Bryan Ferry "Avonmore" (2014)

Avonmore
release date: Nov. 17, 2014
format: digital
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,58]
producer: Bryan Ferry, Rhett Davies, Johnson Somerset, Todd Terje
label: BMG - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: 1. "Loop De Li" - 2. "Midnight Train" - 3. "Soldier of Fortune" (4 / 5) - 4. "Driving Me Wild" - 5. "A Special Kind of Guy" (4 / 5) - 7. "Lost" - 10. "Johnny and Mary" (live)

15th solo studio album by Bryan Ferry following his 2012 album The Jazz Age. Now, who would have thought this possible? 69 year-old Ferry has come up with an album that resembles his best solo works of the late 70s and mid-80s, and his most recent album from 2012 was basically 'only' a collection of re-recordings - and before that, he launched Olympia in 2010, which was only a shadow of his heydays with Roxy Music.
From my perspective, his last good album was Dylannesque (2007) and his last really fine solo was As Time Goes By from 1999. This is like Roxy Music revisited but not just old classics disguised as new material. It's vibrant and solid sophisti-pop from one of the genre's best voices, and he does more than just Okay. Most tracks are from his own hand but track #3 Soldier of Fortune is co-written with Johnny Marr of The Smiths, and the end-track Johnny and Mary is Robert Palmer's fine classic, which Ferry handles in his own and personal way without losing touch with the original.
[ allmusic.com, The Guardian 4 / 5, Rolling Stone 3,5 / 5 stars ]

The Bryan Ferry Orchestra "The Jazz Age" (2012)

The Jazz Age
release date: Nov. 26, 2012
format: cd
[album rate: 3 / 5] [2,98]
producer: Bryan Ferry & Rhett Davies
label: BMG Rights Management - nationality: England, UK

14th studio album by Bryan Ferry released by The Bryan Ferry Orchestra is a collection of Ferry compositions released on various albums from the early Roxy Music days and his later solo albums, but re-organised for and re-worked into traditional jazz as played in the 1920s and 1930s with a strings and brass backing band.
Stylistically, we're talking contemporary jazz, ragtime and swing, and not only is the orchestral instrumentation according to the aforementioned time but also the recording and production sound are in the spirit of that era, insofar that it feels completely genuinely old. Although, all original compositions were with Ferry on lead vocal, this release is completely without any vocal performance, and Ferry himself is "only" credited as composer, producer and bandleader.
The original Roxy Music and Ferry tracks are sometimes truly hard to recognise but the overall impression is a solid and original release. I would, however, have loved and preferred to hear these songs in vocal arrangements as the natural follow-up to his fine album As Time Goes By (1999). Having said that it's a "solid" and "original" release, although that does not imply that I enjoy it. I find it somewhat redundant.
[ allmusic.com 4 / 5 stars ]

Bryan Ferry "As Time Goes By" (1999)

As Time Goes By
release date: Oct. 25, 1999
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,68]
producer: Bryan Ferry, Rhett Davies
label: Virgin Records - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: 1. "As Time Goes By" - 2. "The Way You Look Tonight" (4,5 / 5) (live version from Paris) - 4. "I'm in the Mood for Love" - 8. "Miss Otis Regrets (She's Unable to Lunch Today)" (4 / 5) - 10. "Lover, Come Back to Me" - 11. "Falling in Love Again" - 13. "You Do Something to Me" (live) - 15. "September Song"

10th solo studio album by Bryan Ferry is a collection of re-arranged oldies completely without the sophisti-pop traits one has come to associate the name of Bryan Ferry with. These 15 tracks are popular standards, traditional swing and vocal jazz songs that have been carefully updated without compromising their integrity as they have all been arranged with strings and brass and (seemingly) no electrical instrumentation.
I used to really enjoy Roxy Music and Ferry's solo releases, although the late 1980s and early 90s didn't justify his talent. Roxy Music officially disbanded in the early 80s at the height of its career, actually - Avalon (1982), a beloved classic pop album, was the last real Roxy Music release as the members apparently were more interested in solo and collaboration projects, or just got tired of each others company. Ferry relaunched a fine solo career and he was on everyone's lips when he released the polished sophisti-pop album Boys & Girls (1985), an album that took off pretty much from where Avalon finished. The following releases didn't really make it as good, and for every new album he just seemed to be on a descent until As Time Goes By. Throughout his career he has taken the part as a distinguished British upper-class gentleman, and maybe therefore it suits him so well to cover old classics of the 1930s and 40s, interpreting Cole Porter, Rogers & Hart, Oscar Hammerstein, Kurt Weill, among others, and the result is a fine atmospheric and almost anachronistic tribute to other heydays. I simply adore his versions of these classics because he lifts the songs without too much superfluity. The arrangements with horns and strings are in the spirit of the old songs. Maybe this is also at the core of his potential - his ability to interpret other people's songs, and very often with a better result than the original version. He has always been a great interpreter (he has hardly ever released an album written entirely by himself) whether it's Bob Dylan (whom he manages to make more tolerable), Neil Young, Rod Stewart, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Lou Reed, and the great songwriters of the 1930s, 40s, and 50s as well as rearrangements of old traditionals. I only wish he would do more of this old stuff - it's really like hand in glove, and it suits him like... a fine Italian jacket.

Bryan Ferry "... Is Your Love Strong Enough?" (1986) (single)

... Is Your Love Strong Enough?, 7'' single
release date: Mar. 1986
format: vinyl
[single rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,46]
producer: Rhett Davies & Bryan Ferry
label: EG Records - nationality: England, UK

Tracklist: A) "... Is Your Love Strong Enough?" - - B) "Windswept (instrumental)"

Single release by Bryan Ferry taken from the "Legend" soundtrack (Ridley Scott movie).

Bryan Ferry "Boys and Girls" (1985)

Boys and Girls
release date: Jun. 3, 1985
format: vinyl / cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,96]
producer: Rhett Davies & Bryan Ferry
label: EG Records / Polydor K.K. - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: 1. "Sensation" - 2. "Slave to Love" (5 / 5) - 3. "Don't Stop the Dance" (4 / 5) - 5. "Windswept" - 7. "Valentine" - 8. "Stone Woman"

6th studio album by Bryan Ferry follows seven years after The Bride Stripped Bare (1978), and here Ferry has paired up with Rhett Davies as the album producers. All tracks except one (track #3 by Bryan Ferry and Rhett Davies) are exclusively credited Ferry.

Stylistically, Ferry moves further up the 'art pop' alley and makes his so far boldest 'sophisti-pop' album with strong bonds to the final Roxy Music album Avalon (1982), which also featured Rhett Davies as co-producer.

The album was met by critical acclaim and topped the charts in several countries including the UK, as Ferry's only solo album, and it's also his only Platinum-selling album in the UK. The album spawned three singles: tracks #2, 3 and 5, peaking at #10, #21 and #46 respectively on the UK singles chart.

I recall buying the album upon its release at a time when I found it a bit too smooth; however, over the years I have returned to it and basically find it his best solo album to date. Also, in retrospect the album simply stands out as a cornerstone in modern sound production.

Highly recommended.

[ allmusic.com 4 / 5, Rolling Stone 3,5 / 5 stars ]

Japanese CD cover

Roxy Music "The Atlantic Years 1973 - 1980" (1983)

The Atlantic Years 1973 - 1980 (compilation)
release date: Nov. 1983
format: vinyl (815 849-1) / cd
[album rate: 4 / 5]
producer: various
label: EG / Polydor - nationality:

Compilation album by Roxy Music released after Bryan Ferry had dissolved the band earlier that year. The album contains ten tracks with a total running time of 41 minutes. The selected tracks may intend to reflect the entire history of the band, but it's quite obviously made with an attempt to showcase Roxy Music in the light of its most recent albums, thus putting emphasis on the sophisti-pop branch of the band's later stylistic sound. Four tracks (#1, #2, "6, #9) are from Manifesto (1979), four (#3, #5, #7, #8) from Flesh + Blood (1980), and one track (tracks #4 and #10) is originally found on Siren (1975) and For Your Pleasure (1973) respectively.

Roxy Music "The High Road" (1983) (live)

The High Road (live)
release date: Mar. 1983
format: vinyl (Mini LP - 2335 269)
[album rate: 4 / 5]
producer: Rhett Davies & Roxy Music
label: EG / Polydor - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: B) 1. "Like a Hurricane" (other version) - 2. "Jealous Guy" (other version)

Live ep, or as stated on the front cover sticker: Live Mini LP containing 4 tracks with a total running time at 26 mins. is recorded live at the Apollo in Glasgow, Scotland, Sep. 30, 1982 during the band's Avalon Tour.

The two strongest tracks - for which the album is almost essential - are the two cover-versions on the B-side: a nearly 8 mins. powerful version of Neil Young's majestic "Like a Hurricane" - in itself by Young a fantastic composition, and Roxy Music do fine justice to the intensity of the song, and then the more than 6½ mins. fine version of John Lennon's likewise classic "Jealous Guy" - two songs Roxy Music would often have on its set-list at concerts throughout the 80s.
The album has never been released in digital format but the same recordings have found their way to the lengthier live album Heart Still Beating (1990), which contains 14 tracks.

Roxy Music "Oh Yeah" (1980) (single)

Oh Yeah, 7'' single

release date: Jul. 25, 1980

format: vinyl

[single rate: 4 / 5] [3,76]

producer: Rhett Davies & Roxy Music

label: Polydor / EG - nationality: England, UK

Tracklist: A) "Oh Yeah (On the Radio)" (5 / 5) (TOTP 1980) - - B) "South Downs"

The second single to be taken from Flesh + Blood (May 1980), the seventh studio album by Roxy Music. Both tracks are credited Bryan Ferry, and the B-side is a non-album instrumental. The single was issued with various front covers and also as this: in a generic white sleeve without print or any titles.

Roxy Music "Flesh + Blood" (1980)

Flesh + Blood

release date: May 23, 1980

format: vinyl / cd (2015 remaster)

[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,84]

producer: Roxy Music & Rhett Davies

label: Polydor / EG / Universal Music - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: 1. "In the Midnight Hour" - 2. "Oh Yeah" (5 / 5) - 3. "Same Old Scene" - 5. "My Only Love" - 6. "Over You" (5 / 5) - 9. "No Strange Delight"

7th studio album by Roxy Music following one year after Manifesto (Mar. 1979) is the band's second out of three albums in total following the reunion in '78. Shortly before recording the album drummer Paul Thompson broke his thumb and was unable to play until the band was ready to go on a live tour promoting the album, which means the album was made with session drummers (especially Allan Schwartzberg also playing percussion on nearly all tracks, and then also assisted by drummer Andy Newmark and percussionist Simon Phillips). The band is therefore reduced to a trio (on the album) of Bryan Ferry, Andy Mackay, and Phil Manzenera.

The album was met by some of the same lukewarm reviews that had followed Manifesto; however, the album became the band's second to top the albums chart list in the UK, which it replicated in New Zealand, and despite some reluctance expressed by the music press, Manifesto became the band's commercially so far best-selling album world-wide. Also, the album produced no less than five single releases starting with "Over You" (May 9, 1980) and followed by "Oh Yeah" (Jul. 25, 1980) - both reaching number #5 on the singles chart. The release of the title track as a single only manifested in Italy. Then followed "Same Old Scene" (Oct. 1980) and ended with "In the Midnight Hour" (?), which was only released for the North American market and in Portugal. Some critics found that the band had come to a stand-still, unable to make any real progress, and I think I understand what caused some of the criticism, only I don't agree on the full perspective. Flesh + Blood isn't far from the style of Manifesto but the real point is that the band has destilled its sound. No, they no longer play art rock or real glam rock and upholds a position at the forefront of modern rock music - instead the band has taken a deliberate turn and now play with a fusion of styles focusing on melody, sophisticated pop / rock that builds on r&b, pop soul, and bits of disco, although, this is lesser accentuated on this, but the main point is: no one else showcases this melodic blend. But I guess the 'real' problem is that the album came out when punk rock and new wave was on everyone's lips, and this simply ignores all of that.

"Oh Yeah" and "Over You" are two of the band's most iconic songs and to have both on the same album is simply a pure delight.

Highly recommended.

[ allmusic.com 2 / 5, Rolling stone 2,5 / 5, Smash Hits 6,5 / 10, Pitchfork 6,6 / 10 stars ]

Roxy Music "Manifesto" (1979)

Manifesto
release date: Mar. 1, 1979
format: vinyl (reissue) / cd (2015 remaster)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,78]
producer: Roxy Music
label: Polydor Records - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: A) 2. "Trash" - 3. "Angel Eyes" - 4. "Still Falls the Rain" - 5. "Stronger Through the Years" - - B) 1. "Ain't That So" - 3. "Dance Away" - 4. "Spin Me Round"

6th studio album by Roxy Music originally released by E.G. in the UK, Polydor in Europe and by Atco Records for the North American market. The album is the band's first after having reunited in '78 and after a period where Bryan Ferry released three solo albums. Manifesto follows the release of the band's fifth: Siren from 1975 after which Ferry released three solo albums Let's Stick Together (1976), In Your Mind (1977), and The Bride Stripped Bare (1978). The band credited on Manifesto are reduced to four members: Bryan Ferry, Phil Manzanera, Andy Mackay, and Paul Thompson - the latter left the band in 1980.
Musically, the band has taken a bolder move with a stronger dancefloor appeal by including elements from a world of disco and funk. Critics weren't exactly overwhelmed by the new Roxy Music; however, the album performed more than well, peaking at number #7 in the UK and reaching number #23 in the US - their best-ever charting album on the Billboard 200.
In retrospect, I think of it as one the band's better albums, and I guess the big difference is when, and for what reasons, you fell for this band's music. Personally, I didn't really know of the period before this, which I only discovered after falling for this, the successor Flesh + Blood (May 1980), and their grand finale: Avalon (May 1982), and imho, those three albums represent the band's very best.
This is classic Roxy Music and a most recommended album.
[ allmusic.com 3 / 5, Rolling Stone 3,5 / 5, Pitchfork 7,5 / 10, Smash Hits 4 / 5 stars ]

Bryan Ferry "In Your Mind" (1977)

In Your Mind

release date: Feb. 1977

format: vinyl / cd (2007 reissue)

[album rate: 3 / 5] [3,18]

producer: Bryan Ferry, Steve Nye

label: E.G. - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: 1. This Is Tomorrow" - 5. "Tokyo Joe" - 7. "Rock of Ages"

4th solo album by Bryan Ferry and his first album with original songs since the disbandment of Roxy Music in 1976 after which he had released the solo album Let's Stick Together (Sep. 1976).