Here is the final part of the Galaxy's look back on the career of Bryan Ferry.
After the 2001 tour with Roxy Music Bryan returned to several unreleased recordings he had done over the previous 10 years as
well as some recent recordings.
Some of this material found its way on to the Frantic album, released in April 2002. The album was a success, charting at #6 in the UK.
The first single, "It's All Over Now Baby
Blue" was released in Europe in April 2002.
The first single in the UK was the excellent "Goddess Of Love", which was co-written with Dave Stewart (Eurythmics). The song was inspired by Marilyn Monroe. Released in May (after the album was out), it didnt do very well on the singles chart, peaking at #82.
"One Way Love" was
released as a single in Germany in 2002 and "Fool For Love" was released as a promo single in France.
Bryan was performing live throughout from 2002 through 2004, both solo and with Roxy Music. During that time work started on a new Roxy album, but Bryan later said in an interview that the work had been abandoned and that "I don't think we'll record as Roxy again".
2004 saw the release of The Platinum Collection - a three disc set featuring 45 remastered tracks. It comes with a great booklet featuring singles artwork and track by track notes. It is still in print, and probably the best release to buy for casual fans/people that are just starting to get into the music of Roxy and Bryan, since it features most of the singles. It charted at #17 in the UK.
The next studio album was released in March 2007. Dylanesque was, as the name suggests, a cover album of songs by Bob Dylan. Bryan had mentioned in an interview back in 1973 when his first solo album was released that he hoped one day to record a full album of Dylan covers (there are still several covers that were recorded during this time that did not make the album and remain unreleased so far).
The album was yet another success, charting at #6 in the UK.
There were no singles from the album (although "The Times They Are A-Changin'" was a digital release and was issued as a promo CD). As usual, Ferry went on an extensive tour to promote the album.
In 2008 Ferry received the Icon Award at the BMI London Awards.
A compilation of Bryan's solo songs was released in 2009. Along with several of his singles, it featured the unreleased track "I Don't Want To Go On Without You" and a stunning piano version of "Fool For Love". A two disc version was also released, including a DVD that featured music videos and TV apperances. An excellent release, although I would have loved it to have been a 2CD/DVD combo.
Also in 2009, Ferry provided vocals on DJ Hell's record, U Can Dance.
Bryan's latest album, Olympia, was released in October 2010. The album contained material he had been recording with his former Roxy Music band members. It features a wide range of contributors, including co-songwriter Dave Stewart (Eurythmics), Brian Eno, Phil Manzanera and Andy Mackay (Roxy Music), the electronic group Groove Armada, David Gilmour, Marcus Miller, Scissor Sisters, Nile Rodgers, Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead), Steve Nieve, and Flea.
The album received glowing reviews and was hailed by many as a true return to form. Despite that, the album only made #19 in the UK. It became his highest charting album in the US since 1987, charting at #71.
A stunning deluxe edition of the album was made available, packed with a large photo book, a bonus CD and a bonus DVD - by far the best way to own this album!
The first single from the album was a new version of "U Can Dance" - this time titled "You Can Dance". When I heard this song my intrest in Bryan Ferry went into overdrive and I was finally a "megafan" if you will. IMO it is right up there with some of his best solo efforts!
The next single was "Shameless" - a song previously released in a different version on a Groove Armada album.
This was followed by "Reason Or Rhyme" and "Alphaville".
As usual, Ferry went on a big tour to support the album, which sold out on every single date.
.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
(thanks to the excellent Viva Roxy Music website)
Bryan was performing live throughout from 2002 through 2004, both solo and with Roxy Music. During that time work started on a new Roxy album, but Bryan later said in an interview that the work had been abandoned and that "I don't think we'll record as Roxy again".
2004 saw the release of The Platinum Collection - a three disc set featuring 45 remastered tracks. It comes with a great booklet featuring singles artwork and track by track notes. It is still in print, and probably the best release to buy for casual fans/people that are just starting to get into the music of Roxy and Bryan, since it features most of the singles. It charted at #17 in the UK.
The next studio album was released in March 2007. Dylanesque was, as the name suggests, a cover album of songs by Bob Dylan. Bryan had mentioned in an interview back in 1973 when his first solo album was released that he hoped one day to record a full album of Dylan covers (there are still several covers that were recorded during this time that did not make the album and remain unreleased so far).
The album was yet another success, charting at #6 in the UK.
There were no singles from the album (although "The Times They Are A-Changin'" was a digital release and was issued as a promo CD). As usual, Ferry went on an extensive tour to promote the album.
In 2007 a controversy arose after Ferry praised the imagery
and iconography of the Nazi régime in an interview with the German newspaper,
Welt Am Sonntag. Ferry stated "the way that the Nazis staged themselves
and presented themselves, my Lord!...I'm talking about the films of Leni
Riefenstahl...And the buildings of Albert Speer and the mass marches and the
flags—just fantastic. Really beautiful."
Ferry's comments caused considerable controversy in the
media and, the following month he made a public apology, stating "I
apologise unreservedly for any offence caused by my comments on Nazi
iconography, which were solely made from an art history perspective. I, like
every right-minded individual, find the Nazi régime, and all it stood for, evil
and abhorrent"
In 2008 Ferry received the Icon Award at the BMI London Awards.
A compilation of Bryan's solo songs was released in 2009. Along with several of his singles, it featured the unreleased track "I Don't Want To Go On Without You" and a stunning piano version of "Fool For Love". A two disc version was also released, including a DVD that featured music videos and TV apperances. An excellent release, although I would have loved it to have been a 2CD/DVD combo.
This failed to to much on the charts (after all, there had
been a lot of compilations released in the previous years), so this one only
made it to #95 in the UK. It is well worth having though!
Also in 2009, Ferry provided vocals on DJ Hell's record, U Can Dance.
Bryan's latest album, Olympia, was released in October 2010. The album contained material he had been recording with his former Roxy Music band members. It features a wide range of contributors, including co-songwriter Dave Stewart (Eurythmics), Brian Eno, Phil Manzanera and Andy Mackay (Roxy Music), the electronic group Groove Armada, David Gilmour, Marcus Miller, Scissor Sisters, Nile Rodgers, Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead), Steve Nieve, and Flea.
The album received glowing reviews and was hailed by many as a true return to form. Despite that, the album only made #19 in the UK. It became his highest charting album in the US since 1987, charting at #71.
A stunning deluxe edition of the album was made available, packed with a large photo book, a bonus CD and a bonus DVD - by far the best way to own this album!
The first single from the album was a new version of "U Can Dance" - this time titled "You Can Dance". When I heard this song my intrest in Bryan Ferry went into overdrive and I was finally a "megafan" if you will. IMO it is right up there with some of his best solo efforts!
The next single was "Shameless" - a song previously released in a different version on a Groove Armada album.
This was followed by "Reason Or Rhyme" and "Alphaville".
As usual, Ferry went on a big tour to support the album, which sold out on every single date.
.
He also did several gigs with Roxy Music in 2010 and went on a successful tour with them in 2011.
In 2011 Ferry was made a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours for his contribution to the British music industry. In a magazine interview the same year Ferry did not rule out the possibility of new Roxy material, revealing that he would be interested in doing something "more experimental. A soundtrack or something".
Which brings us to the present...
In 2011 Ferry was made a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours for his contribution to the British music industry. In a magazine interview the same year Ferry did not rule out the possibility of new Roxy material, revealing that he would be interested in doing something "more experimental. A soundtrack or something".
Which brings us to the present...
Bryan started the year by getting married! He was awarded the French national honour of
Officier de l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres at the Ministre de la Culture et de
la Communication in Paris. The prestigious French award was presented on behalf of the
French Republic by M. Frederic Mitterrand, the Minister of Culture and
Communication.
And then there was the announcement of his very first concert of 2012 - in Reykjavik, Iceland, which just happens to be where your´s truly lives!
And then there was the announcement of his very first concert of 2012 - in Reykjavik, Iceland, which just happens to be where your´s truly lives!
Getting good tickets proved to be extremely stressful, since public interest was huge - the show sold out in less then 2 hours with all the best tickets going at an alarming rate. I did however manage to get excellent tickets! A second show was added the night after, and if you are anywhere near Reykjavik on May 28th, get tickets while there are still some available!
Bryan has expressed interest in having a signing session before the concert, which I really hope will happen!
He will also appear at a festival in Norway next month, and at another festival in the UK in July. But for now, here is his latest appearance. Broadcast on April 14th, he opened the Titanic Commemoration with "Song Of The Siren" from his Olympia album.
He will also appear at a festival in Norway next month, and at another festival in the UK in July. But for now, here is his latest appearance. Broadcast on April 14th, he opened the Titanic Commemoration with "Song Of The Siren" from his Olympia album.
I hope you guys have enjoyed this look back at the career of a true legend (god knows it was a LOT of work to create these posts!). Below are links to the previous parts. Stay tuned for my review of the concert here in Iceland on May 27th :)
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
(thanks to the excellent Viva Roxy Music website)
3 comments:
You have indeed put major effort, time, and above all love into these posts - and I thank you for it! I only wish I was coming to the concert with you and Teddi... Jx
Thank you sweetie! I assure you, you will be there with us in spirit!
*Sigh* Jx
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