Grainne Duffy What Am I Supposed To Do?
Well, this is different in an exciting way. Take 25% of Bonnie Tyler, another 25% of Kim Carnes, with 50% of the rocking exuberance of Melissa Etheridge & you would have the enthusiasm of the raw-voiced Irish singer Grainne Duffy (guitar), who spills her soulful, bluesy rock from the pulsating speakers with authority. From the first step off the curb of this music, “Early In the Morning,” & “What Am I Supposed To Do?” turn out a tough-skinned repertoire that has spirit.
Even a slower number like “Streets of Love” has the fuel-injected drive of a Janis Joplin, but not as powerful & heavy as the late Pearl. Who is? Nonetheless, the band is driving, solid & has just enough of that Brenda Patterson imperfection to be perfect. Contradiction? Yes…but true. There are 9 deliciously savored whiskey shots on What Am I Supposed To Do? (Dropped May 22/Independent/28:32) produced by Juston Stanley & Marc Ford (guitar).
Grainne’s voice is not the only appeal, but her style is emblematic of well-studied performance polish – she’s exciting even if you can’t see her. Evident material like “Got To Give It Up” is an acute showmanship of some ‘60s girl groups. A lesson carried forth quite impressively by the late Amy Winehouse & legitimized here by Ms. Duffy. While not getting too bluesy-popish, the tune plods with predatory beats — mainstream friendly & commercial enough to lasso average ears who need to hear something that quickens their heartbeats.
Down to a more traditional strand is the old blues of “Need Your Love So Bad,” performed classically by Tracy Nelson of Mother Earth in the early ‘70s. Here, Ms. Duffy slows it & holds it to percolating temperature. Power comes in the right places for emphasis, & her sincerity is translated warmly as if she’s not singing it to someone, but singing it to herself in a reflective moment, alone. The lead guitar is equally pensive & it’s a different, effective version from the Nelson one.
Recorded in L.A., Ms. Duffy manages to embellish each track with a ‘70s spirit without an ounce of retro characteristics. Her ability to add depth without an emphasis that may be construed as pompous or pretentious is an ambitious skill. These are songs that can be easily over-cooked to make an impression, & that often leads to losing the song’s message. Grainne is an excellent interpreter of this genre.
Highlights – “Early In the Morning,” “What Am I Supposed To Do?” “Streets of Love,” “Hurts Just the Same,” “Takin’ My Heart Away,” “Got To Give It Up,” & “Need Your Love So Bad.”
Musicians – Kenny Aronoff (drums), Jorgen Carlsson (bass), Peter Leven (keys) & Paul Sherry (guitar).
Color image courtesy of Ms. Duffy’s website. CD @ https://www.grainneduffy.com/
Enjoy our previous coverage here: Song Premiere: Gráinne Duffy “Tragedy”