The Countdown....#17

by Bijan J. Hosseini

Rockferry by Duffy

Ok, let's get the hype out of the way right now. Yes, she's only now 23. Yes, she was a contestant on what amounts to a Welsh talent show (their version of X factor) called Wawffactor (no, she didn't win). Yes, this album took almost 4 years to make. Yes, it includes a lot of help from such legends as Bernard Butler, Jimmy Hogarth, Eg White, and Steve Booker. Yes, it alludes, borrows, references, and perhaps even occasionally steals from the past. Yes, she may sound a little like Dusty on this track, channel Aretha on that, etc... But last and most importantly - yes, hype and all, it really is one of the best albums of 2008. 

From start to finish there is a reason why every track on here, “Serious” aside, is great and is one critic or anothers' favorite on the album. The production is fantastic throughout. The songwriting, particularly Butlers' very underplayed flourishes, are wonderful. But the most wonderful thing on here is Miss Aimme Duffy herself. No matter the style of the song, or the arrangements behind her, she croons beautifully with a sort of raw polish and honesty that hints at something deeper than this debut would quite allow. At the end of the day she is no one but herself, whatever her influences, track for track – and for that I'm thankful.

My CD sampler 3 tracks are:

Syrup & Honey

Mercy

and Distant Dreamer