Bryan Duncan

Item: Blue Skies
Author: Ed Rock

Blue Skies

(1996)

Reviewed by Ed Rock

Discogs Apple Music TIDAL Amazon Music Spotify YouTube Music

Label MyrrhThe LighthouseApril 1997

adult contemporary r&b soul

A little too slick was my initial reaction to Blue Skies, the tenth solo effort from former Sweet Comfort Band member Bryan Duncan. That's usually not a good sign, but in this case, the album gets better with each listening. Don't get me wrong, this is a solid AC release that should see lots of action on the Christian AC and CHR charts, but there's more to it than just radio-ready smooth tunes. The sound immediately reminds one of Slow Revival, then the pleasant subtleties of the production start to come into focus.

Thanks to tasty playing and track co-arrangements from Tim Pierce (who's played for mainstream artists from Rick Springfield to Third Matinee, Toy Matinee, Cock Robin, and Peter Kingsberry), guitar is more than accompaniment on Blue Skies-it's nearly enough reason alone to purchase the album. But great playing doesn't end there. At times, this record hearkens back to the Sweet Comfort Band sound around the late '70s, and with good reason. Bob Wilson, producer of SCB's Breakin' The Ice and leader of legendary jazz band Seawind (as well as The Front and What If) lends his hand to drums and arranges horns-played by no less than some former Seawind horn section members!

Rounding out the rhythmic cast are bassist Jimmie Lee Sloas-former Imperial and now half of the duo Dogs of Peace-and long time Christian and mainstream keyboard presence, Alan Pasqua. Hats off to producer Dan Posthuma for gathering this cast together and directing a project that will please a wide variety of folks.

With a stellar crew like this, Duncan could have relied on everyone else to carry the load, but doesn't. If not shown off quite as much on efforts like Anonymous Confessions Of A Lunatic Friend, his voice is in great form, and as always is a pleasure to listen to; his trademark phrasing and emotion are ever evident.

Duncan doesn't just sing, though. He's writer or co-writer on ten of the eleven cuts, and there are some real gems among them. Among the most memorable are "Joy Is A Singable Thing," "One Touch Away," and "After This Day Is Gone." "Joy Is A Singable Thing" has that good timing, fun Bryan Duncan feel like "Mercy" and "Ain't No Stopping Now" from my favorites Mercy and Anonymous Confessions Of A Lunatic Friend and the great line, "Don't wanna lose it tryin' to figure it out." (Tim Pierce's guitar is especially nice on this tune.)

"One Touch Away" is a great shuffle, or what we in the Carolinas call beach music-not to be confused with surf and drag, closer to Motown or Memphis soul. It's a happy tune with great scratch guitar and soulful horns.

The intro to "After This Day Is Gone" made me think maybe Duncan had decided to cover Tears For Fears' "Everybody Wants To Rule The World." Later on, I was sure I'd heard it before, but it wasn't Tears For Fears. Turns out Bryan re-wrote a tune from Brent Bourgeois' former cohort, Larry Tagg's solo project. It's a mid-tempo tune that really showcases Duncan's singing and phrasing.

Blue Skies may at first seem a little too smooth, and certainly isn't aimed at grunge fans, but ages really well and draws from a vast supply of talent in every area. It proves adult contemporary doesn't have to be boring. Looks like Bryan Duncan's forecast is for blue skies ahead.