Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10
There is an aura of the prolific, of almost inexhaustible abundance when it comes to Francis Dunnery’s career. Certainly when a listener takes in his output of solo recordings and then weighs them up in time honoured fashion against his fantastic live sets, it is enough to leave you dizzy and overwhelmingly impressed with his work ethic.
The last night of his latest tour, a return to his natural setting in a venue he obviously relishes performing in, saw the crowd at the Robin 2 in Bilston treated to a night of blistering music with more than a few flourishes of the Progressive that many take great pleasure in. Francis Dunnery and the band were never going to give anything other than a night in which fans would demand to have replayed over and over again.
His latest album, Frankenstein Monster was the main area in which Francis, Jamie Bishop, Michael Cassidy and the superb Tony Beard on drums focused upon but it was fitting on a night in which his brother was remembered with almost great reverence that he opened up the track Whoever Bought Me Here. From the off the music was tantalisingly extensive and served to sate the appetites of all who wanted the close enveloping feel to be thrust upon them.
That feeling of compassion, of music being the soothing beast in which to wallow and ask if it would like to be hugged was captured in the very electric warmth of tracks such as Marijuana Make Those Eyes At Me For, Yam, Big Fine Lad, the superb Leaving The Depot, the highly enjoyable I’ve Been Evil, the humour driven Ho Ho Your Sandwiches and the beautiful 17 Fires Of Love.
It’s not surprising to find the feeling of mutual admiration runs through the very heart of the relationship between Francis Dunnery, The Robin and the very vocal audience who had made their way to the venue in Bilston. Mr Dunnery’s soul seems to seep out from the very walls of the music setting and influences and inspires his audience to be as vocal in their responses to him, it is as if he leaves a little bit of his life to grow strength and encourage others to feel as moved by the intricate Progressive style tones and words as he does.
Once more Francis Dunnery supplied a great night of music and who seems to revel in the sewing together of intricate songs and set lists and whose music has absolute joyful and monstrous appeal to all.
Ian D. Hall