TUDOR LODGE

Although generally considered to be part of the progressive folk scene (and indeed it was originally released on the famed Vertigo label), the emphasis is very much on the folk side of the equation here, and fans of Fairport Convention and other pioneers of British folk rock would probably have just as much chance to enjoy this one as pursuers of folk-prog. The warm, evocative production in particular makes the album a pleasant and approachable listen, and the very occasional inclusion of more psychedelic or electric elements stops things getting samey; on top of that, the band manage to deal with the inclusion of a chamber orchestra on most of the tracks without allowing the orchestra to overpower them or make things too schmaltzy.