Thanks, John for putting us up to this, a most difficult test.
This has been tough, and my initial draft was dumped final choices were updated.
The reason I think my list might not feature the usual suspects (VP, ITIS & CM, etc) is I feel BF did not find his voice until after the first Roxy Music album. I think by the time For Your Pleasure was being recorded Ferry knew what sound he wanted for his songs and how to get it.
FYP contains some amazing vocal performances, Beauty Queen being my personal favorite. But DTS, SC & IEDHAH are also stunning. His delivery improved again for Stranded and I feel plateaued on Country Life for the 72-75 period.
For me, Ferry delivered his best vocal performances on his solo outings from this period. I believe he had been hearing these songs and their lyrics in his head (and probably in the tin bath!) for years. Unlike much of Roxy’s work which was put onto tape in the studio.
Unencumbered by group politics and developing the group he was free to just be "the singer" on these albums, here he found his full range and power.
As Time Goes By has been given some excellent coverage on this thread. Rightly too. It is a masterpiece of vocal delivery.
For my sins, here are my choices: Of course, I will look back on this and change my mind.
1972-1975
Sympathy for The Devil
Fingerpoppin’
It Ain’t Me Babe
1976 – 1982
She’s Leaving Home
That’s How Strong My Love Is
Manifesto
1983 – 1988
Zamba
Day for Night
The Right Stuff
1989 – 1996
Answer Me
The Only Face
Chain Reaction
1999
[b]As Time Goes By (the whole album)[/b]
Special mentions:
Where or When
Miss Otis Regrets
Sweet and Lovely
1997 – 2006
Sonnet 18 (1997)
This Love (2000?)
A Fool for Love (piano version)
2007 – 2018
Tender is the Night.
Zamba
Soldier of Fortune
Live recordings:
So many favorites to choose from.
Psalm & Mother of Pearl (Musicladen 1974)
If There Is Something (VIVA!) The Country Life & Siren vocals were awesome.
For Your Pleasure (Siren tour)
Ladytron (Glasgow 1988) His most successful duet?
Make You Feel My Love (Newcastle 05/03/2020) Just stunning!