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United Kingdom (1973 – 1977, 2009 – present)
Gryphon were a progressive rock 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 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.
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.
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Gryphon
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Red Queen to Gryphon Three
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Midnight Mushrumps
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Raindance
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Shoutbox
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DEATHINFIREX wrote:
mushrumps
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Harmaa_Griffin wrote:
Interesting...Gryphon же! Х)
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odinsacolyte wrote:
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.
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ThyObscureth wrote:
Anyone know anything that is similar to Red Queen? I just love Red Queen, but it does get rather tiring. Most of what I'm asking a something that is lured of medieval sound, but proggy. Vocals need not attend.
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WhiteHare wrote:
Richard Harvey is really awesome. 縦笛!!
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DavidBG16 wrote:
Red Queen is divine! [2]
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Shelef wrote:
Red Queen is divine!
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CHARRO2000 wrote:
hay que chevere!!!
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Grey-and-Pink wrote:
Taking retro to its logical conclusion
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arglactable wrote:
This band is completely amazing.
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Vichoko wrote:
wow i`ve just downloaded them. Nice prog haha, with that medieval touch.
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LeGingee wrote:
Amazing band. Now they're reformed, it'd be awesome to see them live :-)
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NegruVoda wrote:
Midnight Mushrumps is awesome.
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Wallysaur wrote:
their first album is just glorious
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Jessica_Amarok wrote:
Awesome!
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Chasepw133 wrote:
gryphon is the shit
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falkmark wrote:
The debut album by the swedish psych folk band Valla is out now (www.recordheaven.net). Please visit www.myspace.com/vallamusik for more info and some music.
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FjordSweetFjord wrote:
been in the mood for them lately, such wonderful melodies!
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silvertree wrote:
The album Midnight Mushrumps is a true masterpiece.
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VinnyMcFly wrote:
Treason is sooo funky ahaha
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Recent Activity
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jcuartas2, numeron, ark1966 and 11 other people added Gryphon to their libraries. 7 hours ago
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TegoZavr tagged Gryphon with folk and progressive rock. last month
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TegoZavr, Cridebmx, pigsonthe and 2 other people added Gryphon to their libraries. last month
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Nortaneous tagged Gryphon with folk rock, folk, progressive folk and one other tag. last month
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m5p6n3 tagged Gryphon with rock, folk rock, progressive and 3 other tags. last month
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m5p6n3, Kaybrand, subjulgado and 2 other people added Gryphon to their libraries. last month
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Mark_H wrote about Gryphon in Prog Acts by LastFM Popularity (modified). last month
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subjulgado, TheLaRu, jakelanoue and 9 other people added Gryphon to their libraries. last month
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ZuKkan tagged Gryphon with folk, folk rock and progressive rock. last month
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TimmyTimmyson and CamelStoner added Gryphon to their libraries. last month
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