A protégé of the Larry Parnes rock'n'roll stable of artists in the late 1950's, Duffy broke free and discovered his own voice in the early 1960's. Embracing the jazz and blues scene of early 60's UK, Duffy recorded some highly prized singles for Parlophone, backed by the Graham Bond Quartet. All are collected together, with his other sessions from1962-1966 period, plus the 1967 one off EMI single, on Leapers and Sleepers (RPMD 240).
Vampers and Champers is part two of this Anthology, which collects together the recordings from the rest of 1966 through to 1971, selected by Duffy as the most representative sounds of his art. After the EMI/Parlophone deal Duffy recorded many sessions, for himself, also for Alexis Korner, and played live with Alexis Korner. Years later a number of these sessions were rounded up for compilation releases, but it wasn't until 1972 that Duffy finally achieved a complete and dedicated album released with the eponymous LP produced by Adrian Millar, released by GSF. (This will be reissued separately plus bonus tracks next spring on RPM). On Disc One of Vampers and Champers we present the 1966 sessions with Danny Thompson and John McLaughlin, plus two previously unreleased songs.
Disc Two has the 1969 sessions (later released by the Spark label), a previously unreleased 1970 session backed by the Keith Tippett Sextet, and a pick from the aborted CBS LP project. Finally as a bonus we have four previously unreleased tracks from the 90's and Duffy today. These are especially enticing , with Duffy's haunting vocals over stripped down backing, such as just the Harmonium on The Fool, and the sax of Dick Heckstall Smith on the sublime Spaces. The final two tracks are from a new album in progress, with the last a light rockabilly number that brings Duffy full circle on his musical journey. The second part of Duffy's story is told in an essay by noted music journalist and author of the Bert Jansch biography (in which Duffy has a part), Colin Harper.
DISC ONE
Rosie / Leaving Blues / It's Funny / God Bless The Child / Comin' Round No More / Give Me One / Mary Open The Door / Help Me / Louisiana Blues / Little Boy Blue / Exactly Like You / One Night / There You Go / Red White And Blue / Little Girl (Previously Unreleased) / I Want You To Love Me (Previously
Unreleased)
DISC TWO
Midnight Special / Gin House Blues / Fox And Geese / Fixing A Hole / Roll Over Beethoven / Little Man / City Women / Dr Love (Previously Unreleased) / Holiday (Previously Unreleased) / Love Song (Previously Unreleased) / Halfway / Corrina / Lovers Prayer / The Fool (Previously Unreleased) / Spaces (Previously Unreleased) / Sweet Again (Previously Unreleased) / 'Til We Meet Again (Previously Unreleased)
