Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Is this in the right century?, 9 Jan 2007
Imagine a film made entirely in sepia, using only candlelight. Then imagine its hero, a vulnerable yet loveable character with a ready wit and a taste for vaudeville. We see temptations and temptresses, distractions and restraints come his way and he bears them all with lyricism and the reserves of beauty that he holds in his heart.
Then imagine the soundtrack to such a film. Nostalgic without losing any of its stunning originality, wistful and melancholy without losing itself in depression or sadness - even the dead are a comfort.
This CD is the single most original, beautiful and moving music that I have heard for a very long time.
Buy it. Listen to it. Cry. Tell your friends how great it is.
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Duke Plants His Flag, 22 Oct 2006
Few of his local supporters doubted the class of his first full-length, Adventures in Gramophone, but with a bigger label behind him, Duke Special has been able to pull out all the stops on this glorious work. With orchestral backing, the songs which first appeared on Adventures and which have been re-recorded sound fantastic as ever, but it's Mr Wilson's new work which really raises the eyebrows. There's some proper toe-tapping going on in the great first single Portrait, Everybody Wants A Little Some and Salvation Tambourine, some heartstring pulling, nay, <u>wrenching</u> on This Could Be My Last Day, No Cover Up and Something Might Happen. Slip Of A Girl sounds like Avalon Sunset-era Van Morrison with a sweeter voice, and last but no least are my two favourite new songs, and what I feel are the most interesting ones on the album. The intro to Brixton Leaves sounds like a phrase from a piece by one of the great Russian composers of old, and sure enough, the chorus has that sort of "cossack" feel that just makes you want to put on a furry hat and drink vodka. Then the chorus kicks in, all strings and soaring vocals, singing of hope and rebirth, quite fitting after the last verse, about our troubled shared hometown of Belfast. Ballad of a Broken Man is (IMHO) the best song on this album, mixing Peter's phenomenal ability to craft lyrics of maturity and poignance (and still get them to rhyme!), and then mix them with graceful melodies. A pefect song off an almost perfect album by the best European singer-songwriter in the past 20 years (at least). This album should catapult Duke Special above all the record-company-pleasing trash posing as singer-sonwriters in the charts, and it's about time too. Best of luck, Duke.
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Defining Moment, 13 Oct 2007
Duke Special's debut album is now on re-release containing the latest single (Our Love Goes Deeper Than This) and brand new bonus CD of a live concert recorded in May this year. But is the album worth buying? And is it a worthwhile investment for those fans who bought the album in its original version? The answer to both questions is a resounding 'yes'.
The Waterfront Hall concert gives Duke Special the chance to shine with backing of a full orchestra - and the Duke excelled, proving how well his music fits with the sumptuous sound of a beautifully conducted orchestra. Listening to the opening bars of the specially written Prelude, I was instantly taken back to the evening of 3rd May 2007, a night which will surely go down in history as one of the high-points in the musical career of Duke Special, Belfast's own Peter Wilson. On that evening, this Belfast boy truly came home.
Billed as the star attraction in a free concert transmitted simultaneously on BBC Radio Ulster, the Orchestral Manoeuvres In Belfast concert celebrated the opening of the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival. Duke Special took star billing, admirably supported by Julie Feeney and Foy Vance - all three recognised as significant talents coming from Northern Ireland.
The Duke's set opened with a specially written Overture of the music from Songs From The Deep Forest, Duke Specials' debut album, which has been received with critical acclaim. The overture was a magical piece and it was thrilling hearing the orchestration given to each of the songs.
Prior to his arrival on stage, Duke Special had commented to the BBC interviewer that he was curious to hear how some of the songs worked when backed by a full orchestra, as this was how he had envisaged them originally. And the orchestration was perfect with every single one of the songs he performed, adding a depth and sense of feeling which achieved the near impossible - improving on near-perfection. The songs of Duke Special work perfectly with orchestration.
It was touching to hear Peter Wilson speak to the crowd - who clearly loved every moment of his performance - and tell of his immense pride at being asked to perform at this special concert in his home town of Belfast; their cheering and applause made it clear what they thought of the invitation extended to him. He also spoke of how, as a young boy, he used to sing alone in his bedroom using a hairbrush as a microphone - what a transformation now, to be heading the bill at the Waterfront Hall.
But that transformation has been well deserved - the Duke Special band have worked exceptionally hard over the last year, touring almost continuously, promoting the album and gathering a growing crowd of loyal new fans everywhere they go. Of course, none of that would ever have happened without the sheer talent of the music of Duke Special - but that is something which has never been in any doubt, nor has it ever been lacking.
Duke Special performed nine songs in the set, including Brixton Leaves, Regarding The Moonlight In Eastbourne, Salvation Tambourine, No Cover Up, Portrait and Wake Up Scarlett.
Now, fans who missed the concert can hear it thanks to the re-release of SONGS FROM THE DEEP FOREST; even for those fans who already have the album, this updated and expanded version is well worth buying.
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