UK Songbirds

Lonely Lily

Fans of the one-of-a-kind Lily Allen learned the singer had suffered a miscarriage.  She is in a relationship with Ed Simons of the Chemical Brothers.  The couple met after a Chemical Brothers gig in September.  Since then the 37 year old Ed has made a positive impact on Lily.

It was reported Lily was delighted at the prospect of becoming a mother. The showbiz couple is heartbroken at their loss. They are spending time with family and friends. The two are keeping the details of their loss private. Lily has a full year ahead and has also received four nominations for the Brits Awards 2008. 

The twenty two year old Lilly Allen describes herself as a lonely young girl. This was because she never made lasting relationships. Lilly attended a total of thirteen schools. Like many other progeny her parents’ musical tastes influenced her. She grew up listening to the diverse musical sounds of their era:

Reggae

Punk

Ska

All through her childhood Lily moved around – Islington to Shepherds Bush to Bloomsbury and back. Her life was unstructured and so after being expelled from numerous schools she was packed off to boarding school. She ran away when she was fourteen. Lily credits her turbulent childhood coupled with her love of music, books and writing to be the impetus for her creative talent. 

Ready Steady Go Duffy!

It always seems doubly impressive when a powerful voice is released from a petite frame. This is true of Aimee Anne Duffy. This Welsh singer-songwriter is known as Duffy to her growing following. This young talent was inspired by the rock show Ready Steady Go! The sixties influence is very evident in her presentations and seems to draw the baby boomers’ generation as well as their hip new millennium offspring. 

The list of seasoned entertainers and artists dubbing her as one of the hottest new talents goes on and on. The most important recognition of course came from Jools Holland in 2007. But it was in 2004 that Duffy had a chance meeting with Richard Parfitt of Newport band 60ft Dolls and Owen Powell of Catatonia. At the time Duffy was working in a fishery and as a waitress. 

The two musicians arranged for her to meet with Bernard Butler ex-guitarist of Suede. He mentored Duffy’s talent by co-writing with her. The result was a sound that suited the young singer’s vocals and persona. Being the daughter of a sixties era dad and growing up in a small Welsh town seemed to click. A unique interpretation of this very personal blend poured out. 

2008 is the year to watch the complete emergence of this young artist. She has already been voted ‘Sound of 2008’. This vote of confidence has come from the music industry’s experts. It was only on 23 November 2007 that Duffy was signed to A&M Records. Her soulful vocals invoke the musical strains of Dusty Springfield. This is a sound that will live on through Duffy’s personal expression of soul.