Cath & Phil Tyler – Some Heavy Hand
Ferric Mordant (FE12) – 4 June 2021
Cath and Phil Tyler are masters of understated music. There is no superfluous instrumentation on their songs and their vocals are unflashy and capable, without attempting to do anything other than carry the song. Some Heavy Hand is a career-spanning selection of previously unreleased tracks along with some from past compilation albums, mastered by Rob Wedgbury. The thirty-three minute running time of these ten pieces show the unpretentious nature of this duo’s music, which contains no wasted notes and is greyhound lean throughout.
I’ve always been a fan of Phil’s subtle and economical playing and the banjo supporting Cath’s vocals on opener Palms of Victory, a recording harking back to their first sessions in 2005, is skilfully restrained. Even better is Angeline, which begins as a solo vocal piece by Cath before Phil’s guitar gently slips in after the first verse. This one is a real beauty, with Cath’s singing slow and tinged with sadness appropriate to a song about the separation of two slaves and Phil’s playing is Martin Carthy-esque in its minimalist approach with emphasis on the thumbed notes. The ever-popular Water is Wide, probably originating in some form from Scotland in the eighteenth century, is another highlight and is the longest track here at over five minutes. Cath sings this one very gently and gives plenty of space for Phil to play a gorgeous supporting guitar line.
I love all of the E C and Orna Ball songs that I’ve heard, most recently the bright and optimistic I See God from Nathan Bowles’ and Bill Mackay’s Keys album. Here the Ball’s Warfare, a rather more world-weary and mortal narrative, is sang plaintively in places by Cath, but with stubborn strength and dignity. I love the banjo playing across this record; here on Warfare, Phil’s stark skeletal part brings a perfectly pitched austerity to the words, while earlier on Give me the Roses – a James Rowe piece first performed by the Carter Family – his light banjo tune brings a positivity to the song that is matched by his clear lead vocal. Both pieces are beautifully written of course and are examples of the skilful musicianship this duo are capable of, bringing the words to life with delicately played and deeply considered ability.
You don’t need to listen hard to enjoy Some Heavy Hand, or any Cath and Phil Tyler album for that matter, but when you do, their subtly intricate performances enrich the material even further. This compilation of obscurities is a beautifully weighted insight into a splendid catalogue of music.
Some Heavy Hand is released 4th June 2021.
Pre-Order via Bandcamp: https://cathandphiltyler.bandcamp.com/album/some-heavy-hand