Becky Duke @ Borders
By Spencer BaylesThere's a lot to be said for matching a performer with the perfect venue. Last time I saw Becky Duke was a couple of weeks ago at the Royal Park, and despite putting on a wonderful show, the often noisy in-crowd banter couldn't help but detract from the intimacy in the music. In trying to win over the audience, her nervous between-song laughter merely highlighted the thought she would perhaps rather be elsewhere.
Which is why the cafe in Borders was always going to be a better prospect for catching this rising star of the folk scene in a more relaxed and intimate environment. The first thing that struck me was how, without the need to make herself heard over drunken punters, she seemed a lot more relaxed, and ready to give her all.
While her album remains a beautifully crafted, well-produced ensemble effort, the stripped down live line-up of Becky on vocals and Bruce Knapp on guitar places the songs in stark contrast to their recorded counterparts. Which is certainly no bad thing, when the songs are as beautiful as 'It's The Way' or 'The Sweetest Love'. An occasional cover is added to the set, perhaps to vary the proceedings, or perhaps to show just how well the original material on display stands up amongst that of Becky's songwriting heroes and contemporaries. Covers include Beth Orton's 'Someone's Daughter', and Shawn Colvin's arrangement of the Police classic 'Every Little Thing He Does Is Magic.' To her own credit, it's fair to say that in another place and time, Becky's own 'Like It Like This' (the title track to her album) could well be a huge hit single.
In Bruce Knapp, Becky Duke has one of the finest guitarists I've ever had the pleasure to watch. His mastery of the guitar, intricate and yet never over-the-top, lays the foundations for Becky's often-lovelorn lyrics. The pair are touring the country at the moment - if you get the chance to go and see them, make it a priority.
