Artist:     Emily Duff

Album:     Hallelujah Hello

Label:     Self-Released

Release Date:     2.22.2019

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Extraordinary musical gifts sometimes come to us from unlikely places.  Emily Duff, who hails from Queens, NY, earned her creative pedigree not only on the streets of New York City but also in Muscle Shoals, Alabama and several storied places in between.

Hallelujah Hello is a rich musical gift from Emily Duff that music aficionados will appreciate and enjoy and is reflective of her varied stints that include handling lead vocals for Gary Lucas’ Gods & Monsters (after Jeff Buckley), as well as sharing stages with the likes of Willie Nile, Steve Earle, Shawn Colvin and Marcia Ball.

Hallelujah Hello, Duff’s third album, recorded at the legendary Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, perfectly blends a soul pleasing array of musical genres and showcases her unique and gut-wrenching songwriting talents. Produced by Fame Studios engineer John Gifford III, the twelve songs artfully blend Duff’s powerful vocals with superior contributions from 17 gifted musicians.

“Get In The Water,” “Jesus Love This Tired Woman,” “Trust The Lord,” and “Heaven Is Where I’m Bound” are moving Gospel songs, with inspirational background vocals from Marie Lewey and Cindy Walker, who are better known as The Shoals Sisters.

“Hallelujah Hello,” the title track, shows off Duff’s wide-ranging vocal prowess, while “Loved Blues,” “You, You, You” and “You Better Believe” show a marked Etta James influence. There are passionate sax and keyboard fills from Brad Guin and the masterful Clayton Ivey, while Wayne Bridge of Flying Burrito Brothers fame deftly adds dobro and pedal steel guitar. Both Will McFarlane and Kelvin Holly’s guitar work brings the magically rich sound full circle.

—Howard B. Leibowitz