The three-CD set and inlay booklet come presented in a six-panel mini gatefold presentation- which features album artwork, album quotes, etc. The sets twenty-page booklet takes in a new four-page write-up about the album by Jim Knipfel, full lyrics, a write-up about the bonus material, and a selection of stills and rare album related paraphernalia. So, all in all, it’s keeping up the standards set by the other releases in the  'Preserved Series'.
 
The set is set out thus- the first disc features the original 1988 album, which has been transferred, restored, and mastered by Scott Colburn- who has once again done a great job at bringing out both clarity and depth to the album- the disc is topped off with two bonus tracks.
The second disc takes in the God In Three Persons soundtrack- this was originally released in 1988, and present 11 instrumental tracks based around the album's themes.
The third and final disc is entitled G3P Ephemera- this is a sixty-minute disc full of rare/ unreleased material…but more on this later, after we discuss the original album.
 
 
The album is very much of the strange rock opera/musical concept variety, but a lot more straight/ unfantastic compared to their early similar albums such as Not Available or The Mole Trilogy. The albums fourteen tracks, and just over an hour playtime charts the story of Mr. X( a Colonel Tom Parker like character), who meets & befriends a pair of Siamese twins. The twins have healing powers, and the ability to shift genders.  Fairly soon Mr. X convinces the pair to let him manage them, and the album tells the story of their strange & at times troubling relationship.
 
As well as the more straight/serious & less playful themes- it sonical departed from what the project had done in the past - as the album features mainly male spoken word vocals with a distinctively southern American feel. The story is told in a semi rhythmic manner,  which at times almost touches on a blues type vibe, added to the spoken word we get a female Greek chorus-which pops up ever so often to emphasize certain elements of the story. Musically the song's backing are a lot more sophisticated, cinematic, and polished, than the projects early often more angular and lo-fi leanings. We find grand and dramatic blends of synth horn/ organ work, moving onto mixes stabbing piano darting electro-jazz elements & organ work. As well as much more tuneful blends of synth melodies & mellow yet electro jazziness, through to moody & unhinged blends of dramatic synth/ electronics.
 
The whole album is decidedly captivating, cleverly written & at times quite moving-to-disturbing in its storytelling. There are also some great melodies too though-out the album's runtime, which goes from buoyant & up-beat, to more trouble & moody, onto quite nightmarish. God In Three Persons stands as one of my favorite and thought-provoking Residents albums, and has stayed  there since I first heard it back in the 1990’s- simply put it’s one their later-day masterpieces.
 
Now let's get back to their that disc of rare stuff- and this opens with a truly fascinating seven-track demo of the album. It finds the project & it’s players presenting the albums musical concepts at it’s most loose and pared back- with the greek chorus stripped away. But the most surprising thing is that we have a different voice talking/ narrator - and this is by none other Hardy Fox- the projects key songwriter, who sadly passed away last year. As fans will know Hardy rarely, if at-tall sang/ spoke on Residents albums- so it’s amazing to hear him voice a whole album, and while it lacks the gravitas/ power of the singing Residents work on the finished album- it gives the whole thing a more theatrical/ at time slightly sleazed edged to proceeds. Also sonically there feels a lot more fairground/ funfair toches/ sonic traits- which I guess was more in fitting with the projects past work, and to me personally hints at what they’d do on late concept album Tweedles.
The four tracks on this disc take in a decidedly 80’s danced-up remix 12inc single released at the time. A few live tracks, and rare singles.
 
 
It’s great to a latter-day classic Residents album like God In Three Persons getting 'Preserved' treatment- and once again cryptic Corp, Cherry Red & MVD audio have done a great job with this ultimate reissue- giving the album a great remix, presenting fascinating text, and of course a great and surprising bonus disc.