Classic Rock Society
Written by Martin Hudson
On forming the society I found that many of the early society members had never really heard of It Bites and I found that incredible. They had been missing the wonderful talent of a certain Francis Dunnery fronting a great band. Unfortunately, as is happening with certain bands at the present, things sisn't work out after three great albums and some great live shows.
Tonight we saw what the world of Rock music has been missing for the last few years, that is apart from his imported solo albums. From the first moment Dunnery stepped on stage he became the hero and was worshipped by an audience at the venue that was full to overflowing. His rapport with his fans is second to none and as previously mentioned in a previous review by Mathew O'Grady, Frank walked on to stage and announced, "good evening, my name is Francis Dunnery and I'm an alcoholic". Perched on a stool with his acoustic guitar he was mirrored to his right for the most of the evening by Ashley, a poet from Harrogate. To franks left was a table containing mineral water, an electric kettle full of water, a cup, milk etc with which he later mashed a cup of tea and demonstrated how a kettle could sing. All this to emphasise him being an alcoholic.
What about the music you ask? Well Dunnery is a wonderful guitarist as well as a great vocalist and his wasted talent was none more apparent than on 'Feel like Kissing You Again' a song he wrote after attending his father's funeral about 4 years ago. This had a raucous audience taken to 110 percent attention and silence before he gave us 'Heartache Reborn' from his first solo album 'Welcome to the Wild Country'.
The evening had started with frank, wearing an Aran jumper about three sizes too big for him, chatting away causing one punter to tell him to 'Get on with it', Frank replied 'this is it, I am getting on with it'. All audience particaption was very much part of the evening and something that Dunnery encourages and is well able to handle. The first song came from the latest album 'Fearless' being 'Homegrown' and was quickly followed by 'American Life in the Summertime' from the same album.
Ashley, on the other acoustic guitar, acts almost as a stooge at times for some of Dunnery's guitar pranks as he encourages Ashley to have a go at some guitar licks. Unfortunately Ashley didn't quite make the mark and so Frank pleased the throng with some familiar instrumental sections.
Highlight of the evening for me was the last song 'Still Too Young to Remember' which had one and all singing along and then all too quickly it was over with no encore, much demanded by the crowd. This could have been due to the licensing laws but if it was it certainly puts the whole entertainment thing in perspective as on leaving the venue, music was pouring out of the bars and clubs all over Leeds. This has been a special night for me and a special night for all Dunnery fans at The Duchess on this eveing. Let's hope it isn't long before Francis Dunnery treads the boards in the UK again.