Grainne Duffy’s “What Am I Supposed To Do”: An Ambitious and Soulful Blues-Rock Collection
Introduction: A Bold New Chapter for Grainne Duffy
Grainne Duffy’s sixth studio album What Am I Supposed To Do is her most ambitious and complete album to date. Following the success of 2023’s Dirt Woman Blues, which topped the Roots Music Report charts for seven consecutive weeks, the Irish artist’s new album is an austere and compelling collection of original music and cover songs that somehow seems timely while simultaneously remaining deeply rooted in the blues rock sound of the 1970’s.
Production and Musicianship
Co-produced by Justin Stanley (Sheryl Crow, Eric Clapton) and Marc Ford (former member of the Black Crowes), What Am I Supposed To Do was recorded at 64 Sound Studio in Los Angeles. The album features a stellar lineup of musicians including drummer Kenny Aronoff (John Mellencamp, John Fogerty, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan), bassist Jørgen Carlsson (Gov’t Mule), keyboardist Peter Levin (Gregg Allman, Marcus King, Aaron Neville, Ringo Starr), and guitarists Paul Sherry (Duffy’s husband and longtime collaborator) and Marc Ford.
Opening Track: “Early In The Morning”
The powerful “Early In The Morning” opens the album with a level of confidence that establishes the mood for the entire project. Equally gritty and soulful, the song is an energetic rocker with blistering guitars and an infectious groove that marks it as one of the standout tracks.
Central Theme: The Title Track
The title track, “What Am I Supposed To Do,” is the emotional heart of the album, exploring the tension and frustration of a troubled relationship in an increasingly chaotic world. Built around a driving guitar riff, the song is not new to Duffy’s repertoire, having previously appeared on her 2015 live album, but the version presented here is more polished and complete.
Themes of Love, Loss, and Perseverance
Throughout the album, Duffy explores themes of love, loss, and perseverance. Songs such as “Streets of Love,” “Tearing Me Apart,” and “Hurts Just the Same” showcase her ability to combine raw emotion with hook-filled melodies and masterful arrangements. Her voice is clearly her greatest asset – rich, raspy, and expressive – an instrument capable of conveying both resilience and heartbreak.
Cover Songs: “Tragedy” and “Need Your Love So Bad”
“Tragedy” is a beautiful cover of a Peter Wolf song. Like the original, the song is a duet, here with Duffy’s husband and guitarist Paul Sherry (the original featured Shelby Lynne). Their vocal styles, while similarly gritty, complement each other perfectly. A slow-burning ballad, the arrangement is rich but never overbearing, telling the story of regrets about failings in a relationship but vowing continued devotion.
The true highlight of the album is Duffy’s interpretation of the old Little Willie John tune “Need Your Love So Bad.” Strongly influenced by the Peter Green-era Fleetwood Mac version, it nonetheless maintains its own unique qualities, unfolding slowly and emotionally. The mournful guitar riff blends seamlessly with Duffy’s voice, creating a simmering rendition of a blues classic that is both personal and heartfelt.
The Album’s Unique Balance and Final Impressions
What makes What Am I Supposed To Do particularly enjoyable is its pinpoint balance between blues, soul, and rock. The album embraces the warmth and grit of the classic blues-rock framework without becoming trapped in retro imitation. Duffy’s songwriting on the original tracks is honest, her performances are consistently spell-binding, and the engineering allows the songs to breathe, avoiding the overproduction characteristic of a lot of other contemporary music.
Coming in at just under thirty minutes in length, the record never overstays its welcome, leaving listeners wanting more rather than less.
