Description
Anonymous Confessions of a Lunatic Friend is the fifth studio album by the American singer and songwriter Bryan Duncan, formerly lead singer of Sweet Comfort Band, released on Myrrh Records in October 1990, a division of Word. The album was produced by Dan Posthuma. Featuring a re-recording of “I Love You With My Life”, a song Duncan wrote and originally recorded on Sweet Comfort Band’s Breakin’ the Ice, an album released in 1978.
Bryan Duncan has done more for the term “Christian entertainment” than many of his contemporaries. In a business that has a history of interpreting seriousness as a weather gauge for ministerial integrity, Duncan taught a very needy congregation to lighten up, laugh at itself, and yes, even dance. However, all his self-deprecating humor and off-beat style began to have its toll, as Duncan was becoming a caricature of himself instead of presenting his fine musicianship in a context where it could be taken seriously. ‘Strong Medicine‘ saw Duncan continuing in his R&B/jazz flavored style, but with the exception of a few tunes, Duncan played it safe, utilizing the same producer, musicians, and techniques as his previous albums.
All of that is a thing of the past, as ‘Anonymous Confessions of a Lunatic Friend’ shows what can be achieved when an artist is given the creative environment to grow. Producer Dan Posthuma has welcomed Duncan to the Myrrh label with a first rate collection of studio players for this project: Michael Omartian, Dann Huff, Nathan East, Bob Carlisle, Bill Batstone, and the L.A. Mass Choir – long way from the econo-band days. And Duncan’s voice never sounded better – both confident and crazy, he is the captain of this trip and is clearly enjoying the ride.
Fine tuning his R&B style and humorous looks at the human condition, Duncan has crafted an album that shows growth and depth in his music, performance, and lyrical developement. To say that he has grown up musically would be inaccurate. Actually, it appears that Duncan has changed his musical perspective. Instead at laughing at him in his musical rants, we are laughing with him, and the poignancy of his ballads comes from shared emotions rather than calculated melodrama.
Duncan jumps from the gate with «Sunday Go To Meetin’», a black-gospel flavored romp that sets the pace for the project. «Leave Your Light on For Me» shows off a mature, warm, pop-flavored sound that is neither trite or calculated, while «All is Forgiven» shows another facet of Duncan’s developed songwriting. “I’m in need… only too proud to admit it/ I’ve had my disappointments… I’ve had enough time to resent it/ I’ve been accused myself… I guess sometimes they’re right/ I think about all the things that might have been… old rumors refuse to die.”
Lest all this seem too serious, Duncan turns on the humor with «Lunatic Friend». Wild, witty, and slightly off-centered, this tune combines all the best of Duncan’s unmistakable energy, and ability to laugh at himself. «Mr. Bailey’s Daughter» continues in this vein and is probably one of the best stories to find itself on an album in years.
It looks like Bryan Duncan has finally found a home at Myrrh that knows what to do with this multi-talented, multi-personality individual. ‘Anonymous Confessions of a Lunatic Friend’ may be the beginning of a beautiful relationship. [Kathleen A. Ervin, CCM, November 1990]
The album kicks off with some soulful, almost-gospel organ before the band kicks in with a foot stomping slice of blue-eyed funk about the joys of havin’ church, called «Sunday Go To Meetin». Boy sure can sing – a bit like a rootsier Daryl Hall. The horns on «Ain’t No Stoppin Now» are positively Muscle Shoals, and backing vocals on «We All Need» come courtesy of the LA Mass Choir, so it’s clear that he’s into black music in a big way. Lyrically he comes to grips with some of the contradictions and hypocrisies of church life, detailing the delights of growing up as a preacher’s kid in a US Pentecostal Church on the rap «Mr. Bailey’s Daughter». “Like most people over the years/ I got used to the pressure/ of saying and doing all the right things/ whether I believed it or not/ because if I didn’t, I had the largest gathering of elderly ladies/ Ever to act upon their moral obligation/ To report everything I ever said or did.” Like Jon Gibson, he’s not afraid to sing about his own weaknesses and failures as well as the positive aspects of his faith. He’s as at home taking apart the real drive behind his motivations as he is deconstructing music styles. A cast of great session men and a hot production from Dan Posthuma give this an “A” grade. Honest Christian music that grooves! [James Attlee, Cross Rhythms, June 1991]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/anonymous-confessions-of-a-lunatic-friend/1167743089)
CD tracklist:
01. Sunday Go To Meetin’ – 4:23
02. Ain’t No Stoppin’ Now – 4:05
03. Leave Your Light On (Hopeless Moon) – 4:28
04. We All Need – 3:27
05. Lunatic Friend – 4:24
06. All Is Forgiven – 4:21
07. Puttin’ In The Good Word – 4:23
08. Walkin’ – 4:12
09. Mr. Bailey’s Daughter – 4:03
10. Blessed Are The Tears – 4:30
11. I Love You With My Life – 4:40
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by Myrrh Records. Re-issue on CD by Myrrh Records in 1997.
Bryan Duncan Radio Special (1991, Myrrh Records).
CREDITS. Produced by Dan Posthuma. Mixed by Csaba Petocz. Mastered by Steve Hall at Future Disc. All songs composed by Bryan Duncan. Executive Producer: Tom Willett.
Musicians: Bryan Duncan (Vocals), Alan Pasqua (Keyboards), Jerry Peters (Keyboards), John Van Tongeren (Keyboards), Michael Omartian (Keyboards), Peter Wolf (Keyboards), Randy Kerber (Keyboards), Dan Lee (Guitar), Michael Hodges (Guitar), Tim Pierce (Guitar), John Pierce (Bass), Nathan East (Bass), Jeff Porcaro (Drums, Percussion), Dan Posthuma (Percussion), Rafael Pidilla (Percussion), Sandra Crouch (Percussion). Brass: Dan Higgins, Gary Grant, Jerry Hey, Larry Williams, Dave Boruff (Saxophone Solo).
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