Chères Roxologists,

because of a weekend spent in the Bavarian mountains I missed this lively discussion. Well, the set list for WS2's album is done. My problem. But if this sensational idea would have to be repeated - because of its overwhelming success - I would like to propose some more material followed by the names of some very competent musicians from all over the world.

1. Waterloo Sunset by Ray Davies featuring BF (ok, he could have asked him some years ago …)

2. Sorrow by David Bowie featuring BF (a very underrated gem in Bowie's back catalogue)

3. Here Comes The Flood by Peter Gabriel featuring BF (Shaking The Tree Version)

4. Riptide by Robert Palmer featuring BF (possible with the same electronic tricks that made Nat King and Nathalie Cole sing together)

5. Fragile by Sting featuring BF (don't they come from the same region around Newcastle?)

6. The Man With A Child In His Eyes by Kate Bush (they could do it live in London

Mark Knopfler should accompany the Sting/Ferry duet, but if not, Andy Summers of The Police would be another perfect choice.

Kate's classic could have a guitar solo from Steve Lukather of Toto.

Bowie's "Sorrow" from 1973 should have a treatment from our old companion Brian Peter George St. John le Baptiste de la Salle Eno.

Waterloo Sunset's "must-have" saxophone player is Andrew MacKay, since he did that tune with his Metaphors.

Riptide is a short one, and we have to take care to precisely take Bryan's voice into the arrangement.

Here Comes The Flood: The slow version doesn't need any drums, but why not have some effective percussion from The Police's Stewart Copeland in the background?

So far some belated proposals - I hope some of you like it.

Avec mes meilleures salutations distinguées d'Allemagne

Cher pianoman,

What an inspirational intervention!

Unfortunately the first BSB (Bryan Stripped Bare) LP is now full but your recommendations will be put forward for the second album.
Your proposals of "Sorrow" and "Waterloo Sunset" are peerless but
my absolute favourite amongst your tour de force is "Riptide". I adore this track but instead of a posthumous duo I would propose that our hero pen extra verses and record it in absolutely the style of the original. I love this song to bits but the way it stands it is just too damn short and it certainly has our hero's name all over it. Palmer should have dedicated it to him!

On the negative front, I have to advise you that Windswept just can't sanction anything involving Sting. He is completely verboten! Apart from his numerous musical inadequacies, anybody adopting his style of dress at his time of life just can't be taken seriously. And as fare as "The Last Ship" is concerned - please, not in the name of Wallsend! It pains me to say all of this because he does hail from Newcastle but hey, he is living proof that not all Geordies are perfect - although most of them are!

We will work on the rest of Vol 2 once the first album has been released.

En attendant et merci beaucoup pro votre intervention.

Regards, Windswept

Cher Monsieur Windswept 2,

I am very happy to read about your appreciation of my latest proposals. In fact I did not know about the subtle differences between our Geordie hero Bryan and the Geordie bass player with the Police (I won't name his name). You are completely right: "The Last Ship" will never become my favorite record, not to mention his dressing style.

But now that we talked about the songs Bryan could sing, we should also take a close look at the songs he wrote but never recorded himself. Have you ever listened to "Going Strong", recorded by Roger Daltrey? Not bad, but a little bit monotonous. The kind of one-chord-song to fill an album that ought to be published very soon . And that is possibly the reason why Bryan gave it away to WHO-ever (sorry, I do like The Who !).

On the other hand, Bryan wrote a nice melodic song for Frida from ABBA, "The Way You Do" - this one would have perfectly fitted onto Roxy's Avalon album. Sounds a bit like the often underrated "Take A Chance With Me".

Does anybody of you Roxologists know about a Bryan Ferry song that must have been recorded by a British singer around 2002/3 (Cathy Dennis?). I am sure it exists, but Mr. Alzheimer has blown this information out of my brain … can anybody help?

Merci to all Roxy scientists - greetings from the Alps