King and Queen

Male/female pop groups have been very popular lately, perhaps everyone in the world is in love with each other, perhaps not. So if you are bored of love songs sung by boys and girls who are so obviously in love, then perhaps you will like The Dutchess and the Duke. Concentrating their talents on making traditional folk-inspired music instead of two minute pop love songs, Kimberly Morrison and Jesse Lortz are helping to put the soul back into the boy/girl melody.

The first positive is neither Morrison nor Lortz have sweet incessant pop voices. Instead the pair rely on near-perfect timing to bind their music together, Morrison’s voice providing a cradle for Lortz to propel his deep country-esque drawl. Add to the mix some wonderful, traditional, all be-it very original guitar playing and each song rises and builds like an epic daydream. The music reminds me of a scene from an old black and white film, a carnival scene perhaps; with two plainly dressed people standing on stage at a folk festival, strumming guitars and singing along with infectious timing and enchanted melody. It’s very 1965, and reflects transcendently on a period when folk music was transformed into popular music.

The Seattle duo does everything perfectly on their debut album She’s the Dutchess, He’s the Duke and it currently sits as one of my favourites this year. It’s still likely to cause debate among folk purists, but then again, some people still think music died when Dylan went electric.

The Dutchess and the Duke- Reservior Park: MP3

The Dutchess and the Duke- I Am Just A Ghost: MP3

The Dutchess and the Duke- Myspace

Posted by Nick Fulton under U.S.A