Cath & Phil Tyler Dumb Supper

The one thing I will say right off the bat is that authenticity doesn’t seem to be a problem. These are simple, droning songs that recall a time when instruments and tunings were much simpler, and when the purpose of song was to tell stories. The inevitable effects of entropy render this style somewhat alien to modern ears and so everything old is new again. Occasionally, the pair sound like they are branching out, like on The Death of Queen Jane, with its subtle harmonies providing a touch that belies the somewhat dated subject matter. Almost as disconcerting is the distorted electric guitar that pops up on Morning. You might as well be listening to a medieval Jeff Mangum. There are also a couple diversions into Appalachian balladry, praise for the old-time religion. But for the most part, the rhythms get “jig”gy wid’it. There’s a good reason for this. As I understand it, the Tylers are folk performers in the traditional sense, in that they are taking the songs that have been passed down over generations and adding their own personal touch to the stories and melodies. It’s a testament to the resilience of the form that after a couple spins of the cd, the tunes get under your skin and the storytelling makes you wonder what will happen next.

 

It’s hard to recommend an album that almost certainly has a limited audience; I certainly wouldn’t be listening to this if I wasn’t obliged to. But I’m glad I did, and while I still don’t have the folkie bug coursing through my veins, I can appreciate when something is done right. The important thing is the Tylers love this music, and anyone with ears can hear that.