GENTLE GIANT - Three Friends LP (RARE UK Import on VERTIGO w/Gatefold Cover)

$

45

GENTLE GIANT - "Three Friends" LP
(RARE UK Import on VERTIGO w/Gatefold Cover)

Gentle Giant were a British progressive rock band, one of the most experimental of the 1970s. Textually inspired by philosophy, personal events and the works of François Rabelais, the group's compositional purpose was to "expand the frontiers of contemporary popular music at the risk of becoming very unpopular. ~Discogs

Label: Vertigo ?– 6360 070 Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: UK Released: 1972 Genre: Rock Style: Prog Rock

Tracklist

• Bass, Violin, Twelve-String Guitar, Vocals – Ray Shulman
• Design [Sleeve Design] – Rick Breach
• Drums – Malcolm Mortimore
• Engineer – Martin Rushkent*
• Guitar, Percussion – Gary Green
• Keyboards, Vibraphone, Percussion, Synthesizer [Moog], Vocals – Kerry Minnear
• Producer – Gentle Giant
• Saxophone, Vocals – Philip Shulman
• Vocals – Derek Shulman
• Voice [Boy's Voice] – Calvin Shulman (tracks: A2)
• Written-By – Gentle Giant

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.

Condition

I tend to be conservative and do my best to be as comprehensive and accurate as possible. Beware, the "visual inspection." Records can look fine, yet sound like total crap. I don't settle for a visual inspection.  I listen to every record/song I sell. Any dust you see in pics is gone when you receive it. I thoroughly clean each LP after I shoot the pics and before I listen them. And I throw many away. 

I don't like listening to surface noise any more than you do. I can tolerate it only if it's low-level and intermittent or sporadic. But if a record sounds like someone's popping corn in the next room,  that record has got to go!  I refuse to pass along bad vinyl. I want you to be happy with your purchase. Hopefully, it will bring you pleasure.

Be advised, though, it's all about the music with me.  I can tolerate a shitty cover on a decent LP so long as it's sturdy and doing its job; protecting the LP as designed--especially if it has some historic or artistic significance (design, etc.).  In such cases, I am willing to hold on to a damaged cover even though it has outlived its monetary or collector's value. I also use center-hole, plain white covers when an original cover is beyond saving.

This vinyl is NEAR MINT:

Clean  disc -- flat, and glossy  There is next to no surface noise. Of course, no skips. Lead-in grooves are clean and finger-print free. Pleasing to the eye and ear. This record is everything good vinyl should be, and the performances are wonderful. A rare treat.

The cover is Excellent:

Clean, with good color, crisp edges and straight, flat panels. LP opening is uniform, there are no split seams. Corners are sharp and the cover is without any major defect. Downgraded only for the beginnings of ring wear, primarily on the back panel.

Shipping-(also see shipping section of this listing)

I want to be certain you are happy with your purchase and do all I can to describe it accurately.

Your record will be thoroughly cleaned, ship in a new audiophile-quality paper/poly inner sleeve and a heavy-duty poly outer bag. I use pro-quality cardboard mailers and high-quality packing materials to ensure your order arrives in even better condition than when I took its pictures. PLEASE NOTE: Pictures are of the actual LP the buyer will receive.

• If you want additional items, I will pack up to three LPs in the same mailer for FREE!
  
•  If you choose to buy more than 1 item, please don't pay for them until I invoice you, so I can apply your reduced shipping rate
  
• If you're only buying one item, please pay as soon as you win your auction, so I can get it mailed ASAP
  
• Orders exceeding 3 LPs to a pack (with advance approval) may qualify for bulk shipping at reduced (per unit) cost--contact me
  
• Email me your needs and I'll do whatever I can to ship your order as cheaply and as securely as is possible
  
• If you have ANY questions, please let me know!

My records

These are records I collected over the last 40 years.  I bought many of them new and have kept them that way. Others, ones I bought used or traded for, were carefully chosen, thoroughly cleaned and stored properly. If they came with printed sleeves or other promotional items, I saved them inside the cover along with the record, always stored in paper/poly liners.