TUDOR LODGE - THEIR 1ST ALBUM - ORIGINAL VERTIGO SWIRL LABEL - 6330 043 - 1971

	£		950
	$		1,259

TUDOR LODGE - THEIR 1ST ALBUM - ORIGINAL VERTIGO SWIRL LABEL - 6330 043 - 1971.
From the sellers private collection.  An album for contempory folk connoisseurs. 
TUDOR LODGE - THEIR 1ST ALBUM -  Part of the unique & highly sought after Vertigo "Swirl" records catalogue. 
This Record was purchased from the amazing  “Musicland” store in Berwick St, London, sometime in 1971.
This original 1971 disc release, was initally issued in UK & New Zealand. Throughout its existance there have potentially been 24 subsequent variant re-issues covering Europe, Japan & South Korea.   This original record identification is as follows :-  Side A  : Vertigo Swirl/Circle Design decending to record hole. "SIDE A"  printed on 3rd white circle from outed parimeter.  Side  B  :  All over Mono covered label (White) with  "Swirl" Logo (Top centre) with VERTIGO in black edged lettering directley below.  331/3 & P1971 directly below,(on RHSide).  SIDE A (over) & track listing (below) 6360 043 (2) (below) (on LHSide). SIDE B  & track listing (on RHSide) TUDOR LODGE & TUDOR LODGE (Bottom Centre) with Producer & Engineer (Directley below bottom centre)  Matrix/Runout :-  Side A :- (Stamped)  6360043 1Y//1 ? 420 1 1  Side B :- (Stamped)  6360043 2Y//1 ? 420 1 1 2 04
THE RECORD :-  This disc  is graded between Excellent (EX) to Very Good (VG), condition, but could be considered near mint.The famous “Vertigo Swirl” logo is perfect and unmarked, as is the tracklisting on the opposite side. The disc has no visible scuffmarks or scratches & will play perfectley through without issue or noise.The label information is perfect & there are no hole distortion. It is in superb condition for its 50 years of age. Indeed, it is one of the rare discs, from the Veritgo "Swirl" issues, now  sought after by record collectors and is subsequently valued by RCM at £1750(M) Mint and £1450(EX) Excellent. 
THE INNER SLEEVE :-  An additional Paper Sleeve is now used to house the record, to preserve the original “Vertigo Swirl” inner sleeve that has mellowed with age.
THE RECORD COVER :- The elaborate fragile 6 panel “Fold Out” sleeve has been graded as (G) Good. It has some minimal surface wear on its faces and visible fractures on its edges & corners as shown, reflecting its usage and age of 50 years, but the images are not scratched of marked by stickers and are fully legible. The surfaces have the original textured feel, and were not designed to be laminated. The famous amazing artwork painstakingly created by Phil Duffy (PD Graphics Ltd) who designed and created various album artworks including Harsh Reality and Pierre Hendry, is crying out to be professionally mounted, framed & displayed. Thereby, showing Phil's amazing creativity & skills in all their glory.  The cover is in no doubt, an exceptional artifact of the 70's period. 
The record & cover are housed within a clear plastic sleeve   Recorded  at Lansdowne Studios, located within a Grade 2 listed building in Landsdown Road, Holland Park, London.  The album was engineered by Peter Gallen and produced by Terry Brown.
The musicians playing on this reord were :- Lyndon Green (Vocals Guitar), John Stannard (Vocals, Guitar) and American Ann Steuart (Vocals, Guitar, Piano and Flute). The majority of the tracks were writte individually & collectivly by the group. Additional musicians contributing to the album were :- Danny Thompson (Double Bass), Terry Cox (Drums), Graham Lyons (Basoon, Clarinet), Suzanne Perrreault (Cello), Mike Morgan (Electric Guitar), Tony Coe (Flute), Douglas Moore (Horn), Sergi Bezkorvany & David Marcou (Violins),  G Wareham (Oboe) & Fred Buxton (Viola).

Formed in 1968, Tudor Lodge comprised of John Stannard & Roger Stevens & commenced playing at the White Horse Pub in Reading. In 1969 Stevens left & was replaced by Lyndon Green & Ann Steuart following which, the group played the South East english folk circuit for the next 2 years. Including gigs at the Troubadour & Les Cousins clubs in London. Now managed by Karl Blore, the group signed with Vertigo Records & released their self titled album in 1971. 

Following its release, the band played at some of the larger venues including the Folk Festival of Cambridge & the Weeley Festival in Essex.

Ann Steuart departed in November 1971. due to exhaustion & financial lack. Linda Peters replaced Steuart for a Netherlands Tour in January & February 1972 following which; she also departed, creating a temporary demise of the band. In 1981 the original members reunited for a one off performance. This resulted in a resurrection of the band, with Lynne Whiteland replacing Ann Steuart. Green departed in 1988 and the band continued as a duo. Various new & excellent recordings were made through this lengthly period, until the sad death of John Stannard in March 2020.

The compositions & music created for this record, paint a magical tapestry of fragile but strong emotions, with flowing beautiful harmonies, creating a sense of peace & relaxation when being listened to. In short fabulous music. The album holds a high position among the list of Folk/Rock albums issued in the 1970s. The growing high esteem held for this first album, subsequently resulted in the vaults being examined for additional tracks, resulting in a follow up CD intitled "It All Comes Back" of out-takes & new songs, some featuring Linda Peters & Lynne Whiteland,  issued on the Bell Antique & Scenescof Labels, released in 1998.  
Comparisons could be made with such luminaries as :- Jade, Trees, Pentangle or Magna Carta. However, the delicate music created for this first album was unique & fragile. Unfortunatly, external circumstances both financial & fatigue, brought about a change in personal & musical direction. 
The subsequent Tudor Lodge albums, excellent  and valuable as they were, especially highlighting the unique composition creativity and vocal ability of Lynne Whiteland, did just not quite reach the uniqueness & individuality of this very first album. which must be viewed as a treasure.
Some observations on Grading:- 
MINT (M) The Record is in brand new condition, no surfae marks,no sound quality deteration. Records designated sealed or unplayed qualify as mint EXCELLENT (EX) The RECORD shows some signs of being played, but with minimal lessening of sound quality. The COVER &/or packaging may show slight wear &/or creasing.  VERY GOOD (VG) The RECORD has obviously been played many times, but manifests no sound quality deterioraton. Despite noticeable surface marks &/or light scratching.  Visible wear & tear on the COVER or additional items, without major defects, is acceptable.  GOOD (G) The RECORD  has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, pehaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The COVER and contents may suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc.  FAIR (F) The RECORD is still just playable, but has not been cared for propery and displays considerable  surface noise; it may even jump. The COVER and contents will be torn, stained and/or defaced.