(2021) Duffy - Scruffy Duffy [Expanded Edition]



Review:
An under-the-radar U.K. group with a penchant for pairing scorching, blue-based hard rock with pastoral progressive rock, Duffy released two albums, including the 1973 obscuro classic Scruffy Duffy, before ceasing operations in 1974. In 2021 Esoteric Records issued a remastered and expanded version of Scruffy Duffy. Duffy formed in London in 1970 around a line-up consisting of Stuart Reffold (vocals, harmonica), Barry Coote (lead guitar, acoustic guitar), Joe Nanson (organ, keyboards, vocals), Patrick Sarient (bass, vocals), and Will Wright (drums, percussion). The band issued their debut album, Just in Case You’re Interested, in 1971 via the German label Ariola. Duffy’s unique blend of working-class hard rock, pop, and innovative prog earned them a cult following in Europe, so they decamped to Switzerland to record their sophomore long-player. The resulting Scruffy Duffy was issued in 1973 on Chapter One Records in the U.K., but lack of promotion kept the album from achieving the commercial success that it deserved and ultimately led to the dissolution of the band. As Duffy receded into the mists of time, Scruffy Duffy became a highly collectible piece of vinyl that often sold for considerable sums. In 2021, Esoteric reissued the lost LP with a treasure trove of goodies, including a full remaster and previously unreleased bonus tracks, alternate versions, and demos.



Track Listing:
1. Running Away (2021 Remaster) (2:39)
2. Changing My Ways (2021 Remaster) (6:01)
3. Ode To Clay (2021 Remaster) (2:56)
4. The 1959 Rock ‘n’ Roll Bop (2021 Remaster) (3:04)
5. The Browns (2021 Remaster) (3:05)
6. Banker (2021 Remaster) (4:26)
7. Joker (2021 Remaster) (2:35)
8. I Can’t Help The Way I Am (2021 Remaster) (1:28 )
9. St. John’s (2021 Remaster) (9:04)
10. Finale (2021 Remaster) (0:34)
11. The 1959 Rock ‘n’ Roll Bop (First Version) (3:10)
12. Joker (First Version) (2:52)
13. Banker (First Version) (4:27)
14. Ode To Clay (First Mix) (2:54)
15. St. John’s (First Mix) (8:38 )


Media Report:
Genre: prog-rock
Country: UK
Format: FLAC
Format/Info: Free Lossless Audio Codec, 16-bit PCM
Bit rate mode: Variable
Channel(s): 2 channels
Sampling rate: 44.1 KHz
Bit depth: 16 bits