GRYPHON Set On Putting Out First Proper Concert Album

It may come as a surprise to many yet medieval folk-proggers GRYPHON have never released a full-length concert recording. Yes, there were a couple discs with their halcyon-days sessions issued more than two decades ago, with videos of the veterans’ 1974 performance and a stunning 2016 show at The Union Chapel appeared on YouTube, but a proper stage album has been an aficionado’s dream for a long time. Fortunately, the ensemble wanted the same, so August 30th will be the date when a double-CD set “Live: A Sonic Tonic” is to see the light of day.

Preserved for posterity mostly at “The Junction” in Cambridge on November 28th, 2023 and fleshed out with a few pieces from other places to represent the outing in its entirety, in original running order, the forthcoming entry into the group’s discography perfectly balances fresh takes on the familiar classics and cuts from 2020’s "Get Out Of My Father's Car!" – the collective’s latest studio offering – and its predecessor “ReInvention” which was put out in 2019. The results promise to be amazing, so watch this space for review; meanwhile, the Gryphs have the following to say about it.

“I’m extremely happy with it,” enthuses drummer Dave Oberlé, one the band’s founding fathers, “and I’m really pleased that the band have finally released a live album – the first in our history. I think it captures the true spirit of GRYPHON – exceptional musicianship and our own brand of humour.”

“Having joined the Gryphs in 2017, this live album is a thrilling landmark for me,” adds reedman Andy Findon. “Having been in on the creation of the two studio albums in recent years, this release includes several ‘historic’ GRYPHON tracks from their heyday in the Seventies. Replacing someone as iconic and brilliant as Richard Harvey in the line-up was a daunting prospect, so my contributions to the older classics, such as ‘Kemp’s Jig’ and ‘Estampie’ were particularly challenging. I believe that the tracks on this live album suitably demonstrate the joy that all of us, original and recently joined Gryphs alike, get from performing our music.”

Read the review.

GRYPHON –
Live:
A Sonic Tonic

CD 1:
1. Kemp’s Jig
2. The Astrologer
3. Dumbe Dum Chit
4. A Bit Of Music By Me
5. The Brief History Of A Bassoon
6. Normal Wisdom From The Swamp… (A Sonic Tonic)
7. Sailor V
8. Reduced Krum Dancing

CD 2:
1. Hospitality At A Price
2. Christina’s Song
3. Forth Sahara
4. Unquiet Grave
5. Haddocks’ Eyes
6. The Red Queen Muddle
7. Parting Shot
8. Estampie

July 25, 2024

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