Cher Manifesto,
Personally, I've yet to notice this level of change at a live concert.
Like you, I was at the second night in Dublin last summer and this added to my perplex-ion regarding this issue because I thought he was phenomenal. As he was the twice I saw him with his AEWBF shows (London & Brighton) and the time before that with his 2011 Olympia show in Vienna.
That said, I have the strong feeling that this was because his band line up (and in the case of Dublin - the Rte) and the fresh arrangements played a huge part.
In fact, when I listen to the Toll-wood tapes — yes, it's a live concert so there are some small imperfections but, in the round, I think it's a remarkable performance and I didn't feel that the backing singers had, at that juncture, developed into a chorus line.
The point you make about arrangements is absolute key. As is his selection of material and band choices.
Some manage the vocal changes better than others. Laughing Lenny has done a great job (albeit Cohen was never famous for his range). The winter of Cash's career was wonderful — largely due to his choice of material and producer. Billie Holiday never made a bad record but Dylan's recent live performances are, IWNSHO,not at all his finest moment.
I say all of this because I don't think now is the time to be stripping things back and exposing himself unnecessarily. Bringing back TBFO would give him the options and flexibility he needs and they could make that marvellous music again. It was his strongest line up and he needs them.
Salutations,
Windswept.

I agree with a lot of what has been said here. Firstly as Windswept rightly said about the interview, it was uncomfortable to watch, the questions and the picture of the crash was a bit below the belt.
On the music side of things I'm not too convinced about the band he has, he needs Guy Pratt and Paul Thompson to beef things up a bit. The performance wasn't that good either and I think he was definitely pre occupied in thought during this.
Having said that live performances in these kind of chat shows are never that good, not just Bryan but anyone. Something lacks somewhere and it always shows in theses performances. It could be that there is no buzz with the audience, and the performers don't feed off it. I thought this when Roxy Music were on in 2010 (Dream Home excepting) but I was glad that the o2 show was still a blinder!
Only on a Jools Holland show does the magic happen with all artists that appear.
As for the UK tour, we must remain positive for him and just go with whatever happens.

I can't imagine that the section about Merlin wasn't cleared with BF first. As for the performance, I think maybe I was fleetingly in an alternative universe as what I enjoyed seems at odds with what others appear to have seen.

Bryan is usually uncomfortable during TV interviews so he was as I would expect and I thought he looked in good health. As UKRichard has said I would imagine that he was asked before the interview about discussing Merlin and the accident and a picture being shown. Perhaps Bryan was thankful for the opportunity to thank the emergency services and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on air rather than it being in print.

I enjoyed the performance and agree these types of chat show spots can lack a bit of atmosphere. I find that Bryan's vocal performance in a live setting is far superior to what comes over on TV.

I wasn't surprised that JR brought up Merlin's recent accident, because it has been the reason that BF has been in the news of late. But I was surprised that he showed a picture of the demolished car. That seemed rather excessive and voyeuristic.

The rest of the interview was fairly predictable (once again, Pit Ponies!!!) but I liked the part about Salvidor Dali and the Dali/Amanda Lear connection was something a bit new (at least to me). If nothing else, the Dali references highlighted BF's long and remarkable presence as a cultural icon.

Re the JR performance, it was so dark and murky on the Youtube video that I had trouble figuring out how much of a live performance it really was. There weren't many musicians on stage with him and I suspect that a they were playing along with a pre-recorded track. Yes the vocals were live and the lead guitar seemed to be live but the rest sounded pre-recorded. This is how BF has performed with his "Corporate/Private Gig" band in recent years and I suspect that DMW will now become a part of the "C/PG" setlist.

WS2 is absolutely right that the AEWBF shows marked a highwater mark that the more recent Roxy Lite affairs fall well short of. Thinking back to when I saw him last October at the end of his US tour there was no part of it that I considered to be electrifying. The only part of the show that stands out in my mind as memorable and moving was his rendition of More Than This.

Yes, why on earth did BF dismantle his superb band from TBFO tour?
Tragic, to put it mildly. Now it´s only Jorja left. The new musicians are not bad, but somehow so bland and characterless, if I may say so. BF;s own performance was ok, though.

Cher LondonPubs,
Too true regarding Jools. That man is a national treasure and should be knighted for his services to modern music without further delay!
As for the UK tour, W2's cup remains half full and I remain eternally positive for our hero.
That said, I continue to pray for the return of TBFO and his associated rock band. All is possible n'est ce pas?
Salutations,
W2

Dear Windswept and co,
I feel I am part of this forum now I have been directly addressed by the great Windswept.
The second night with the RTE orchestra in Dublin is one of my all time concert highlights- I was four rows from the front and was transported for the night.
I take your point about Dylan. I was playing his version of 'Adeste Fideles' at Christmas and Mrs. Manifesto more or less said 'Are you having a laugh?'(Still like that album though...).
I have been listening to 'Live in Lyon' today and on songs like 'If there is something' you are aware of how well they have been arranged.At nearly 70 I am not expecting Bryan to reproduce the perfect falsetto of the 70s and 80s. I actually enjoy the 'smokiness' that is in his voice now.As Jools Holland once said 'Someone whose voice gets better and better'. I am (like Windswept) a glass half full guy..I want to see Bryan continue touring. I fear that the cost of the BFO was probably prohibitive and that is why they are not a unit at the moment. I'm willing to see where this tour leads us.
No artist-Not Bowie-not Lydon-not even Cohen- has given me as much enjoyment as Bryan or lead me into looking at different types of music such as jazz.
Roll on May in Belfast!
P.S My all time favourite concert of his was the ATGB tour again in Dublin. Just delighted he is making the journey north for us in Belfast this time!

Manifesto:
If your favorite BF concert was during the ATGB tour then WS2 will consider you a long lost brother for the rest of your natural days (and maybe even some unnatural days...)!

Very sensitive and responsible postings in this thread, thank you. Yes, there is his weakened voice. The cancelled concerts. But there is 'Avonmore', too. To me Bryan Ferry has always been important as a recording artist since I was living in a small town near the Alps where concerts took place far away and cost a lot of money. Of course I am looking forward to the postponed event in September but I hope for some new recordings, outtakes and deluxe editions yet to come .