Giant Friends

The first time I heard Gentle Giant was about fifteen years ago. I heard it at the book store I always go to. The music was definitely Progressive Rock, but it was not like the Progressive Rock I listened to. It was great stuff and it gave me new ideas on what to listen to. I listened to this Gentle Giant all the way through and it was very good. It was extremely technical and seemed liked what they were doing. I also liked the way the songs had a lot to say in how technical the music was. It is after all Progressive Rock, but it is really well done. The only complaint I had about them was the shortness of their albums. Nowadays, these albums would be only an EP in length but the music here is full of stuff to digest.

Over the years I listened to them every know and then, but when I went to a small Jazz show with a friend the musician I saw mentioned how Gentle Giant was the music that got him through his youth. He mentioned the long songs and the technical side of things, he also mentioned how they just made him want to be a musician. He was right, the music is great and the way they play is very good. Of all people who plays Jazz this guy was mentioned Gentle Giant. I asked him after the show which in particular did he liked and he told me all of them, but if he had to chose one of the he would take Three Friends. I took this in consideration. When I went to see my friend at the record store he told me to give him a tape and he could put some of their music on it. Glad I did, because this stuff was wonderful.



Over the years I really did like listening this stuff. It grew on me how wonderful they were. I will admit that I kinda got off track by taking a break from them, but looking back I realized I made a mistake. I really should have really listened to them more and more. I realized this issue when I saw a group called Three Friends at Nearfest last year. They were the headliner. Three friends is a project that plays old Gentle Giant songs and really does it with accuracy. It includes two members from the old Gentle Giant and reinvents the songs to make them sound nostalgic and fun at the same time. It was a mind blowing event for me.

All this time I missed so much but on the other hand I really liked what I heard and wondered if this was something that would make me like them more. Well it did a great job of that. Three Friends the album and Three Friends the band really turned my ears on to something I would never think I would listen to. Take a listen and I am sure you will agree. The album is only got six songs, but it's enough for a full meal. Enjoy! Below is the words to "School Days" and a video of Three Friends singing the song.



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.