Gryphon - Raindances: The Transatlantic Recordings 1973-1975 (24-bit remastered) 2 x CDs
SKU
23-ECLEC 22639
Now you can get all four initial Gryphon albums all together in one place! While they are all pretty different, they are also all pretty great in differing ways! Highly recommended if you don’t already have them! Note that the track "Dubbel Dutch" from "Midnight Mushrumps" is missing due to time limitations.
“One of the most original groups to emerge in the Progressive era, Gryphon came together at the instigation of Royal College of Music students Richard Harvey and Brian Gulland, initially as a vehicle to fuse traditional English music with Medieval and Renaissance music influences. Utilizing various traditional instruments such as Crumhorns, Recorders, Bassoons and Mandolins, Gryphon expanded with the addition of Graeme Taylor on guitar and Dave Oberle on drums and percussion.
Singing to Transatlantic Records, Gryphon released their eponymous debut album in June 1973, adorned in a striking cover designed by Dan Pearce. The uniqueness of their musical style led to a commission to write a score for a stage production of The Tempest in 1974, parts of which formed the band’s next album, “Midnight Mushrumps”, released in April 1974. By this time bass guitarist Philip Nestor had joined the fold, and the band began to explore more progressive influences (with the album’s title track being an 18 minute opus).
The progressive rock influences became even more apparent on Gryphon’s acclaimed third album, “Red Queen to Gryphon Three”, released in December 1974. The album was one of the most successful of Gryphon’s career and the diversity of their music saw Gryphon earn the distinction of being the first artists to appear on all four BBC radio networks in one week. During this time Gryphon also toured as the support act to the legendary band YES, gaining new followers as a result. “Raindance” was Gryphon’s final album for Transatlantic Records. Issued in 1975, the record saw Philip Nestor replaced by Malcolm Bennett and was another successful record.
“Raindances” gathers together all the material from Gryphon’s four albums recorded for Transatlantic Records and has been newly re-mastered from the original master tapes. This anthology features an illustrated booklet with an essay by Malcolm Dome and includes exclusive interviews with Richard Harvey, Brian Gulland, Graeme Taylor and Dave Oberle.”
- LabelEsoteric
- UPC5013929473942