elshiva wrote:
It's from David Buckley's book "The Thrill of It All."
"the worst Roxy Music record is better than the best Bryan Ferry record" from the preface page xiii. This book is only worthwhile for the interesting quotes from the band members, which Buckley does not footnote.
How can you compare a solo record to a group record? It's apples and oranges. Frankly, I love all the Bryan Ferry solo records that I've heard so far. (I still have to listen to As Time Goes By, Mamouna, and Dylanesque, but I've heard some cuts on youtube that are good). Buckley doesn't understand what covering a song means and thinks "good music=rocks out." He doesn't appreciate the tenderness and the beauty of Bryan Ferry's voice.
I got that book, still couldn't find the quote, well have now. Thank you for putting me in to it.
I'm not a very big fan of covers (though he does it with perfection and imagination).
1. Another Time, Antother Place. Total political incorrect, by 1974, a gloomy and a handshake to the American Dream, BFs way and interpretation.
2. Let's stick together.
The first solo album I bought back in early 1977. Erroll Flynn/Clark Gable on-stage, a tripster of a record. Deep white soul, exubriant and ellegant, no one did stuff like that in 1976. Far out!
3. In you mind.
Undoubtable a Route 66 favor. The best "American-oriental" (west-coast) record ever made by an Englishman. The whole record deserves a road-movie.
4. The Bride Stripped Bare.
A surreal and odd landscape of both harsh society critic and the defense of art through lamented experiences. Both the ballads "Carrickfergus" and "When she walks in the room" makes me weep.
5. Boys and Girls.
The voyage through glam, and the backstage of fame and fortune. The role of the spectator and the insider/outsider look upon the camera-lences and their trespassing of privacy.
6. Bete-Noir
Probably the most European record of them all. Very Frankophile sexy and mystic. The life behind the scene of entertainment, very delicate delivered and performed. Topiary.
7. Taxi
Back to America. Mostly a soire of experiences, a soul-cascade and tribute to great singers and songwriters. My fav. "Taxi".
8. Mamouna.
My favourite Bryan Ferry album. This is the most cosmopolitan and "hermetic" record I declare. I want to travel when I here it, and if I can't afford it, at least this record will take me on a voyage..
9. Frantic
This got some of the "Bete Noir" spirit, a world in confusion and in search of safety through lushness. This record I feel, a charade of Hollywood-mysticism, poltitical paradigm-shifts and funny stuff. The most ecclectic album I think I ever heard. A stroke of Enoesque in there..

and even a bite of Beatlemania I think.
TFT, ATGB and Dylanesque is not there. Nothing much to say, but brilllant interpretations of songs, which suits his voice perfectly. But not my favourites, since his brilliant lyrics are not there, although he might found song-writing boring..

-Get more bored, Bryan!
These are only personal tastes and assertions, and not any "expert" statement of any sort. I've also been following other bands like the Velvet Underground, John Cale, David Bowie, Eno and other early 70 bands and artists.
anyone is free to disagree..
