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MUSIC: Duffy, Apollo, Sat 29 and Sun 30 Nov
David Sue26/11/2008
TABLOID scandals and, well, a few more tabloid scandals – 2008 was not a productive year for Amy Winehouse in the musical stakes. However, when it came to the ever-growing clan of soundalikes, the past 12 months have been considerably more rewarding.
In the battle of the retro-soul divas, it is undoubtedly Duffy (edging just ahead of Adele) who’s claimed the coveted winner’s crown. The Welsh songstress has bagged 2008’s biggest-selling album with Rockferry, the record having sold well over a million copies and spawning three hit singles, most notably the ubiquitous Mercy, as covered (or should we say ‘murdered’) by X-Factor hopefuls across the land.
Duffy, to her credit, is no pop wannabe herself. The 22-year-old singer may have Winehouse to thank for reawakening interest in the female voice as a fine purveyor of retro soul, but she is very much her own person. Rockferry was like a cut’n’paste collage of classic soul pop, but its true character was defined by Duffy’s exceptional voice – gutsy and emotional, she came across like a heavyweight Dusty Springfield from the Welsh Valleys.
Celebrating a triumphant year with two sold-out dates at the Apollo, this is one Brit soul diva who’ll look back on 2008 with pride and, best of all, no sorry tabloid dramas.
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