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Chris Dunnett
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Fans of the local Metal scene of the '80s and '90s might recognize Chris Dunnett from his work in the groups Character and The Seventh Seal. But if that's all you know of Dunnett, then you're missing out on a big part of this versatile six-stringer's musical life.
In his Hard Rock guise, Dunnett has been recognized for his playing in publications all over the world, received airplay across the country via the old Z-Rock network, auditioned for Lita Ford's band, and gotten kudos from peers like Ritchie Blackmore, David T. Chastain and Rik Emmett.
But these days, while no less virtuosic, you're more likely to find Dunnett strapped onto an acoustic guitar and running through a variety of styles, from Classical and Fusion to Celtic and New Age. Dunnett's love for Flamenco guitar has resulted in an excellent new CD, the cleverly titled El Samuraichi, which features nine impassioned, dynamic original compositions and a reworking of Ernesto Casado Lecouna's "Maleguena."
Dunnett says he got into Flamenco after hearing Al Dimeola's "Mediterranean Sundance" and through a friend who would come into the music store he worked in at the time and play "Maleguena." Fittingly, given Dunnett's Rock history, another door into the world of Flamenco was opened, however indirectly, by a '70s Rock staple.
"I should also give credit to Heart's 'Crazy on You,'" Dunnett says. "Although it's not 'Flamenco,' that intro and chord strumming is very close, and that was another one of those 'life changing songs.' To this day, it's still my No. 1 song of all-time.
"When I realized this sound was called Flamenco, I started hitting all the used record stores in Clifton, and anytime I came across an album with Spanish words that I couldn't pronounce I bought it. Got stuck with some 'clunkers,' but I got turned on to Sabicas and (Carlos) Montoya and others that way."
Dunnett started playing guitar when he was 13 years old, inspired by the Hard Rock bands of the time and dazzled by the Rock Star mystique.
"Honestly, I wanted to grow up and be Paul Stanley of KISS," he says. "It didn't happen ... but it could've been worse. I could've grown up to be (short-lived KISS guitarist) Vinnie Vincent.
"Guitar just looked like a really fun thing to do," Dunnett continues. "I had no desire to be a great player, I just wanted to have fun with it."
Of course, eventually he began to take the instrument more seriously. Dunnett, who has been teaching guitar for over 18 years, progressively delved into all types of music, citing influences as wide-ranging as Rush's Alex Lifeson, The Gipsy Kings, Wolfgang Mozart and "Looney Tunes" soundtracks. He is a masterful technician, but he doesn't believe that technique is the most important element of music. Out of feeling, style, technique and melody, Dunnett says that music's melodic properties are the most essential.
"To me, melody is the most important, which is why I can listen to Mozart and then Hole," he says. "Melody translates over anything. Feeling is in the beholder. Some hear a guy play fast and say he has no feeling ... not necessarily true. Technique is important, but not if it is not used to make real music. You never hear someone say, 'Wow, listen to Mozart's technique or his feel,' but people will say, 'Wow, listen to that melody.
"Technique and feel are more for the player; melody is more for the listener. And without listeners, there would be no need for players."
Dunnett's live performances these days are usually set in acoustic venues, like restaurants, coffeeshops and bookstores, a far cry from the smoky, dank clubs of his Hard Rock days. When asked if he prefers electric or acoustic, Dunnett says he can't really choose one over the other.
"It depends on the mood and my musical environment, what projects I'm doing," he says. "I started out on acoustic so that love will never go away, but sometimes I just like to 'rock out.' They really are two different animals though and take different approaches. With electric there are so many sounds that can be created, sometimes a player can just rely on that. I think you have to be more creative with acoustic."
CHRIS DUNNETT performs live on Friday at the Borders in Northgate and Saturday at Henke Winery. El Samuraichi is available at chrisdunnett.com and local music-friendly retail outlets.
