Tudor Lodge – s/t (Mercury 1971)

Excellent album from this British-American band. They unfortunately only released this one, in 1971, but it’s an essential folk treasure. The band consisted of Lyndon Green, Ann Steuart and John Stannard. They all sang and played guitar, and Steuart played some piano and flute as well. A number of guest musicians also appeared on the album – most notably the two folk legends Danny Thompson on bass, and Terry Cox on drums. You will also hear instruments like violin, cello and oboe here, so the instrumentation is rich. The songwriting is flawless as well. The album begins with the wonderful ‘It all comes back to me’, which is very representative of what you’ll find on this album: Tender lyrics and wonderfully fragile vocal melodies. It’s all very British, even though their lead singer – Ann Steuart – was American. The tempo is mostly slow to mid tempo, setting up a dreamy atmosphere. I always feel like I’m walking in a foggy forest one early spring morning when I’m listening to this album. I guess it’s no coincidence that one of the songs here is called just that – ‘Forest’. Only on one of the songs, ‘The lady’s changing home’, do they let themselves loose and rock out. That one is actually also my absolute favourite song on this album. It’s very catchy, but at the same time by far the most progressive song. It features several excellent themes, and the ending – with the powerful vocal harmonies and the wah wah-guitar solo – always gives me goosebumps! Do yourself a favour and get this album. You’ll be playing it again and again.