Artist: Cuff The Duke, Album: Cuff The Duke, Song: I Really Want To Help You

"I really want to help you, let you feel free.  But I haven't much hope left and I'm saving it for me."  Cuff The Duke are a rock band from Oshawa, Ontario originally.  They are Wayne Petti, Paul Lowman, Dale Murray and Corey Wood.  Their sound might be described as country rock or perhaps Americana if I were to reach for a label.  They released their indie debut in 2002 which garnered them some critical acclaim and led to a deal with Hayden's label, Hardwood Records.  They would actually tour North America as Hayden's backing band and played shows with Feist and Blue Rodeo.  They are a tremendously hard working band who have released albums at a torrid pace since their inception.  To date they have five albums and their most recent; released in 2011, is the first album of a two part series.  Lead singer and principle songwriter, Wayne Petti has also released a solo album and some of the members have played and recorded with The Hylozoists.  Their self titled album was actually their sophomore release and it includes this great track, I Really Want To Help You.  You can check it out on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sdQHIm58h4).  The band was nominated for their first Juno in 2010 for Adult Alternative Album Of The Year.  Unfortunately, they lost out to Joel Plaskett (see blog 9/5/10).  The band's latest release was produced by Blue Rodeo's Greg Keelor and you can follow the band at http://www.cufftheduke.ca/.  You can purchase the album, Cuff The Duke, on Itunes.  Thanks for reading and enjoy!