I actually liked the standards album better than the new one -- which I like fine, but it was amazing how fresh and yet lived-in the songs sounded on the covers album. I thought it was cool he didn't Roxify them. I didn't think of his approach as so much conservative as revealing that he's a great interpreter quite independent of that signature sound. Speaking of great interpreters, what a shame Rosemary Clooney has passed on. Parry
Message: 12 Date: Sun, 30 Jun 2002 18:46:05 -0700 To: zorn-list@mailman.xmission.com From: Tosh <tosh3@earthlink.net> Subject: Great Albums
I am a die hard fan of Bryan Ferry's work - but lately his work has disappointed me. I thought his last covers album was so-so. It would have been much better in my opinion if he 'Roxy Music-ized' the material (all great standards) but instead sort of did a conservative view of the songs. So naturally I didn't have high hopes for his new album 'Frantic.'
Well I do have it and I think it's a fantastic album. Strong songs, strong arrangements...It reminds me why I love his work.
So a weak album (times goes by) by a great artist, and a great comeback album after a decade of so-so work. -- Tosh Berman TamTam Books http://www.tamtambooks.com