Smart Sensuality: Britain's Duffy

The Guardian UK introduced me to 24-year-old Welsh singer Duffy, whose best-selling album Rockferry made her the fastest-rising pop star of 2008.

Duffy’s voice — once you get beyond the hair and sleeveless sheath — is also iconic Sixties. The Guardian says “iconic Sixties and Motown.” I wouldn’t go that far, but presumably they’re right.

Watching several of her YouTube videos, I agree with her own self-assessment: “I still don’t feel I’ve been defined. I’ve got a few more years and a few more lessons to learn.” Again, I’m no music critic, but Jos Stone came out of the box with more defined voice.

Duffy clings tight to her Welsh roots, which makes her Sensible.

…  Duffy has responded to the weirdness of media saturation with good grace and a giggle, blocking her ears to the hype. “The nearest billboard is about an hour and a half away from where I live so, trust me, the [people I know] don’t see any of that.”

Is Duffy Sensual? Absolutely! Although she sexes up her shows beyond the Rockferry video, she keeps herself in a haunting, myserious reserve.

I’ve got it … Duffy absolutely belongs in MadMen, as the wife of one of the Madison Avenue guys.

Duffy has been playing a lot in New York. We’ll see if she becomes a strong voice here in America. My instincts say that Obamania will impact pop culture, and that could move Duffy into the first tier. We have a long tradition of English music success flying West.

Love, Anne