Red Queen to Gryphon Three

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Email
AMG AllMusic Guide: Pop Albums:

Red Queen to Gryphon Three

Top

  • Artist: Gryphon
  • Rating: StarStarStarHalf Star
  • Release Date: 1974
  • Total Time: 38:32
  • Genre: Rock

Review

Red Queen to Gryphon Three is only available coupled with the Raindance album on the same disc, but it has stood the test of time as an excellent progressive rock piece. The album centers around a game of chess, with each track around ten minutes in length. The symphonic structure of the movements intricately combine rich textured strings with medieval horns, reminiscent of 16th century England. The keyboards bridge together certain passages with just the right intensity so that they keep from modernizing the album's feel. While some progressive rock can seem over the top or contrived, Gryphon mixes subtlety with diversity to formulate beautiful streamline music. The use of the bassoon and krumhorn gives this album depth and a profound musical element not found in other bands of the same nature. The tempos and accents express moods that are structured for each piece precisely, such as the brainstorming arrangements in "Opening Move" and the victorious finale heard throughout "Checkmate," the last song on the album. The absence of vocals lets the music carry extra weight, enhancing the vision of the chessboard in the mind's eye. ~ Mike DeGagne, Rovi

Previous:Red Queen (2004 Album by Funker Vogt)
Next:Red Queen to Gryphon Three/Raindance (1997 Album by Gryphon)
Wikipedia on Answers.com:

Red Queen to Gryphon Three

Top
Red Queen to Gryphon Three
Studio album by Gryphon
Released December 1974
Recorded August 1974
Genre Progressive folk
Length 38:32
Label UK: Transatlantic Records
US: Bell Records
Gryphon chronology
Midnight Mushrumps
(1974)
Red Queen to Gryphon Three
(1974)
Raindance
(1975)
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic 4/5 stars[1]
Wiki letter w.svg This table needs to be expanded using prose. See the guideline for more information.

Red Queen to Gryphon Three is the third studio album made by the band Gryphon. The album was released on Transatlantic Records in the UK with a blue cover, while Bell Records released the album in Canada with the cover border in black.

Red Queen to Gryphon Three is a concept album around the game of chess. The music, which frequently evokes a medieval mood, blends and alternates among baroque, renaissance, English folk and progressive rock music styles. Themes are presented, developed and recapitulated in the style of Classical music.

Contents

Track listing

  1. "Opening Move" (Gulland, Harvey, Oberlé, Taylor) – 9:42
  2. "Second Spasm" (Gulland, Taylor) – 8:15
  3. "Lament" (Gulland, Nestor, Taylor) – 10:45
  4. "Checkmate" (Gulland, Harvey, Oberlé, Taylor) – 9:50

Line up

References

  1. ^ DeGagne, Mike. Red Queen to Gryphon Three at Allmusic. Retrieved 25 June 2011.

External links


Post a question - any question - to the WikiAnswers community:

Copyrights:

Mentioned in

The Collection (1991 Album by Gryphon)
Collection II (1995 Album by Gryphon)
Red Queen to Gryphon Three/Raindance (1997 Album by Gryphon)
Red Queen to Gryphon Three (1974 Album by Gryphon)
Raindance (1975 Album by Gryphon)