This review appears in the Folk Corporation Discussion Board, Talkawhile
"Thirty-two years on from their last gig, Gryphon returned to the stage in London eschewing the prog rock excesses that marked their demise and returning to their acoustic medieval roots.
The night started with the original four-piece of Richard Harvey, Brian Gulland, Graeme Taylor and David Oberlé launching (inevitably) into “Kemp’s Jig”. It was tight and crisp and received a rapturous ovation. Next up were “Sir Gavin Grimbold” and “Touch and Go” – the first three tracks from the debut album played by the original line up. Great to see and hear.
However, Gryphon, thirty-two years on from its last gig and thirty six years on its debut album is an older, wiser and more mature beast. Its members have been involved in diverse areas of music during that time, and drew on all that experience to bring the gig to another level entirely. The band expanded to a six piece with the introduction of Jon Davie on acoustic bass guitar and Graham Preskett on a bewildering array of instruments that matched Gulland and Harvey’s.
Having given the audience that little piece of nostalgia that it wanted, they then set about their repertoire with renewed vigour and challenging new arrangements for some pieces. We were treated to the first ever live performance of “Juniper Suite”, both “The Astrologer” and “The Unquiet Grave” became duets between David Oberlé and Brian Gulland and “Estampie” was substantially rearranged and expanded (retaining Gulland’s quirky bassoon solo, though). “Pastime With Good Company” was sung rather than being an instrumental.
After the break, we moved into the realms of later material. “Opening Number” was followed by a stunning rendition of “Midnight Mushrumps” which earned the first (but not the last) standing ovation of the evening. Graeme Taylor’s “Dubbel Dutch” was dispatched with aplomb. “Ashes” – a piece that was left off “Raindance” but did make it to the second collection album was a treat and then came the thundering “Ethelion” to round off the night. Encores were a superb medley from “Red Queen to Gryphon Three” (“Not the pompous bits” quoth Harvey) and then “Le Cambrioleur est dans le Mouchoir” during which Brian Gulland’s “iconic wild man of the krumhorn” beard was shaved off for charity. The third encore was a repeat of Kemp’s Jig with the full six piece as the audience were not in the mood to let them go.
Throughout the night, the playing was of a virtuoso standard and the arrangements tight and sophisticated. The whimsical humour of Richard Harvey’s between numbers chat was retained and it was obvious that the band was having a great time. It was also obvious that they were genuinely surprised at the rapturous reception that they received. But whatever, last night in London, the Gryphon flew again. Let’s hope that it will continue to do so."
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