GRYPHON
Live: A Sonic Tonic
After more than 50 years at the forefront of medieval folk-prog-rock, Gryphon have delivered a double live album (remarkably their first such offering) that reflects their history and shows that, if the old dogs aren’t exactly learning new tricks, they can certainly be repurposed into something fresh and interesting at the risk of lazy reviewing – a real Tonic for the Senses, as a rejuvenated legend takes flight again!
For those unfamiliar with the genre or the band, the guitars, drum and bass are joined by a whole array of instruments, ranging from two types of crumhorn (soprano and bass), bassoon (more of which later) and a further selection, including flute, fife, saxophones, plus the more usual violin and keyboards. For the statisticians among us, a total of 19 instruments are listed. Additionally, 4 of the 6 members contribute vocals.
The members combine instrumental virtuosity in all departments, a degree of rock sensibility and Renaissance and medieval dance tunes, all served with elements of Folk (This mixture is underpinned by three members shared with the mighty Home Service, two of whom also contribute to the Bold Reynold project much enjoyed on these pages, along with bandmate, multi-instrumentalist Brian Gulland, swapping duties with the similarly poly-instrumental Andy Findon, as well as historic ties to The Albion Band in its various guises).
What we have is something that could be described as quintessentially English in both forms – musical and lyrical, incorporating 500 years of musical styles, a surprise is never far away. From the opening track, attention is rarely allowed to wander, with instrumental variation and time signatures shifting throughout. You want a rock riff, some free-form jazz, a visit to the court of the Tudor king, a touch of Genesis, a hint of Hawkwind, a nod to the Bonzos or a whiff of Stackridge – you will never have to wait long for any of the above, though all woven into a whole that is essentially Gryphon. Endlessly changing, endlessly surprising and endlessly entertaining, we are taken from Kemp’s Jig from their first album, through to the supposed closer of Parting Shot, though this inclusion of the final track on their last studio album is followed by the inevitable encore, as having built up a head of steam, Estampie leaves the audience with a spring in their stride as they leave a celebration of both longevity and invention.
In between, there is delicacy, there is whimsy, lyrically and musically and a fair smattering of humour, in subject matter, musical japes and even in the song titles – let us not forget ‘The Brief History of A Bassoon’, in which the course of the instrument is traced from wooden birth, through adolescence to achieve a mature tonality. The included booklet gives helpful, informative and yes, amusing insight into the origins and intentions of the tracks, from anonymous, through trad arrs, to band compositions by members current and past.
For those familiar with the band – not so much a greatest hits, everyone would have their own ideas of what else could have been included, particularly from their early to middle Seventies heyday, for anyone coming new to the band, it does serve as a fair representation of what the last 50 years have offered and an invitation to delve into that history.
Extra brownie points are gained for the packaging – a lovely cover that melds the 70s style prog and the current iteration, plus helpful and informative notes in the booklet!
Personnel and instrumentation!
ANDY FINDON: Flute, Piccolo, Soprano Crumhornm, Soprano Saxophone, Clarinet, (Sweetheart) Fife
BRIAN GULLAND: Bassoon, Soprano Sax, Recorders, Bass Crumhorn, Melodica, Keyboards, Vocals
ROB LEVY: Bass guitars
DAVE OBERLE: Drums, Percussion, Vocals
CLARE TAYLOR: Violin, Keyboards, Vocals
GRAEME TAYLOR: Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Vocals
