Talking Elephant [Release date 06.09.24]

It’s some 50 years since Gryphon donned doublet and hose and became something of a media sensation with their blend of medieval folk rock. This is the band’s first ever live album although some of their BBC live sessions were released in 2002/3.

Original stalwarts Graeme Taylor, Brian Gulland and Dave Oberle keep the flag flying with a double-CD set recorded in December 2023.

It’s a satisfying trawl through their back catalogue and seamlessly tracing their progress from Henry VIII revivalists to things more prog. The story is brought up to date with pieces from their latest two albums. And thankfully they’ve picked out the best tunes such as ‘Normal Wisdom From The Swamp’ and ‘Forth Sahara” (from ‘Get Out Of My Father’s Car!’).

There’s always good humour in their endeavours and whilst ‘The Brief History Of A Bassoon’ and ‘Hospitality At A Price…(Dennis) Anyone For?’ may be happy diversions there’s also some erudite instrumentals such as ‘Dumbe Dum Chit’, ‘A Bit Of Music By Me’ and ‘Sailor V’.

The band’s first album is recalled on ‘The Astrologer’, ‘The Unquiet Grave’ and a rousing ‘Estampie’ whilst ‘Reduced Krum Dancing’ brings that story up to date. The crumhorn is an instrument which largely characterised the early music revival of the 1970s.

Fans might be disappointed that the subsequent 1970s albums are not referenced apart from the mash-up ‘The Red Queen Muddle’ but in truth ‘Midnight Mushrumps’ would have dominated the set list.

Graeme Taylor’s long piece – ‘Haddock’s Eyes’ – from 2018′s “comeback” album ‘Reinvention’ is also included. The band veers towards Home Service territory at times, hardly surprising given Taylor’s close association with that band along with two of his other band members.

‘A Sonic Tonic’ is a suitable celebration of an eclectic and enduring phenomenon. ****

Review by David Randall

Gryphon play the Nene Valley Rock Festival, Lincolnshire on 6 September.

Album review (Get Out Of My Father’s Car!, 2020 )
Album review (Reinvention, 2018)
Album review (Raindances (The Transatlantic Recordings 1973-1975)

---

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

Next session: Sunday 19 January

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

---

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 1 December 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 3 December 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

---

Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)

---

---

Popular (last 10 days)

---