, I just think they could use a different singer and bass player. They are good, but not the right style for the music.
Well I guess no one called me for an audition! I have a more suitable style for he music too. ;)
DavidRavenMoon 2 years ago
The bass player could practice, and bump up his high mids playing with a pick. His tone is too mellow compared to Ray shulman sometimes
then00best 2 years ago
Exactly. You need a pick to get Ray's tone. It was warm yet biting. Roger is good, but he needs to be more up front. And some of the parts are just hard to play with fingers. I'm a finger player most of the time, but using a pick works best with Ray's parts, since that's how they were played.
DavidRavenMoon 2 years ago
You know billymegawatt? He plays a rc and gets a good GG tone. Although being a ric, it's hard not to get a biting tone
then00best 2 years ago
I played a Ric for many years, and Ray Shulman was about the only prog player (along with Wetton) not getting that Ric tone. I used to wonder why he used a P bass. Now I really appreciate Ray's tone, and get something close from my neck pickup, which I actually designed to sound like Ray. :)
DavidRavenMoon 2 years ago
i very much adrore these guys, but the proclem i have is the passion(perhaps not passion but grunt) within the vox, it sounds toooo polished. Derek never had that whole-roundedness, which to me was a positive criterion of giants sound. still gotta dig it tho
HaroldMD 2 years ago
We´re waiting you in brasil! Come here..for the pleasure of all your fans.
The best are back!!
adoradordepes 2 years ago
hey gary, i'm so jacked to see you playing again, you sound wonderful. never dreamed i'd see kerry again, it's a dream come true. tell k to watch the gendes giant version of just the same -- my key solo is a musical attempt to describe the million ways minnear completely influenced my playing, about all the things he did that i love so very much. your friend jamie p
soldbythepound 2 years ago
Reminds me of how much Happy The Man sounded like GG.
rpcurtiss 2 years ago
What a pleasure to have Gary introduce Oblivion Sun at NEARfest. There is certainly a strong respect and influence for GG from HTM and OS!
osunvid 2 years ago
A wonderful clip - thankyou so much for sharing GG (Gary Green) and GG on top form :-) Aside of this band, Roger Carey is a very accomplished bass player. Sheer joy!
getstek 2 years ago
Not to argue with Tarabos, but the HELL this isn't GG! Ray is one of my favorite bassists, and I loved Derek's voice and showmanship, but come ON. Two seconds into this song and there isn't anyone else in the world that sounds like this. I couldn't be happier with this reunion and totally look forward to any new material and (esp.) seeing them live!
mattleemattlee123 2 years ago
WOW! This is exciting! I love GG, and I'm glad to see that some of them are playing this stuff live again! Crazy that mick from 10cc (another one of my favorite bands) has joined them!
spiritswitchboard 2 years ago
It has been wise to call this band THREE FRIENDS.Without Ray and Derek it cannot be G.G. (and shouln´t be). I hoped for a reunion from 1980 to 1995. But when I listened to all the other reunion /come back bands, I hoped G.G. will rather not reform to keep the legend alive. I hope now 3 Friends will offer a good new album at least (new material) I think it will be a brief affair, like, let´s say Happy the Man´s attempt a couple of years ago...(I hope no boooh shouts from the brave G.G. fans)
Tarabos1 2 years ago
I don't think it's a good comparison. Happy The Man had problems because the guitarist didn't feel comfortable playing exactly what was written without any bit of improvisation. I don't think this would happen to any band led by Kerry Minnear. They are much more "musical" and used to be more full of energy on stage than Happy The Man. GG's main composer was Minnear and not the Shulman brothers, by the way. So the concept of GG is still there, in Three Friends, and not in Derek's disc label.
Pectiniculus 2 years ago
come on guys UK dates please.
teddingtontcu 2 years ago
Brilliant... but we miss Ray Schulman on bass... ;-)
Jofruph 2 years ago 2
Unfortunately, there are no more tickets for this presentation at the FMPM in Montréal on september 13th
danielsylvain 2 years ago
Man, this is completely incredible! A dream coming true! I have to admit I cried when I saw Gary Green's steps... how I miss them... I hear GG in every oportunity I have in all weeks in my life... WHY I HAD TO BORN IN SOUTH AMERICA??? Help...
landau79 2 years ago
Puedo darte mi apoyo moral, yo también soy sudamericano. Pero recuerda que nosotros también tenemos buena música.
Pectiniculus 2 years ago
I saw GG in 1980 right before they broke up, and they were incredible. These guys sound JUST LIKE the original! So good to see them out there again, esp. Kerry Minnear, one of the most underrated rock keyboardists ever!
ivory1029 2 years ago
Wonderful reunion!
Too bad actual ability, artfulness and talent count for nearly nothing in terms of any semblance of practical success in today's wealthy-spoiled-brats-with-connections-dummied-down-mass-marketed-oriented music biz.
Though, for that matter, genuine goodness appears to have not even been very important back in the 70s. But these days it's far, far worse...exceptions dwindling to nothing.
The creative professions simply cannot be taken seriously anymore. Why lie?
unusualmusician 2 years ago 4
Nor it did back then (70's). Gentle Giant did have many conflicts with record labels and distributors. What the rock world is really missing now is some guys with enough courage to match this!! Even 30 years later, GG music sounds so full of energy and originality for rock standards.
Pectiniculus 2 years ago
@unusualmusician I'm 16, and heard about GG through my dad.
I completely agree with you on that every day my and a select few others have to put up with drones blaring out this mindless bollocks.
Thumbs up to you :)
oddbodjr1 1 year ago
Fantastic performance, and long overdue. Please come to DC!!
slickkery 2 years ago
Wow, the number of views is increasing pretty fast now! Woohoo!
Pectiniculus 2 years ago
Already got my tickets for FMPM. Can't wait for September.
Cool to see Gary Green with the SG!
pantagruel6 2 years ago
nomorephil, are you telling me they're going to be in N. America in September? ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING? If they aren't going to play the west coast, I will damn well fly to Montreal. OH HELL YES! This (to me) is as great as the Beatles re-forming!
mattleemattlee123 2 years ago
Better hurry up, only 400 tickets for Montréal. I got mine woo hoooo !
Sept 13/09
vil9v55 2 years ago
Playing FMPM in Montreal Sept 12-13!!
nomorephil 2 years ago 2
I'm getting tickets for sure!!!
BrontoDan 2 years ago
Anyone else think this sounds damn contemporary for a 30 year old song? Be hilarious if a re-release charted.
aliensporebomb 2 years ago
Unbelievable! I never thought I would see this day!!
chromo9 2 years ago 2
Come to New York!!!!!!!
PeterFurlan 2 years ago
If the bass player can emulate the animation of the original bassist, that would be a major plus, from the old videos I have seen. I believe that energy was a big asset to the original band. Sounds great though...
PeacelandMusic 2 years ago
Was that a mistake on the last note?
Just kidding... ;-)
PeacelandMusic 2 years ago
Does NOT get better than this! DAMN it's good to hear this played live again!!!!!!!!!
mattleemattlee123 2 years ago
WOW! There Three Friends videos are just AWESOME and this has to be the best of them!
They're all having so much fun. Check out Carey's facial expressions after the final chorus.
So glad to see Gary's legs still goin'.
EmersonsL100 2 years ago
Sounds like a really memorable show. More please. Great keys solo on this!
GGIANTNUT 2 years ago
I was there!!!!!!!!! Drove 500 miles each way just to see the guys again. What a natural high and the fans weren't the only ones who enjoyed themselves.
John Burns
nickitree 2 years ago
Great!!! as a hardcore fan its so nice to see them play again..gary green great as always, doing the same funny moves as 30 years ago!
KingAlfred 2 years ago
Yes this is once more so great and all six of them play excellently, the bass just rolls and I love Gary's beard !!
Chris
Rowenband 2 years ago
Mortimore laying down a killer groove!!!!
undergroundrailroad 2 years ago
Hopefully, Malcolms' great drumming talent will be recognized to the full, and he is just as nice a person.
adap2it 2 years ago
Sounds really REALLY great! It was a pleasure to watch
otteaux 2 years ago
BTW John Donaldson kicks ass in this tune
nomorephil 2 years ago
I resent being referred to as a "certain fan base" ;^) This is freaking awesome.
nomorephil 2 years ago
Thanks for posting this. Never thought I'd ever see any of these legendary musicians (well at least three of them) onstage again performing this wonderfully unique tunes again. This is going to make a certain fan base very happy.
desedit 2 years ago
Brilliant, just brilliant.
Great job boys.
Let the dream grow, let the dream grow, let the dream grow.
Bob Holzner
Chicago, Illinois
rillianx15 2 years ago