Lately, we noted a growing number of co-ed folk and/or bluegrass duos that we have reviewed on this series like The Last Birds, The Foreign Landers, The Bombadils, Oliver the Crow and Quote the Raven, to name a few. Several turn out to be marital and well as musical couples. This week we have another, though their relationship is professional. They call themselves Weary Ramblers, and that’s also the name of new their debut album.

The Weary Ramblers are from Iowa, and consist of guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Chad Elliot, and fiddler, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Kathryn Severing Fox. Chad Elliot is a prolific songwriter, having penned more than 1500 songs, and shared the stage with such artists as Tom Paxton, Loudon Wainwright III, Odetta and Greg Brown, among others.

Kathryn Severing-Fox has also had a wide-ranging career as a violinist, including in the jazz world, where she recorded with vocalist Kate McGarry. She has also been a member of the fiddle troupe called Barrage 8, and as served as a studio musician for such diverse artists as the Beach Boys, Gloria Estefan, and Chick Corea. All the songs on the new Weary Ramblers album are credited to both Fox and Elliot.

Unlike many of the recent crop of folk duo albums, there is a fair amount of studio production on the Weary Ramblers’ release. It’s all acoustic, but there is often a lot of overdubbing, with a string section presumably played by Ms. Fox via overdubbing. Some of the tracks feature some drums, played by Bryan Vanderpool, and almost all have an acoustic bass, as played by Stephy Graham.

Much of the all-original material the album is rather laid-back, contemplative and even melancholy, though in the best sense. Some of their original songs have an old-timey traditional texture, though there are others that are more contemporary in their influences.

Opening is a piece called Hidden Road, one of those original compositions that sounds like an old traditional song, with the banjo played by drummer Vanderpool. Ms. Fox plays mandolin, rather than fiddle. Serving as a guest backing vocalist is Pieta Brown, daughter of songwriter Greg Brown, with whom Elliot has performed. <<>>

One of the tracks with the multiply overdubbed strings played by Ms. Fox, forming a string section, is Number the Stars. It’s another of those contemplative-sounding songs, though the string section gives it an almost atmospheric texture. <<>>

A piece called Montrose is a vocal sung by Ms. Fox but with no words. Ms. Fox also plays some piano which is given a spacey sound with studio effects. The result is one of the highlights of the album. <<>>

Pretty Lights of Denver is a nice song about traveling and separation from one’s significant other. The piano and overdubbed string section are again prominent. <<>>

One of the more upbeat tracks is Sweet Hazel Green another of their original songs that sounds like a traditional tune. The arrangement steps up the energy level some with the addition of the drums, into a kind of old-fashioned country tune. <<>>

A further highlight of the album is Tall Virginia Tree a melodic, upbeat song also with a traditional sound. The duo’s vocal harmonies are nicely done. <<>>

One bit of a departure for the Weary Ramblers is the song Mend This Broken Heart which has the structure of an old country song, but with an early jazz influenced arrangement featuring clarinets, played by Aaron Erlich. <<>>

The album ends with another of its more delightfully melancholy songs, Speak Low. It starts in an intimate setting... <<>> but later builds with Ms. Fox’s multiply overdubbed strings. <<>>

Weary Ramblers the debut album by the Iowa duo of the same name, is another in a now rather long line of recent co-ed folk duo recordings. Chad Elliot and Katheryn Severing Fox take a more produced approach than many of the other such recordings, with a liberal amount of overdubbing, providing a nice variety of sonic textures. But it’s never overdone. And their songwriting is first rate, with timeless compositions that can sound like old traditional songs that have stood the test of time. The result is a thoroughly enjoyable album that incorporates the best of the contemporary folk world.

Our grade for sound quality is no better than a “B.” The mix is often a little muddy with the acoustic bass and the lower registers too prominent in the mix. And the use of volume compression doesn’t help.

As I have noted previously, this is a good time for acoustic folk duos and groups, perhaps comparable to the 1960s. And Weary Ramblers are another excellent addition to the roster.

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<<>> indicates audio excerpt played in produced radio review

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