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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Rockferry, the Welsh singer's lovingly constructed debut album, has already succeeded beyond expectations, and although Duffy may not quite be the ingénue portrayed by a clever press campaign (she nearly won a local television talent show a few years back while a single credited to Aimee Duffy is still available on iTunes) she is surely the most appealing of the current flood of young soul sirens. The astonishing title track, co-written by Bernard Butler, sounded like a lost transmission that had taken decades to get through as soon as it hit radio last year. But the gently rolling soul ballad "Stepping Stone", that strapping, inescapable monster hit "Mercy", the ice cool "Serious" (the one time she really does channel the spirit of Dusty Springfield) and the wistful, elegant "Warwick Avenue" are similarly effective. Suggestions by some that Rockferry is little more than sixties pastiche are churlish. Butler's previous work with David McAlmont (featured here as a backing singer) showed his skill at writing and arranging the dramatic, while her other collaborators such as Steve Booker and the team of Jimmy Hogarth and Eg White are hardly lightweights. But despite some wonderful orchestral settings, it's Duffy's terrific voice that makes this so satisfying, even overpowering Butler's exquisitely underplayed guitar work on "Rockferry" itself. Growling the blues on "Syrup & Honey" or belting it out over his lovingly arranged wall of sound on "Distant Dreamer", she sets the tone throughout, several of her songs dealing with escape, both physical and romantic. The sound of someone singing herself to stardom, Rockferry is at times genuinely amazing. Steve Jelbert
Review
Somewhere there's an unofficial manual about how to create legendary soul albums. There's advice for budding new artists on how to screw up their life a bit, get their heart broken, acquire some 'issues' and turn it all into music. Listening to Rockferry, it's evident that Duffy hasn't yet read this book; the haunting experience of hurt is tangible by its absence. However, the scholarly pursuit of her craft has resulted in an album that's a delicious confection of elegent, bluesy soul. It's not legendary, but it's well over halfway there.
This 23-year-old Welsh singer arrives in a fanfare of expectation. Second single, Mercy took its nouveau Northern Soul straight to number one - shimmying through the melee of nu-rave, skinny jean indie and witterings of Kate Nash et al. While there's a glut of Winehouse wannabes on the scene right now, Duffy's longevity is assured. Much has been made of the three years it's taken to mature this album - and it's this that sends her soaring beyond the likes of Adele, whose rushed debut was devoid of character.
The spine-tingling orchestration comes courtesy of a dream team of writers and producers, one of which is indie veteran Bernard Butler: the thinking man's Mark Ronson. He brings the album to a dazzling denouement with Distant Dreamer - a sonic waterfall of strings so uplifting you emerge drenched in hope. Elsewhere, the Dusty Springfield comparisons find justification in the likes of debut single Rockferry and Warwick Avenue, a stirring tale of strength and walking away. There are few low points to be found, with the Gabrielle-esque Stepping Stone noticeably hanging limply in the tracklisting.
The subject matter of Rockferry is the preserve of classic soul - rueful tales of myriad insubordinations at the hands of dastardly men - and Duffy's voice is an understated sensation. Yet her youth and naivety mean she's been force-fed pain like she's songstress foie gras. The result is that it's the quality of her sound that resonates, rather than the emotional force of the lyrics. True soul serves up solace for the broken-hearted. With Duffy, lyrics like ''In an instant you were gone / And now I'm scared'' (from sublime relationship eulogy, Scared) simply don't shatter romantic idealism the way they should. After three years of musical growth, Duffy has found her voice - now it's time to enrich it by living. --Sophie Hammer
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I can't believe it took me so long to buy this album. People have been telling me it's great for ages. Thing is, somehow I managed to not hear any Duffy songs until about a month ago. Yeah, I know, where have I been?
Anyway, this is excellent. Warwick Avenue, Mercy, Rockferry they're all classic tracks that sound like you've known them for years.
Great voice, great music, great lyrics. Overall a very accessible album.
Anyway, this is excellent. Warwick Avenue, Mercy, Rockferry they're all classic tracks that sound like you've known them for years.
Great voice, great music, great lyrics. Overall a very accessible album.
90 of 103 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
There have been a raft of vocalists with a sound that harks back to the 60's and 70's and you could be forgiven for thinking that Duffy is just another one. Her arrival has been carefully managed, with sell out gigs in small venues building the hype, prior to the release of this album.
All music biz manipulation so far then, except that Duffy is worth the hype and is a potentially huge star. As someone who is addicted to 60's and 70's Soul, and in particular the female vocalists, I hear in Duffy echoes of the great Soul voices, as well as Dusty Springfield, the most obvious comparison. As long as she picks her material and her producers well, then she will be a very big star indeed.
Stand out tracks from the album are "Syrup and Honey" a stripped down, bluesy ballad which showcases her voice perfectly, "Mercy", with it's old school Motown feel, and "Warwick Avenue". On further listening, "Hanging On Too Long" and "Distant Dreamer" are both tracks that will grow on you - they have for me. All in all, an impressive debut and this is a highly recommended purchase for anyone who likes Soul.
Likely to be the album of 2008 - buy it
All music biz manipulation so far then, except that Duffy is worth the hype and is a potentially huge star. As someone who is addicted to 60's and 70's Soul, and in particular the female vocalists, I hear in Duffy echoes of the great Soul voices, as well as Dusty Springfield, the most obvious comparison. As long as she picks her material and her producers well, then she will be a very big star indeed.
Stand out tracks from the album are "Syrup and Honey" a stripped down, bluesy ballad which showcases her voice perfectly, "Mercy", with it's old school Motown feel, and "Warwick Avenue". On further listening, "Hanging On Too Long" and "Distant Dreamer" are both tracks that will grow on you - they have for me. All in all, an impressive debut and this is a highly recommended purchase for anyone who likes Soul.
Likely to be the album of 2008 - buy it
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I've been a fan of Duffy ever since I first heard "Mercy", I loved her style, and her voice took me into the 60s big-stylee.
After hearing "Rockferry" too, I decided to buy the album and I was NOT disappointed!
1. "Rockferry"
This song is amazing, fantastic mid-tempo tune, and she really displays her amazing vocal range when she sings the last chorus a whole octave higher! Bloody hard to sing a long to, but you won't be able to resist trying!
2. "Warwick Avenue"
I was SO impressed with this song. It's really bluesy and it shows off her great voice, it's catchy and it's definitely one of the album's highlights.
3. "Serious"
This is one of the two tracks on the album which I'm not entirely sure of. It sounds a little bit poppy compared to the rest of the album, plus the verses seem to lead up to a chorus which is a bit lacklustre. Definitely still listenable, but more so for the verses than anything else.
4. "Stepping Stone"
This song is beautiful. Love the chorus, there are some beautiful high notes and she just pulls it off brilliantly.
5. "Syrup And Honey"
LOVE this song, definitely a contender to be one of my favourite songs on the album. Here she sings about how money doesn't matter as long as she has the love of her partner. Great, simple lyrics and just a fantastic track.
6. "Hanging On Too Long"
This is the other of the two tracks which I don't love. There are no really spectacular high notes here, and although it's only four minutes long, the song seems to drag a bit as there isn't much change in her pitch all the way through.
7. "Mercy"
What needs to be said about this song? It's obviously phenomenal, catchy sixties beats and those high notes make this song. If you just like the style of the song, don't buy the album on that note, but if it's her voice you love then this album's for you.
8. "Delayed Devotion"
This song is quite uptempo and punchy, it's catchy and although it's not one of the best tracks on the album, it's still very listenable.
9. "I'm Scared"
This song is a beautiful ballad which deals with the issue of death. It's very soul-fuelled and bluesy, and Duffy seems to sing the song with real emotion.
10. "Distant Dreamer"
This track closes the album in style. I have to admit that at first I wasn't mad about it, and I was a bit skeptical about it being 5 minutes long as I sometimes have quite a short attention span when it comes to songs! But her voice sounds beautiful on this, the chorus is amazing and the tune is really big-band style.
After hearing "Rockferry" too, I decided to buy the album and I was NOT disappointed!
1. "Rockferry"
This song is amazing, fantastic mid-tempo tune, and she really displays her amazing vocal range when she sings the last chorus a whole octave higher! Bloody hard to sing a long to, but you won't be able to resist trying!
2. "Warwick Avenue"
I was SO impressed with this song. It's really bluesy and it shows off her great voice, it's catchy and it's definitely one of the album's highlights.
3. "Serious"
This is one of the two tracks on the album which I'm not entirely sure of. It sounds a little bit poppy compared to the rest of the album, plus the verses seem to lead up to a chorus which is a bit lacklustre. Definitely still listenable, but more so for the verses than anything else.
4. "Stepping Stone"
This song is beautiful. Love the chorus, there are some beautiful high notes and she just pulls it off brilliantly.
5. "Syrup And Honey"
LOVE this song, definitely a contender to be one of my favourite songs on the album. Here she sings about how money doesn't matter as long as she has the love of her partner. Great, simple lyrics and just a fantastic track.
6. "Hanging On Too Long"
This is the other of the two tracks which I don't love. There are no really spectacular high notes here, and although it's only four minutes long, the song seems to drag a bit as there isn't much change in her pitch all the way through.
7. "Mercy"
What needs to be said about this song? It's obviously phenomenal, catchy sixties beats and those high notes make this song. If you just like the style of the song, don't buy the album on that note, but if it's her voice you love then this album's for you.
8. "Delayed Devotion"
This song is quite uptempo and punchy, it's catchy and although it's not one of the best tracks on the album, it's still very listenable.
9. "I'm Scared"
This song is a beautiful ballad which deals with the issue of death. It's very soul-fuelled and bluesy, and Duffy seems to sing the song with real emotion.
10. "Distant Dreamer"
This track closes the album in style. I have to admit that at first I wasn't mad about it, and I was a bit skeptical about it being 5 minutes long as I sometimes have quite a short attention span when it comes to songs! But her voice sounds beautiful on this, the chorus is amazing and the tune is really big-band style.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Duffy
This is a great selection of some of her best songs. Duffy has a unique voice and style which I enjoy.
Published 2 months ago by Mrs. Shirley David
Album
A great CD good price Duffy has a brilliant voice and every track is individual .
A must listen for a groovy rock fan.
A must listen for a groovy rock fan.
Published 5 months ago by Lizzie-jane
A bit dull
I bought this cd on the strength of "Mercy", and despite giving it quite a while to grow on me, it has never caught my interest. Read more
Published 6 months ago by N. Lemans
What are you listening to?
What a voice! I wonder what people are hearing. Sounds, to me, like "Pinky and Perky" on helium. Shows my age but so what.
Published 9 months ago by Labsmgr9
duffy
This cd, since I bought it in 2008, still keep listening without a question, That's shame, I havent heard much from her( musi) evre since. Maybe sth was, but i havent noticed. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Marcin
rockferry
duffy is a great singer and rockferry is a really good cd to have. i play it all the time, even friends like her music. i'm very happy with this purchase.
Published on 2 Jan 2010 by Mrs. Heidi L. Roberts
It'sok!
It's Ok, it could sound goodin the begining, but a little bit tiredful during the sequece, it doesn't sounds natural, real to me.
Published on 12 Oct 2009 by Frank Bozic Jr.
at last a singer
duffy's album was wonderful, at last some one who does not screech or scream her way through songs, its a album and singer you can listen time and time again
Published on 10 Aug 2009 by Mrs. Josephine Young
A-Star buy
This has been a quality buy for me. Bought it for my dad and it was in prestine quality. The sound quality is amazing.
Published on 28 Jun 2009 by Mr. N. Chauhan
A great CD
A great debut CD from a first class singer. All that remains is to ask when is her next album out ?
Published on 16 May 2009 by P. G. Woodhouse
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