Anthony Rooley - James Tyler - Renaissance Duets FLAC album

This is certainly the greatest album of lute duets I’ve ever heard, and one of the best albums of any kind.

Tony Rooley and Jim Tyler took London by storm in the 1970s, playing to packed houses, unlikely though that may seem for a lute duo*. They blew the dust off the repertory, blew the dusty, staid image of the lute away as well, and made everything seem exciting.

But after this album and “My Lute Awake”, they went their separate ways: Tony to direct the Consort of Musicke and Jim eventually to the Julian Bream Consort.

Here they use not only lute but orpharion (a3), bass cittern (a3) and viol (b3), to present a delightful variety of sound.

The rear of the cover contains notes on the pieces by Tony & Jim, and there is also an insert within detailing the instruments and the sources of the music.

The total time is 52'12".

*Coming out of one concert, I heard the girl in front of me say “Yes, Tony Rooley's one of those pale, interesting types.”