I have seen many press articles mention that this is the first time Roxy have recorded together since 1973 etc. I also see some fans complain that BF has hijacked the Roxy album and put it out as Olympia.

To look at the facts: Mamouna had more invlovement from Mackay, Manzanera and Eno than this album, something the press don't seem to be aware of.

It seems that discounting a cover 'Song To The Siren' on Olympia, Mackay Manzanera and Eno don't play together all on one track.

There is no more of a Roxy re-union here than Mamouna. Presumably the Roxy material remains largley untouched for this album.

It appears to me in terms of material and musicians Olympia is no more or no less a Bryan Ferry solo album than any of his previous solo albums.

J.O'B.

here here, john

When the press compactly say what they say, and you say what you say, namely that;

"It appears to me in terms of material and musicians Olympia is no more or no less a Bryan Ferry solo album than any of his previous solo albums".

-I feel disgusted. Then there is far less to look forward to. Why has the press such an enormous power? Each press article says exactly the same. In the end you happen to believe it.

Hmm, I'm sure I remember people being "miffed" that having a small Roxy reunion on Mamouna didn't elicit more excitement from the press. Now we're complaining that the press are taking note.
Bonkers.

I would have thought that any press coverage is good for all concerned.

O

JOB hit it on the mark. The only thing that distinguishes Olympia in this context is that Eno, PM and AM all appear on one track. But there are so many other people who also appear on Song for the Siren that it doesn't seem all that special...

John ... I see your point , but, the Olympia press machine itself made a big issue about the Roxy Music connections in July ... It seems then slightly "confusing" for BF to now play this down in interviews...

I agree with J.O.'B. As BF himself said, the others just play bits and pieces here and there.

I am intrigued that PM gets a writing (and production) credit on "BF Bass (Ode to Olympia)". I recall PM referring, at the time of "50 minutes Later", to a track he and BF had written. He said BF played bass and it would have been on "50 minutes Later" had it been completed, but was not and so would be on the Roxy album. Now it seems to have turned up on Olympia.

I guess BF Bass was a working title. Ode to Olympia sounds much better to me.

I still hope they do go back to the Roxy recordings and can make some good music from it. With the years passing, that does seem more difficult and probably unlikely. Ah well, be thankful for the great music they made and the shows they are still performing.

For our own mental sanity I think we should forget about any Roxy album and suck on any Roxy connection regarding Olympia that we can find. This is what BF says in an interview the 10th of September 2010:

(Quote from the article "Bryan Ferry Album Cover Inspired By Controversial Painting").

Ferry says, "It's been quite a while since I put out an album featuring my own compositions, and Olympia is just that. It's taken a long time, and a lot of great musicians, old and new, contributed their talents to make it what it is, so naturally it's a very important record for me. Some people have already mentioned that Olympia sounds more like a Roxy Music album than any of my previous solo records, and this is probably true.

"I approached the record with the same intensity as the early Roxy Music albums, and I wanted the artwork to represent this.