Brit Music Scene

Duffy Complains About Amy Winehouse Comparisons - Diana Ross Is Fine Though

by Dave Parrack on August 4th, 2008

As soon as Welsh pop starlet Duffy hit the scene with Mercy, comparisons were made with Amy Winehouse. Even I was guilty of it, describing her as ‘The New Amy Winehouse? - And Not A Junkie!‘ in the title for my review of the song on Killed By The Video Star.

It was an easy but unfortunate comparison to make, with Duffy certainly coming from the same school of being influenced by soul and original r’n'b. Since then, Duffy has varied it up a little and Warwick Avenue sounds completely different than anything Winehouse would ever produce.

Duffy has now complained to the media about her portrayal as the new Amy Winehouse, as well as the comments comparing her to 1960s singer Dusty Springfield.

According to Digital Spy, she said:

“It makes me mad that people keep comparing me to Amy Winehouse and Dusty Springfield. It’s just labelling me as something else, without any respect for the struggle, the determination, focus or artistic vision that I have. It’s like, ‘Whoa, what’s that about? Why would I want to be someone else?’ Because I really don’t. I just want to be me.”

“It’s kind of strange and disheartening to be constantly told who I look like, or who I sound like.”

I can certainly see where she is coming from as every artist wants to be recognised for their individuality and talent. They don’t want to be labelled as the new anything. However, I can think of worse people to be compared to than Amy Winehouse (at least musically talented-wise) and Dusty Springfield.

Duffy did go on to say that she took some comparisons as compliments though.

“You do get some people who hit slightly closer to where I’m coming from. I got compared to Diana Ross the other day, which was a real compliment. And someone also wrote that I was the female Otis Redding, which really made me feel good because he’s a hero of mine.”

So the next time I review one of her songs I’ll title it ‘The New Otis Redding - Except That She’s Female, and White!‘

[Photo Source: stjnky at Flickr]

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POSTED IN: Amy Winehouse, Artists, Duffy, Gossip, Interviews, News, Op Ed, Pop