Duke Special - Songs from the Deep Forest

Title: Songs from the Deep Forest Artist: Duke Special Release Date: 10/23/2006 Re-Released On: 7/28/2009 Label: V2 Records, UME Imports Album Type(s): lyrics/libretto UPCs: 5033197414423, 5033197437422, 5033197437408 Genre: Rock Styles: Adult Alternative Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Contemporary Singer/Songwriter, Alternative Singer/Songwriter Moods: Passionate, Poignant, Sentimental, Earnest, Intimate, Plaintive, Romantic, Amiable/Good-Natured, Bittersweet, Gentle, Literate, Reflective, Wistful, Brooding, Delicate, Precious, Yearning Total Copies: 0 Members Wishing: 1 Number of Discs/SwapaCD Credits: 1

1. Wake Up Scarlett
2. Everybody Wants a Little Something
3. Brixton Leaves
4. Freewheel
5. No Cover Up
6. Portrait
7. Last Night I Nearly Died
8. Ballad of a Broken Man
9. Salvation Tambourine
10. Something Might Happen
11. Slip of a Girl
12. This Could Be My Last Day

Year Type Label Catalog # 2009 CD UME Imports 9743742 2006 CD V2 Records 41442 2006 CD V2 Records

Songs from the Deep Forest [Special Edition]

When Badly Drawn Boy debuted in the late '90s, listeners were forced to reconcile his craftsmanlike songs and heavenly voice with someone who looked like he lived at the bus station. Duke Special is a similar case. He's an eye-shadowed, dreadlocked singer/songwriter with a taste for vaudeville (its performers and its fashion) who could, nevertheless, be safely taken under the wing of any James Blunt fan. (Admittedly, hanging posters on the bedroom wall would be another story.) What's more important to know about Duke Special is that he's a Belfast boy, and there's something specifically Irish about how he wears his sincerity with no hint of irony or shame, and how his pop-orchestral arrangements, occasionally bombastic, work surprisingly well because of that sincerity (especially considering his wealth of up-again/down-again relationship songs). He's also a fine songwriter, channeling Van Morrison and Tom Waits, but also balancing sentiments that anyone can relate to with over-specific facts that bring his songs back into heavy personalization. The melodies are perhaps not tight enough for true commercial crossover, and conversely too broad for underground appeal, but Duke Special's unique persona goes a long way toward papering over those small concerns. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide

Name Credits Andy Green Producer, Mixing Ben Castle Clarinet (Bass), Sax (Tenor), Flute, Sax (Baritone) Ben Hales Vocals (Background) Brian Irving Handclapping Duke Special Piano, Tack Piano, Vocals, Moog Bass Foy Vance Vocals (Background) Harry Napier Strings Kevin Murphy Cello Michael Keeney Handclapping, Assistant Paul Wilkinson Archguitar, Arranger, Producer, Bass (Electric) Phil Nelson Bassoon Phil Wilkinson Drums Rèa Curran Vocals (Background), Trumpet Stewart Hawkes Mastering Tim Harries Bass