Record of the Month

I figured I'd do a monthly 'what I'm listening to' kind of thing. This could be viewed as a lame placeholder kind of post. And probably it is. But it's my blog! So there!

Released in the U.S. about a year ago, I'm finally coming around to listening to the entire Duffy disk, Rockferry.

It is easy to see why most reviewers and fans might lump Dusty Springfield in as huge influence of Duffy. There are aspects of that ("Warwick Avenue", "Mercy"). But the disk probably owes as much to artists like Jackie DeShannon and songwriters Burt Bacharach & Hal David ("Rockferry" & "Stepping Stone").

For sure she is a throw-back, as all of the aforementioned artists were very 1960's-based.

But what you get is what you see/hear. Duffy is an ok vocalist and a decent songwriter. I'm a little fascinated how her voice can soulful and a little tinny at the same time. The record isn't a studio creation - it's not strong enough to be. It is what it is. She sounds the same way live - which is more than you can say of the train wreck - Amy Winehouse.

I like the disk, but it's not one I can listen to for the entire length, just a few songs at a time. Still it is new and it is old all at the same time. Not such a small feat.