Gail Laughton Harps of the Ancient Temples

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My aim with this series is to provide a somewhat decent biographical background behind the artist and the music. This allows me to provide some original content, while expanding my own views, understanding and appreciation of the music I share.

I came across this album recently and unfortunately, there is not a lot of information about it immediately available. However, the album left such a bold impression on me that I feel it would be a shame not to share.

Gail Laughton was born in Oklahoma(USA) in 1921. He was born into a family of musicians, or more specifically, harp makers, teachers and composers. He worked in music from a very young age and was mainly known for his work in film scores.

He released his only solo album, Harps of the Ancient Temples, in 1969 on Rapture. The album was re-pressed in 1978 under a different record label, but from what I’ve gathered from YouTube comments, scarce articles, etc., it seems as though the original pressing was of a much better quality.

I clicked on this album from YouTube recommendations. I don’t know what originally inspired me to listen to it; it could have been the name, or cover art, or just general curiosity, because I had no idea who he was. And I don’t know a thing about the harp.

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I was hooked on this so, so quickly. It is absolutely incredible, from start to finish. The album consists of 11 tracks, each meant to represent a time period, place and culture. It spans in chronological order all the way from the first track “The Hebrews 425 A.D.” through the depths of history all the way back to the final track, “Atlantis 21000 B.C.”

Being that it is a mainly harp composition, it is very easy listening a lot of the time. However, there are times during this album representing absolute peril, impending doom, endless falling down a black pit, the feeling of absolute triumph, and defeat; need I go on?

This album is a masterpiece and I was honestly shocked to not find more information about it upon my feeble research attempt. I’m sure there is more out there, but not nearly as accessible as today’s teen pop top of the charts rubbish :(

Anyways, if you think harp music just isn’t for you, well give this a shot. Not for the weak hearted. Rock on :)

note: I have listed the location as "unknown" because there is very little information as to the original label. Although he spent a lot of his life in the United States, Laughton also lived all over the world and traveled frequently. Due to the scarcity of the original print and what I understand about the means of achieving it at the time, I guessed he may be his own record label

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