Record review: Duffy, "Rockferry"
5 stars
Think Dusty Springfield for the 21st century and you’ve got Duffy, a 23-year-old singer from Wales whose debut album, “Rockferry,” is retro ’60s cool, dipping into classic British-style blue-eyed soul with grace and heart.
The most apt contemporary comparison for Duffy, whose first name is Aimee, is the trainwreck that is Amy Winehouse. Setting aside the erratic behavior and drug use that Duffy thankfully doesn’t share, Winehouse is a fine singer who put an edgier, sparer spin on her brand of soul than does Duffy, who is more traditional in her vocal and instrumental approach.
That, however, is far from a bad thing.
Like the great Springfield, Duffy is capable of believably shifting from the romantic dramas of “Warwick Avenue” and “Hanging On Too Long” and the swinging desire to get “Serious” to the bluesy “Syrup & Honey,” the swelling hope and optimism of the closer “Distant Dreamer” and perky “Mercy,” a Motownish bouncer that’s the first single from and liveliest track on the album.
All this is set in primarily acoustic, often lushly orchestral settings that recall Springfield of the mid-’60s, which makes “Rockferry” even cooler.
The disc already has topped the charts in Europe, and Duffy’s getting plenty of attention here for good reason. Even more impressive, she co-wrote all 10 songs on the record, crafting songs of heartache and emotion that are almost shocking given her age.
Duffy apparently hates the Dusty comparison, which is kind of like being called the “next Bob Dylan.” But it’s also the highest possible compliment for a British white female soul singer.
She’s great, and so is “Rockferry.”
Think Dusty Springfield for the 21st century and you’ve got Duffy, a 23-year-old singer from Wales whose debut album, “Rockferry,” is retro ’60s cool, dipping into classic British-style blue-eyed soul with grace and heart.
The most apt contemporary comparison for Duffy, whose first name is Aimee, is the trainwreck that is Amy Winehouse. Setting aside the erratic behavior and drug use that Duffy thankfully doesn’t share, Winehouse is a fine singer who put an edgier, sparer spin on her brand of soul than does Duffy, who is more traditional in her vocal and instrumental approach.
That, however, is far from a bad thing.
Like the great Springfield, Duffy is capable of believably shifting from the romantic dramas of “Warwick Avenue” and “Hanging On Too Long” and the swinging desire to get “Serious” to the bluesy “Syrup & Honey,” the swelling hope and optimism of the closer “Distant Dreamer” and perky “Mercy,” a Motownish bouncer that’s the first single from and liveliest track on the album.
All this is set in primarily acoustic, often lushly orchestral settings that recall Springfield of the mid-’60s, which makes “Rockferry” even cooler.
The disc already has topped the charts in Europe, and Duffy’s getting plenty of attention here for good reason. Even more impressive, she co-wrote all 10 songs on the record, crafting songs of heartache and emotion that are almost shocking given her age.
Duffy apparently hates the Dusty comparison, which is kind of like being called the “next Bob Dylan.” But it’s also the highest possible compliment for a British white female soul singer.
She’s great, and so is “Rockferry.”
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