NEW ALBUM: Bryan Ferry and His Orchestra - Bitter-Sweet

[Ruby]

BRYAN FERRY AND HIS ORCHESTRA - Bitter-Sweet



I like quite a bit of Roxy Music, the essence of which Ferry carries through on to some of his solo stuff as well, and he’s wise enough to surround himself with the crème de la crème of musicians - not that he’s too shabby, especially in the arrangements department. Buuuut - I’m familiar with him, essentially, as a rock artist with a distinctive, signature sound, and while I’m open to hearing something new (I didn’t mind his Dylanesque, for example) these covers in a 20’s jazz era style just don’t sound right to me! I dunno, I missed his previous excursion into things jazzy, and maybe this will work for those who aren’t nostalgically fond of Roxy Music, or those who have heard Bryan Ferry and his Orchestra in the context of the series Babylon Berlin, which is from whence inspiration for this this offering has sprung … however, it’s not for me. 

Sir B is not known for his bad taste, but IMHO, some things just shouldn’t be Great Gatsby’d. I want “While My Heart Is Still Beating” like it is on Avalon, not all flappered to death (albiet oh so smoothly), and the same goes for a few more from various albums (he’s taken three from Bête Noire, which is ironic). 

That said – if I had to choose one, it would be ...

[CRAZY-HORSE]

apart from a handful of Roxy Music singles, including the brilliant cover of the Lennon classic "jealous guy" im simply not a fan of him or Roxy Music...
only album of theirs I own is "Avalon", while I appreciate the great sound production on it, im not a fan of it now...

I listened to the track you linked off the album Ruby and it did nothing for me, which is what I expected, but sometimes you never know, and on this occasion
my expectations, or lack thereof, were as I imagined them to be...

[Jerome]

Try this one - https://youtu.be/JK2xxq52li4 - have this concert on DVD somewhere - or used to once upon a time. 

I quite like his solo album 'The Bride Stripped Bare'.

As far as Roxy Music is concerned 'Avalon' is the standout album and the live album 'The High Road' is very good as well. Only 4 tracks on it but they are all extended versions.

[Ruby]

^Will listen later - thanks. Love Avalon. Have you listened to his Boys and Girls Jerome? It's a very good album IMHO. Stellar personnel list, including MK and David Gilmour. 

[Jerome]

No I have not. Will give it a whirl in the next few days and post my take on it.