Cher RoxySiren,
I have to spring to the defence of Monsieur Good as I think that his arrival in our hero's court with the incomparable ATGB project heralded the start of the third chapter in Geordie's favourite son's career and he (BF) never looked back since.
Of course Colin's contribution to ATGB & TJA was huge because he knows this music inside out and IMNSHO he is probably one of, if not the best Jazz player and arranger in London.
That said, I also think his contribution to Bryan's other projects and as musical director for Roxy can't be underestimated. The new intro he penned for ASFE is absolutely spine tingling and boy oh boy, doesn't this man know how to tinkle the ivories?
Regards,
Windswept

Dear windswept
You are such a gent, and I welcome the opportunity to debate this crucial topic.

I absolutely agree that CG did indeed come along at a time which ushered in chapter 3. For that I'm grateful. CG is also superb at what he does, which is a lot (you cite many of his qualities). He also plays piano beautifully....but I prefer BF's near incompetent black-notes-only amateur staccato playing on Roxy 1, you see. So much more darkness, idiosyncrasy. CG 's virtuosity does little for me, and I think that he, and the unchallenging production (usually from Rhett, who is also great, in his own way, at certain times) have conspired to blandify some of BF's best work. Yes, I think some of his best songs have been written (or at least released) int he past 15 years. However, the songs have often been produced and arranged in ways which take the edges off.

Had CG arranged and played piano on FYP....god help us all.

IMNSHO

My preference is also the stacato piano of Remake-Remodel, Do The Strand and Hard Rain. Roxy used the piano as a rhythm instrument in much the same way as The Velvet Underground and The Doors had experimented with in the decade prior. I've often pondered what Roxy would have produced if Eno had remained in Roxy and presented pulsating keyboard snippets like Backwater to the band. Could have, would have - but what an enticing alternative timeline it would have been?..

Mes Amis - RoxySiren & Zarathustra,
You have certainly made me think and I have come to the conclusion that we are both correct - you for the past and my good self for the present. I say this because the rougher more avant guarde approach suited those times perfectly.
Our hero is lucky to have such artistically sensitive fans.He should invite us all down to Anderson & Sheppard and reward us for this consultancy!
Regards,
Windswept

The person I want to see produce BF is no other than Phil Manzanera. Take the sound of 6PM, add BF vocals and lyrics, and you could really have something nice.

Wait a minute, wasn't there an album like that being recorded recently by a hip glam prog art band who made a big splash in the 70s? Let me see, who could that be...

Seconded - only Andy Mackay could do better. Take the sound of Three Coins in the Fountain, add BF vocals and lyrics, and you could really have something nice.

Wait a minute, wasn't there an album like that being recorded recently by a experimental new wave rock/pop band who made a big splash in the 70s? Let me see, who could that be...

Elegantly Ageing Hipsters,
I've exercised my little grey cels, such as they are, over this most intriguing question and have come to a conclusion.
If our hero wants to plough like furrows he has the team and God knows, the creativity,quality and diversity of his output is beyond reproach.
That said, IMNSHO, the producer you elect to work with depends entirely on the type of album you want to make.
My longstanding desire is to have Geordie's Favourite Son give us a stripped rendering of his finest and most lyrically intense songs and if he were ever to fulfil that particular dream, I think he would do well to work with either Rick Rubin or T-Bone Burnett.
My preference would be for Rubin but I was very impressed with T-Bone's work with Robert Plant and Alison Krauss' "Raising Sand".
I don't know what you renowned Roxologists out there think of this idea but I'm quite sure you won't be backwards in coming forward and letting me know,
Regards, Windswept.

Giorgio Moroder. No question.

good idea RS - Moroder is right up there - wonder if the Ferry camp troll here for ideas? I doubt it, they can't even answer emails. distant as Bryan. after all, we pay for his socks.