Gentle Giant – Three Friends

Nice unofficial release, I wouldn't have guessed it without consulting here first. The sound is punchy and the cover is well produced. If you can get it for cheap, go for it.

This is a bootleg, right? Anyone know about this "Orange" label?

Does anyone have any idea why there is no signs of a European 1990 CD edition like they are the first two & fourth album?

Surprised with the reviews, mine sounds with terrible background noise, and it's not the only one on Tapestry that sounds this bad, same thing, although slightly softer than the noise on Khan's Space Shanty, Caravan's first, just the one of Zakarrias that is not so bad.
From my point of view, I recommend getting as far away from this label as possible, disastrous pressings

Why is this release blocked? Anyone who knows? Great Pressing.

I read somewhere that this is like the masterpiece of Gentle Giant.
I am like the end-consumer, not a musical critic, but I find "Acquiring the Taste" far better, also because it's far more complex intrumentalized.
Not a bad record, especially when compared to like "The Missing Piece" which to my ears might as well have remained missing, but of the first three albums my last pick.

This particular issue here lacks soundwise.
I listened to the first one in first press and Alucard re-issue, no difference and both splendid, The Orange (now inofficial) re-issue is good enough in direct comparison, and both are far more voluminous that this one here. Of which I have no first press reference.

What a great pressing. So clean and spacious sound. Topped by sturdy thick glossy gatefold. Great job Tapestry. Highly recommended.

This is a really great pressing. Great separation in the instruments and a nice wide soundstage. Highly recommended!

Not all come with swirl inner. Some issued with white poly-lined “made in England inners. Nevertheless, they appear to be the original inner.

Anyone got any info/release year on this version?: Runout stamped A side: 6360070 1Y//2▽420 14 3 04 / Runout stamped B side: 4340070 2Y//2▽420 13 4 04
Spaceship labels with darker print and more space between the stereo symbol and Made in England than others versions pictured here. Cover seems identical to https://www.discogs.com/release/9840567