Friday, August 01, 2008

Welsh Soulster Duffy Wows Minneapolis! 7/31/08

Kicking off her current American summer tour Aimee Duffy strolled on First Avenue's mainstage Thursday night to a near capacity crowd clearly wanting to demonstrate to her American fans that she is the real deal and no flash in the pan. And by the end of her second song "Rockferry" she succeeded and had won over her audience. Dressed in a short, white cotton dress accented with bright red shoes Duffy performed with her trademark genuiness that ofter reminded me of the onstage persona of American country singer Dolly Parton. She really has that kind of audience appeal. Of course, her UK Northern Soul lineage goes way back to 60's UK superstars Sandie Shaw, Dusty Springfield, and Lulu.

Crowd favorites included her current brilliant single "Warwick Avenue" and of course world-wide hit "Mercy". "Distant Dreamer" has become her final encore number and really is a showstopper. It guarantees that anytime she wants - even with just one full CD release - she could be booked into an extended performance contract at one of the larger Vegas hotels (not such a bad thing, as she possesses that kind of timeless appeal).
Yep, she is much better than Nancy Sinatra ever was!

While her backing musicians were more than adequate, Duffy's striking voice and stage persona certainly make it worthwhile to see her live. Unlike the other "Amy", she clearly becomes energized and enjoys performing before a live crowd. She spent over a half hour after the show talking to her fans and signing autographs. Duffy is a smart musician who I think will always pay close attention to her fan base.

Recommend to anyone to get and read the August 2008 issue of British Q music magazine. Duffy is on the cover along with the Modfather and soul singer Paul Weller. Good interview conducted by Simon Goddard of the two together about their early musical influences and their opinions about the current music scene and business.

-Craig M

For more photos visit My Flickr Page.

Video from Duffy's first ave show

Labels: Aimee Anne Duffy, duffy, first ave., minneapolis, rockferry, soulsinger

Saturday, July 26, 2008

This week in Minneapolis!!!!!!

Wednesday July 30th
The Go Team!(UK) w/ CSS(Brazil), Matt and Kim
@ First Avenue Mainroom
18+ Doors @ 8 Show starts at 830

The Go Team! Myspace Page

The Go Team - Huddle Formation

Thursday July 31st
Duffy w/ Special Guests
@ First Avenue Mainroom
18+ Doors @ 6 show starts at 7

Duffy Myspace Page

Duffy-Mercy

Labels: british rock, css, duffy, first avenue, matt and kim, minneapolis, minnesota, the go team

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

Duffy plots U.S. tour with a stop at First Ave. July 31st

Duffy the rising soul singer arguably ahead of Adele at the moment gets set for her first full American tour. Most of her fans have been comparing her to Dusty Springfield. At age 23 Duffy's full name is Aimee Anne Duffy. She changed her name to Duffy when she was 19. Growing up with her sisters in North Wales, Duffy has had a pretty rough life. Divorced parents, Getting put into a safehouse (because her stepdad's exwife hired a hit man to try to kill him), and of course lot's of moving.

Duffy played in a bunch of various bands and started singing at a very young age. But in reality she has the classic american idol story where she appeared on a tv show and slipped her way into the door. Their is no surprise that she was quickly snatched by the media, she is arguably the best looking female artist out today next to maybe Carrie Underwood(who's awful).

The Pop/Soul singer has quickly risen to the top of U.K. charts with her debut album "Rockferry" Selling close to 2 million copies already, this album also was the # one album in the U.K. for 5 weeks. I'd compare it to Amy Winehouse a little, but it's truly and old school 60's soul album. Throw in Aretha Franklin and a little french twist and you have Duffy.

I think Duffy and Adele will be the biggest U.K. female artists in the U.S. Both because of their voices and Duffy has the whole package with her looks. Dido has fallen off the globe and Imogen Heap has been in hiding working on her next album. Until those to come back Adele and Duffy will continue to shine.