| CD REVIEW Duke Special |
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Band : Duke Special When I first looked at the info sheet that came with our download promo copy of this release, I admit there was a moment when I suspected having to do with a compilation album, but no, the box set contains three separate new albums, all recorded in 2009! That’s of course something I only found out after looking for more info on both the artist ànd the artist (on the label’s website that, since the info sheet we got with the promo only gave us a track-listing!). Based in Belfast, North Ireland, Duke Special is the stage name of singer-songwriter Peter Wilson, whose piano based songs are written in a romantic style remeniscent of Vaudeville and Music Hall. He’s got a warm voice which is typically accented, and a distinctive look which he calls “Hobo Chic” (dreadlocks, eyeliner, specific outfits). He often incorporates the use of an old 78 rpm gramophone in his theatrical performances, or sounds from a transistor radio. Wilson actually started his musical career in the band Booley House, who left us a self-released EP (Time Is Right, 1996) and 2 full-lengths (Lemonade, 1997 on Contraflow; Bathroom Floor, 1999 on Medieval Haircut). As Benzine Headset, he then released the 2001 album Garçon Pamplouse, before switching to the Duke Special monicker. Following 3 EPs (the first two on the Medieval Haircut label were later re-issued by Hag Records -whom also released his 3rd EP - as the 2005 full-length Adventures In Gramophone, an album which was even nominated for the 2006 Choice Music Prize). In 2006 he signed to V2 for his first réal full-length Songs From The Deep Forest (nominated for the 2007 Choice Music Prize, and that same year he was nominated in 3 categories for the Meteor Music Awards). Following the takeover of the Irish department of V2 by the local Universal Music division, it’s on the latter that DS’s 2nd full-length, 2008’s Orchestral Manoeuvres, was released. The album brought him a price for Best Irish Male at the 2008 Meteor Music Awards. On the side, he’s written the theme music for Northern Ireland’s version of Sesame Street (Sesame Tree), and has appeared in the show with his band. 2009 was a busy year for the Irish bard. The album I Never thought This Day Would Come came out, he toured in support of Snow Patrol, Duffy (an artist whom he himself introduced to the music business), and Paolo Nutini…organize the (centre of Belfast) one-day festival Dukebox, and in the Fall entered the world of theater to perform a total of 65 times in Bertold Brecht’s play Mother Courage And Her Children. And this is where the story comes full circle! Because Duke had written 12 songs for this performance, songs which are now gathered together on one of the discs in this 3-CD box set, with the sub-title Songs From Mother Courage. Although I’m not usually a radio listener (who would be, when one has to review an average of 2 albums per day?), I’m sure I’ve heard the main theme for the Mother Courage disc before! A second disc, titled The Silent World Of Hector Mann, contains music inspired by Paul Auster’s novel The Book Of Illusions, which illustrates the life and times of Silent Movie star Hector Mann. The album’s special in the way that Duke himself only wrote the song “Mister Nobody” inspired by onee of Mann’s movies…the rest of the 12 songs written by friends of his (contributions, among others, came from Neil Hannon of The Divine Comedy, Ed Harcourt, Paul and Phil Pilot, and Matt Hales of Aqualung), who were to “illustrate” the other 11 movies. Interestingly, the album was recorded at Chicago’s Electrical Studios, with Steve Albini! The third disc’s (a mere 5-track EP, this time) inspirations are quite evident from its title, Huckleberry Finn, but have something special about ‘em anyway. Of course it again relates to the stage : you see, famed composer Kurt Weill had endeavoured to make music for a stage performance of the story, but never finished the work. Duke was given special permission by the Kurt Weill Foundation to bring the 5 songs, on the condition that Duke’s versions had to do justice to Weill’s spirit! Well, I think he’s succeeded! A rather bulky piece of work to go through in one time…well, actually that’s not so bad, the duration of the 3 discs together only being some 87 minutes and mere seconds!…but Duke’s warm vocals pull one through the whole affair. Of course, if you’re into modern music only, you’re gonna discard this…but if you’ve even got a tiny bit of open-mindedness in your blood mixed with a slight portion of daring on “new” things, you might find the songs created by this singer-songwriter/ pianist (and occasional accordion player) quite delectable! Check out the songs actually posted (some are not available) at myspace.com/dukespecial for a taster! If you’re looking for a quiet evening on the porch (with the sun coming through a bit more lately, them days are indeed coming back) with the kids, this music will provide an ideal companion. 82/100 Tony. |