Gryphon

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United Kingdom (1973 – 1977, 2009 – present)

Gryphon were a band from the UK formed in 1973, 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 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 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.
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Top Albums

  • Gryphon
    Gryphon Play
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  • Red Queen to Gryphon Three
    Gryphon Play
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  • Midnight Mushrumps
    Gryphon Play
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  • Raindance
    Gryphon Play
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Top Tracks

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  • igorgeneration

    <3

    last week

  • Burninatelol

    @Thyobscureth Gentle Giant and King Crimson's second album come to mind, but you've probably heard these already

    March 2012

  • DEATHINFIREX

    mushrumps

    June 2011

  • Harmaa_Griffin

    Interesting...Gryphon же! Х)

    May 2011

  • odinsacolyte

    Somebody stole my vinyl. I thought I would never again hear these fine musicians. I first listened to them on a primo reel to reel and have rarely again heard anything that can compare to the sound. All music now seems to be about the show and music has naught to do with the eyes.

    March 2011

  • WhiteHare

    Richard Harvey is really awesome. 縦笛!!

    February 2011

  • DavidBG16

    Red Queen is divine! [2]

    February 2011

  • Shelef

    Red Queen is divine!

    January 2011
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