Giles & Giles and Fripp "Cheerful Insanity of Giles Giles & Fripp" 1968

The Cheerful Insanity of Giles, Giles and Fripp is a 1968 album from the English group Giles, Giles and Fripp. The United States LP had a different cover than the original UK version.

The music shows a mix of pop, psychedelic rock, folk, and classical, influences. In addition to 13 songs, the album contains two comedic spoken word pieces, "The Saga of Rodney Toady" and "Just George", which are interspersed between the songs.

The album had little recognition on first release, but has since been re-issued many times. According to Robert Fripp the album sold only 500 copies. This information came from his royalty statement, but it is very unlikely that this was the total number of copies sold on initial release.

There are at least 4 CD editions. First in Japan with no bonus tracks, then in the US and UK with bonus tracks compiled from singles and previously unreleased recordings. A later Japanese re-issue in a paper sleeve contained the bonus tracks and also a bonus paper sleeve reproduction of the US cover. The most recent CD released by Eclectic Discs also has the bonus tracks.

Also during 1968 the group recorded a series of demos at home, which would be released as The Brondesbury Tapes in 2001. Following this album Peter Giles was replaced on bass by Greg Lake. Soon after that the band changed their repertoire and renamed themselves King Crimson.

The Saga of Rodney Toady (Robert Fripp)

"North Meadow" (Peter Giles) – 2:29

"Newly-weds" (Peter Giles) – 2:07

"One in a Million" (Michael Giles) – 2:25

"Call Tomorrow" (Peter Giles) – 2:31

"Digging My Lawn" (Peter Giles) – 1:50

"Little Children" (Robert Fripp) – 2:48

"The Crukster" (Michael Giles) – 1:35

"Thursday Morning" (Michael Giles) – 2:50

Just George (Michael Giles)

"How Do They Know" (Michael Giles) – 2:14

"Elephant Song" (Michael Giles) – 3:15

"The Sun is Shining" (Michael Giles) – 3:06

"Suite No. 1" (Robert Fripp) – 5:33

"Erudite Eyes" (Robert Fripp) – 5:05

Bonus Tracks on 1992 CD release

14. "She Is Loaded" - 3:11

15. "Under the Sky" - 4:01

16. "One in a Million" (mono single) - 2:25

17. "Newly-Weds" (mono single) - 2:44

18. "Thursday Morning" (mono single) - 2:57

19. "Thursday Morning" (stereo single) - 2:57

Giles, Giles & Fripp[edit]

Robert Fripp: guitars, mellotron,[2] spoken word

Peter Giles: bass, lead and backing vocals

Michael Giles: drums, percussion, lead and backing vocals, spoken word

Additional Personnel[3][edit]

Ted Barker, Cliff Hardy - trombone

Raymond Cohen, Gerry Fields, Kelly Isaccs, Boris Pecker, William Reid, G. Salisbury - violin

John Coulling, Rebecca Patten - viola

Alan Ford, Charles Tunnell - cello

Ivor Raymonde - string arrangements

"The Breakaways" - backing vocals

Mike Hill, Nicky Hopkins - keyboards