I was checking out some of the recent BF youtube uploads and listening to tracks from the Glastonbury gig. And I was pleased to see that he played both verses of MTT and didn't cut it short like he did during the Spring West Coast tour. And it worked very well with his world weary vocal styling circa 2014.

So now I'm thinking, hmmm, maybe he'll feature such a version of MTT on his forthcoming album. Hey, a good chunk of the album LST featured reworkings of Roxy songs so this would hardly be unprecedented. He's had his troubles with love of late and this could increase interest in his reworking of this Classic Song.

If he hasn't thought about this as a possibility he should IMHO!

I almost sputtered drinking a mighty fine, nicely chilled sauvignon blanc there DCJ. Almost!

Cher UKRichard,
Windswept shared your surprise at the great DCJ's enthusiasm. Fortunately he wasn't quaffing at the time so nothing was lost but if we aren't to have any live LPs from the shows then maybe our hero might include some of the new arrangements of his classics on the new album?
Windswept particularly likes 'More Than This', 'Casanova' and 'Tokyo Joe' but as there is so much to choose from and with the jazz and string arrangements being so markedly different, he can't help but think that AEWBF & BFWS deserve their own separate celebrations and a double live album does seem to be the best vehicle.
That said, and without wishing to purloin DJC's mantle as financial analyst, it probably does come down to wether or not it is possible to make money from albums these days.
Time will tell but maybe our illustrious host, the great J O'B can shed some light?
Doubtless the chameleon of rock will keep us guessing.
a bien tôt,
Windswept

While I try to steer clear of the Kool-aid concession stand, I am someone who derives significant pleasure from things BF and Roxy. But my burden to bear is that I don't find pleasure in ALL THINGS BF/Roxy. Sigh. Rest assured it is not easy being DCJ. Everyday is a struggle to get out of bed and turn on the computer...

I haven't had an opportunity to see the entire BF/Glastonbury gig, but from what I have seen it appears that the Roxy Lite sound of the West Coast Spring 2014 tour has evolved into something more substantial (Roxy Not-Quite-So-Lite?). Perhaps this is a consequence of Spedding's presence and perhaps it also relates to the fact that the ensemble has simply had more time to play and interact with one another. Also Guy Pratt's contribution on bass is not to be ignored (witness his bottom on Take a Chance)

Slower, more reflective material seems best suited to BF circa 2014, while more upbeat tunes appear problematic. Thus Glastonbury's version of LST simply serves as a reminder that BF's voice has difficulty trying to recreate what he did 37 years ago...

In case the assembled multitudes are wondering what DCJ's elixir of choice is (given that it is not Kool-aid), I can report that this summer I have found pleasure in getting a big cup, filling it with crushed ice and then mixing in a can of the fruit drink Vimto with a can of Canada Dry ginger ale. Ahhh. A blissful brew. And no pesky hangover...

I really just spilled my orange juice while I read this discussion, thankfully not on my notebook. And certainly not because of any of your posts here. There was only a lot of condensed water on the outside of the glas so that it slipped my hand.

Bryan Ferry's voice has changed over the years, which is a natural process. It has its ups and downs, but, I hate to remind you, his voice also had some ups and downs when he was younger. There are some live recordings on youtube from Japan 1976 where his voice sounded very unpleasant and nasal, almost as if he suffered from nasal polyps. Maybe he used a little bit too much cocaine at that time, who knows.

The downside of the development is his voice is weaker and lower, but the upside is it is much warmer now, his singing is much more subtle than it was in the seventies, and the "world weary vocal style" as DCJ puts it really has a charme of its own.

When I first listened to the Tollwood recording on the MDR site, the old Viva! recordings the presenter played in between the 2013 recordings really stunned me. It's not that I don't like the Viva! album or Roxy's early works, contrariwise, I love it. But in contrast to the contemporary recording I found it almost painful to hear the loud and penetrating voice he's had in the 70s. It's really an entirely different ballgame, and naturally, when two styles are completely different, there are always people who prefer one over the other. I personally like both styles served here and I agree with monsieur Windswept that the AEWBF tour really deserves to be put on CD, especially the Tollwood concert. And I'd love to hear a recording of BFWS.

BF's vocal styling definitely evolved during his career. I think his efforts on the first Roxy Album sound strained and thin, especially compared to what soon followed. Virginia Plain has vocals that sound comfortable and perfectly suited to the song. From FYP through Siren he was in fine form in the studio although live recordings could be a bit variable in that era.

Something was a bit askew in the mid-late 70s and he doesn't sound all that great in the Japanese TV video from the In Your Mind tour. OK but not strong. My sense is that his "both ends burning" lifestyle took a toll during this era. But he definitely bounced back in the 80s and through Mamouna in the 90s he was in great form. I know some people are big fans of ATGB but find this album to be a tough listen because of his raspy voice. It just doesn't sound good IMHO. Others disagree. Fair enough.

I'm a big fan of the Live 2001 Roxy album, although there are a few songs that remind me that the years had not passed without affect in regard to BF's voice. For example, OOTB sounds great instrumentally but the vocals have a slightly nasal quality that don't compare well with the original (but the live version of Oh Yeah recorded in Detroit is superb in my estimation)

The other day in my youtube ramblings I clicked on a live version of Baby Blue from the Frantic tour and was struck by how strong BF's voice was compared to recent gigs. Very fulsome and no sandpaper effect.

It's sobering to look back on 2002 and think, wow, those were the good old days...

Interesting exchanges and evolving opinions gentlemen. Tres bon.

Philosophical Philanderers,
Windswept is concerned 'The Main Thing' in this thread is being missed.
It's not that he dislikes discussions about the evolution of our hero's voice. Indeed, he revels in all things Ferry (albeit, making any observations on voice based on youtube amateur videos is highly questionable) It's more that his concern is that these fabulous recent arrangements could be lost forever.
AEWBF played across Europe to unprecedented reviews. In all his years as a music fan he has seldom, if ever, seen such uniformed and unadulterated praise. Those shows were fabulous and probably IWNSHO slightly ahead of the previous high (ATGB). OK, the band was simply amazing but it was the arrangements that were absolute killers. Songs that have always been great just simply reached a whole new level. Windswept was at RAH and Brighton and was left as high as a kite (musically) and felt that he'd never witness the like again.
For whatever reason our hero deemed not to take this format to the US. Shame for them and it looked like BF had turned the page.
Consequently, when BFWS was announced, Windswept had some trepidation. How could our hero possibly top AEWBF? The concert in Hyde Park that had featured both TBFO with strings didn't completely work (the sound was too heavy and there was just too much going on) and there was the Leipzig ticket debacle.
He needn't have worried Dublin was an absolute and utter triumph and again the arrangements were just unbelievable. Ireland sold out but that means that only 2400 people saw that show and there is every probability that the format won't be repeated. For Bryan's fans to be deprived of these arrangements is a travesty.
We simply have to have the arrangements from AEWBF and BFWS showcased. They are a career high for our hero and for them to be lost to posterity would be the musical equivalent of loosing the Mona Lisa.
Windswept is passionate about this.
a bien tôt.

Couldn't agree more.

Good Evening to all Fellow Roxyologists and Ferryistas Who post Here in The hallowed Cyber-Halls Of Justice of which are Sacred Grounds. It's Lori. I want to express again My Anger and total disappointment at the fact The North American Audiences will be deprived and disallowed to be able to experience BOTH AEWBF and BFWS. I have SEEN?HEARD most of AEWBF on You Tube. I was dprived however of SEEING?HEARING any of BFWS. The closets I came to the Second Format was watching the entire Set-List of Bryan Ferry With Strings during The Proms In The Park Festival Live At Hyde Park. Was this Festival's prior Name Night Of The Proms, or was that A different Festival for Hyde Park?
I was totally STUNNED and was rendered speechless at what I was witnessing. that Concert at Hyde Park had Me hypnotized and transfixed at what Bryan Ferry is capable of as a Artist. Is there NO limits to this mans' Intelligence and Articulation and talents when it comes to His Craft? Like I have typed Here before IF there was ANY Musician and Artist on " This Island Earth " Who can so skillfully and Artfully blend 3 unlikely Genres of Music together and somehow make it WORK it is none other than Bryan Ferry. WHO in THEIR Right Mind can ever THINK of getting Rock & Roll, Orchestral/Classical, and Jazz Music to get along with each other and present it so effortlessly than Him? I bet No other Musician and Artist has the Intestinal Fortitude and the brashness to even want to attempt to pull this off.
I know that Bryan Ferry cannot Sell-Out The huge Arenas and Foot-Ball Stadiums over Here in North America, HOWEVER there are loads of Small to Medium Sized Venues all over the Entire Continent that Out-Number the afore mentioned Ones at about A 4 to 6 to One margin that Bryan Ferry can easily PERFORM/PLAY in. I can think of quite a few that Duran Duran were able to do this in to A happy and well satisfied Audience.
I have also stated that The are A huge Number of Jazz Festivals and countless other Music festivals that take place all across The North American Continent during The Summer and Autumn that Bryan Ferry COULD have and SHOULD brought His Jazz Band to Perform/Play in.Bay-Fest and Blues-Fest to name just 2.
Rock & Roll and Jazz were BOTH born and raised in North America.
Bryan Ferry SHOULD not have committed A " Crime Of Passion " so to speak to rob The very Birth-Place of jazz to experience this Once-In-A Lifetime Music experience and Event.
I wonder of the Great J.O.B can offer some insight to this? North America DESERVED this.
I have No doubt that it would have gotten the same great reviews In My Country.As for BFWS I will discuss My further thoughts about Leipzig, Germany in a new discussion Thread. I so wanted to SEE?HEAR ANY Video clips of BFWS in Dublin on You Tube. Alas My request was not able to be granted. i am also very Heart-Broken about this. as well. Life is sure difficult as a State-Side Fan of both Roxy Music and Bryan Ferry Solo.
As We Yanks get so little of both.
The 'Final Frontier " and the most difficult of all Markets to conquer for ANY and ALL European Bands/Groups and Soloists and also One of the most Major Ones as well. The North American Market It is also the most LUCRATIVE One ( My sincere regrets for indescresion Here. )
Why some European Musicians/Artists seem to have little interest in North American MONEY has Me in Mystery Mode.
The Canadian Dollar, The American Green-Back and The Mexican Peso. Lot's to be MADE and to CHOOSE from indeed!
I will also discuss what I think was Roxy Music's Down-Fall in this market in that Forum as well.
I hope that I have not committed any offences Here. I really want to be accepted as nice and positive addition to this very special and unique Family. the question of " Is My Love Strong Enough ? " for both Roxy Music and Bryan Ferry Solo does not have to be asked of Me. As My answer will always be YES it is.
" Life is tough, No matter how I try " as A Fan
Lori.