Gryphon

Gryphon was founded in 1973 by Richard Harvey (recorder, keys) and Brian Gulland (bassoon, krumhorn) after a stint at the Royal Academy of Music. They shared a vision of blending traditional English folk, Baroque instrumentation and Renaissance music in a modern format. The compositions resemble those of Gentle Giant but give greater emphasis to the authentic textures and sounds of the Renaissance period.
Harvey and Gulland were joined in 1973 by Graeme Taylor on guitar and singer/percussionist David Oberle for their all-acoustic first album 'Gryphon'. Bassist Philip Nestor was added to the line up in 1974 for their second effort 'Midnight Mushrumps', which featured an increased number of original compositions and leanings in a rock direction…

Taking the Progressive experiments of "Red Queen To Gryphon Three" further, ReInvention is Gryphon's first new studio album for 41 years. With half of the current Gryphon lineup made up of original members, "ReInvention" is indeed a true Gryphon album!
Unlike some bands that own a particular band name and return with a whole new cast of members, Gryphon returns with three of the classic team. Brian Gulland is back with his famous bassoon, bass crumhorn, recorders, and harmonium playing, Graeme Taylor likewise makes a reprise on guitars and vocals and Dave Oberlé has returned on drums and vocals as well.

Gryphon are a British progressive rock band formed in the 1970s, best known for their unusual medieval and Renaissance sound and instrumentation. The band briefly flourished in the progressive rock heyday of the early 1970s, and then retired to other musical activities before reforming for a one-off reunion in 2009. Subsequently, Gryphon played some gigs in 2015, featured at the Cropredy Festival in 2016, and in 2017, an invitation to a ProgRock festival in Portugal, and in the UK, the NewDay Festival near Canterbury. The first new Gryphon record for 41 years released in 2018.

Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection.
A complex and enjoyable medieval influenced folk romp. There's plenty of modern interpretation.

The group's debut album. They were still a quartet at the time, without a full-time keyboard player. The material is essentially progressive folk-rock, elements of jazz and swing ("Over the Rainbow" even turns up interpolated in the arrangement of one number) juxtaposed with traditional folk songs ("The Unquiet Grave," ka "Dives and Lazarus"), works attributed to Henry VIII, and folk-style originals. Brian Gulland's and Richard Harvey's bassoon, krumhorn, and recorders are the dominant instruments. The instrumental tracks tend to overwhelm the tiny handful of vocal numbers, sung by Gulland, guitarist Graeme Taylor, and drummer David Oberle.