AzArtist wrote:
This is a great thread. I think a discussion of the live reworking of More Than This is in order.
Original
Live '02
Live unplugged '14/'15
Live Full Band '15
To me the original is still the greatest but the live versions are also wonderful.
But I truely truely love the unplugged version from Glastonbury. I really agree with UK Richard about solo Bryan and the piano.
Elegantly Ageing Hipsters,
AzArtist has stolen W2's thunder and picked the next track. He has proposed MTT - a fabulous idea!
Before Windswept waxes lyrical about the versions proposed (and thank you Teresa for posting the examples), W2 would like to summarise his thoughts on CASANOVA.
During the discussion many renowned Roxologists (albeit Roxy never stated her preference) opined that the CL 'Version Originale ' remains the best.
This has left W2 in a state of shock but he remains completely convinced that his preference for the LST, ATGB, AEWBF and Jazz Age versions is well founded and remains the thinking Ferryista's choice.
That said and despite his refined ear, he doesn't profess to have a monopoly on wisdom so perhaps the mantra that all Ferry is good Ferry (except IYLSE) should prevail. Maybe a late vote from Roxy will swing things more in his favour. He lives in hope.
Now to AzArtist's choice, More Than This, W2 has been spinning the selection on his virtual turn table and his appreciation is as follows:
AVALON (May '82) - Manifesto and Flesh & Blood had made it clear that Roxy were progressively ploughing a new furrow so
when W2 finally got to listen to AVALON in its entirety he wasn't surprised at the direction.
He remembers going out from work to buy the album and took it to a dinner party that night. Fortunately the hosts were fans and after dinner, there was a lull in the conversation and he got to pop the album on their turn table.
There was stunned silence and when MTT came on, W2 remembers thinking it was one of the most beautiful songs he'd ever heard.
It is a song that means different things to you at different times in your life and at that point we were entering into our thirties and it was a time of deepening love both for our partners and our children - 'More Than This You Know There Is Nothing' summed it up beautifully.
The VO has a great tempo, is quite sparse and like the whole album amazingly well produced. The musicianship is faultless and Ferry's vocals are superb.
Live ('02 Reunion Tour) - Ironically, despite W2 priding himself on seeing every Roxy & Ferry Fandango and yes, even The Gas Board, they never played MTT at any gig he attended. They didn't play it when he saw the Avalon tour in Frejus and they didn't play it at Madison Gardens or Radio City on this tour! In fact, W2 was starting to think it was personal and only finally got to see the boy play it live in Sydney (FYP 2011). Talk about having to go to the other end of the world to hear one of your favourite songs played live! Nonetheless, they must have played it somewhere live in '01/'02/'03 and W2 got to hear it on their live album. Pour etre honnete it's not his favourite. They move the tempo up - presumably to allow for some seat dancing. It's competent but doesn't move the creative peanut forward.
Live Unplugged '14/'15 (Glasto Version) - Mon Dieu if you aren't moved by this, you haven't got a heart.
As somebody commented under the Youtube clip, he uses the frailty in his voice to underline the inherent emotional frailty in the song. An absolute master stroke and the stripped arrangement with the backing singers is beyond brilliant. Less is definitely more on this occasion. It's 35 years since the VO and we are all now nearer the end than the beginning. He knows it and he's looking back - we are looking back with him and it is just a fabulous way to do it. Love it beyond words and he should put it on an album otherwise W2 will organise a protest outside Studio One.
Live Album '15 - Again, he didn't play this when W2 saw him at The Palladium - studiously ignored again. That said, it's better than '02 reunion because of it's slower tempo and his mature vocals give it more gravitas.
In summary mes amis, W2 just adores the Glasto live version and wants to see it on a stripped album More Than This there is only the VO.
But this is w2's truth tell him yours.
a bientôt,
W2
Ps Windswept also loves Norah Jones's version of MTT