Gryphon are a progressive rock band from the UK formed in 1971, notable for… Read Full Bio ↴Gryphon are a progressive rock band from the UK formed in 1971, notable for their unusual sound and instrumentation.
Multi-instrumentalist Richard Harvey and his fellow Royal Academy of Music graduate Brian Gulland, a woodwind player, began the group as an all-acoustic ensemble that mixed traditional English folk music with medieval and Renaissance influences. After their self-titled debut, they expanded their sound to include electric guitars and keyboards as well as wind instruments, such as bassoons and crumhorns, not often found in rock music. Gryphon's music often sounded as much like rural English folk or Renaissance chansons as it did rock, at least on their early recordings. After their third album (Red Queen to Gryphon Three) and the subsequent tour as a supporting act for Yes, their instrumentation became more conventional and the use of non-standard instruments was reduced. Fans and critics generally regard Midnight Mushrumps and the all-instrumental Red Queen to Gryphon Three as their finest albums.
In 1974, the group's publicist Martin Lewis arranged for the band to be commissioned to write and record the music for a major stage production of Shakespeare's The Tempest at Britain's National Theatre directed by Sir Peter Hall. It opened at the historic Old Vic theatre in April 1974. The music the band wrote and recorded for the stage production inspired the 21-minute fantasia "Midnight Mushrumps" (a phrase heard in The Tempest) which became the title track of their second album. Following the successful premiere of the play and acclaim for its music, Lewis arranged for Gryphon to give a Sunday evening concert at the Old Vic in July 1974—the first-ever rock concert held at Britain's National Theatre. At the concert the band performed "Midnight Mushrumps". The concert was considered a major breakthrough for progressive music. Rumors have abounded that there are audio tapes of the fabled concert but none have yet surfaced.
Their last output, until now, was 1977's Treason.
In September 2007 it was announced on Gryphon's website that, after a silence of 31 years, the band had finally decided to produce a new album. Whether the new Gryphon album will be a modern progressive and commercial sounding offering like their later albums, or a return to the predominantly medieval-based themes of their earlier works, has yet to be announced. Whilst there was no timescale planned, it was envisaged that it would be released in the Summer of 2008 with a one-off London concert date also suggested, although not confirmed. On 15 September 2008, Gryphon announced via their website that the album was still in production "albeit slowly".
The reunion concert has been confirmed for Saturday 6th June 2009 at The Queen Elizabeth Hall, London.
Members:
Brian Gulland — Bassoon, Crumhorn, Recorder, Keyboards, Vocals
Richard Harvey — Recorder, Crumhorn, Mandolin, Keyboards, Vocals
David Oberlé — Drums, Percussion, Lead Vocals
Graeme Taylor — Guitars, Vocals (through Raindance)
Philip Nestor — Bass guitar, Vocals (Midnight Mushrumps and Red Queen to Gryphon Three)
Malcolm Bennett — Bass guitar, Flute (Raindance)
Jonathan Davie — Bass guitar (Treason)
Bob Foster — Guitar (Treason)
Multi-instrumentalist Richard Harvey and his fellow Royal Academy of Music graduate Brian Gulland, a woodwind player, began the group as an all-acoustic ensemble that mixed traditional English folk music with medieval and Renaissance influences. After their self-titled debut, they expanded their sound to include electric guitars and keyboards as well as wind instruments, such as bassoons and crumhorns, not often found in rock music. Gryphon's music often sounded as much like rural English folk or Renaissance chansons as it did rock, at least on their early recordings. After their third album (Red Queen to Gryphon Three) and the subsequent tour as a supporting act for Yes, their instrumentation became more conventional and the use of non-standard instruments was reduced. Fans and critics generally regard Midnight Mushrumps and the all-instrumental Red Queen to Gryphon Three as their finest albums.
In 1974, the group's publicist Martin Lewis arranged for the band to be commissioned to write and record the music for a major stage production of Shakespeare's The Tempest at Britain's National Theatre directed by Sir Peter Hall. It opened at the historic Old Vic theatre in April 1974. The music the band wrote and recorded for the stage production inspired the 21-minute fantasia "Midnight Mushrumps" (a phrase heard in The Tempest) which became the title track of their second album. Following the successful premiere of the play and acclaim for its music, Lewis arranged for Gryphon to give a Sunday evening concert at the Old Vic in July 1974—the first-ever rock concert held at Britain's National Theatre. At the concert the band performed "Midnight Mushrumps". The concert was considered a major breakthrough for progressive music. Rumors have abounded that there are audio tapes of the fabled concert but none have yet surfaced.
Their last output, until now, was 1977's Treason.
In September 2007 it was announced on Gryphon's website that, after a silence of 31 years, the band had finally decided to produce a new album. Whether the new Gryphon album will be a modern progressive and commercial sounding offering like their later albums, or a return to the predominantly medieval-based themes of their earlier works, has yet to be announced. Whilst there was no timescale planned, it was envisaged that it would be released in the Summer of 2008 with a one-off London concert date also suggested, although not confirmed. On 15 September 2008, Gryphon announced via their website that the album was still in production "albeit slowly".
The reunion concert has been confirmed for Saturday 6th June 2009 at The Queen Elizabeth Hall, London.
Members:
Brian Gulland — Bassoon, Crumhorn, Recorder, Keyboards, Vocals
Richard Harvey — Recorder, Crumhorn, Mandolin, Keyboards, Vocals
David Oberlé — Drums, Percussion, Lead Vocals
Graeme Taylor — Guitars, Vocals (through Raindance)
Philip Nestor — Bass guitar, Vocals (Midnight Mushrumps and Red Queen to Gryphon Three)
Malcolm Bennett — Bass guitar, Flute (Raindance)
Jonathan Davie — Bass guitar (Treason)
Bob Foster — Guitar (Treason)
Juniper Suite
Gryphon Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Gryphon:
"Le Cabrioleur Est Dans Le Mouchoir" Order D'accord (Yeah but I couldn't help it) (Right n…
"Le Cambrioleur Est Dans le Mouchoir" Order D'accord (Yeah but I couldn't help it) (Right now) L…
"Le Cambrioleur Est Dans Le Mouchoir'' Order D'accord (Yeah but I couldn't help it) (Right n…
06. The Unquiet Grave Cold blows the wind to my true love and gently…
Astrologer It's of a bold astrologer in London town did dwell At…
Don't Say Go What a - thing to say - don't say -…
Fontinental Version Tidy the turdion watch for the fontanelFollow the photo gra…
Le Cambrioleur Est Dans Le Mouchoir Order D'accord (Yeah but I couldn't help it) (Right n…
Midnight Mushrumps [Instrumental]…
Ploughboy's Dream I am a ploughboy stout and strong as ever drove…
Raindance While the rain comes down I'll make some noise And when you'…
Sir Gavin Grimbold High on mountains and low between the trees Sir Gavin Grimb…
Spring Song One dozen bees buzzing, Spring fever, pure ether, scent is …
The Astrologer It's of a bold astrologer in London town did dwell At…
The Devil And The Farmer's Wife There was an old man who lived near Hell's gate What…
The Plough Boys Dream I am a ploughboy stout and strong as ever drove…
The Unquiet Grave Cold blows the wind to my true love and gently…
Three Jolly Butchers It's of three jolly butchers as I've heard many say They…
Unquiet Grave Cold blows the wind to my true love and gently…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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Flint Yoder
Depending on what you like about Gryphon you might like Gentle Giant. They have some songs which have similar medieval/folk sounds in them, but mostly they'rejust an awesome progressive rock group from the same era. If you want to give them a listen I'd look into the following songs. I've tried to list them with priority of most similar to this Gryphon album. These songs have either some folky sounds in them, strings (violin/cello, not sure), or recorder. I don't believe they use the Crumhorn at all like Gryphon did.
Individual Songs: 'Talybont', 'Raconteur, Troubadour', 'On Reflection', 'Experience', 'Wreck'
Most of their albums are great so it's hard to list just a few, but I'd give the ones listed here a try first.
Albums: Free Hand (contains 'Talybont' and 'On Reflection'), Octopus (contains 'Raconteur, Troubadour')
Other Albums which are less similar to Gryphon, but still great: 'The Power and the Glory', 'In a Glass House', 'Three Friends', 'Acquiring the Taste'
Another option if you're just interested in the 'interesting' aspects of Gryphon and less the medieval sounds, check out the earlier Genesis albums ('Trespass', 'Nursery Cryme', 'Foxtrot', 'Selling England by the Pound', 'The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway', 'A Trick of the Tail', 'Wind & Wuthering', 'And Then There Were Three').
GrumpyBoy86
I discovered Gryphon thanks to youtube, and I love them. Thank you for posting, my friend.
Érika Lauzon
If you like them, go listen to MALICORNE, a french band in the same style, they are excellent!!
Amelia Rothfarb
Thanks for all the Gryphon tracks!
Steven Stratton
The incidental music for the Doctor Who story, "Doctor Who and the Silurians" utilises this distinctive Medieval instrument, which I now know to be a Crumhorn ! For lovers of strange, innovative, ethereal and ,quite frankly, bonkers music,you should check out some of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop composers especially Delia Derbyshire, Tristram Cary, Paddy Kingsland, Dudley Simpson to name but a few.....
Go on.... Your subconscious will thank you and you conscious mind will be drawn to many a strange land.....
Jazz-U Lidlehope
By far the best Gryphon song!
Daniel C
Awesomeness took his music form
Jessica Norris
Can't wait to see you guys at Cropredy :)
Bruno Vianna
tks for posting this wonderfull song !!
Andre Luis
Rock progressivo. Tipico da idade media
Egi Budiana
Does anyone know bands that have similiar sounds like Gryphon ?