Time for part 3 of the Galaxy's coverage of Bryan Ferry and his career.
In June 1985, Ferry returned with his first solo album since 1978. It was the hugely successful Boys And Girls, which became his only solo #1 album in the UK. It also became his most successful album in the US, peaking at #63 and shipping half a million copies.
The first single from the album is probably his best known and most remembered song to date - the fantastic "Slave To Love". Strangely though (as so often happens), the songs chart performance does not really reflect it's success - it peaked #10 in the UK at the time of it's release. The track was used in the hit movie 9/1/2 Weeks. It has since of course become known as a classic hit from the 80s, along with his next single.
"Don't Stop The Dance" charted at #21 in the UK and remains one of his best known hits.
The last single to be taken from the album was the excellent "Windswept", which peaked at #46 in the UK. The video was directed by Darek Jarman.
In July 1985 Ferry performed at the London Live Aid show. Despite being hit with severe sound/technical difficulties it was a very well received performance and Boys and Girls remained in the UK chart for almost a year.
1986 saw the release of Street Life, a best of from Ferry and Roxy Music. It went to #1 in the UK and spent 77 weeks on the album chart.
The next release from Ferry was a song featured in the movie Legend. "Is Your Love Strong Enough" peaked at #22 in the UK.
This was followed by another soundtrack single - this time a song called "Help Me", included on the soundtrack for the film The Fly. The song was co-written by Nile Rogers and only released as a single in the US.
Ferry released his next album, Bete Noire in November 1987. He worked with Madonna co-writer/producer Patrick Leonard on the album, which peaked at #9 in the UK.
The first single released from the album was "The Right Stuff ", which peaked at #37.
Next up was the classic "Kiss And Tell", which only made it to #41. It became a hit in the US, peaking at # 31.
The last single was the excellent "Limbo", which only made it to #86 in the UK (I especially like the 12" Latin mix).
1988 saw the release of a best of entitled The Ultimate Collection. It peaked at number 6 in UK and featured two previously unreleased tracks. "He'll Have To Go" was left over from The Bride Stripped Bare sessions and "Help Me".
Part 4 coming soon...
2 comments:
An excellent tryptych of blogs so far!
As time has gone on, however, Mr Ferry's output has veered dangerously towards "Lounge Lizard parody" territory. I am not surprised stuff like Kiss and Tell, The Right Stuff and Limbo (a prophetic title) made absolutely no impression on me (nor in fact the rest of the buying public) whatsoever.
As much as I absolutely adore Mr Ferry for who and what he is, and for the pivotal place he plays in my musical and style influences, I fear part 4 will bring us towards the dreaded "Songbook years" and his "Nazi controversy tabloid hell".... Gulp. Jx
Well, I actually enjoy the latter part of his career just as much as his earlier work, although it may be less exiting. Glad you enjoy the posts.
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