•
Rating: More than a review, it's a curiosity, a technological update, a commercial operation, call it what you will this new release of the "Giants of Prog" from the '70s. Is there nothing new? Actually, some previously unreleased material wisely comes to light, but I'll proceed in order.
"Three Piece Suite" is a technically qualitative collection, in the sense that the author, Steven Wilson, did not delve into the significant production of the first three masterpieces of the British group active, as you know, from 1970 to 1980, choosing those of greater success or at his unquestionable judgment the best, but rather he found himself with only 9 multitrack tapes of the 21 tracks that collectively make up the first trilogy of the Gentle Giants. Consequently, alas, the remaining 12 were lost, unlike those of "Octopus," which had already undergone a facelift by the same Wilson, and the subsequent albums, which had already been reworked.
The technical operation results in the publication of this work released in both double vinyl and CD+Blu Ray. Personally, I went for the first option, and it is this to which my impressions refer. The CD contains the same material for over an hour of listening, while the Blu Ray is definitely rich in the sense that it contains the full original presentation of the first three albums, the same remixed CD, and purely instrumental versions of the tracks contained therein. From an economic point of view, the second choice seems winning, but for the elders of the sector, the first will be inevitable.
Looking at the tracklist: 11, but the numbers don't add up. Indeed, the first vinyl contains "Giant," "Nothing at All," and "Why not?" from the debut album, followed by "Pantagruel's Nativity" and "The House, the Street, the Room" from "Acquiring the Taste." While the second features on the third side: "Schooldays" and "Peel the Paint," followed on the fourth face by: "Mister Class and Quality?" and "Three Friends"; finally, we have an unreleased "Freedom's Child" and a reworking of "Nothing at All" by Wilson himself.
I quickly dismiss the analysis of the 9 "resurrected" tracks, simply noting that the cleaning operation was certainly successful, also thanks to the fact that the originals sometimes suffered from non-excellent quality, especially in digital reproduction, even in Japanese reissues on SHM-CD. And I come to the "novelties": the first rediscovered from the Giant recordings of late '69 allows us to find a decidedly melodic track that highlights both Derek Shulman's voice and his brother Ray's qualities on the violin, truly inspired in this circumstance; more than an out-take, in my opinion, it is a demo, who knows for what reason spared from the destruction of time, very pleasant but certainly not capable of sending shivers down the spine of a listener accustomed to very different grit and sounds. Quite consistent with the unreleased is the tranquil reworking of "Nothing at All," which from a technical point has almost performed a miracle: it indeed seems like a posthumous arrangement of the track in the form of a calm ballad by the same authors.
And I come to the core, the judgment of this production that Wilson himself describes in the (long) liner notes as: "based on sophisticated software capable of cleaning the sounds of the individual tracks giving greater definition and clarity to the elaborate, without however modifying in any way the original musicality," which can undoubtedly be said to succeed with flying colors, returning those tracks with a detail that unfortunately the originals somewhat concealed, without surprising us too much if we consider both the publication year of the albums and the financial capabilities of the first Giant's producer, that young Tony Visconti who, as he himself states, "bet a lot on this Group that was supposed to save the musical world from mediocrity!"
Therefore, the listening is undoubtedly very satisfying, with the only sad note being that it is limited to less than half of the production of the prog giants, for the rest we will have to "settle" for what we have in our discotheque........
Tracklist and Lyrics
11 Pantagruel's Nativity (00:00)
How can I laugh or cry
When my mind is sorely torn?
Badabec had to die
Fair Pantagruel is born
Shall I weep, yes, for why?
Then laugh and show my scorn
Born with a strength untold
Foreseen to have great age
Set in Gargantuan mould,
Joyful laugh, yet quick to rage
Princely wisdom, habits bold;
Power, glory, lauded sage
Pantagruel born -- the earth was dry and burning
In Paradise dear Badabec prays for him
Pantagruel born -- the earth was dry and burning
In Paradise dear Badabec prays for him
Pantagruel born -- the earth was dry and burning
In Paradise dear Badabec prays for him
How can I laugh or cry
When my mind is sorely torn?
Badabec had to die;
Fair Pantagruel is born
Shall I weep, yes, for why?
Then laugh and show my scorn
13 Schooldays (00:00)
The bell rings
And all things
Are calling
The days past
The play's cast
Remember
September
When we were
Together
Together
Together
Schooldays the happy days when we were going nowhere
Schooldays the happy time when we were feeling no care
Schooldays when three said that we'd better be friends forever
How long is ever isn't it strange
Schooldays together why do they change
How long is ever isn't it strange
Did kites fly
And I spy
And you cry
To run fast
Or come last
You know how
We made vows
They're gone now
We made friends
We broke friends
No more friends
Schooldays the happy days when we were going nowhere
Schooldays the happy time when we were feeling no care
Schooldays when three said that we'd better be friends forever
How long is ever isn't it strange
Schooldays together why do they change
Remember,
Remember when we
Together
Went to the sea
Was it real or did we dream. The days of children gone.
Seagull's scream and pink ice cream and the deep blue sky
And the waves seem high and golden sand and the town
brass band play on
Wait for me
Wait for us always
Wait for me
Wait for us to come
Homework's dull. It's worth the pain to go out when I want
Mister Watson wants to see you in the master's room
It's about the work you should have done and I think you
must go now
Schooldays are gone
15 Mister Class And Quality? (00:00)
Look around my rooms and see the prizes I have showing
Working hard to build my life and plan the way I'm going
House and car and pretty wife - they've all been won by knowing
All been won by knowing
All been won by knowing.
Paperwork, white collared shirts - where would we be without them
Man of class and quality - I never shout about them
Choose my friends for my own ends.
You can't succeed without them
Can't succeed without them
Can't succeed without them.
Middleman sees straight ahead and never crosses borders
Never understood the artist or the lazy workers
The world needs steady men like me to give and take the orders
Give and take the orders
Give and take the orders
21 Alucard (00:00)
Lying still;
Am I dreaming
Feel the chill
Breath of fear
Evil fingers
Hover, linger
Someone help me
Terror fills my soul.
Living dead;
Am I breathing
Sightless, blind
Heart stopped beating
Hear the crying
Of the dying
Someone help me
Ogres of the night.
22 Isn't It Quiet And Cold? (00:00)
Isn't it quiet and cold walking all alone, alone?
Happened I missed the bus and found I had to walk, alone.
What was that?
Only me.
Hear the echo of my feet
Footsteps
Are they mine?
Hear the echo of the street.
Wished I lived near at hand although I live alone, alone
At least I'll find company, so why should I moan, alone.
Movement
By my feet
Paper wind across the street
Curtains closed
Sleepy heads
Wrapped together in their beds
I used to walk with someone else
I didn't seem to notice sights and sounds of the lonely street
I used to talk with someone else
Now the only answers are the calls of the night
Look at that alley cat, it's winding home to rest, alone
Half-past four and daylight shows itself once more
Walking all alone
Walking all alone
25 The Queen (00:00)
[Instrumental]
Derek Shulman, lead vocals, backing vocals and some bass; Ray Shulman,
most bass, violin, some guitar, percussion, and backing vocals; Phil
Shulman, sax, trumpet, recorder, lead vocals and backing vocals; Kerry
Minnear, keyboard, some bass, cello, lead vocals, backing vocals and
tuned percussion; Gary Green, lead guitar, 12 string guitar; Martin
Smith, drums and percussion. Produced by Gentle Giant.
26 Pantagruel's Nativity (00:00)
How can I laugh or cry
When my mind is sorely torn?
Badabec had to die
Fair Pantagruel is born
Shall I weep, yes, for why?
Then laugh and show my scorn
Born with a strength untold
Foreseen to have great age
Set in Gargantuan mould,
Joyful laugh, yet quick to rage
Princely wisdom, habits bold;
Power, glory, lauded sage
Pantagruel born -- the earth was dry and burning
In Paradise dear Badabec prays for him
Pantagruel born -- the earth was dry and burning
In Paradise dear Badabec prays for him
Pantagruel born -- the earth was dry and burning
In Paradise dear Badabec prays for him
How can I laugh or cry
When my mind is sorely torn?
Badabec had to die;
Fair Pantagruel is born
Shall I weep, yes, for why?
Then laugh and show my scorn
27 Edge Of Twilight (00:00)
The moon is down
Casting its shadow over the night-haunted town
Mystical figures under the silence of light
The trembling air
Drifts slowly unseen over the houses there
And echoes changing into the voices of night
On the edge of twilight whispering
Whisper, whisper, whisper, whisper,
On the edge of twilight whispering
Whisper, whisper, whisper, whisper
Elusive time
In limbo active in never ending mime
The edge of twilight into the darkness of day
31 Wreck (00:00)
The ship's rising up from the sea to the sky heyeheh Hold on
Just one sorry scream and a desperate cry heyeheh Hold on
Their lives pass before them before they die heyeheh --
The sea yawns around like a boiling hell heyeheh hold on
And souls disappear with the toll of that bell heyeheh hold on
The arms of the sea they are dragging them down heyeheh hold on
And sorrows and sins they are lost as they drown heyeheh --
How strange when you think that the sea was their way;
And a meaningless death is the price they pay
For their living was made from the deep
To their people in comfort and keep
Keep all their people and places there
Never to be seen again, never to be loved and their last embrace --
And the kiss has a salt bitter taste
Now all that remains is the deep cruel sea heyeheh hold on
And wreckage of things that used to be heyeheh hold on
No stone marks the place of that watery grave heyeheh hold on
Together they die both the weak and the brave heyeheh hold on
The arms of the sea they are dragging them down heyeheh hold on
And sorrows and sins they are lost as they drown heyeheh hold on
(fade)
34 Plain Truth (00:00)
Why do you question
When there's no answer told?
Plain truth is nothing
You can't buy it when it's sold
Save all your money
And they won't reason why
Why all the worry?
They'll spend it when you die
Don't look for something
Plain truth is nothing,
nothing but the plain truth
You stand and wonder
Just let it warm your skin
Take all the living
Live life and let it win
Plain truth means nothing
Cry, laugh and cry again
You question answers
Born, live and die, Amen
Don't look for something
Plain truth is nothing,
nothing but the plain truth
Why do you question
When there's no answer told?
Plain truth is nothing
You can't buy it when it's sold
Save all your money
And they won't reason why
Why all the worry?
They'll spend it when you die
Don't look for something
Plain truth is nothing,
nothing but the plain truth
35 Prologue (00:00)
Three friends are made, three lives are laughs and tears
Through years of school and play they share
As time stands still the days change into years
And future comes without a care.
But fate and skill and chances play their part
The wind of change leaves no good-bye
Three boys are men their ways have drawn apart
They tell their tales to justify.
36 Schooldays (00:00)
The bell rings
And all things
Are calling
The days past
The play's cast
Remember
September
When we were
Together
Together
Together
Schooldays the happy days when we were going nowhere
Schooldays the happy time when we were feeling no care
Schooldays when three said that we'd better be friends forever
How long is ever isn't it strange
Schooldays together why do they change
How long is ever isn't it strange
Did kites fly
And I spy
And you cry
To run fast
Or come last
You know how
We made vows
They're gone now
We made friends
We broke friends
No more friends
Schooldays the happy days when we were going nowhere
Schooldays the happy time when we were feeling no care
Schooldays when three said that we'd better be friends forever
How long is ever isn't it strange
Schooldays together why do they change
Remember,
Remember when we
Together
Went to the sea
Was it real or did we dream. The days of children gone.
Seagull's scream and pink ice cream and the deep blue sky
And the waves seem high and golden sand and the town
brass band play on
Wait for me
Wait for us always
Wait for me
Wait for us to come
Homework's dull. It's worth the pain to go out when I want
Mister Watson wants to see you in the master's room
It's about the work you should have done and I think you
must go now
Schooldays are gone
39 Pantagruel's Nativity (00:00)
How can I laugh or cry
When my mind is sorely torn?
Badabec had to die
Fair Pantagruel is born
Shall I weep, yes, for why?
Then laugh and show my scorn
Born with a strength untold
Foreseen to have great age
Set in Gargantuan mould,
Joyful laugh, yet quick to rage
Princely wisdom, habits bold;
Power, glory, lauded sage
Pantagruel born -- the earth was dry and burning
In Paradise dear Badabec prays for him
Pantagruel born -- the earth was dry and burning
In Paradise dear Badabec prays for him
Pantagruel born -- the earth was dry and burning
In Paradise dear Badabec prays for him
How can I laugh or cry
When my mind is sorely torn?
Badabec had to die;
Fair Pantagruel is born
Shall I weep, yes, for why?
Then laugh and show my scorn
40 Mister Class And Quality? (00:00)
Look around my rooms and see the prizes I have showing
Working hard to build my life and plan the way I'm going
House and car and pretty wife - they've all been won by knowing
All been won by knowing
All been won by knowing.
Paperwork, white collared shirts - where would we be without them
Man of class and quality - I never shout about them
Choose my friends for my own ends.
You can't succeed without them
Can't succeed without them
Can't succeed without them.
Middleman sees straight ahead and never crosses borders
Never understood the artist or the lazy workers
The world needs steady men like me to give and take the orders
Give and take the orders
Give and take the orders
43 Schooldays (00:00)
The bell rings
And all things
Are calling
The days past
The play's cast
Remember
September
When we were
Together
Together
Together
Schooldays the happy days when we were going nowhere
Schooldays the happy time when we were feeling no care
Schooldays when three said that we'd better be friends forever
How long is ever isn't it strange
Schooldays together why do they change
How long is ever isn't it strange
Did kites fly
And I spy
And you cry
To run fast
Or come last
You know how
We made vows
They're gone now
We made friends
We broke friends
No more friends
Schooldays the happy days when we were going nowhere
Schooldays the happy time when we were feeling no care
Schooldays when three said that we'd better be friends forever
How long is ever isn't it strange
Schooldays together why do they change
Remember,
Remember when we
Together
Went to the sea
Was it real or did we dream. The days of children gone.
Seagull's scream and pink ice cream and the deep blue sky
And the waves seem high and golden sand and the town
brass band play on
Wait for me
Wait for us always
Wait for me
Wait for us to come
Homework's dull. It's worth the pain to go out when I want
Mister Watson wants to see you in the master's room
It's about the work you should have done and I think you
must go now
Schooldays are gone
45 Mister Class And Quality? (00:00)
Look around my rooms and see the prizes I have showing
Working hard to build my life and plan the way I'm going
House and car and pretty wife - they've all been won by knowing
All been won by knowing
All been won by knowing.
Paperwork, white collared shirts - where would we be without them
Man of class and quality - I never shout about them
Choose my friends for my own ends.
You can't succeed without them
Can't succeed without them
Can't succeed without them.
Middleman sees straight ahead and never crosses borders
Never understood the artist or the lazy workers
The world needs steady men like me to give and take the orders
Give and take the orders
Give and take the orders
Loading comments slowly
