siLLy puPPy What a strange name for a band and an even more ridiculous album cover for the one and only album of FUZZY DUCK which happens to be derived from a linguistic spoonerism of “Duzz ‘E F-ck! FUZZY DUCK was a rare bird indeed. It flew in with the flock of hard and heavy rockers with a progressive leaning in 1970 London, released their sole eponymous album in 1971 and then flew off never to be heard from again. The history of this band seems to be as FUZZY as the DUCK they are named after. The band consisted of Paul Francis (drums, percussion who played in Tucky Buzzard), Mick Hawksworth (bass, vocals, acoustic 12-string, cello who also played in Andromeda and Five Day Week Straw People), Roy Sharland (organ, piano who played in Crazy World Of Arthur Brown) and Grahame White (guitar, vocals, acoustic guitar). On this album there is also some guitar and vocal help from Garth Watt Roy.

Upon first listen this album doesn’t stand out remarkably amongst the other progressive leaning heavy rock of the early 70s but it does present some instantly catchy groovy riffs that beckon repeated listens. I personally got hooked upon first listen. I have heard of this album for a long time but the album cover kinda turned me off. It actually reminds me of a cartoon called “The Hair Bear Bunch” from the same era. Not exactly the image that conjures up some seriously delicious hard rockin’ prog for me, however this album is very consistent from beginning to end and the four bonus tracks that are included on the later remastered versions are not so bad in their own right. The thing that makes this an excellent album for me is the outstanding tight musicianship on board. Although i wouldn’t consider this the most original album of the day, it is just so pleasant to listen to. The band is rhythmically tight and heavily groovy and filled with energetic time sigs that are drenched in Hammand organ. Whereas many a band of this type sound good musically, it is the vocalist that usually keeps it from being totally pleasurable. No such problem for me here.

FUZZY DUCK has all the magical ingredients to take the already developed organ laden heavy rock of the early 70s and makes it all sound perfectly executed. They somehow manage to take the Captain Beyond meets Atomic Rooster and early Uriah Heep sound to unique DUCK ponds not overly far from Deep Purple territory. Catchy enough to garner instant satisfaction but proggy enough to keep the more engaged listener happy as well. This album is very good from the strong heavy prog opener “Time Will Be Your Doctor” to the excellent closer “A Word From Big D” that manages to create duck quackery with musical instruments! Don’t let the silly album cover put you off with this one. This is some infectious early 70s progressive proto-metal going on here. Quack on heavy proggers!