THE GULLEY FLATS BOYS

Francis Dunnery is known as the former frontman of IT BITES, then as an independant pop rock singer, always on the fringe of Prog, frequent collaborator of quite a few big names (won't repeat his bio, have a look up). I've listen to a number of his solos, always found some interesting things, yet never managed to be enthusiastic as a whole. Then i stumbled on this one, quite lately, as i was searching within two discographies, first one being Dorie Jackson (daughter of Dave of VDGG fame) a frequent Dunnery's collaborator. For the second one, words will follow soon...

First of all, this record is the ultimate one for those who thought they knew all about Dunnery. Not really proggier, yet very different. In a word, the unplugged one, but yet there's more.

Reduced as a trio, as Dorie is the congruent part with light back vocals, Francis is doing nearly all, knowing he is a more than competent guitarist and producer. All but the keys and ivories. And here is the ace, at least for me.

I'm a sucker for all things David Sancious. Need a bio? Springsteen E Street band, Stanley Clarke, Narada Michael Walden first album Garden Of Love Light where he is omnipresent, Jack Bruce, Jon Anderson's Animation, Peter Gabriel, Sting, and on an on, just to stay within Prog confine. Add to this that his solo discography is grossly underestimated. Forest of Feelings, DS and Tone, Just as I Thought (a personal favorite), The Bridge, are part of what's best on the western front of prog fusion music. Here, on this occasion, he's not stealing the show, that's not the purpose, even if the music takes the form of a conversation between him and Dunnery. Light parts, small embellishments, short solos, in equal parts using synthesizers and acoustic piano; all's done with gusto and restraint. Yet a fan ( like me) will recognize is sound at once. And The Gulley Flats Boys being a double cd set, there's much to enjoy.

But i'd be very impolite not to give the main credit to the master of ceremony. This is a sort of mid life (crisis?) and career stand point of reflection for him. Lyrics are quite personal and intimate. His voice and singing, so nicely suited by this filtered and epured sound, had never sounded better to me. At the end, this is the one Dunnery record that i won't shuffle or wouldn't retire any piece of. Have to listen to it as a whole.

This is part of my pleasure to write these small recensions on this site. I'm not english speaking, words are often difficult to find and just sometime don't give credit, both to my thinking and the artist work. But unburying these little treasures, often being the first one, more than value the hard work, at least to me. Give it a chance.

As a post script, i'm in the discovering of his "Vampires" album, all reprises of his former It Bites' band songs. Could well be added to the "don't shuffle ones"...