Gordon Giltrap – The Peacock Party

Gordon Giltrap – The Peacock Party

A wonderfully imaginative instrumental album from acclaimed British guitarist Gordon Giltrap, The Peacock Party is a richly arranged musical journey inspired by the illustrated children's book of the same name. Originally released in 1979 on PVK Records, the album brings together Giltrap's distinctive acoustic and electric guitar playing with elements of progressive rock, folk, classical music and traditional instrumental composition.

Following the success of albums including Visionary (1976), Perilous Journey (1977) and Fear Of The Dark (1978), Giltrap continued to develop an increasingly ambitious musical style with The Peacock Party. Rather than a conventional collection of guitar instrumentals, the record was conceived as a companion to George E. Ryder's book, illustrated by celebrated British artist Alan Aldridge, whose distinctive visual style had already made him an important figure in 1960s and 1970s popular culture. Aldridge also created the album's striking artwork.

Giltrap's compositions take their inspiration from the characters and imagery of the book, translating its playful, fantastical world into a colourful sequence of instrumental pieces. His accomplished guitar work forms the heart of the album, but the arrangements extend well beyond solo acoustic performance, incorporating keyboards, violin, woodwind, percussion and a carefully selected group of musicians.

The supporting line-up includes John G. Perry and John Gustafson on bass, Ian Mosley on drums, Rod Edwards and Eddy Spence on keyboards, Ric Sanders on violin, Morris Pert on percussion, Richard Harvey on recorder and crumhorn, and Bimbo Acock on saxophone, flute and clarinet. The string and brass arrangements by Roger Hand and Rod Edwards add further depth to the album's orchestral and progressive character. Produced by Jon Miller, the recording balances intricate musicianship with a lively, accessible sense of melody.

The opening 'Headwind - The Eagle' immediately establishes the album's adventurous instrumental style, while 'Magpie Rag' introduces a playful, ragtime-inspired character. 'Hocus Pocus' and 'Turkey Trot - A Country Bluff' further explore the record's lighter, more mischievous side, contrasting with the more atmospheric 'Tailor Bird' and the evocative 'Black Rose - The Raven'.

The second side continues the musical storytelling with 'Birds Of A Feather', a particularly engaging example of Giltrap's melodic guitar writing. 'Jester's Jig' and 'Gypsy Lane' bring folk-inspired rhythms and lively instrumental interplay, while 'Party Piece' and 'Chanticleer' demonstrate the variety of textures and arrangements across the album. The closing 'Dodo's Dream' provides an atmospheric finale to this imaginative collection.

The Peacock Party occupies an interesting place in Giltrap's discography, bridging the virtuoso guitar approach of his earlier progressive folk and rock recordings with a more colourful, ensemble-based style. It also belongs to a distinctive period of British album-making in which music, illustration and imaginative storytelling frequently came together to create ambitious concept releases.

A rewarding discovery for fans of Gordon Giltrap, progressive folk, instrumental rock, acoustic guitar, British progressive music and beautifully arranged 1970s recordings. An imaginative and musically varied album that showcases Giltrap's considerable talent as both a guitarist and composer.

Tracklist

Side A
A1. Headwind - The Eagle – 3:00
A2. Magpie Rag – 2:37
A3. Hocus Pocus – 2:20
A4. Turkey Trot - A Country Bluff – 2:44
A5. Tailor Bird – 2:30
A6. Black Rose - The Raven – 4:15

Side B
B1. Birds Of A Feather – 3:37
B2. Jester's Jig – 2:36
B3. Gypsy Lane – 2:56
B4. Party Piece – 2:41
B5. Chanticleer – 3:29
B6. Dodo's Dream – 4:12