Lilac Time/Stephen Duffy Classic or Dud?

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Stephen is undoubtably one of the greatest English songwriters of the last 15 years. Simple, poignant and magical. It's just a pity he 'slipped through the cracks' by making unfashionable (though fabulous) music since his Tin Tin days. Although to those lucky enough to discover him, it's everyone else that's missing out...Long may he continue!

My personal faves? All the Lilac Time albums and the wonderful and criminally overlooked Music in Colors

― Simon Scott, Friday, 18 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Can anyone confirm the rumour that Duffy and Nick Rhodes are currently working on an album of old Duran Duran material - songs that they wrote and recorded as demos in the late 70's, before Simon Le Bon joined the band?

― Alex, Sunday, 20 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

were any of the duffy/duran songs ever demoed or made available on audiogalaxy/napster etc?

― david, Monday, 21 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Just a quick e-mail account, never to be checked in the future, to say that we have indeed been working together and the devilish results are now being mixed at Air Studios. Alex Langdon, eh? Not Alex Langdon, the child stand up comic who toured with Jimmy Mulville and Ed Tudor-Pole in the mid eighties? You were a bit of a rascal, as I recall (forgive me if it's not you) and not very kind to my mate Carly Simon when you interviewed her via a live link on The Tube.

― Nick Rhodes, Tuesday, 22 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Hmm...entertaining fake or brilliant cameo appearance?

― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 22 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Never to be checked in the future...how conveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeenient.

― Sean Carruthers, Tuesday, 22 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

If that's really you, Nick Rhodes, I refer you to the answers I gave Robin Carmody in the Ben and Jason: classic or dud thread. Have you ever kissed a man? My sister, during a midnight feast, told me that she's sure you're straight, but a man who wears make up is bound to have experimented.

― Alex, Wednesday, 23 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I think it's a bit rummy that Stephen's thread has been hijacked by Alex Langdon (who may or may not have been the Alex Langdon who starred in Teenage Health Freak) and Nick Rhodes. Ned Raggett only contributed when he saw that a pop star had joined us (probably only dissapointed that it wasn't Momus)- but some of us want to keep discussing Duffy.

― Normie, Wednesday, 23 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Normie - I'm NOT Alex Langdon .. Health Thingy. I'm a fan Of Duffy's, like you.

― Alex, Wednesday, 23 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Well, talk about him then!

― Normie, Wednesday, 23 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

It's funny how Stephen Duffy called his first single 'Hold It' and the B-Side to his follow up - 'She Makes Me Quiver' - was called 'Push It'. He must have liked 'it's'!

― Alex, Wednesday, 23 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

That's a bloody hilarious joke, Alex. Chris Morris would be laughing on the other side of his discoloured face at that one.

― Roy Blows, Wednesday, 23 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Frankly, I'm embarrassed - knowing that Nick Rhodes is watching us as we squabble and belittle each other. We should all be united behind Stephen. Nick might think twice about working with Stephen again if he thinks his fans (and that includes you, Roy) can't get on. But, then, Nick should remember that some, if not all, of Duffy's fans are also fond of Duran Duran (fond-fans, if you like).

― Normie, Wednesday, 23 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Talking of on-thread celebs: is "gotch" the same Tarquin Gotch who managed XTC, Kate St John and - hem hem - Stephen Duffy (and apparently co-produced 'Home Alone')?

― Edna Welth, Wednesday, 23 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I know I'm expected to be moderate on this site, but what the hell are fond-fans? They sound like a complete simpering mess, and I'm not one of those.

― Roy Blows, Wednesday, 23 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I thought that too, Edna. Tarquin Gotch has the same second name. At least we're still talking about Duffy-related matters.

― Normie, Wednesday, 23 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Oh yeas, Edna! Are you a fond-fan?

― Roy Blows, Wednesday, 23 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

You're just showing off, Roy. Noone's impressed. I'm not a mimsy fan. I can be light and ironic, like anyone. I just don't like to spoil people's fun.

― Normie, Wednesday, 23 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

"Fond fan"? From what Normie sez, you must like both Duran Duran AND Stephen to qualify. Hmmmm. I quite like 'Save a Prayer', but otherwise no thank you. What does this make me? a mildly-fond-fan? I will have to live with that.

BACK TO STEPHEN! 'The Ups and Downs' vs 'Because we love you' - FITE! I would choose BWLY, even though U&D has 'Wednesday Jones' and 'Icing on the Cake', these are no match for the peerless majesty of 'Sunday Supplement' and 'Julie Christie'.

― Edna Welthorpe, Mrs, Wednesday, 23 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I bet Ned Raggett won't answer that one. Perhaps Momus could repeat the question.

― Roy Blows, Wednesday, 23 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I'm not polarizing with you to look clever. I actually do prefer The Up's and Down's. Breakdance was happening at the time of its release, and it eemed that everyone was 'breaking' to almost anything - Robbie Nevil, Meatloaf, Love and Money, Smiley Culture; but no group of kids could bring themselves to form a ring and clap around Stephen tintin Duffy - it would be like break-dancing to the drawings of William Blake.

― Normie, Wednesday, 23 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I'm more impressed by the fact that about twenty-five different posts have been made by the same person. ;-)

― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 23 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I've just been for a nap ... Considered my position. I think it's best that I just walk out of here. You and I are very alike: I suppose I just turned out bad, whilst you ... I always loved you, Ned. I'm not about to reveal that I'm your Father. I'm already 25 different people. Alas, no - not your Father; but I am in you somewhere. Be kind to Stephen Duffy when I'm gone.

― Roy Blows, Wednesday, 23 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

???

― g, Wednesday, 23 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

five months pass...

is anyone else looking forward to The Devils' debut?

― June Hobbs, Wednesday, 10 July 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

just me then..

― June Hobbs, Thursday, 11 July 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

i am, too...

― g, Thursday, 11 July 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

there's a marvellous interview with the Devils on Stephen Duffy's website. Stephen describes how he met Madonna at a party in the early eighties. the record label executive who introduced them did so by suggesting that the two artists should work together. and, almost like Liam leaning on Damon in the midst of Britpop, Madge took tintin to one side and put him straight on a few things. a year later, Stephen was in Jamaica with The Dream Academy - sitting by the grave of Noel Coward, listening to Nick Drake. and Madonna was making Shanghai Surprise with Sean Penn. i haven't given up hope that they will one day collaborate - if Nick Rhodes and Stephen came together for the Devils after 24 years of estrangement, then everything's possible, right?

― June Hobbs, Thursday, 11 July 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Incredibly, the Devils' 'experiment' has worked in places. It could have been Shopping Channel-Diamonique; but these two 40 somethings have pulled off 19-dynamique; their-first-gig-at-the- Polytechnique. 'Hawks Don't Share' is implausibly authentic late 70's post punk - seeming like a pre-cursor to Echo and the Bunnymen's 'Over the Wall'. In contrast, Newhaven-Dieppe is tight and bright, but wistful - more like Duffy's 'Paradise Circus'.

― How I want to end it ..., Monday, 22 July 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

why wasn't John Taylor asked to join them, or was he? is Nick Rhodes still watching this thread?

― Lesser Tit, Thursday, 25 July 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Duffy and Taylor originally fell out over a snake skin amp. The gangly 19 year old SD said his new amp was 'right powerful', while the limber JT said it was not 'right powerful'.

― June Hobbs, Friday, 26 July 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

It turned out to be 'right powerful', after all. But Duffy never forgave Taylor.

― June Hobbs, Friday, 26 July 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

two months pass...

In the same pre-stardom spirit of The Devils, and according to Janice Long, The Crucial Three (Pete Wylie, Ian McCulloch and Julian Cope) are rumoured to be writing together!

― Julian Hasflow, Thursday, 3 October 2002 13:16 (twenty-three years ago)

So, can anyone vouch for The Devils record?

TMFTML
http://intonation.blogspot.com/

― TMFTML (TMFTML), Tuesday, 8 October 2002 21:22 (twenty-three years ago)

one year passes...

has anyone heard his new album, keep going? from what i read in two reviews it is a masterpiece. according to the amg he sounds like a nick drake in his forties. why the hell does he get only three stars in the amg when the review is quite enthusiastic?

― alex in mainhattan (alex63), Monday, 15 December 2003 14:23 (twenty-two years ago)

music in colors also only got 3 stars in the amg. so maybe three stars is better than five.

― alex in mainhattan (alex63), Monday, 15 December 2003 14:26 (twenty-two years ago)

got it wrong, the new one has 4 stars. but does nobody like stephen duffy at the "new" ilm?

― alex in mainhattan (alex63), Monday, 15 December 2003 14:54 (twenty-two years ago)

i like him

― the surface noise (electricsound), Monday, 15 December 2003 22:04 (twenty-two years ago)

I like him too - he played a lovely, slow, thick set of Lilac Time tunes at the Bush Hall recently (ignoring the calls for "Julie Christie").

His current collaborator may appal a few contributors to this thread, though - if they don't already know. Lord knows XX could do with SD's help, and SD could do with XX's cash.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Tuesday, 16 December 2003 11:07 (twenty-two years ago)

Yeah, I read about that too. I think it could be just about OK though. Worse things have happened to songwriters (I can't think of any examples of the top of my head) but XX (why aren't we naming him?) can carry off a pop tune with some aplomb, and Stephen Duffy can certainly write them.

― ailsa (ailsa), Tuesday, 16 December 2003 13:02 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh, I don't know - I know SD is kinda upset that the Mirror splashed it about, it is just short of being common knowledge, and I have this misguided notion that I should keep as quiet about it as he is.

I don't think he's so much embarrassed about the collaboration, as embarrassed about the way it's been reported (i.e. why is XX associating with this loser?)

And yes, it might produce some decent records.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Tuesday, 16 December 2003 13:17 (twenty-two years ago)

Incomprehensible!

― the tinfox, Tuesday, 16 December 2003 14:09 (twenty-two years ago)

two months pass...

http://www.elektrobank.net/downloads/lv_kiss-my-root.mp3

Beastie Boys Vs. Stephen A J Duffy

― Esther Hoover, Tuesday, 9 March 2004 12:00 (twenty-two years ago)

five months pass...

the wonderful "Music in Colors", praised by a few of you on this thread, is being reissued on the 27th of september by EMI.
It will contain the "natalie" video (1st single from the album) and a couple of demos. Watch out !

― aztec moon, Wednesday, 1 September 2004 05:39 (twenty-one years ago)

That's exciting news; it's one of his few albums that I can't break into. I can only get it as mp3, and a real release would be great.
Any word on his second 90's album, 'Duffy'? It's also impossible to find.

― derrick (derrick), Wednesday, 1 September 2004 05:50 (twenty-one years ago)

For the moment nothing is set as for the "Duffy" album, but I heard it might be possible as well though that's a different label !
you can still find a few copies of it on ebay or second hand recordstores...

― aztec moon, Wednesday, 1 September 2004 11:04 (twenty-one years ago)

one year passes...

"Duffy" album is out, availiable from Amazon

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B000BOG1MG.02.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

― aztec moon, Tuesday, 20 December 2005 14:04 (twenty years ago)

one year passes...

Just heard some new tracks on his Myspace. Sounds great!
Here's an interview.
http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=1252260266&channel=495713462

― Rib Dinner, Monday, 22 October 2007 10:49 (eighteen years ago)

If anyone's interested, I'm selling my copy of Keep Going.

― Madchen, Monday, 22 October 2007 11:44 (eighteen years ago)

also, Dr Calculus is now available via usual download stores.
remastered and with extra remixes/tracks (though to be honest, the extras are classic 12" of the time, ie very little difference, just an extra drum loop here and there)
though the album itself, is as gloriously mad in 2007, as it was all those years ago.

― mark e, Monday, 22 October 2007 12:14 (eighteen years ago)

one month passes...

Revive! been listening to Music In Colours and Astronauts quite a bit of late. Ahh, lovely: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ar9LCIkqOI

― Daniel Giraffe, Thursday, 13 December 2007 14:40 (eighteen years ago)

His new one is ok but not great - and I adored _Keep Going_. It's just missing something - a spark, clever lyrics? I can't put my finger on it. But everything else with the name Lilac Time on it is a keeper.

― Mr. Odd, Thursday, 13 December 2007 23:18 (eighteen years ago)

three years pass...

Keep Going is a tremendously enjoyable album; well crafted from front to back with an utter lack of shock or awe. It's measured and mature in a way that only a guy who's been kicking it for three decades can fashion. Also, I've always been a sucker for his buttery vocal delivery, it makes my ears feel good.

― suspecterrain, Sunday, 20 March 2011 07:23 (fifteen years ago)

Huh. I wonder if that really was Nick Rhodes posting all the way back when?

― bad voise, it sucked, pick a seat (Trayce), Sunday, 20 March 2011 08:08 (fifteen years ago)

given that the rest of the thread at the time was a bunch of socks arguing with itself, it seems unlikely. but "devilish results" does point towards someone with some kind of inside knowledge.

― lol kudso (sic), Sunday, 20 March 2011 11:43 (fifteen years ago)

two years pass...

Any other fans? I'm listening to the Compendium compilation and the tracks from & Love For All, produced by Andy Partridge, just jump out at me with their odd swirly sounds or interesting sounds.

― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Saturday, 15 March 2014 02:44 (twelve years ago)

one year passes...

I really need more than just the first Lilac Time album.

― austinato (Austin), Tuesday, 16 June 2015 00:06 (ten years ago)

two weeks pass...

yeah, i've never been able to find a copy of that Dr. Calculus record. Anyone want to burn me a cdr of it?

dr calculus = best thing stephen did ..

no doubt stephen hates it now ..

― mark e, Thursday, 2 July 2015 20:50 (ten years ago)

two years pass...

"I Love My Friends" is an total winner of an album, a bit like he thought, "I can outdo these Britpop shits at their own game". The CD with all the b-sides is even better with the addition of songs like "One Day One Of These Fucks Will Change Your Life".

― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Saturday, 24 March 2018 19:30 (eight years ago)

Yep, love that album, almost certainly my most-played record of his under any of his names/bands. Didn't realize it'd been reissued with those bonus tracks; I'll have to check that out. "One Day..." isn't one of the added ones though, that's the closer on my original.

― early rejecter, Tuesday, 27 March 2018 17:07 (eight years ago)

Oh right. It was reissued in 2006 with 7 bonus tracks. https://www.discogs.com/Duffy-I-Love-My-Friends/release/648547

"Keep Going" was the last great album he released, "Runout Groove" is solid if inconsistent and "No Sad Songs" was a dud.

― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Tuesday, 27 March 2018 17:34 (eight years ago)

five years pass...

The new(-ish) album is beautifully melancholic. Love the last song.

From where wild strawberries grew. It’s about us and every band. “That was our time in the shade / No one but the driver got paid.” I had a dysfunctional relationship with touring. I saw it more as an extension of my social life. Or just a more out and about version of my life. I never saw it as work and as many will attest I didn’t really see myself as an entertainer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSZ_Dom8yk4

― j.o.h.n. in evanston (john. a resident of chicago.), Saturday, 16 September 2023 15:19 (two years ago)

nice!

I only recently found out about this album, which he did with Nick Rhodes, revisiting songs they wrote for the first iteration of Duran Duran. Definitely not what you'd expect from any of these people.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_M0YzzmD_BA

― I? not I! He! He! HIM! (akm), Saturday, 16 September 2023 15:59 (two years ago)

Really fantastic long interview with him here on Sodajerker podcast

https://spotify.link/1nc7BCi78Cb

― piscesx, Saturday, 16 September 2023 17:34 (two years ago)

xp just heard that for the first time last week and was pleasantly surprised to hear nice a cover of the Jacobites’ Big Store

― bulb after bulb, Saturday, 16 September 2023 18:02 (two years ago)

Stephen Duffy write big store!

― brimstead, Saturday, 16 September 2023 22:24 (two years ago)

wrote

― brimstead, Saturday, 16 September 2023 22:24 (two years ago)

one year passes...

There's a note in the Wikipedia entry about the debut Lilac Time album that 4 tracks were remixes for the Fontana release and then further changes were made to the Mercury release. Anyone know the details, which tracks were changed?

― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Saturday, 30 November 2024 21:21 (one year ago)

I'm really enjoying the 2023 album linked to above. Duffy's voice is very much intact, in his mid-60s - just a bit darker, deeper and richer. Occasionally he reminds me of Mark Lanegan, with that little vibrato and the end of some notes.

― giraffe, Monday, 2 December 2024 08:57 (one year ago)

one month passes...

Wonderful deluxe edition of "Astronauts" just landed in my mailbox. The demos and song development are interesting but the live gig is very different, much more aggressive

― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Wednesday, 29 January 2025 21:02 (one year ago)

I read a great essay a few months ago by the guy who put that out, about running a record label and the efforts that went into this release in particular. I have a bunch of Lilac Time and Duffy albums but somehow never came across this one.

https://medium.com/three-imaginary-girls/does-it-hurt-d41a829e612d

― early rejecter, Wednesday, 29 January 2025 22:45 (one year ago)

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