And lastly, I spoke with songwriter/producer Patrick Leonard about working with Ferry in the '80s.
Following his ongoing work with Madonna, Leonard's second most important collaboration has been with Bryan Ferry on his moody, squirming Bete Noiralbum. Leonard used his expertise with electronic instruments to help create a seething, rhythmic stew of romance and intrigue (Leonard co-wrote five of the tracks and co-produced the entire album with Ferry).
The single "Kiss and Tell" finds a supple groove and a clean melody for a tale of romantic bartering. "Zamba" floats on a strange syncopation to reveal a sharp autumnal image of loss. "The Right Stuff" packs a loping punch, and the title track closes the album with a gypsy flourish.
Though the album is great, Leonard isn't satisfied with it. "I don't think that record was fully realized. Bryan was going through management changes and things were dragging a bit. We just had to finish it, and we did. We probably used machines a little too much because of the way we were working.
"There are some good qualities to that record," he continues. "I learned a lot of interesting things - bizarre things I would have never tried - like taking trumpet solos that were done for one song, sampling them and taking a piece, flipping it backwards, dropping it down a fifth and putting it in a different song. Now that is stuff that everybody eats for breakfast, but in '87 it wasn't. Now you can just do it with ProTools."
But love and loss never change - just ask Bryan Ferry
Article comments
1 - Bill Sherman
Great piece: one of my personal fave Roxy discs has to be Stranded. It was the first of theirs that I heard, and I can still recall the chill of opening cut "Street Life," as Ferry cries out to be left alone. Later, the Brit punks would sneer at Roxy Music, but I've long felt that song had as much urgency and emotion in it as anything to come out of the punk movement. . .
2 - Eric Olsen
Thanks Bill, I think the first song I heard was "Do the Strand" from For Your Pleasure, but I immediately went back to the first album, which i think came out the same year, and was with them in real time from then on.
Cleveland was THE hotbed of Roxymania in the US. They were amazing, timeless, magical - I get bored very easily typically, but I can sit and listen to their entire catalog and just groove.
Another great sing: I think every one of their albums was my favorite at some point in time other than Manifesto, which I never really got into.
Much of the Ferry solo stuff is great also, but it's Roxy that encapsulates popular music for me, perhaps even better than the Beatles or Stones.
3 - Merv Black
Who is ever free from the pangs of deceit and love. I agree with Eric Olsen. For Your Pleasure started Roxy internationally and Bryan Ferry ended Roxy with Avalon.
Strange how Jerry Hall graced an album cover but nothing like that with Lucy
4 - Eric Olsen
Certainly no one is free from such things - thanks Merv.
5 - Mark Solomon
Merv:
Actually, the model on the cover of Avalon is Lucy Ferry who at the time was pregnant.
I think the cover photo was shot in the west of Ireland!
6 - Amanda
I saw Bryan live in Cardiff last year, he was amazing. I was right at the front,by the stage, and he looked the same as ever - like his music, he just doesnt age.The Roxy song I'm playing most at the moment is "If there is something", which is beautifully constructed - a mix of tongue in cheek upbeat humour, haunting romanticism and dark edginess.
7 - Eric Olsen
Amanda, sounds great! I haven't seen him in about ten years, glad to hear all is well. I love almost all Roxy, but "If There Is Something" is one of the greats. Thanks.
8 - Sarah
the comment in the piece about jerry hall having been bryan's wife is incorrect. they were engaged but never married.
9 - JOB
Bryan gets a bit of respect back after Jerry Hall's latest divorce. While vacationing in Mexico the press ask her who gave her the ruby ring she was wearing; she replies Ferry, a real gentleman. Now will Bryan get the energy to get rid of the 22 year old model girlfiends and give Jerry a call for a date?
10 - Eric Olsen
hmm, interesting info, thanks!