... a new try ....
https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/m ... -begins-50This one was for the diehards: Roxy Music begins 50th anniversary tour in Toronto
Roxy Music kicked off its 13-date world tour at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday night with opening act St. Vincent.
Nostalgia is a magnanimous mistress.
As Roxy Music kicked off its 50th Anniversary 13-date world tour at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday night, it didn’t take too long for the crowd to discover that the ravages of time had caught up with at least one member of the iconic British art rock band.
Unfortunately, that band member happened to be 76-years-young Bryan Ferry, the group’s charismatic, debonair singer and chief songwriter, whose vocal range and power have — perhaps not unexpectedly — diminished with age.
It wasn’t so apparent with the first couple of numbers, as Roxy came blasting out of the gates with “Remake/Remodel” — the introductory track on the band’s self-titled 1972 debut and the alluring “Out Of The Blue” from 1974’s “Country Life,” as the audience’s senses were overloaded with career-summarizing video projection for the former song and a psychedelic brew for the latter.
There was also no shortage of stellar musicianship from the 11-piece band that included charter Roxy members Phil Manzanera on guitar, Andy Mackay on soprano and alto saxes and Paul Thompson on drums, a couple of keyboardists, a percussionist, an additional guitarist, an additional saxophonist, reputed New York session musician Neil Jason on bass, and a male/female vocal tandem that included veteran Roxy cohort Fonzi Thornton.
But as the show progressed with “For Your Pleasure’s” “The Bogus Man,” and the quieter “To Turn You On,” it was evident that Ferry wasn’t straining himself too heavily, preferring nuance over volume to the point where his crooning occasionally trailed off in the vocal mix and happily allowing the shadow vocals of his two accompanying singers to carry him where needed.
One of the most telling moments of his upper range loss came during “More Than This,” which startled as his usual milky smooth vocals registered in at an octave lower, offering a more brisk rendition than the original recorded version.
Probably not to the faithful who stood on the floor, transfixed by the Roxy Music magic that was materializing before their eyes. The numerous visual backdrops that appeared on a multiple horizontal split screen setup were largely attuned to the mood whatever song was being played, with live cameras occasionally interrupting the imagery to spotlight a particularly searing Manzanera solo or a Mackay horn part.
From my section 101 vantage point at the back of the arena, the most distracting aspect was that one of the screens was off-kilter with the others, giving distorted views of band members to the point where Paul Thompson’s scalp seemed to be separated from the rest of his torso, depending on the camera angle. Perhaps this was a first night mistake, but if it wasn’t, it’s visually disruptive to the full enjoyment of the show.
As the band paraded truncated favourites like “Love Is The Drug,” “Dance Away” and “Do The Strand,” to their fans, Ferry — who took turns singing both in front of a mic and sitting behind his Wurlitzer electric piano — seemed to relax with each enthusiastic response from the faithful, both parties aware that this was a historic victory lap from one of pop music’s more influential voices.
The fact that it’s been 48 years since local promoter Martin Onrot — who died on Aug. 24 — first brought Roxy Music to a sold-out Massey Hall and that the outfit has given us some magnificent music over the past half-century was the double impetus behind the celebration. In terms of spectacle, Roxy Music didn’t disappoint, although it would have been nice if they had been rewarded with a fully attended venue, as there were noticeable pockets of empty seats strewn throughout the arena.
The crowd was properly pumped for the occasion with a spectacular opening set by Annie Clark, a.k.a. St. Vincent. Backed by a seven-piece band and blessed by perfect sound, St. Vincent dazzled with an ebullient 10-song rock set that included the electrifying “Los Ageless” and mesmerizing “Fast Slow Disco” before ending a cappella with “The Melting Of The Sun.”
Clark, who shone on guitar and a novel use of lighting, may not have the legacy of a Roxy Music behind her at the moment, but she clearly is worthy of eventually reaching that stature, especially as a must-see concert attraction.
And if this is Roxy Music’s final hurrah, the 20-song set that hit various touchstones of their career ended on a good note as a gallant trip down memory lane.
This one was for the diehards.
