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Duke Special
Waterford
7 March 2007

I recently bought the Duke Special album and was lucky enough that he was playing Waterford last night. The gig, like all dates on the Irish tour was sold out but I went along anyway and managed to secure a very late return for the 150 seater gig. If I recall, I started going to gigs proper in 84 or 85 and I have to say that last night was by far the most amazing show I've been at.

Read it again. The most amazing show I've been at since 84 or 85. So much so I'm compelled to tell you all about it.

Duke Special (Peter Wilson) is a troubadour, a vaudevillian lyrical poet, who has composed songs that both tug at the heart, make you smile and deal with loss, love and everything in between. I imagine him to be perfectly at home in a small vaudeville theatre with heavy red velvet drapes across the stage, cigarette smoke swirling into the air as he takes the stage.

Positioned behind his battered old piano for the night, his voice cut through the auditorium, the distinct Belfast lilt held everyone transfixed for an hour and a half.

Without a doubt his album “Songs from the Deep Forest” will be my album of the year. All the intimate, low key personal songs were played, Wake Up Scarlet, Brixton Leaves, Slip of a Girl and my own favourite the heart breakingly beautiful This Could Be My Last Day. But we also get the inspiring and uplifting Last Night I Nearly Died (but woke up just in time), Freewheel, Salvation Tambourine and many more.

Thrown into the mix are excellent versions of Eliott Smith’s Baby Britain and a jazz version of Soft Cell’s Tainted Love - the word tainted was just created to be heard in this man’s accent!!

Backing Duke were possibly the best backing band I've seen. Playing everything from clarinet, saxophone, electric guitar with a violin bow, stumpf fiddle, hornicator, cheese grate and egg whisk - yes you read it right, clogs and various percussion instruments - the three guys complimented him perfectly, whipping up a storm when needed and providing subtle backing when called on.

I wish I could afford to buy you all the album but sadly all I can do is recommend it to you. If he plays near you believe me it would be well worth your while to go along.

Gol