At first listen, Seattle folk duo The Dutchess and The Duke seemed like it was missing something essential. After getting accustomed to its stripped-down sounds on subsequent listens, She’s The Dutchess, He’s The Duke slowly evolved and I was soon wrapped up in this bare-bones, folksy debut.
Sounding like they just finished a set at the Newport Folk Festival circa 1964, Jesse Lortz (The Duke) and his childhood friend, Kimberly Morrison (The Dutchess) deliver a 12 song package that oozes sounds from early Stones records. You know, the ones with Brian Jones before Mick was wearing neon tights and the lads were still obsessed with American blues?
Lortz takes the lead vocals and his delivery is rough around the edges but Morrison’s harmonies smooth them out perfectly. Delivering lyrics that their press kit describes as “painful admissions” and “dark confessions,” The Dutchess and The Duke have a keen ability to put their own stamp on 60’s inspired folk and blues.
Most of the tunes include just an acoustic guitar, Lortz and Morrison. While you won’t hear much percussion other than the occasional tambourine and maracas, She’s The Dutchess, He’s The Duke is a timeless debut. Some of my favorites include “Reservoir Park,” “Mary” and “Strangers.”
The Dutchess and The Duke - Reservoir Park
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I love how it seems like it was recorded and pressed to vinyl, it has that old character feel.
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