Search - Tudor Lodge :: Tudor Lodge (Mlps) (Shm)

Lush, complex and undisturbed progressive folk gem

Elliot Knapp | Seattle, Washington United States | 07/28/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tudor Lodge's eponymous and only album is a most welcome (if limited edition) reissue. In fact, it's something of a shame that this record is primarily known in small circles of obscure folk-lovers interested in spending the extra time and money to seek out special albums like this one. The group is based around a core trio: Brits Lyndon Green (guitar/vocals), John Stannard (guitar/vocals) and American Ann Steuart (guitar/piano/flute/vocals). Accordingly, the album's songs are based around the intricate interplay of two or more excellent acoustic guitar lines often accompanied by Steuart's flute or piano, and gorgeous vocal harmonies provided by all three musicians. Along for the ride, though, are Danny Thompson (bass) and Terry Cox (drums) of The Pentangle fame, as well as an orchestra. This makes for incredible lush arrangements, often swelling with emotion and layered harmony and interplay that reward the attentive listener with surprising complexity. Though this kind of production often comes across as slick and unnecessary, with Tudor Lodge it works pretty well (a little bit like the orchestral arrangements employed by Nick Drake) and the music, though flowing and delicate never seems contrived--more like well thought-out with an ear for clear beauty.



What buoys Tudor Lodge's debut to its classic status is the subtly affecting set of primarily original tunes performed so adeptly by the group. The opener, "It All Comes Back To Me," sets the tone that will dominate most of the record--gentle, contemplative, wistful, with a hint of melancholy, and especially pastoral in that British way. The orchestra plays the first notes, followed by some impressive finger-picked acoustic and the voice of Ann Steuart blends with Green's and Stannard's in flawless harmony as she compellingly explores contemplative and elusive emotions. The rest of the record is packed with strong songs echoing these sentiments--lots of major 7th chords make for appealing harmonies and a dreamy feel. It's mostly acoustic (only "Nobody's Listening" and "The Lady's Changing Home" feature electric guitar, and it's surprisingly gritty on the latter cut).



A strong focus on aging underpins much of the album--the second track, "Would You Believe?" especially. It's one of my favorites, with one of the male singers taking the lead. The group (especially the Pentangle's rhythm section) lurches through some progressive tempo changes to the lyric's dreamy description of disbelief at the passage of time--compelling and powerful. Another of my favorites is "Nobody's Listening," which, on the surface, describes a singer persevering and performing in front of a nearly empty room for the sake of the song. Lurking under the surface, though, is a gentle optimism addressing the decision to continue living in a world that may in fact have no meaning outside that which we create ourselves. It's measured, cutting, and sublime songwriting, especially when combined with such fantastic playing. "Madeline" is an instrumental featuring some excellent acoustic guitar playing reminiscent of Bert Jansch's as well as Ralph McTell's. The latter composed "Kew Gardens," the track that finishes the album with gentle British idiosyncrasy.



I'd say that both Nick Drake and Ralph McTell are good reference points for those interested in Tudor Lodge--it's understated, but for active listeners there is more than enough in this music to keep you invested and astounded for years to come. I call this album "progressive folk" since it combines lush orchestration and unorthodox songwriting elements with occasionally surprising instrumentation. It's not as out-there as other progressive folk acts like The Incredible String Band, Comus, or even Roy Harper's experimental material, but if you listen closely you'll find that it's not quite your typical folk blend. I'd also like to note that this reissue (limited to 2500 copies) is as gorgeous as the music and remastering--the packaging recreates the LP's 6-panel die cut cover and includes a folding liner-note as well. It's a bit fragile, but beautiful nonetheless. If you're interested at all in this great album, I'd recommend getting it soon--even though it's already more expensive than your average CD, prices on limited editions like this only get higher as the album becomes harder to find!"

Wonderful record

William R. Nicholas | Mahwah, NJ USA | 03/24/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is another example of why the Vertigo label was so fantastic. Tudor Lodge is great British Folk, right up there with Pentengle and Fairport Convention.



But where those artists sometimes focused on the jazzier, and at times darker, side of the music, Todur Lodge hones in on folk's more molodic, and in the best sense, poppy elements. The voices are light and fresh, the writting increadibly tuneful. If Nick Drake was the Wagner of English Folk and Fairport the Bach, these guys are the Mozart. Listen to "Would You Beleive." Why that was not a #1 single is beyond me.





Beautiful music that is impossible for you not to like."