Stephen Duffy feat. Nigel Kennedy - Music In Colors

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Stephen Duffy feat. Nigel Kennedy - Music In Colors

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Stephen Duffy feat. Nigel Kennedy - Music In Colors
EAC/Flac (img) + Cue + Log = 334 MB | MP3 320 kbps = 115 MB | Scans 300 dpi
Pop/Rock | EMI Records #0777 7 89420 2 3 | 1993

Stephen Anthony James Duffy (born 1960, Alum Rock, Birmingham) is an English singer/songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. He was a founding member and vocalist/bassist of Duran Duran. He went on to record as a solo performer under several different names, and is the singer and songwriter for The Lilac Time with his older brother Nick. He has also co-written with Robbie Williams and Steven Page of Barenaked Ladies.

AMG Biography by Michael Sutton
Stephen Duffy could have been the Pete Best of the '80s. Just as Best was no longer a member of the Beatles when the Fab Four became household names, Duffy departed from Duran Duran before that group exploded on MTV. However, Duffy was able to carve an audience for himself, releasing numerous albums that ventured into various forms of pop music. In 1978, Duffy formed Duran Duran with John Taylor (guitar) and Nick Rhodes (keyboards) in Birmingham, England; Duffy sang and played bass. A year later, Duffy left the band for a solo career. While Duran Duran conquered the charts in England and America, Duffy started writing songs. In 1982, Duffy collaborated with other musicians as Tin Tin. Duffy's first single with Tin Tin, "Kiss Me," was only a minor hit in England, peaking at No. 155 on the chart. In America, though, "Kiss Me" became a club favorite and a staple on alternative radio stations. In 1984, Duffy released his first album, The Ups and Downs, on Virgin 10 Records in the U.K. While much of Duffy's earlier work embraced the wistful synth-pop of Soft Cell, he explored British folk rock and jangle pop when he helped create the Lilac Time in 1987. In 1988, the Lilac Time signed with Mercury Records in the U.S. and released their self-titled debut LP. The Lilac Time attracted a college radio following and produced a few albums before breaking up in 1991. Duffy released a solo effort in 1998 called I Love My Friends and a year later he recorded Looking for the Day in Night with the Lilac Time.

AMG Review by Aaron Badgley
Duffy's third solo album, and his first solo outing following the demise of the Lilac Time, and as usual he managed to keep the listening audience guessing, and listening. Working with classical violinist Nigel Kennedy, Duffy attempted to marry classical music with straight-ahead pop songs (Duffy returned the favor, contributing to Kennedy's CD Kafka). Kennedy proves to be the CD's main downfall, simply because most of the tracks are separated by "Transitoires" composed and performed by Nigel Kennedy. Such pieces prove downright distracting, as they are not particularly melodic or pleasing. Of the nine Duffy tracks, most are quite good, but never seem to reach the heights of his previous releases, either as a solo artist or as part of the Lilac Time; however, that is not to say there are not moments of sheer brilliance. The title track, "Music In Colors," is wonderful, and the added violin from Kennedy sounds truly inspiring and beautiful. When used to augment the sound and complete the sound picture, his violin does add quite a bit to the music. Other wonderful moments include the pop-driven "Natalie," with an instantly accessible tune, and the almost eerie "Charlotte's Conversation." Again, in these instances, Kennedy's playing is essential to the overall sound. Perhaps more songs from Duffy and no solo performances from Kennedy would have saved the final outcome. This CD is a perfect example of an album where the programming button on the CD player comes in very handy. Program the songs and leave out the "Transitoires," and you're treated to a much more pleasant listening experience. In fact, this would have been much better as an EP. To his credit, Stephen Duffy made a very valid attempt at creating a new sound. What he did do is once again redefine himself in the world of popular music, and proved to his listeners that he was not content to settle into one sound and milk it. Also worth note is the incredibly witty sleeve design, almost worth the purchase of the CD itself.