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Gryphon - Raindances: The Transatlantic Recordings 1973-1975 CD (album) cover

RAINDANCES: THE TRANSATLANTIC RECORDINGS 1973-1975

Gryphon

Prog Folk


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Warthur
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars This purports, in its accompanying booklet, to contain all the tracks from Gryphon's first four albums. Not so! One track has been trimmed to allow their self-titled debut, Midnight Mushrumps, Red Queen To Gryphon Three, and Raindance to fit onto two CDs, with the tracks arranged in order and with no awkward mid-album break between the two CDs, that being Dubbel Dutch from Midnight Mushrumps.

That said, Dubbel Dutch is probably the least inspired tune on that album - the title track and Ethelion, in particular, absolutely blow it out of the water - so I'd say it's actually improved by that one omission. Certainly, it feels like this set contains everything which was truly essential in these first four albums, though admittedly I may be out of step since I think Midnight Mushrumps is the weakest of the four (it sags a bit in the middle, hence the removal of Dubbel Dutch being helpful), which doesn't seem to be the consensus.

Still, unless Esoteric fancy doing one of those nice clamshell sets they do with the albums in individual cardboard sleeves for Gryphon (perhaps throwing in 1977's Treason, the major release of their original run that this is missing), this will do nicely.

Report this review (#2929722)
Posted Thursday, June 1, 2023 | Review Permalink
5 stars Essential Collection

Collecting records over 45 years I've got nearly a full discography of such an artists as: Led Zeppelin, Genesis, Yes, King Crimson, ELP, Van Der Graaf Generator, Todd Rundgren, Frank Zasppa, Gentle Giant, Gong and a lot more of prog-art and jazz rock fusion. Looking for something by Gryphon and finally got this double CD by Esoteric Recording. A very nice edition - perfectly remastered with detailed and dynamic soundstage. Liner notes include the reproduction of the original album covers and complete information about the personalities and the places where these four albums (based on the majority of reviews Gryphon, Midnight Mushrooms, Red Queen To Gryphon Three and Raindance were undoubtedly the peak of the band's activity) were recorded. Despite the ommited Dubbel Dutch from Midnight Mushrooms you can get a compact collection of Gryphon heritage. When you have a problem where to find a place for another item in your collection, 4 in 1 from a great artist well packaged and deigned with good sound quality is a reasonable choice for you.

Report this review (#2930704)
Posted Monday, June 5, 2023 | Review Permalink

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