Tea & Symphony

about

Tea & Symphony was a British psychedelic folk band formed in 1968 in Birmingham that recorded two albums and split in 1971. The core line-up consisted of Jeff Daw, James Langston, and Nigel Phillips. They are most remembered for their strange stage-shows and presentation which included as much theatrical as musical content. In 1969, Tea & Symphony toured with progressive blues outfit Bakerloo who were from nearby Tamworth in Staffordshire. Both groups were signed to the Harvest Records label in 1969 and Tea & Symphony were able to record under the direction of producer Gus Dudgeon who had previously worked with the famous Nottingham group Ten Years After. To supplement the recordings, Mick Hinks (bass guitar) and Bob Lamb (drums) from Locomotive were used to play on two of the album's tracks. The resulting Tea & Symphony album, titled "An Asylum For The Musically Insane" was made up of nine original songs all composed by the group themselves. The recording was described as eccentric and reviews in the music press ranged from "brilliant" to "self-indulgent". The album cast aside all commercial considerations with most of the tracks featuring weird vocal arrangements and a largely acoustic backing. The only almost "conventional" song on the album was The Come On which displayed a strong blues influence as well as some brilliant lead guitar. After the album's release, Nigel Phillips, possibly because of a reluctance to "go electric" with a bass and drums line-up, decided to

top songs

albums

An Asylum For The Musically Insane

Jo Sago

An Asylum for Musically Insane

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Peppermint Store, Songs of the March Hare

Boredom

Picnic - A Breath of Fresh Air

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An Asylum For The Musically In

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A Breath Of Fresh Air - A Harvest Records Anthology 1969-1974

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Harvest Festival

Sumer Is Icumen in: The Pagan Sound of British and Irish Folk 1966-75

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Tea & Symphony - An Asylum For The Musically Insane

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A Breath of Fresh Air: A Harvest Records Anthology 1969-1974

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