Evensong

Evensong was an English folk-psych duo that released a 1973 self-titled album on Philips.

Members: Tony Hulme (vocals, guitar), Mike Lawson (vocals, guitar)

Background

Evensong formed in 1969 when Birmingham singer-guitarist Mick Lawson teamed with Manchester singer-guitarist Tony Hulme.

Lawson formed his first group with schoolmate Roy Jones in 1959, then sang and played rhythm guitar and harmonica with Birmingham R&B group The Shanes. He joined The D’Fenders after The Shanes split and co-founded Varsity Rag in 1967, where he wrote original material and recorded four tracks at Domino Sound Studio in Albrighton under producer Irving Martin. Varsity Rag rejected Martin’s proposal to use session players on a prospective recording, which ended negotiations with CBS. Lawson left Varsity Rag in 1969 to form Evensong, then briefly rejoined his former group near the end of the year.

Hulme contacted Lawson by letter from Manchester, and the pair began working the folk and university circuit. Evensong developed a shared repertoire and secured a publicity agreement with Radio Caroline founder Ronan O’Rahilly. The duo signed with Philips/Phonogram in 1972 and began September sessions for the self-titled Evensong.

Discography:

• Evensong (1973)