Duffy to perform `Live and Let Die` on McCartney arranged charity album

She's been nominated for a Grammy, her debut album was last year’s UK best-seller, and she became the first Welsh female solo artist in 25 years to have a number one pop single.

But now Duffy has received the ultimate accolade – being hand-picked by a former Beatle to cover one of his best-known hits.

Sir Paul McCartney has chosen the singer from Nefyn, Gwynedd, to perform James Bond theme Live and Let Die for an album in aid of the War Child charity - reports Wales Online.

The decision last night prompted comparisons with iconic Goldfinger and Diamonds Are Forever singer Shirley Bassey, with music experts suggesting the time could be right for Duffy to sing a future 007 theme.

Meanwhile Sir Paul said: “I think Duffy’s version of Live and Let Die is great – I was really impressed.”

The concept behind the Heroes album involved some of pop and rock’s biggest songwriters, including Bob Dylan and U2, picking one of their own hits and nominating a favourite modern act to rework the song.

Sir Paul added: “The breadth of talent on this project is amazing. It’s great that so many people gave their time, energy and support to this initiative.”

Ben Knowles, music director of the charity and executive producer on the album, said the first person they approached for the album was Sir Paul McCartney who quickly responded with his nomination.
“Sir Paul chose Duffy last spring before her rise to fame,” he said.

“They met on her first appearance on Later with Jools Holland and he knew she was going to be a star.”

Speaking of her version, he added: “Duffy has done a really stripped bare, northern soul version of the Bond theme song.

“It’s not just an exact replica of the song but her own personal interpretation of it and she has done a really brave reworking of one of the most played and instantly recognisable songs ever.”

And Mr Knowles said the Bond cover could be a springboard to further 007 stardom. “I would be very surprised if this is the last Bond song she sings,” he said.

Making comparisons between Duffy and Cardiff’s Dame Shirley, he added, “Wales has an incredible track record of doing Bond themes and here you have two powerful and individual Welsh voices doing a Bond song – you can’t help but compare both artists.

“I also think the album will bring different generations together – I can imagine children arguing with their parents about who sings Bond theme songs the best – Dame Shirley or Duffy.”

Mr Knowles added that neither Sir Paul’s choice of song or choice of artist to cover it was an obvious one.
He said: “Duffy’s most successful songs are laid back, quiet and melancholic whereas Live and Let Die is incredibly powerful.”

Lyn Davies, head of vocal studies at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, welcomed Sir Paul’s choice.
“Duffy has her own kind of style and she will lend the song a totally different style from what’s been done before,” she said.

“She has a unique voice that also harks back to previous eras.

“Sir Paul will have spotted her potential to create something new from his classic song – new wine in old bottles, if you like.

“She’s one in a very long line of Welsh vocalists in every field of vocal endeavour that is doing well and that’s great news.”

Meanwhile Jessica Morgan, managing director of Cardiff’s Space recording studios, played down the Bassey comparisons.

She said: “Dame Shirley has such a great history and has stood the test of time whereas Duffy is an up-and-coming artist.

“I’m sure Duffy would be flattered to be compared to Dame Shirley but she seems happy doing her own thing which is clearly working.

“Despite being a very demanding song to sing, Duffy has the guts in her voice to carry off Live and Let Die.”

The War Child album, which raises money to help children affected by conflict, was recorded over six months in studios in London, Manchester, Paris, Berlin, New York and Los Angeles and was mastered at Abbey Road studios in London.

Heroes is War Child’s fifth album, dating back to 1995’s legendary Help album. Other songs on the CD, which is released on February 16, include Lily Allen’s interpretation of The Clash’s Straight to Hell, Estelle’s version of Stevie Wonder’s Superstition and Elbow’s take on U2’s Running to Stand Still.

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