Customer Reviews

Tall Blonde Helicopter

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This isn't just a die-hard fan pumping up a mediocre record here. "Tall Blonde Helicopter" is a criminally underrated, ignored album -- something likely to get lost in the deluge of crap that record companies are dumping into the record stores these days. I listen to a lot of records -- I review them for a living -- and this one still ranks near the top. I've turned all my friends on to this gem. Buy it, borrow it, steal it ... It's a classic.

Francis' CD TALL BLONDE HELICOPTER takes no time to get ya! From the opening power chord chunk and vocal of 48 hours, you are hooked. It's all over! Great songwriting, his arrangements go from so simple and basic to grand diossio (sic). Raw and very emotional, this CD should be on the list of everyone's MUST HAVE. I first heard Francis from my being a JETHRO TULL collector. He released a cover version of LIVING IN THE PAST. I listened to the rest of the promo CD and loved it. FEARLESS is also a very strong contender in more of a modern R 'n B style. TALL BLONDE HELICOPTER has a bit more of a guitaristic approach. LET'S GO SEE is a fine release but seemed to take a little time to see where he's goin with it and would not be a recommendation for a first time FRANCIS DUNNERY fan. I don't know much about earlier stuff ( IT BITES/ROBERT PLANT) but would love to hear some. There is a live UK only release I would love to hear also! Well once more, this CD is a MUST HAVE for any fan of music. Go to India to look on top!

Francis Dunnery's music should be heard by all. He writes such amazing songs, it is a shame he is not on the radio. If you have not heard of Francis Dunnery, please give his music a listen too. You will find yourself singing along with it very, very soon. His music is THAT good. Check out "Let's go do what happens" and "Fearless" also.

I came across thsi album by chance in a record store in LA during a short trip back in '95 or so. Dunnery has created a masterpiece that he will probably never equal or at least surpass. This is at the same time soulfull, poetic, and edgy. A comparison with Dylan is appropriate, although I feel that Dunnery's music here is more approachable and perhaps more honest. He has an expressive voice and the songs are unusual and smart, without being over contrived. Most of them slide down into the brain effortlessly. His guitar playing is fine too. His "Father & Son" is actually better than Cat Stevens'. "Too Much Saturn" is one of my favorite songs ever.

Along with the first Spacehog album, Supernova, Southern Culture on the Skids' Dirt Track Race, and Big Audio's P-Funk, this album formed the core of my last college year soundtrack. I was lucky enough to stumble into writing for Temple News, via its entertainment section. So I got lotsof bands and albums I may have never gotten (oh, yeah... Siberia is great, too). Anyway, "I Believe" and "48 Hours" are two of the best here, but that's only two amongst a full album of great tracks.

All I can say is Wow! I first heard this album back in 1996 while working at a radio station, a year after its release and fell in love with it. "Sunshine" and "Too Much Saturn" are my favorites. I've heard a lot of music and this ranks in my top 25. A classic

Francis Dunnery was IT BITES lead singer and guitarist.His voice and his guitar work are very unique, once you've heard him you can't miss him.
Dunnery solo is far from the albums he recorded with IT BITES, the melodies and the songwritting have taken over the prog-rock of It Bites.Dunnery is showing another side of his talent, he's a great singer a great composer but now also a great songwritter and arranger.
Hard to define, I would put this album in the intelligent (not artsy fartsy!)heavy pop rock category-That's new isn't it?Francis Dunnery also toured with Robert Plant for his Fate of Nations tour.

Heard the song "In My Dreams" on the radio a few years ago -- otherwise I never would have found this gem of a recording. I picked up "Tall Blonde Helicopter" and was impressed at the quality of Dunnery's songwriting, performance, and production. Other highlights: "Too Much Saturn" (hilarious), "Rain or Shine", "Only New York Going On," and a very nice cover of "Father and Son." BTW, I also saw Dunnery live at a club in Burlington VT a couple of years ago, and he was fantastic!

i cant add too much to what the others before me have said......Francis is the Man

Francis Dunnery takes his listener to new realms with his orignal cuts on Tall Blonde Helicopter. The music stands on its own ... add his lyrics -- a mix of words that comment on the human race as we know it (sometimes as only Dunnery knows it) -- and the result inspires soul searching and humor. He's strong on the guitar and his voice is clear. "Too Much Saturn" is a favorite as is "I Believe I Can Change My World" -- both give the listener something to think about while tapping their toes and swaying their hips. His remake of Cat Stevens' "Father and Son" sounds new ... something the "kids" of the '90s will like. Tall Blonde Helicopter is Dunnery's break ... and proves his talent has grown and is growing.