Chris Francis
Studs n' Sisters
© 2006 Up To Speed Music (634479360305)
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Melodic, energetic, song-orientated instrumental rock. Pop hooks and Hard Rock with a groove or two along the way.
tracks
- 1 Pickle And Baby Bear
- 2 Studs n' Sisters
- 3 Sometime Lady Crazy
- 4 Light It Up
- 5 Used-To-Be
- 6 Lift The Dogs
- 7 Riding For A Fall
- 8 You Can Dance Better Than That
- 9 2nd Base
- 10 Death Bitch
- 11 Sunday Nite @ The Sauceboat
- 12 Material Girl
- 13 Deleted Scenes (Bonus Track)
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Chris Francis studied guitar at the now dissolved MI London for one year, graduating with a platinum award.
He was a finalist in Guitarist Magazine’s ‘Guitarist of the Year’ contest in 1999 and won the title in 2000. He has released an instructional video (‘Up To Speed with Chris Francis’), recorded two solo records (‘Chris Francis’ and ‘Studs n’ Sisters’), four albums with the band TEN and numerous sessions on projects big and small.
Live work between TEN and his own Chris Francis Band has taken him from the clubs and bars of England, through the halls of Japan, to the Summer Rock festivals of Europe. He is regularly invited as special guest lecturer at Thames Valley University to degree students in the London College of Music and Media and also works as an instructor and transcriber at his home in Kent. He is also regularly involved with the online guitar magazine www.alloutguitar.com where you can find articles, lessons, interviews and more by a variety of the country's top players.
reviews
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- author: M J Brady, Proggnosis.com
Chris Francis is perhaps one of the more versatile guitarists I have heard coming from the UK of late, he plays instrumental music that is more hard rock based, no prog, no fusion, just fairly simple melodic hard rock with an emphasis on melody and stinging licks. His styles sounds far more like that of the likes of Blues Saraceno, Nuno Bettencourt, Eddie Van Halen, all players that Chris cites as influential to his musical tastes. In other words, all three of these players are unique apart from the multitude of clones of shred guitar, in that they are gifted players that have their own voice on the instrument, that is what I hear with Chris Francis' playing, it's full of serious shred, yet always tasteful and loaded with carefully constructed melodic lines that are utilized in the same way a lead singer's voice would be. Many of these songs, in fact all of them, could easily have had a lead singer fronting the songs, and then I would be reviewing a quality hardrock/AOR cd, but with Francis' guitar acting as the voice, we have a cd full of music that creates images and memorable melodies that will reside with the listener far after hearing the songs. Nice to hear in this day and age of speed, anger, loudness and ego, that a guitarist like Chris Francis can still take a fairly simple rock rhythm section and create instrumental music that has some taste and feel. I think that Chris is an important player, and one who can do a lot more for the instrument in the future, not since hearing Tim Pierce's - Guitarland have I heard an instrumental cd with such good melodic playing, that has direction and feel.
- author: Christian Mannsbart - Metal Express Radio
Have you ever heard about Chris Francis? Like most, you probably haven't, but his most recent solo output Studs N´ Sisters will earn countless laps in your CD-Player. This dude knows how to play the strings! That’s not very surprising, because Mr. Francis studied his (and surely a few others') guitar at the now dissolved MI London, graduating with a platinum award. Platinum dude, that´s better than gold and all your mom´s jewelry together. And so, Studs N´ Sisters offers you an enormous bandwidth of musical composition. There are uptempo tracks sounding like Def Leppard, Whitesnake, Winger, and all the other great Hair Metal guys. And then, unexpectedly, mastermind Francis throws in a little Blues, cranky sounds, and Jazzy elements as well. Sometimes he plays the Bluesy ladders up and down in such a sweet fashion, it makes you wanna cry. Rock on Francis! Bryan Adams sang: "Played until my fingers bled." Hah! That was just a joke. On this album you can hear why Chris Francis was a finalist in Guitarist Magazine´s Guitarist of the Year contest in 1999 and won the title in 2000. There are countless influences to be discovered on Studs N´ Sisters, be it Warren DeMartini, Steve Vai, or Andy Timmons. Francis likes to create whirlwinds of notes that make thoughts spin in your head, and by the way, unpleasant ones will be forgotten easily. All tracks seem to shift smoothly from one to another. And, for all the players: this album will open the gates to endless hours of making love – women just go crazy by the sound of Chris´s guitar -- yeah!! But, not to be mistaken, Francis is not a "softie." At the end of the CD, for all the warriors out there, he throws in a little Malmsteen-laden, Power Metal-ish track, called "Death Bitch" -- making your neck break. Then, surprisingly, he jumps in the midst of 80´s Pop. Madonna! No not the lady up in heaven, boner, Pop icon Madonna. Francis interpreted her all time great "Material Girl" on his guitar and, oh well, you gotta listen to it yourself. The only "bad" thing about this album is that sometimes the backing instruments seem to collide volume-wise with the sound of the strings. The case of "Riding for a Fall" backs this criticism, but that is just a matter of mixing, and it surely doesn´t put a nail in the coffin.
- author: Barry McMinn - The Mayfair Mall Webzine
Those of you into the whole melodic rock scene will be more than familiar with the name of Chris Francis from his days with TEN and the contributions he made to the four albums he played on and the live shows he did from the bars and clubs to the full stadium events. Francis has done it all as well as being an accomplished guitarist, he's has also put his hand to producing and song writing. 'Studs n' Sisters' is Francis’s second solo outing and follows his debut release simply entitled ‘Chris Francis’. 'Studs n' Sisters' is a very mature guitar album that doesn’t over do the solo’s, which keeps the whole thing on a very ear friendly basis that is sometimes lacking on some instrumental albums, which in turn makes for a more accessible album to the layman who isn’t a guitar wiz at home but who just likes to hear a guitar played well and not over the top. Things get underway with ‘Pickle And Baby Bear’ an amusing intro that breaks the album in gently before things get underway proper with the title track ‘Studs n' Sisters’ and instantly you draw similarities the Extremes 'Pornograffitti' album with a little Steve Vai thrown in with this one. The track also has an air of maturity in the guitar playing that I really like and this trait is found throughout the entire album. Things continue to impress with ‘Sometimes Lady Crazy’ that takes you away from the more Melodic Rock side of the album to a more Hard Rock feel that is very reminiscent once again of Vai’s style of guitar playing, flying seamless licks mixed with a head drum beat provided by Frank Basile, great stuff. I can't say how much I enjoyed this album the mixture of styles and tempo’s makes for great listening as things get a little funky on ‘Light it Up’ with its added horns is very early Little Angels, all I was waiting for on this one was for Toby Jepson to add some vocals. The album does have a mellow side as shown on the wonderful ‘Used-To- Be’ with its soar away moments that really make the track for me, then things get rockier again with Chris taking on Eddie Van Halen on ‘Lift The Dogs’. It's back to the more mellower vibe with the haunting ‘Riding For A Fall’ before rocking it up with the bluesy ‘You Can Dance Better Than That’. Both totally different ends of the spectrum, but both equally superb pieces, but the real barnstormer of the album for me is the metal infused ‘Death Bitch’, this is where Francis really pulls out all the stops with a real headbangers delight and the added excepts from the film of the same name add to the metal edge. It's back to the humorous side of Francis as we return to the Karaoke bar for the sort interlude ‘Sunday Nite @ the Sauceboat’, before the surprise package of the album the much rocked up version of ‘Material Girl’, which is just fantastic and shows the confidence of the man's guitar skills to pull this one off The album closes with a bonus track ‘Deleted Scenes’, a seven minute lick fest as Francis once again pulls out all the stops on this one and which rounds off a very impressive guitar album that should and will appeal to a wide array of people not just the muso’s
- author: Robert Silverstein for Music Web Express 3000
Acclaimed in his native England for his work with his own Chris Francis Band, numerous session work and a pair of solo CDs, the latest of which came out late in 2006, guitarist Chris Francis sounds inspired by Van Halen and Steve Vai. His latest solo instrumental guitar CD blends rock with freewheeling heavy metal guitar shredding to great effect. On Studs N’ Sisters Francis puts real meat on these rockers that are enhanced by his daredevil guitar licks. It’s not all hard rock, there’s some tasty melodic work especially on his refreshing anthemic guitar instro cover of the Madonna classic “Material Girl” while the moog-like guitar groove of “2nd Base” gets it right with a solid Jan Akkerman influence. The colorful liner booklet serves as a program guide for Chris’ cinematic, retro-flavored electric rock and jazz guitar instrumentals.
- author: Rock Something.com
Asides from some rather pointless voiceovers and intros this album is an acoustic goldmine. With a style very reminiscent of Vai or Satriani, the Ten guitarist gives us a surprising array of inspirational and melodic tunes to choose from. The fretwork is extremely crisp and at the same time retains great melody. The album has a fresh lively feel about it with a few genuine foot-tappers among the thirteen tracks on offer. The top track “Studs N’ Sisters” is a very snappy number and grabs your attention immediately and “Riding for a Fall” displays a high level of skill and is a multi-layered composition. The album also contains a cheeky take on Madonna’s “Material Girl”, which works surprisingly well. For future information: the only people who can really get away with doing voiceovers are Mr Burton (not Tim) or Mr Schwarzenegger. (3.5/5)
- author: Al Hay - Hard Rock House.com
Before commencing my write up of “Studs n’ Sisters” I would like to thank Edward Box (Lion Music artist) for bringing Chris Francis up on my guitar music radar. I try to keep up with as much guitar instrumental music as possible but sometimes exciting releases and real gems slip by and let me say this is more than a gem it’s a polished diamond. So who is Chris Francis? He is a graduate of the now dissolved MI London (Platinum Award). He was finalist in Guitarist magazines “Guitarist Of The Year” contest in 1999 and won the title in 2000.He has released an instrumental video (“Up To Speed with Chris Francis”), recorded two solo albums (“Chris Francis” and “Studs n’ Sisters”) four albums with TEN and done numerous sessions and projects big and small. Live work between TEN and his own band has taken him from pubs and bars in England through the halls of Japan to the Summer Rock Festivals of Europe. He is a regular lecturer at the Thames Valley University and London College of Music and Media. It is clear that Chris keeps himself busy and is a gifted and motivated guitarist and musician. How did he find time to record a solo album? Lucky for us he did. The album kicks off with “Pickle and Baby Bear". It's a spoken piece with guitar beeping out the swear words. It raises a smile and leads us into “Studs n’ Sisters". This is a great striding song, which is reminiscent of Vai and Nuno Bettencourt at their melodic best. It rocks along nicely. Chris shows controlled playing throughout and never overplays. A delayed trippy intro that U2’s “The Edge” would be proud of introduces “Sometime Lady Crazy". This song is anthemic and has a framework that would probably be a hit record if given to Gene Simmons or Paul Stanley. This is stadium guitar rock." Light It Up” is a funky guitar work out complete with horn bursts and has some tasty soloing from guest guitar player Blues Saraceno. “Used-To -Be” is one of my favourites from this album. It's melodic guitar soloing par excellence. Lovers of Satriani in his mellow mode will love this. Chris really digs in to the notes and at times I was reminded of Michael Lee Firkins. It's well arranged and has great build up in the middle. “Lift the Dogs” is a solid rock instrumental with super slinky tapped and legato playing." Riding For A Fall” takes the pedal off the metal and once again like “Used-To-Be” shows Chris in melody mode. There are some gorgeous bursts of speed and tasty bends and double-stop playing. Another highlight for this reviewer. “You Can Dance Better Than That” sees Chris using his wah wah to make his guitar splutter and sqwauk. It bounces along and is from the Nuno school of rock. “2nd Base” is a nice jazzy fusion like piece. It's the sort of song where Larry Carlton and Steve Lukather would have a ball wailing over. Very tasty." Death Bitch” is a tongue in cheek metal work out. All we need is Ozzy putting some vocals over it to put the icing on the cake. Chris shreds on the play out of this track." Sunday Night At The Sauceboat” is another spoken track where Chris shows he has a zany side. “Material Girl” is a cover of the Madonna hit but is given the guitar treatment. It's fun and lets Chris play with lots of textures and effects. “Deleted Scenes” is a bonus track where Chris once again has Blues Saraceno putting in a guest solo. It's built on the original “Light It Up” track. This is a fine guitar instrumental album. For those people who have followed guitar trends from the early eighties onward this is a treat. Chris has managed to encompass the vibes of guitar music from the likes of Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Nuno Bettencourt, Eddie Van Halen and Andy Timmons but put his own stamp on proceedings. There are many guitar albums out there where musicians end up sounding like their heroes. In Steve's case this hasn’t happened. He has created guitar music, which has at its heart melody and real song like structures. This album isn’t a guitar workout with tunes which sound likes exercises. It is refreshing as it is not indulgent and excessive .For guitarists this album is essential listening and for music lovers who can see past the instrumental guitar tag there is much on offer to reward the listener. This album is unreservedly highly recommended
- author: Armen - The Metal Observer.com
I think this is either supposed to be a concept album (despite it being instrumental) or one where each song is a distinct scenario or short story that can stand by itself yet is still part of a greater whole. “Pickle and Baby Bear” starts off with a sound byte of a man and woman arguing, going straight into “Studs n’ Sisters”, an up-tempo Rock song, essentially a throw-back to fun music with a great melodic hook and some swinging riffing. Of course, being an instrumental, the “obvious” songs show up, like the ballad (“Used-To-Be”), mixed out with some heavier stuff (“Death Bitch”), but the theme of writing scenarios predominates in the writing. Instead of getting an album geared more towards guitar players, “Studs n’ Sisters” is a lot more accessible because the focus is the little images conjured up in your head when you listen to this. “Studs n’ Sisters” sounds like the instrumental explanation of a movie, with the interaction of characters and the little events in their lives, with the melodies telling the stories. Chris Francis has a knack for writing guitar and bass lines that can conjure up any emotion there is, that stick in your head and then bore themselves in your brain, and then make you reminisce something from ages past (something fun and good, generally lighthearted). The instrumentation is amazing, and the samples that appear every now and then convey the feeling of the song much better, as in “Used-To-Be”, but I have a small problem with this record: Sometimes, the solo in the song goes on for one or two bars too long. I know it’s sounding a bit retentative, but cutting a few of the solos (like in “Studs n’ Sisters”) two seconds short would probably have improved the music ten-fold. Minus those 3 seconds here and there, this record is a very well written foray and an interesting venture into the world of Instrumental guitar music. Man, my job at Metal Observer has introduced me to many interesting and creative guitar players that are finding new ways to approach Instrumental Metal/Rock, and this is another one of them. I hope I can hear Chris Francis in a band setting. Any band that can snatch him up will have an amazing asset that has a tremendous feel for his instrument and a great ear for melody. (Online May 31, 2007)
- author: David Randall - Get Ready To Rock.com
When it comes to shred guitar, Satch and Vai laid down the blueprint back in the eighties and the mark by which guitarists in this genre are measured. Chris Francis won Guitarist magazine 'Guitarist Of the Year' back in 2000 and he's also appeared with melodic rockers Ten. Musically, it's difficult to know whether Chris has a true voice of his own - always a difficulty in this genre - but he certainly has an ear for a good tune. And, whilst technique will always be important, it's the strength of songwriting that usually sorts the men from the boys. Guitarists will no doubt salivate over this one, with the pinched harmonics, sweeps and taps in all the right places. It took Chris two years to develop and it's also a lesson in meticulously-crafted production. And, if Chris evokes the founding fathers of shred, he nevertheless demonstrates a deft mastery of his art. The standout has to be 'Light It Up', an excellent groove with brass interjects and reprised on the 'deleted scenes' bonus. He's at his best with this funkier, brassier approach, mainly because it sounds a little different in the context of shred guitar. The groove is repeated on 'You Can Dance Better Than That'. '2nd Base' is the sort of thing Larry Carlton or Lee Ritenour may have laid down on a good day, in smooth jazz mode, Madonna's 'Material Girl' is played pretty straight and 'Death Bitch' enters Megadeth territory. I'm not quite sure what Chris wanted to achieve on this one, but it does demonstrate he can do good thrash metal. Overall, this is an excellent set. Maybe too over the top in places for the faint-hearted, but there's enough melody to win them over.
- author: Mike Debbage - Hard Rock Haven.com
Not only does Francis avoid the sophomore jinx that derails so many artists, but he continues to build on his prolific profile creating a feast for famished guitar instrumental fans looking for something just a little different. Each song has a fictional movie theme that is given both a stud and sister rating. In fact, the movie theme even invades the musical content with the opening tongue in cheek dialogue between a male and female in disagreement. The male uses much profanity though it is completely blocked out by Steve Vai like guitar effects similar to those used in the David Lee Roth song “Yankee Rose.” The dialogue merges directly into the sassy “Studs n’ Sisters” which explores the twin lead guitar harmony work that made Thin Lizzy and Wishbone Ash so famous. Add some fine flirtatious bass work from Francis and you know that you are in for another treat release from this still young though very mature axe slinger. The song is followed by impressive track after impressive track. One such moment is the funky horns of “Light it Up” that also includes an extended guitar duo between Francis and Blues Saraceno. And if the dueling was not enough, fast forward to the end of the album courtesy of the bonus track cheekily titled “Deleted Scenes” for even more battle axe escapades between the two. Great stuff with exceptional speed and execution. Meanwhile, if you found the brass work stimulating, then the R&B flavor of the danceable yet gritty “You Can Dance Better Than That” much in the vein of Aerosmith, will also float your boat. However, it is not just volume that pervades and directs Chris’s compositions as the electric warrior is also very capable of being an acoustic saint. This is best exemplified by the hauntingly beautiful “Used To Be”. Instead of power and speed, Francis shows his listener the value of a well held soaring note that will send chills down your spine. Though the song is a little more mid tempo and mellow it would still benefit you to turn up the volume to grasp the entire vibe that is being presented. This mid tempo theme is repeated courtesy of the more moody and bluesy “Riding For A Fall.” The album is self produced and is warm and technically meticulous. In fact, with the exception of a few musical guests as well as the powerful interpretation of Madonna’s “Material Girl,” this is a solo album in the truest sense of the word. Yet it is of high caliber material that never falls into the category of another boring guitar workout. In fact, Studs n’ Sisters translates into one of the best instrumental guitar albums in a very long time. One can only hope for continued success for this up and coming guitarist and that Ten’s Gary Hughes wises up and makes full use of Francis’ songwriting capabilities
- author: 20th Century Guitar Magazine
Sounding inspired by Van Halen and Steve Vai, on his 2006 CD Studs N’ Sisters U.K. guitarist Chris Francis rolls a blend of instrumental guitar rock enhanced with his freewheeling heavy metal guitar licks. It’s not all hard rock and there’s some tasty melodic work especially on his refreshing anthemic guitar instro cover of the Madonna classic “Material Girl” while the moog-like guitar groove of “2nd Base” gets it right with trancelike Jan Akkerman sound. The colourful liner booklet serves as a program guide for Chris’ cinematic, retro-flavored electric rock and jazz guitar instrumentals.