Longtime Moody Blues singer/bassist John Lodge new solo EP, Love Conquers All, was released on Friday, February 14. The five-song collection includes the 81-year-old Rock & Roll Hall of Famer’s poignant holiday single, “Love Will Conquer All,” which originally was released in November 2024.
Videos by American Songwriter
Love Conquers All also features two previously unreleased tunes, the serene instrumental “Sunset over Cocohatchee Bay” and the prog-rock-influenced “Whispering Angels.” Rounding out the EP are newly remixed versions of his songs “In These Crazy Times” and “The Sun Will Shine,” which were first released in 2020 and 2021, respectively.
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“Love Will Conquer All” and “Whispering Angels” were written and recorded after Lodge suffered a serious stroke in 2023.
In a new interview with American Songwriter, Lodge explained that he wrote “Love Will Conquer All” as he was recovering from his stroke around Christmas time in 2023. The song’s lyrics were inspired by the love and support he was receiving from those closest to him.
“[The stroke] put me out of action for a long time,” John noted. “And what gave me the strength was family, friends, and the physio, to be honest. … And I wrote this song called ‘Love Will Conquer All.’ And, because it happened to be at Christmas, the song’s got a Christmas flavor, but in the lyrics, it [says the sentiment can be true] anytime, not just Christmas. Anytime at all.”
About the Other Musicians Featured on Love Conquers All
The EP features contributions from a variety of musicians, including, perhaps most notably, current Yes frontman Jon Davison. Davison, who is married to Lodge’s daughter, Emily, is featured on all five songs, and co-wrote “Whispering Angels” with John. Also appearing on the EP are Yes keyboardist Geoff Downes, Rick Wakeman guitarist Dave Colquhoun, and current and former members of Lodge’s solo group, The 10,000 Light Years Band.
In addition, Lodge’s wife of 56 years, Kirsten, sings backing vocals on three tracks. His son, Kristian, also appears on the EP.
About Jon Davison’s Contributions to the EP
Lodge and Davison became friends in 2019, when the Yes singer began dating John’s daughter. During the last few years, Davison has toured with Lodge as a guest singer.
According to Lodge, Davison made major contributions to the EP, and is featured on every track.
“Jon is an incredible musician, he really is,” John enthused. “And [he’s] a fantastic singer, and a beautiful guy, you know. And we get on so [well]. And our voices really work well together.”
Lodge continued, “And so, ‘Whispering Angels,’ ‘In These Crazy Times,’ ‘The Sun Will Shine,’ and ‘Love Will Conquer All,’ Jon’s doing vocals. On some of the songs he’s playing acoustic, some of the songs he’s playing drums. He’s almost a one-man band, actually. And he’s fabulous.”
More About “Whispering Angels”
Lodge and Davison co-wrote “Whispering Angels,” a song that John noted reflects his love of progressive rock. Davison also played piano and drums on the track. Downes, meanwhile, contributed keyboards that mimicked flute and strings. Colquhoun, who recently recorded with Wakeman as part of the ex-Yes keyboardist’s backing group The English Rock Ensemble, played guitar and sang backing vocals on the song.
Lodge told American Songwriter that he was “really pleased” with “Whispering Angels” because of the musical direction of the track.
“[It’s] the progressive-rock side of John Lodge or whatever,” he noted. “For me, I like songs which enlighten you. Something happens [that] you don’t expect, but melodically and musically it’s correct for the song. And I like that.”
Coinciding with the release of Love Conquers All, a music video for “Whispering Angels” premiered on February 14.
More Release Details About the EP
Love Conquers All is available on CD, as a limited-edition 180-gram colored-vinyl disc, and via digital formats. The vinyl EP is pressed on either blue or violet vinyl, depending on where its purchased.
Signed copies of the CD and vinyl EP are available at Lodge’s official website.
About Lodge’s 2025 Tour
Lodge explained to American Songwriter that after his stroke, a motivating factor in his recovery was the fact that he had a tour booked for the summer of 2024.
“The tour … was the impetus for me to get better,” he maintained. “And we had a fantastic tour. My band were fantastic, not just musically, but as bandmates. Alan Hewitt, my musical director, is just a wonderful guy, and they helped me through all that tour and everything else.”
Lodge is now ready to hit the road again. His 2025 trek begins with a U.S. leg that kicks off February 19 in Port Chester, New York, and runs through a March 24 show in Anna Maria, Florida.
John also will be performing on the 2025 edition of the star-studded ’70s Rock & Romance Cruise. The seagoing music festival embarks from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on March 15 and stops at Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico, before returning to port on March 22.
Lodge also has a spring tour of the U.K. lined up. That outing is scheduled to get underway April 6 in Birmingham and is mapped out through an April 15 concert in Guildford.
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