Amazon.co.uk Review Rockferry, the Welsh singer's lovingly constructed debut album, has already succeeded beyond expectations, and although Duffy may not quite be the ingenue portrayed by a clever press campaign (she nearly won a local television talent show a few years back while a single credited to Aimee Duffy is still available on iTunes) she is surely the most appealing of the current flood of young soul sirens. The astonishing title track, co-written by Bernard Butler, sounded like a lost transmission that had taken decades to get through as soon as it hit radio last year. But the gently rolling soul ballad "Stepping Stone", that strapping, inescapable monster hit "Mercy", the ice cool "Serious" (the one time she really does channel the spirit of Dusty Springfield) and the wistful, elegant "Warwick Avenue" are similarly effective. Suggestions by some that Rockferry is little more than sixties pastiche are churlish. Butler's previous work with David McAlmont (featured here as a backing singer) showed his skill at writing and arranging the dramatic, while her other collaborators such as Steve Booker and the team of Jimmy Hogarth and Eg White are hardly lightweights. But despite some wonderful orchestral settings, it's Duffy's terrific voice that makes this so satisfying, even overpowering Butler's exquisitely underplayed guitar work on "Rockferry" itself. Growling the blues on "Syrup & Honey" or belting it out over his lovingly arranged wall of sound on "Distant Dreamer", she sets the tone throughout, several of her songs dealing with escape, both physical and romantic. The sound of someone singing herself to stardom, Rockferry is at times genuinely amazing. Steve Jelbert
60s RevisitedDecember 27, 2008 Old 55(UK) 1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Fantastic album really hits the spot,as a "child of the 60s" myself I can identify with this music, buy it,you won't be disappointed.
Great debut .December 25, 2008 Egbert Souse(West Midlands) 1 out of 2 found this review helpful
If you enjoy music with a 1960's feel to it , then this is the album for you . Duffy has a voice perfectly suited to the songs on the album , despite what some of the previous reviewers have said . A great debut . If her next album is as good as this one , we are in for a treat .
Not sealedDecember 17, 2008 Jambo(UK) 0 out of 6 found this review helpful
I have bought this album for a christmas present for the mother in-law and she is now going to think i am a cheap ******* because it came unsealed with a scratch on the case. It looks used! very dissapointed by Amazon!
The most overrated album of the year...December 2, 2008 moldyolddough(London) 6 out of 8 found this review helpful
Much has been made of this album and the singles lifted from it, particularly the now grating 'Mercy' (surely a candidate for most annoying pop single of the year). Dont get me wrong I quite liked this when I heard it for the very first time but after a being force fed it by the radio several times I suddenly realised how weak it was. Its trying too hard to be something it is not ie a classic 60's pop song, its simply a pale approximation.
How she has been compared to the legendary Dusty Springfield is one of lifes great mysteries it must surely be simply a visual thing. Otherwise its like comparing cheap wool with silk. Will she be remembered in 30 years time? I doubt it.
If you like weak retro songs with little depth or substance sung by a pretty Lulu soundalike then this id definitely for you. But if you prefer something with a little more quality stick with Amy Winehouse or seek out the many hundreds of 60's female artists that sound better than this.
Vibrato anybody?November 26, 2008 J. Macdonald(York, UK) 8 out of 13 found this review helpful
I don't think she's got a good voice at all, she squawks lazily like a doped up duck. Why doesn't she just try singing instead of warbling? Sheer affectation.
