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May 09 2008
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Elly Roberts reviews
Duffy
at Central Station, Wrexham
Wednesday, 5th March 2008
Rockferry: 
Rating: 10/10+++
Top of the download chart. Top of the singles chart. Top of the album chart.
That’s how things are right now for Welsh sensation Duffy.
On Wednesday 5 March, Wrexham’s Central Station played host to Britain’s top
singer, which must be a record for the venue and town, and it was he first gig
since the release of the album Rockferry. This gorgeous 23 year
old has got the lot – the looks, the music, the voice. And what an incredible voice it is.
Comparisons are regularly made with Dusty Springfield and Amy Winehouse (who
she’s just knocked off the album top spot), with 180,000 copies of her debut
album Rockferry shifted in a week, making it the fastest selling CD album of
2008.
Before this prestigious gig, I had the pleasure of meeting this delightful babe
at the rear of the venue mid-afternoon. Speaking with her in her native tongue,
there was no hesitation in signing copies of the album, single and a magazine
picture. She was so pleasant and friendly, and stressed how grateful she was
for my support.
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Later that night, 500 fans packed the intimate venue to show their collective
support too. In just under an hour, Amy Ann Duffy dazzled everyone by giving
a truly stunning vocal masterclass belting out sweet soul music. Arriving
with "a bag of songs and a heavy heart", this remarkable singer showed
why she’s managed to get to the top so rapidly.
Stints on Radio 2 and Later with Jools Holland gave us and insight as
well as a recent sold –out residency at Piccadilly’s Pigalle Club have all played
their part in her recent meteoric rise to fame. Little did we, or she, I’m sure,
think things would move so fast, though single Mercy, the best of 2008
so far, made it all possible.
It's always a good sign for the future when you’ve got a mixed age crowd, who
went nuts when she appeared on home turf saying, "Syt dy chi yma? How’s it
going?" - knowing she couldn’t go wrong. "It’s nice to be close to home."
- Nefyn in Gwynedd north west Wales she meant. "The weather I see is still fine here. Anyway I’m Duffy"
Shouts of "We love you Duffy!" rang out, bringing a beaming smile, so
she was quick to add, "Thank you. I am single, which is good right now. We’re
gonna start with a song called Rockferry. Here we go."
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Looking fab in skin-tight jeans, red and white top and red stilettos, her 5’ 4”
tiny frame hid what was to be unleashed. I don’t think anyone was quite ready
for what was to come. Duffy casually warmed up those incredible pipes, grinning,
pouting and shimmying throughout this mournful song. She’s never been to Rockferry
on the Wirral, which she jokingly imagines is made of marshmallows, with the band
and singer who were incredibly loud engulfed the venue, with Duffy’s lungs at
bursting point and every lyric crystal clear.
Next came the smooth love-lorn gem Warwick Avenue followed by the early
'70s soul of Serious, a song about good times.
Midway the band, except for guitarist John Green left the stage.
Duffy and Green tackled the Southern Soul-inflected beauty Syrup And Honey
with great skill, with the song’s highlight, "Baby baby baby", drawing
gasps from the fans and one of the biggest cheers of the night. The first
of two non-album songs – Breaking My Own Heart, another superb bluesy-soul
classic (download only) was delivered with typical class and style.
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Innocently, she confessed before singing '60s-tinged ballad Stepping Stone
that, "I think I’ve been in love once, once I think, but I never told him.
I wrote this from the heart", as she dug deep to get the achingly beautiful
lyrics to register, bringing out goose pimples.
Then came the one we all wanted - Mercy. The opening beat set the venue
dancing as it was intended to, while the blonde bombshell grooved on stage
with the opening line, "I love you" bouncing off the walls.
She left the stage with "Thank you Wrexham.. diolch yn fawr", in that
sweet north Walian lilt.
We knew she’d be back for more, and the best was saved till last – Distant
Dreamer. "I know it might be sloppy, but I really do want to thank you
for your support", which prefixed this stunning opus. Once again she got
those goose pimples popping up on the greatest vocal display I’ve ever heard
from any British singer.
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Leaving again, and not to return, Duffy excitedly said, "Thank you so much.
I’ll be back, with my next album."
I hope she keeps her promises before she becomes a world superstar, because
she’s set to be just that.
As for those comparisons with Dusty and Amy Winehouse?
Well, truth is, neither would live with Duffy on stage. Sadly Dusty isn’t
with us any longer, but Winehouse must be quaking in her beehive.
File under: Unbelievable !
For more of Duffy, check out the following:
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Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2008.
For prints of any of Elly's concert pics online,
email Elly
or call 07765 862017.
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