“Red Queen to Gryphon Three” was the name of the prog rock band Gryphon’s 1973 concept album. The cover was by Dan Pearce; but little is known about him. The album was released under the Transatlantic label, and was recorded at Riverside Recordings and Livingston Studios. Gryphon were very much influenced by acoustic and ‘early music’ instruments. Like fellow prog rock bands, each album had a theme, and this one was centered around the  concept of a game of chess. The music, evokes a medieval mood, blending influences from Baroque, Renaissance, English Folk as well as Prog Rock styles.

The reference to this album’s title may have been influenced through the Red Queen motif from Lewis Carroll’s “Through the Looking Glass,” which referred to the Red Queen as being a representation of the game of chess.  The “Red Queen” was also the antagonist opposing young Alice in the story. Despite this, their initial encounter is a cordial one, with the Red Queen explaining the rules of Chess to young Alice.

• If I understand it – it’s your move – or Check mate!

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