Mercy Mercy Me...

The one they're calling the "new first lady of soul" is blonde.

If Brigitte Bardot and Julie Christie somehow had a
love child, her name would be Duffy.

Britain's latest soul-chart topper is a Welsh sensation

with two hit singles, "Mercy" and "Rockferry" from

Duffy's debut album, Rockferry.

The Welsh songwriter/singer was inspired early on

by her father's old videotapes of a 1960's Brit-pop/rock

show, Ready Steady Go! A few gigs in jazz and blues clubs

later, Duffy is now prominent amongst the rankings of

what The Times termed in December 2007 as

the "new Amy's" (In reference to Amy Winehouse).

Duffy's single, "Mercy" went straight to number one in

the UK charts in February.

It is not just the "Aretha-ness" that she shares with

Amy Winehouse, her real name is Aimee and

if hair is everything, Duffy's Bardot coif is bombshell.

Here's hoping no rehab.