Emily Duff/Jersey Budd

EMILY DUFF/JERSEY BUDD

Musician Pub 19th JUNE 2024

What a night that was at The Musician Pub last night

First up was local singer/songwriter Jersey Budd. Having enjoyed seeing several performances by Jersey i think this was the best i've seen from him. Accompanied just by Nick Murphy on congas and his own acoustic guitar Jersey delivered an excellent set of his own songs. His guitar playing was strong and rhythmic and Nick's congas blended perfectly.

Jersey's voice was strong and tuneful throughout with an appealing growl and excellent diction allowed the quality of the songwriting to shine through... really excellent set, which i really enjoyed, as did the whole audience

After a short break up stepped the absolutely amazing Emily Duff from New York City, accompanied again by Nick on congas.

After Emily's superb performance a couple of years ago i was really looking forward to this return visit... and boy did she deliver... this was a breathtaking performance. As Nick said during the show Emily is "a unique world class act"... she is that and more.

Emily captivated the audience from the first moment with her great guitar playing, superb voice and song writing, as well as her personality and charisma. The atmosphere in the room was special... so warm and the whole audience totally absorbed in the performance.

She chatted easily, with the audience and Nick, about her family, life and dogs in New York and her time in England. At one point Nick sang the title line of Carole Kings "it's too late". Emily said she played that song, but very differently, suggesting she butchered it... she responded to requests to sing it and delivered an impromptu absolutely unbeatable version... the only cover in the set.

The songs are powerful and superbly written, always telling a story, all equally good and it is hard to single out individual pieces, though for me the touching "Another Empty Bottle" made a particular impact.

The songs performed from the forthcoming album (due out in September) were all superb and it features a range of stella musicians... can't wait to get a copy!!

No two ways about it... Emily is a supreme talent... a magnificent singer, songwriter and guitarist with personality and charisma to spare... and it is always a joy to see performers so relaxed and open and enjoying performing as much as Emily, and Nick, clearly did.

This was a special night at the Musician... in the company of a truly phenomenal performer...

Come back soon Emily Duff....

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