Blues star Duffy set for UK
By staff reporter
In support of her new album “Test of Time”, major Irish guitarist, singer/songwriter, Grainne Duffy, will be in the UK for a few choice gigs very soon.
With a raw and powerful, edgy and elegant, Duffy has an understanding of the blues and brings a great deal of soul to her music.
Grainne Duffy is a guitar player, singer and songwriter fromIrelandwhose voice and her playing are inspired by the wellsprings of Memphis and Chicago, but Grainne also reflects the rich varieties of the Celtic experience. All of this was revealed in a remarkable first album ‘Out Of The Dark’ and the media were making comparisons to the legendary Bonnie Raitt.
She was raised in a family of seven in Castleblayney, Co Monaghan. Grainne sang with her sisters in the choir before they broadened their interests into the likes of Aretha Franklin, the Pretenders and the Rolling Stones. Around this time she discovered Fleetwood Mac, Peter Green and the voices of Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie.
Grainne played an old acoustic guitar for a while, but the strings were hard to hold down and when she borrowed an electric guitar from her brother-in-law, she knew she had found her calling. Every Irish guitarist is aware of the awesome legacy of Rory Gallagher, and Grainne is no exception. She talks eloquently about the passion of his music, style and the tender aspects of his voice and playing.
She became busy on the festival circuit, growing a fanbase. Things moved up a notch when she played three shows at Glastonbury Festival where she shared the stage with Joan Baez, Suzanne Vega, Sinead O’Connor, Seasick Steve and The Blockheads. She also played at Celtic Connections inScotlandand began to tourEuropeextensively.
In 2008 Grainne was approached by the BBC to record a track “Get Here..” for their TV promotion campaign inLondon’s Air Studios which was aired on BBC1 & 2. She took part in RTE’s ‘Other Voices’ music programme alongside Eric Bibb, Christy Moore, Billy Bragg etc.
Her new band line-up of second guitar - Paul Sherry, bass – Davy Watson, drums – Gerry Morgan and piano – John McCullough, is the perfect foundation for Grainne’s vocals, guitar playing & songs.
Grainne and her band began recording her second album “Test of Time” in June in Bangor, Co Antrim at Hillhouse Studios and this had to be spread over the summer months of 2011 due to an ever increasing touring schedule at home and abroad. There are 11 self penned tracks and one cover on the album.
She teamed up with mixing engineer Niko Bolas (Neil Young, Rod Stewart, Stan Getz, Keith Richards, Melissa Etheridge etc.) working from Capital Studios in LA and he bought a touch of magic to the album. Mastering was completed by Richard Dodd in Nashville.
The first single from the album “I Know We’re Gonna Be Just Fine” was released in October to critical acclaim and was programmed on BBC Radio 2 as well as making the playlist on BBC Northern Ireland. In support of the new album Grainne will be touring theUKin Spring/Summer.
Live dates in February 2012:
Mon 13/02 OXFORD The Famous Monday Blues Club
Wed 15/02 LONDON Blues Kitchen,111-113 Camden High St0207 387 5277
Thu. 16/02 HERTS The Forum,University of Hertfordshire 08 444771000
