Bryan Ferry: Beacon Theatre, NY, NY 7/29/2016

I first happened upon Roxy Music in about 2002. I became a huge fan shortly thereafter. Roxy last toured the US in 2001, and I'd passed up on seeing Bryan Ferry twice already so it was high time to see the legend, in the flesh (+ blood). Ferry is 70 years old and, after seeing what a year this has been in way of music casualties, as a bona fide I needed to see him. I'm relieved to say that it truly was worth the wait.

His band was absolutely stellar and obviously very well-rehearsed. His setlist was a list of Roxy Music/Bryan Ferry fan-favorites and greatest hits. The tour was in support of his fifteenth solo album, 2014's Avonmore, and the title track started the night off. His biggest solo hits (in the US) "Slave To Love" and "Don't Stop The Dance" followed. A ton of early Roxy Music classics were also successfully tackled; "Editions Of You", "Ladytron", "Beauty Queen", "Virginia Plain" and lengthy versions of "If There Is Something" and "In Every Dream a Heartache" as well.

Ferry's voice was in fine form and he hit every note perfectly. He was as suave as one could hope he would be. Women of ALL ages were out-and-out screaming for the man in-between songs. One should only hope to be in his condition at age 70.

The Roxy Music classics "More Than This", "Avalon" and "Love Is The Drug" were all greeted with something resembling standing ovations. Perfect readings of  "Oh Yeah (On The Radio)", "Let's Stick Together" and a cover of the John Lennon (tribute) "Jealous Guy" and an emotional performance of the instrumental "Tara" from the Avalon album all made the night even more special than a Roxy/Ferry fan could have even hoped for.

Photos by: Bill Wikstrom

Roxy Music: Manifesto (Atco/Polydor/1979)

On Roxy Music's sixth album Manifesto – their first album since 1976's live Viva album and their first studio album since 1975's Siren, the band has refined their sound. The rough, more-experimental edges have been smoothed-over and Bryan Ferry's lyrical concerns are now a smidge more direct. They actually sounds more like the bands that would later emulate them (Duran Duran, Japan, the entire new romantic movement) on this album. The songwriting is slightly more inconsistent than on previous releases, however there are also more subtleties as well to be enjoyed. Manifesto boasts three excellent singles; the lamenting “Dance Away”, the resigned “Angel Eyes” and arty new-wavey “Trash”.

The album tracks “My Little Girl”, “Still Falls The Rain”, “Spin Me Round” and the title track are all fine additions to the Roxy Music catalog. Guitarist Phil Manzanera and saxophonist Andy MacKay are given a few moments here and there, but this is definitely the first Roxy Music album where Bryan Ferry leads the band as his own. By no means a bad album, Roxy Music made far better albums than this. Half of this album is great, half of it is not. Not a great starting place (for that I'd recommend Country Life, Avalon and For Your Pleasure) but not bad once you've heard their best work either.

Here's the video review: