Duke Special
Encyclopedia
Duke Special, real name Peter Wilson, is a songwriter and performer based in Belfast
, Northern Ireland
. A piano
-based songwriter with a romantic style and a warm, distinctly accented voice, he has a distinctive look, with his long dreadlocks, eyeliner and outfits he describes as "hobo chic". His live performances have a theatrical style inspired by Vaudeville
and music hall
, and often incorporate 78s
played on an old-fashioned gramophone
, or sound effects from a transistor radio
. He is most often accompanied by percussionist "Temperance Society" Chip Bailey, who plays cheese graters and egg whisks, a Stumpf fiddle and a Shirdi drone box, as well as the more typical drums and cymbals. Other musicians who perform with Wilson from time to time include Paul "Pilot" Wilkinson (guitar), Réa Curran (trumpet, backing vocals, accordion), Ben Castle
(clarinet, saxophone), Ben Hales (bass guitar), Gareth Williams
, "Professor" Ger Eaton (keyboards), Dan Donnelly
(mandoline, backing vocals) and Serge Archibald III (saxophone, "ethereal background sounds", vibes).
He has released six albums, Adventures in Gramophone
(2005), Songs from the Deep Forest
(2006)http://www.amazon.co.uk/Songs-Deep-Forest-Duke-Special/dp/B000GPI2UY, both of which were nominated for the Choice Music Prize
, I Never Thought This Day Would Come
(2008)http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/hvn8, Little Revolutions
(2009), The Silent World of Hector Mann
(2010) and Mother Courage and Her Children
(2010).
and grew up in Coleraine
, Downpatrick
and Holywood
with his mother, father and three sisters. Wilson's grandmother, Mary Groves, taught his mother and her brothers and sisters to play the piano. This tradition of playing the piano was passed on to Wilson's three sisters and eventually to him also. He attended Down High School
, Downpatrick
and later Sullivan Upper School
in Holywood
.
After leaving school and a brief stint with a community arts project in Swindon, England he returned home and played piano for Brian Houston
(a Belfast songwriter influenced by Bob Dylan
, Van Morrison
, Bruce Springsteen
, Johnny Cash
and Elvis
) under whom Wilson apprenticed, picking up a hunger for performing and a knack of winning over an audience in the process. Several band mutations on the musical journey followed and saw Wilson front other acts composed of Belfast musicians but he was yet to hit his stride.
, released by Hag Records in 2005. The album was nominated for the 2006 Choice Music Prize
. In 2006 he signed to V2 Records
and released a second album, Songs from the Deep Forest
, which was nominated for the 2007 Choice Music Prize. He was nominated for three 2007 Meteor Music Awards
, for best Irish male, best newcomer, and best album for Songs from the Deep Forest. A third album, I Never Thought This Day Would Come
, was released in Ireland in October 2008 on Universal
, who had acquired V2 in 2007.
He has supported acts such as Crowded House
, Van Morrison
and Snow Patrol
, and in 2006 toured Ireland with the Beautiful South
and Europe with the Divine Comedy
. In 2007 he headlined a concert with the Ulster Orchestra
at Belfast's Waterfront Hall
, "Orchestral Manoevres". The concert was supported by Julie Feeney and Foy Vance
, who sang on one of Duke Special's songs, "This Could Be My Last Day". 2007 also saw him perform at Greenbelt festival
, Glastonbury, Guilfest, Summer Sundae, Haldern Festival and the Electric Picnic among others and support Bell X1 on 2 dates; in Malahide Castle
, Dublin and also as part of the Live at the Marquee
series of concerts in Cork
. In 2007 he performed as part of the BBC Electric Proms
, supporting former Kinks lead singer Ray Davies
. In 2008 he won the Meteor Music Award for Best Irish Male.
He has also appeared in the Northern Ireland children's television show, "Sesame Tree" with his band, having also written the theme music for the show.
He played Oxegen
on The O2 stage in 2009.
Between September and December 2009 Duke Special and his band appeared on stage at the Royal National Theatre
in London as part of a new production of Bertolt Brecht
's play Mother Courage and Her Children
, for which he wrote music for a number of songs. The production was directed by Deborah Warner
and starred Fiona Shaw
in the title role.
In January 2010 Duke launched a campaign on Pledge Music (see Fan-funded music) whereby fans pledged for items to help fund the promotion and touring of his triple CD, The Stage, A Book & The Silver Screen (comprising Mother Courage and Her Children, The Silent World of Hector Mann and Huckleberry Finn).
Played at the last night of the proms for the BBC at Hillsborough castle.
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. A piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
-based songwriter with a romantic style and a warm, distinctly accented voice, he has a distinctive look, with his long dreadlocks, eyeliner and outfits he describes as "hobo chic". His live performances have a theatrical style inspired by Vaudeville
Vaudeville
Vaudeville was a theatrical genre of variety entertainment in the United States and Canada from the early 1880s until the early 1930s. Each performance was made up of a series of separate, unrelated acts grouped together on a common bill...
and music hall
Music hall
Music Hall is a type of British theatrical entertainment which was popular between 1850 and 1960. The term can refer to:# A particular form of variety entertainment involving a mixture of popular song, comedy and speciality acts...
, and often incorporate 78s
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
played on an old-fashioned gramophone
Phonograph
The phonograph record player, or gramophone is a device introduced in 1877 that has had continued common use for reproducing sound recordings, although when first developed, the phonograph was used to both record and reproduce sounds...
, or sound effects from a transistor radio
Transistor radio
A transistor radio is a small portable radio receiver using transistor-based circuitry. Following their development in 1954 they became the most popular electronic communication device in history, with billions manufactured during the 1960s and 1970s...
. He is most often accompanied by percussionist "Temperance Society" Chip Bailey, who plays cheese graters and egg whisks, a Stumpf fiddle and a Shirdi drone box, as well as the more typical drums and cymbals. Other musicians who perform with Wilson from time to time include Paul "Pilot" Wilkinson (guitar), Réa Curran (trumpet, backing vocals, accordion), Ben Castle
Ben Castle
Ben Castle is a British jazz musician, the son of the late television actor and entertainer Roy Castle . He placed first in the Jazz category of the 2003 International Songwriting Competition with his song "The Heckler"....
(clarinet, saxophone), Ben Hales (bass guitar), Gareth Williams
Gareth Williams (composer)
Gareth Williams born in County Armagh is an Irish composer, singer, and pianist. He has produced works for Scottish Opera, the RSAMD, and other groups.-Career:...
, "Professor" Ger Eaton (keyboards), Dan Donnelly
Dan Donnelly
Daniel Thomas Donnelly is a singer-songwriter.Growing up in Belfast, Donnelly played in a number of local bands, finding success in Ireland with Watercress, a four piece acoustic folk-rock band for whom he played guitar, mandolin, percussion and "plumbing"...
(mandoline, backing vocals) and Serge Archibald III (saxophone, "ethereal background sounds", vibes).
He has released six albums, Adventures in Gramophone
Adventures in Gramophone
Adventures in Gramophone is an album by the Northern Ireland based artist Duke Special. It was released on Hag Records in 2005 and collects all twelve tracks from two previous EP releases - Lucky Me and My Villain Heart...
(2005), Songs from the Deep Forest
Songs from the Deep Forest
Songs from the Deep Forest is an album by Northern Ireland based artist Duke Special. In May 2006 it was released as a limited edition set of six 7" vinyl discs and then re-released as a single CD in October of the same year...
(2006)http://www.amazon.co.uk/Songs-Deep-Forest-Duke-Special/dp/B000GPI2UY, both of which were nominated for the Choice Music Prize
Choice Music Prize
-Establishment:It was established by journalist Jim Carroll and manager Dave Reid in 2005. as an alternative to the industry-dominated Meteor Music Awards. The Choice Music Prize is modelled after the Mercury Prize which is awarded each year to the best album from the United Kingdom or Ireland...
, I Never Thought This Day Would Come
I Never Thought This Day Would Come
"I Never Thought This Day Would Come" is the third album by Duke Special, to be released in Ireland by the label Universal Music Ireland on 17 October 2008, and released on soft release in the UK on the 20th October 2008....
(2008)http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/hvn8, Little Revolutions
Little Revolutions
Little Revolutions is a 2009 compilation album by Duke Special, collecting 18 rarities, including b-sides, covers and live recordings. It is available on its own or as part of the 5 Nights at the Empire Belfast Box Set.-Track listing:...
(2009), The Silent World of Hector Mann
The Silent World of Hector Mann
The Silent World of Hector Mann is a 2010 album by Duke Special, featuring songs inspired by the character of Hector Mann from Paul Auster's 2002 novel The Book of Illusions, each song inspired by one of the silent movies the character appeared in, written by Special or a songwriter of his...
(2010) and Mother Courage and Her Children
Mother Courage and Her Children (album)
Mother Courage and her Children is a 2010 album by Duke Special, featuring the songs he wrote and performed for the National Theatre's 2009 production of Berthold Brecht's play Mother Courage and Her Children...
(2010).
Background
Wilson was born in LisburnLisburn
DemographicsLisburn Urban Area is within Belfast Metropolitan Urban Area and is classified as a Large Town by the . On census day there were 71,465 people living in Lisburn...
and grew up in Coleraine
Coleraine
Coleraine is a large town near the mouth of the River Bann in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It is northwest of Belfast and east of Derry, both of which are linked by major roads and railway connections...
, Downpatrick
Downpatrick
Downpatrick is a medium-sized town about 33 km south of Belfast in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is the county town of Down with a rich history and strong connection to Saint Patrick. It had a population of 10,316 at the 2001 Census...
and Holywood
Holywood
Holywood is a town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies on the shore of Belfast Lough, between Belfast and Bangor. Holywood Exchange and Belfast City Airport are nearby. The town hosts an annual jazz and blues festival.-Name:...
with his mother, father and three sisters. Wilson's grandmother, Mary Groves, taught his mother and her brothers and sisters to play the piano. This tradition of playing the piano was passed on to Wilson's three sisters and eventually to him also. He attended Down High School
Down High School
'Down High School, also called DHS and Down High Grammar School, is a controlled co-educational Grammar School located in Downpatrick, County Down, Northern Ireland...
, Downpatrick
Downpatrick
Downpatrick is a medium-sized town about 33 km south of Belfast in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is the county town of Down with a rich history and strong connection to Saint Patrick. It had a population of 10,316 at the 2001 Census...
and later Sullivan Upper School
Sullivan Upper School
Sullivan Upper AddressBelfast RoadHolywoodBT18 9EP Phone 9042 8780 from abroadFax 9042 7644HeadteacherMr C J W Peel, M.A., B.Sc., Dip.A.S.Ed.Vice Principals*Mr. I. Ballantine, B.Sc., M.Ed., P.G.C.E....
in Holywood
Holywood
Holywood is a town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies on the shore of Belfast Lough, between Belfast and Bangor. Holywood Exchange and Belfast City Airport are nearby. The town hosts an annual jazz and blues festival.-Name:...
.
After leaving school and a brief stint with a community arts project in Swindon, England he returned home and played piano for Brian Houston
Brian Houston (musician)
Brian Houston is a singer-songwriter from Belfast, Northern Ireland. His style varies from Christian to roots and mainstream-orientated.-Discography:*Crush *Sex, Love & Religion *Good News Junkie...
(a Belfast songwriter influenced by Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
, Van Morrison
Van Morrison
Van Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely...
, Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen , nicknamed "The Boss," is an American singer-songwriter who records and tours with the E Street Band...
, Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
and Elvis
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
) under whom Wilson apprenticed, picking up a hunger for performing and a knack of winning over an audience in the process. Several band mutations on the musical journey followed and saw Wilson front other acts composed of Belfast musicians but he was yet to hit his stride.
Solo work
In 2002 he went solo, adopting the name Duke Special, and began building up a following as a live performer. He released three EPs on Medieval Haircut Records, the first two of which, Lucky Me and My Villain Heart, were collected as an album, Adventures in GramophoneAdventures in Gramophone
Adventures in Gramophone is an album by the Northern Ireland based artist Duke Special. It was released on Hag Records in 2005 and collects all twelve tracks from two previous EP releases - Lucky Me and My Villain Heart...
, released by Hag Records in 2005. The album was nominated for the 2006 Choice Music Prize
Choice Music Prize
-Establishment:It was established by journalist Jim Carroll and manager Dave Reid in 2005. as an alternative to the industry-dominated Meteor Music Awards. The Choice Music Prize is modelled after the Mercury Prize which is awarded each year to the best album from the United Kingdom or Ireland...
. In 2006 he signed to V2 Records
V2 Records
V2 Records is a record label that is owned by Universal Music Group as of October 2007. The label was founded in 1996 by Richard Branson, five years after he sold Virgin Records to EMI....
and released a second album, Songs from the Deep Forest
Songs from the Deep Forest
Songs from the Deep Forest is an album by Northern Ireland based artist Duke Special. In May 2006 it was released as a limited edition set of six 7" vinyl discs and then re-released as a single CD in October of the same year...
, which was nominated for the 2007 Choice Music Prize. He was nominated for three 2007 Meteor Music Awards
Meteor Music Awards
The Meteor Ireland Music Awards are a group of music awards in Ireland...
, for best Irish male, best newcomer, and best album for Songs from the Deep Forest. A third album, I Never Thought This Day Would Come
I Never Thought This Day Would Come
"I Never Thought This Day Would Come" is the third album by Duke Special, to be released in Ireland by the label Universal Music Ireland on 17 October 2008, and released on soft release in the UK on the 20th October 2008....
, was released in Ireland in October 2008 on Universal
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
, who had acquired V2 in 2007.
He has supported acts such as Crowded House
Crowded House
Crowded House are a rock band, formed in Melbourne, Australia and led by New Zealand singer-songwriter Neil Finn. Finn is the primary songwriter and creative director of the band, having led it through several incarnations, drawing members from New Zealand , Australia and the United States...
, Van Morrison
Van Morrison
Van Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely...
and Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol are an alternative rock band from Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. Formed at the University of Dundee in 1994 as an indie rock band, the band is now based in Glasgow...
, and in 2006 toured Ireland with the Beautiful South
The Beautiful South
The Beautiful South were an English alternative rock group formed at the end of the 1980s by two former members of Hull group The Housemartins, Paul Heaton and Dave Hemingway. The duo were initially joined by Sean Welch , Dave Stead and Dave Rotheray , all of whom stayed with the group throughout...
and Europe with the Divine Comedy
The Divine Comedy (band)
The Divine Comedy are a chamber pop band from Ireland, fronted by Neil Hannon. Formed in 1989, Hannon has been the only constant member of the group, playing, in some instances, all of the non-orchestral instrumentation bar drums. To date, ten studio albums have been released under the Divine...
. In 2007 he headlined a concert with the Ulster Orchestra
Ulster Orchestra
The Ulster Orchestra is a symphony orchestra based in Belfast, the only full-time professional orchestra in Northern Ireland. The orchestra plays the majority of its concerts in Belfast's Ulster Hall and Waterfront Hall...
at Belfast's Waterfront Hall
Waterfront Hall
The Waterfront Hall is a multi-purpose facility, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, designed by local architects' firm Robinson McIlwaine. Practice partner Peter McGukin was the project architect....
, "Orchestral Manoevres". The concert was supported by Julie Feeney and Foy Vance
Foy Vance
Foy Vance is a musician from Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. His first single "Gabriel and the Vagabond" was released on 18 December 2006 on Wurdamouth Records. The single's B-side was "Indiscriminate Act of Kindness"...
, who sang on one of Duke Special's songs, "This Could Be My Last Day". 2007 also saw him perform at Greenbelt festival
Greenbelt festival
Greenbelt Festival is a festival of arts, faith and justice held annually in England since 1974. Greenbelt has grown from a Christian music festival with an audience of 1,500 young Christians to its current more secular festival attended by around 20,000 - Christians and non-Christians.The festival...
, Glastonbury, Guilfest, Summer Sundae, Haldern Festival and the Electric Picnic among others and support Bell X1 on 2 dates; in Malahide Castle
Malahide Castle
Malahide Castle, parts of which date to the 12th century, lies, with over of remaining estate parkland , close to the village of Malahide, nine miles north of Dublin in Ireland.-History:...
, Dublin and also as part of the Live at the Marquee
Live at the Marquee (festival)
Live at the Marquee is an annual music festival which takes place in Cork, Ireland during the summer, usually over multiple days in June and July....
series of concerts in Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
. In 2007 he performed as part of the BBC Electric Proms
BBC Electric Proms
The BBC Radio 2 Electric Proms was an October music festival in London run by the BBC for five years, 2006-2010...
, supporting former Kinks lead singer Ray Davies
Ray Davies
Ray Davies, CBE is an English rock musician. He is best known as lead singer and songwriter for the Kinks, which he led with his younger brother, Dave...
. In 2008 he won the Meteor Music Award for Best Irish Male.
He has also appeared in the Northern Ireland children's television show, "Sesame Tree" with his band, having also written the theme music for the show.
He played Oxegen
Oxegen
Oxegen is an annual music festival in Ireland held since 2004, sponsored by Heineken. As of 2007, 2008, 2009, the festival has been cited as Ireland's biggest music festival. And by 2009, the festival is cited as the greenest festival, being a 100% carbon neutral event in Ireland. It was previously...
on The O2 stage in 2009.
Between September and December 2009 Duke Special and his band appeared on stage at the Royal National Theatre
Royal National Theatre
The Royal National Theatre in London is one of the United Kingdom's two most prominent publicly funded theatre companies, alongside the Royal Shakespeare Company...
in London as part of a new production of Bertolt Brecht
Bertolt Brecht
Bertolt Brecht was a German poet, playwright, and theatre director.An influential theatre practitioner of the 20th century, Brecht made equally significant contributions to dramaturgy and theatrical production, the latter particularly through the seismic impact of the tours undertaken by the...
's play Mother Courage and Her Children
Mother Courage and Her Children
Mother Courage and Her Children is a play written in 1939 by the German dramatist and poet Bertolt Brecht with significant contributions from Margarete Steffin...
, for which he wrote music for a number of songs. The production was directed by Deborah Warner
Deborah Warner
Deborah Warner CBE is a British director of theatre and opera known for her interpretations of the works of Shakespeare, Bertolt Brecht, Georg Büchner, and Henrik Ibsen, and for her long-term working relationship with the Irish actress Fiona Shaw.-Early years:Warner was born in Oxfordshire,...
and starred Fiona Shaw
Fiona Shaw
Fiona Shaw, CBE is an Irish actress and theatre director. Although to international audiences she is probably most familiar for her minor role as Petunia Dursley in the Harry Potter films, she is an accomplished classical actress...
in the title role.
In January 2010 Duke launched a campaign on Pledge Music (see Fan-funded music) whereby fans pledged for items to help fund the promotion and touring of his triple CD, The Stage, A Book & The Silver Screen (comprising Mother Courage and Her Children, The Silent World of Hector Mann and Huckleberry Finn).
Played at the last night of the proms for the BBC at Hillsborough castle.
Early Work
- Time Is Right EP as Booley House (1996)
- Lemonade as Booley House (Contraflow, 1997)
- Bathroom FloorBathroom FloorBathroom Floor is an album record by the Northern Ireland based artist Booley, now known as Duke Special. The record was released on Medieval Haircut Records in 1999.-Track listing:#Bathroom Floor#Tesco Queen#Alright#My Little Glory#Day After Disaster...
as Booley (Medieval Haircut/ICC, 1999) - Garçon PamplemousseGarçon PamplemousseGarçon Pamplemousse is an album by the Northern Ireland based band Benzine Headset. It was released on Medieval Haircut Records in 2001. The lead singer, Peter Wilson, went on to record under the name Duke Special, re-recording two songs Freewheel and Kill Me Quickly for the Lucky Me EPAs Duke...
as Benzine Headset (Medieval Haircut, 2001)
Albums
- Adventures in GramophoneAdventures in GramophoneAdventures in Gramophone is an album by the Northern Ireland based artist Duke Special. It was released on Hag Records in 2005 and collects all twelve tracks from two previous EP releases - Lucky Me and My Villain Heart...
(Hag, 2005) (collects the EPs Lucky Me and My Villain Heart) - Songs from the Deep ForestSongs from the Deep ForestSongs from the Deep Forest is an album by Northern Ireland based artist Duke Special. In May 2006 it was released as a limited edition set of six 7" vinyl discs and then re-released as a single CD in October of the same year...
(Izumi - Vinyl / V2 - CD, 2006 / V2 Special Edition CD, 2007)http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7308876 - Orchestral Manoeuvres In BelfastOrchestral Manoeuvres In BelfastOrchestral Manoeuvres in Belfast is a 2008 Duke Special live album.The concert of the same name was held on May 3, 2007 at the Waterfront Hall, featuring Special with the Ulster Orchestra.-Track listing:#Overture#Brixton Leaves...
(V2, 2008) - I Never Thought This Day Would ComeI Never Thought This Day Would Come"I Never Thought This Day Would Come" is the third album by Duke Special, to be released in Ireland by the label Universal Music Ireland on 17 October 2008, and released on soft release in the UK on the 20th October 2008....
(Universal, 2008)http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/hvn8 - Little RevolutionsLittle RevolutionsLittle Revolutions is a 2009 compilation album by Duke Special, collecting 18 rarities, including b-sides, covers and live recordings. It is available on its own or as part of the 5 Nights at the Empire Belfast Box Set.-Track listing:...
(Reel to Reel Recordings, 2009) - Mother Courage and Her ChildrenMother Courage and Her Children (album)Mother Courage and her Children is a 2010 album by Duke Special, featuring the songs he wrote and performed for the National Theatre's 2009 production of Berthold Brecht's play Mother Courage and Her Children...
(Reel to Reel Recordings, 2010) - The Silent World of Hector MannThe Silent World of Hector MannThe Silent World of Hector Mann is a 2010 album by Duke Special, featuring songs inspired by the character of Hector Mann from Paul Auster's 2002 novel The Book of Illusions, each song inspired by one of the silent movies the character appeared in, written by Special or a songwriter of his...
(Reel to Reel Recordings, 2010) - Little Revolutions Two (Reel to Reel Recordings, 2011)
EPs
- Lucky Me EP Medieval Haircut Records 2002
- My Villain Heart EP Medieval Haircut Records 2004
- Your Vandal EPYour Vandal EPYour Vandal is an EP by the Northern Ireland based artist Duke Special. The record was released on Hag Records in 2005, and features seven tracks.-Track listing:#"Worst at the Best of Times" - 3:48#"Portrait" - 3:05#"John Lennon Love" - 3:31...
Hag Records 2005 - Huckleberry Finn EPHuckleberry Finn EPHuckleberry Finn is a 2010 EP by Duke Special, featuring songs composed by Kurt Weill with lyrics by Maxwell Anderson from an unfinished musical based on Mark Twain's novel Adventures of Huckleberry Finn...
Reel to Reel Recordings 2009
Singles
- "FreewheelFreewheel (single)"Freewheel" is a single by Northern Ireland based artist Duke Special, released as a limited edition 10" vinyl disc in 2005, and a CD single in 2007. Freewheel is a new version of a song originally released on the Benzine Headset album Garçon Pamplemousse...
" (Hag / Izumi Records, 2005) - "PortraitPortrait (single)"Portrait" is a single by Belfast-based singer-songwriter Duke Special, released on 7 August 2006 on V2 Records and taken from the album Songs from the Deep Forest. It was released in two formats, a CD and a limited edition 10" vinyl record...
" (V2, 2006) - "Last Night I Nearly Died (But I Woke Up Just in Time)Last Night I Nearly Died (But I Woke Up Just in Time)"Last Night I Nearly Died " is a single by Belfast-based singer-songwriter Duke Special, released on 16 October 2006 on V2 Records and taken from the album Songs from the Deep Forest...
" (V2, 2006) - "Wake Up Scarlett" (V2, 2006) (iTunes download only)
- "FreewheelFreewheel (single)"Freewheel" is a single by Northern Ireland based artist Duke Special, released as a limited edition 10" vinyl disc in 2005, and a CD single in 2007. Freewheel is a new version of a song originally released on the Benzine Headset album Garçon Pamplemousse...
" (V2, 2007) IRE #15 - "Last Night I Nearly Died (But I Woke Up Just in Time)Last Night I Nearly Died (But I Woke Up Just in Time)"Last Night I Nearly Died " is a single by Belfast-based singer-songwriter Duke Special, released on 16 October 2006 on V2 Records and taken from the album Songs from the Deep Forest...
" (V2, 2007) - "Our Love Goes Deeper Than This" (V2, 2007) (featuring Neil HannonNeil HannonNeil Hannon is a Northern Irish singer and songwriter, best known as the creator and frontman of the chamber pop group The Divine Comedy. The band's official website even goes so far as to say, "The Divine Comedy is Neil Hannon," and Hannon is quoted in an interview as saying, "The Divine Comedy...
and Romeo Stodart, download only) - "No Cover Up" (V2, 2007)
- "Sweet Sweet KissesSweet Sweet KissesSweet Sweet Kisses is the first single from Duke Special’s third album “I Never Thought This Day Would Come”. It was released on the 17th of October on Universal Music Ireland. The song was written by Duke Special and the albums producer Paul Pilot...
" (Universal Music, 2008)
Other contributions
- One (Myrrh, 2000) - "Peace Has Broken Out" - duet with Moya BrennanMoya BrennanMoya Brennan, born Máire Ní Bhraonáin , also known as Máire Brennan , is an Irish folk singer, songwriter, harpist, and philanthropist who began performing professionally in 1970, when her family formed the band Clannad, and is now widely considered as the "First Lady of Celtic Music"...
- New Irish HymnsNew Irish HymnsNew Irish Hymns is the first in a series of themed albums created and produced by Keith Getty. This album features vocalists Máire Brennan, Margaret Becker and Joanne Hogg performing songs by Keith Getty and others...
(Kingsway, 2001) / In Christ Alone (USA title - Worship Together, 2002) - backing vocals under real name Peter Wilson - Margaret BeckerMargaret BeckerMargaret Becker is an American Christian rock singer, guitarist, and songwriter. She has had twenty-one No. 1 Christian radio hits, won four Dove Awards, and been nominated for four Grammy Awards.-Biography:...
, Máire Brennan, Joanne HoggJoanne HoggJoanne Hogg is an Irish singer and songwriter for the band Iona.-Biography:Hogg was born in Ballymena, Northern Ireland and is best known as the lead singer and songwriter with the Christian progressive Celtic/pop/rock band Iona . Her father is a Presbyterian minister, her mother a nurse; her... - Acoustic 07Acoustic 07Acoustic 07 is a 2-disc compilation album, released under V2 Records in the United Kingdom on March 12, 2007. The collection is the seventh of V2 Records' popular Acoustic series.-Track listing:Disc 1#"Lovestain", performed by José González...
(V2, 2007) - "This Could Be My Last Day" - Ceol '09 - "Tochailt Uaighe go Róluath" (a version of "Digging an Early Grave" in the Irish language)
- Theatre production of Mother Courage and her ChildrenMother Courage and Her ChildrenMother Courage and Her Children is a play written in 1939 by the German dramatist and poet Bertolt Brecht with significant contributions from Margarete Steffin...
2009 at the National Theatre
External links
- Official site
- Official Profile on MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
- V2 Records site
- Izumi Records site
- Duke Special interview, review and photos on Record Overplayed webzine
- Duke Special interview on twistedear.com
- 5 Nights at the Empire DVD review
- FREE Duke Special Session Download
- Duke Special PR in Ireland
- Duke Special review at Daily Music Guide