Gryphon – Tonic for the Senses (Talking Elephant Records, 2024)
Gryphon Live – A Sonic Tonic is the progressive folk band’s first live release, primarily recorded at The Junction, Cambridge, on November 28, 2023. The exquisite double-disc album features the full concert in setlist order, a decision guitarist Graeme Taylor defended as natural: “The setlist worked very well for the gig, so I felt there was no need to tinker with the order for the album.”
Disc One spans Gryphon’s career, beginning with selections from their 1973 self-titled debut, moving through their 2018 comeback album Reinvention, and concluding with tracks from Get Out of My Father’s Car (2020).
Disc Two follows a similar arc, revisiting the iconic Red Queen to Gryphon Three (1974) before circling back to their early material, ending with the medieval-tinged encore Estampie.
Known for their timeless, elegant and charming fusion of medieval music through the use of ancient instruments like the crumhorn, English folk, and progressive rock elements, Gryphon’s music resists classification. Cherished by the folk community as well as progressive rock enthusiasts, their compositions, carefully arranged and precisely performed, translate seamlessly to the live setting.
Track-by-Track Overview: A Journey Through Gryphon’s Sonic Tapestry
Disc One
Kemp’s Jig (Anon., arr. Gryphon)
The band’s earliest recorded track from 1972, showcasing Gryphon’s signature medieval folk sound.
The Astrologer (Trad., arr. Gryphon)
A traditional folk tune from the Hammond & Gardiner collection, originally transcribed over a century ago.
Dumbe Dum Chit (Graham Preskett)
A lighthearted yet intricate piece, demanding precision despite its playful tone.
A Bit of Music by Me (Andy & Gary Findon)
A heartfelt revival of music by the late Gary Findon, realized by his brother Andy.
The Brief History of a Bassoon (Graeme Taylor)
A whimsical tribute to Brian Gulland, blending lyrical wordplay with Gryphon’s signature instrumentation.
Normal Wisdom from the Swamp… (A Sonic Tonic) (Brian Gulland)
A surreal, Dr. John-inspired composition, weaving cryptic lyrics with Gryphon’s eclectic sound.
Sailor V (Graham Preskett)
An Irish-infused instrumental piece with a wryly punning title.
Reduced Krum Dancing (Graeme Taylor & Andy Findon)
A lively, renaissance-style dance number designed to rouse the audience.
Disc Two
Hospitality at a Price… (Dennis) Anyone For? (Brian Gulland)
A nod to the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, laced with humor and theatrical flair.
Christina’s Song (Clare Taylor, poem by Christina Rossetti)
A haunting, beautifully arranged setting of Rossetti’s melancholic poem.
Forth Sahara (Rob Levy)
A mellow, jazz-inflected interlude providing contrast within the setlist.
The Unquiet Grave (Trad., arr. Gryphon)
A revisitation of one of Gryphon’s most beloved traditional songs from their 1973 debut.
Haddocks’ Eyes (Graeme Taylor, poem by Lewis Carroll)
An ambitious musical setting of Lewis Carroll’s absurdist poem, blending humor and complexity.
The Red Queen Muddle (Graeme Taylor, Brian Gulland & Richard Harvey)
A medley of themes from Red Queen to Gryphon Three, showcasing the band’s progressive rock sensibilities.
Parting Shot (Graeme Taylor)
A poignant, introspective love song with rich lyrical depth.
Estampie (Anon., arr. Gryphon)
A medieval romp from their debut album, closing the set with an energetic flourish.
Musicians: Andy Findon on flute, piccolo, soprano crumhorn, soprano saxophone, clarinet, sweetheart fife; Brian Gulland on bassoon, soprano sax, recorders, bass crumhorn, melodica, keyboards, vocals; Rob Levy on electric bass ; Dave Oberlé on drums, percussion, vocals; Clare Taylor on violin, keyboards, vocals; and Graeme Taylor on acoustic & electric guitars, vocals.
Buy Gryphon Live – A Sonic Tonic.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.