S C R A P B O O K
Gryphon Reunion Concert
6th June 2009 Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank, London
A life long Gryphon fan's perspective and story

W HEN Eduardo (Mota who runs the Gryphon web site) contacted me, and asked if I would like to write a review of the forthcoming concert I was absolutely thrilled and honoured, however, when I sat down and thought about it, I really didn’t know what I was going to say; if any of it would make any sense, or even if any of it be of any interest to others?
          Well, here is my perspective, and where on earth do I begin? I don’t really know, so if you will please excuse the ramblings of a middle aged Gryphon fan, and are happy to want to continue then please read on and enjoy my own personal musings on the reunion concert.           My story and association with Gryphon started in either late 1972 or early 1973 when I was nine or ten. I first heard Gryphon on one of the BBC radio stations being played on my Mum’s old blue Bush transistor radio which was constantly on in our kitchen. It was a real awakening for me as I had never heard such great music before, and the rest as they say, is history. It led to my taste in music and love of such bands as Gryphon, The Albion Band, Steeleye Span, Fairport Convention and Jethro Tull.
          For those familiar with Eduardo’s site may well have read my earlier submission. I took up the recorder at Primary school but I never progressed very far mainly because I can’t read sheet music to save my life, but this did not distract me from my love of their music.
          Over the years I saved up my pocket money, together with money I earned from my paper round, and I eventually bought all of the Gryphon albums, even managing to get hold of a signed copy of “Red Queen to Gryphon Three”. Alas, I made the decision to sell all my vinyl records to help save up for a deposit on our flat when my (now) wife and I married. They say you should never regret your decisions but alas it is still one that bugs me after all these years. Yes I’ve managed to replace everything on CD (which I believe is a better format as it produces “scratch, crackle and pop” free music), but I still feel as though I have sold part of my life and a bit personal history.
   
          Anyway, back to the reunion gig and apologies for the digression there!
          Through the hard work of Eduardo and many others, the band agreed to the reunion gig, and as soon as I knew that the tickets were available I bought two front row seats... couldn’t believe my luck!!

          I went along with an old school mate Andy (who is thankfully is a better photographer than I could ever be), and armed with authorisation from the duty manager of QEH to take photos, we waited patiently in the auditorium to take our seats.
          Everyone agreed that the expectation and anticipation of what was to come was electric.           Speaking to others who we were hanging around with we found that people had travelled from as far away as Canada, USA, and Brazil and also closer to home from Europe (and locally to me such as Peter Stillwell and Andrew Macdonald from Guildford) coming to London just to see the band, which just shows the level of commitment, loyalty and following that Gryphon still command after all these years.
          A touching story was of Micael Zetterberg from Sweden who sat along side us with his fiancée Isabelle. She had treated Micael to tickets for the Gryphon gig and a weekend away in London for his 28th birthday … I couldn’t think of a better surprise birthday treat for any Gryphon fan!
          Whilst most of the audience had seen the band in their heyday, there were also quite a few people like myself who had never had the opportunity to se the band the first time, and in all seriousness I don’t believe that many ever thought that such a gig would ever happen. Yes, I had seen Richard Harvey play along with Gordon Giltrap at Worthing Assembly Halls in November 1978, but never Gryphon as a whole.
          Having taken our place, the hall started to fill up, and I could see very few, if any empty seats. The set was well laid out, with each band member’s position set up ready for the concert and requiring only a few personal alterations between each song.

          The four original four band members; Richard Harvey (recorders, crumhorns, keyboards, mandolin, ukulele, vocals and percussion), Brian Gulland (bassoon, crumhorns, recorders, harmonium, vocals, flute, and percussion), Graeme Taylor (guitars, harmonium, percussion, and vocals) and Dave Oberle (drums, percussion, and vocals) came on stage first and once the applause had died down they started with the first track of the first album “Kemp’s Jig” which was then to be followed by a selection of other tracks from “Gryphon”. The original four were later joined by Jon Davie (acoustic bass guitar, and percussion) who was the last bassist and who appeared on “Treason”, and Graham Preskett (violin, keyboards, mandolin, acoustic guitar, and percussion) who is an old friend of the band, a talented musician and composer of film music.
          I’m sure that the band must have been nervous; after thirty two years of not playing together and with only having a month or so to rehearse they were bound to be, but they played a great set, and any nerves that were been there did not show at all.

          The first set continued as follows:
          “Sir Gavin Grimbold” with some great vocals from Brian.
          “Touch and Go” bought the tempo down a little with some marvellous playing by Richard and Graham.
          This was followed by a great version of “The Astrologer”, with again some excellent vocals by Brian playing the Astrologer offering to tell the maid her fortunes in exchange for a personal "favour” up stairs in his bedchamber, whilst the role of the maid who eventually gave up her Crown piece rather than give in to the Astrologers whim was played by Dave.

   
          One of my favourite tracks followed, and thankfully it was the full vocal version of “Pastime with Good Company” with Brian on vocals. This was originally an instrumental version on the “Gryphon” album. I had always believed this to have been penned by King Henry VIII; however Richard put the story straight and advised that this had been proven not to be the case.
          Another highlight was the ‘World’s premiere’ of “Juniper Suite”. It was originally recorded for the first album using various over-dubbing of instruments by the four original band members, but it was never played live before as it required a plethora musicians to play all the instruments just for this one song. It was a great performance now made possible by the playing talents of both Graham Preskett and Jon Davie …. Wonderful!
          Then the band played another of my favourite Gryphon tracks. It was an improvisation of “The Unquiet Grave”, once again with a great duet of vocals from Dave playing the female role this time and Brian playing the ghost of the male lover. For all of those who know the song, they will recognise that the genders of the ghost and the grieving lover had been swapped for this performance but it worked remarkably well.
          The first session ended in a similar genre to “Pastime with Good Company” as the band played a full and extended version of “Estampie” which quite rightly received a standing ovation from the audience.

          After a twenty minute break, the band led off the second set with the full version of “Opening Number” being three dances from Susatto which is a medley of Renaissance Dance tunes that appear on ‘Glastonbury Carol’. In my opinion it’s the better version than that appearing on ‘About as Curious as It Can Be!’
          Then came the moment that the audience had been waiting for. To a resounding chorus of whoops and cheers the band started “Midnight Mushrumps”. Once that had died down for over eighteen minutes there was complete and utter silence from the audience. However, when the final note had been played the audience erupted and once again the band was given a totally deserved standing ovation which never seemed to end.
          It was fitting to see Sir Peter and Lady Hall in the audience bearing in mind his part in the bands overall success. For those who are unaware, “Midnight Mushrumps” was commissioned by Sir Peter for the production of Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’ which starred Sir John Gielgud. This association with Sir Peter gave the band publicity and the rest they say is history.
          In total contrast, the band then played “Ashes” with Brian on vocals. This track appeared on ‘Collection II’ but was never released on any of the studio albums. This again was received with rapturous applause from the audience. Like “Juniper Suite” this piece had never been played live before, and with the background birdsong which had been recorded for, and appeared on the original album track recreated a true masterpiece.
          “Dubbel Dutch”, one of Graeme’s compositions followed, but as all good things must come to an end, the band finished with another one of my all time favourite tracks, “Ethelion” which ended what had turned out to be just an incredible concert. With the interplaying of various recorders by Richard and Brian I felt the hairs on my arms and back of my neck start to rise. It took me back to being a kid again and the same reaction I had hearing Gryphon for the first time!

          Apparently the band were only considering playing a selection from the first two albums, and had not really planned to play any more than two encores (in fact speaking to Richard and Graeme afterwards, they thought that they would be hard pushed to play just two more tracks!!) however the band arrived back on stage to tremendous applause.
          The encore started with a medley from ‘Red Queen to Gryphon Three’, and like all the previous tracks played was well received with rapturous applause by the audience, especially by “the number one Italian fan” sitting in the front row near us!
          Then followed a very funny moment … Brian had agreed to grow his beard again just to “recreate” his ‘Wildman’ persona for the concert. This was done on the understanding that the beard would be shaved off at the end of the performance for charity, with donations going towards Water Aid (I noticed the bucket going round and being filled up after the gig in the auditorium).
          Whilst the “Ceremonious shaving” was done by the band’s very attractive female makeup artist, the rest of the band played the second track of their encore, being “Le Cambrioleur Est Dans Le Mouchoir” from ‘Raindance’.
          Gryphon thought they had finished, however the audience thought otherwise! After another standing ovation, the band came back on stage once more and finally finished with a reprise of “Kemp’s Jig”, which I felt brought the whole evening full circle and to a perfect close.
          If the band had decided to go through their repertoire again I’m sure the audience would have stayed.

          Speaking with the band members afterwards, I sensed that they were overwhelmed by how many people had turned up to see them play, but also by the reactions of the audience. As I explained to them, just look at the standing ovation they received at the end of part one; the standing ovation after “Midnight Mushrumps”; and the standing ovation after their encores … that audience’s reaction spoke louder than any words ever could!
          I do hope Neil Buchanan doesn’t mind me using his comments that he posted on GT’s web page but I believe it sums up the feeling of those who were lucky enough to have been there on the night:
          Just want to say such a big thank you for the most wonderful show Gryphon put on last Saturday. I have been to many a gig in my time but don't think I have ever been in an audience where there was so much anticipation and ultimately such a wonderful feeling of musical realization. With the first notes of Midnight Mushies I was transported back to my youth and I am not ashamed to say that a rather large tear came to the eye and speaking to total strangers after I was not alone. I do so hope that the work the band put in will result in more shows and hopefully more material, there is nothing out there like gryphon and never was. Bravo.

          All I can say is “ditto” Neil, and I for one look forward to the next Gryphon gig. May it not be another thirty-two years until the Gryphon fly’s again!

Richard Akehurst
(June 2009)

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