Duffy: Rockferry

It's strange what sometimes creates to motivation to listen to an album from start to finish. As my internet connection flaked out whilst listening to Warwick Avenue, I decided it was about time I did the same with Rockferry, Duffy's album that was an entire three years in the making. Plus, for good measure, it links in with the most recent Unsung looking at Soul music.

It's been hyped. There's more reviews of this album going around (mainly from it's release back in March) than there are tattoos on Amy Winehouse. Which is ironic, as the Welsh star has been dubbed as a "Winehouse-alike" by many elements of the press.

Personally, I think there's drawing much too broad a comparison. Both are soul stars, yes, but I feel that Duffy's are much closer the the classic 60s soul 'roots' from Motown. It's probably completely unintentional, but listen to the opening of some tracks, and you can draw a direct parallel to some 'originals' - sampling, but not really. Think I'm talking nonsense? The "big hit" of Mercy (how long was it number 1 for now?) - it's Stand by me by Ben E. King. Stepping Stone - see Walk on By.

This isn't a bad thing, by any stretch of the imagination. It's not a poor cover, or sampling a song to appeal to a different market. Leave that to Sean Kingston. What it does, however, is show that there is pure soul music at work here.

But anyway, Rockferry has been hyped. And the hype machine is certainly a bad thing - it imposes pressure, and often creates a fad that's short lived. And for this to happen with this singer would be a great shame.

What I find is a rare occurrence nowadays, you can listen to the album from start to finish as a 'story'. Mercy explains that "I'm under your spell", then you listen to Delayed Emotion explaining a breakup, and including the line "I'm no longer under your spell".
It's then impossible not to mention the conclusion of Distant Dreamer, described by the BBC as "a sonic waterfall of strings so uplifting you emerge drenched in hope"

It shows a variation of styles - all definitely being soulful though. Northern Soul encouraged danceable numbers like Mercy, simple acoustic things with Syrup and Honey, to the classic ballads like current single (and TOTW18) Warwick Avenue.

Through and through, it's an authentic soulful album - but it's not a copycat. I'm left hoping that the follow-up isn't another three-years away, I want to hear more before then.
Duffy