Bryan Ferry Album: “As Time Goes By”

Description :

Personnel includes: Bryan Ferry (vocals, synthesizer); Nils Solberg, Phil Manzanera (guitar); Martin Wheatley (banjo); Gavyn Wright, Dave Woodcock, Abraham Lebrovich, Boguslav Kostecki, Wilf Gibson (violin); Phil Dukes, Peter Lale (viola); Anthony Pleeth (cello); Cynthia Millar (ondes martenot); Hugh Webb (harp); Jim Tomlinson (clarinet, alto saxophone); Alan Barnes (clarinet, tenor saxophone); Jose Libertella, Luis Stazo (bandoneon); Robert Fowler (tenor saxophone); Enrico Tomasso (trumpet); Malcolm Earle Smith, Bob Hunt (trombone); Colin Good (piano, synthesizer, harmonium); Richard Jeffries, Chris Laurence (bass); John Sutton, Andy Newmark (drums); Frank Ricotti (percussion); James Sanger (programming); Oxford Girls Choir (background vocals). Recorded at Lansdowne Studios, London, England. All tracks have been digitally mastered using HDCD technology. AS TIME GOES BY was nominated for the 2001 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. Back in the early '70s, Bryan Ferry released a pair of albums, THESE FOOLISH THINGS and ANOTHER TIME, ANOTHER PLACE. With the exception of the title track on the latter, both records consist entirely of Ferry's reinterpretations of other artists' songs, all of which bear his own personal stamp. AS TIME GOES BY, which was released in 1999, is another collection of covers, which were taken primarily from the '30s. This time around, however, the songs are fairly faithful renditions of the originals, even down to the addition of artificial "surface noise" and the "canning" of Ferry's vocals to simulate the sonic idiosyncrasies of a old-fashioned, hank-cranked record player. The best tracks here are the ones on which Ferry is clearly having some fun, as on "When Somebody Thinks You're Wonderful" and "Sweet and Lovely," both of which feature the kind of scat trumpet playing that Louis Armstrong made famous. Other standouts include "Lover Come Back to Me," with its jazz guitar/piano combination; "I'm in the Mood for Love," which recalls the brilliance and sophistication of Ferry's late-period work with Roxy Music circa-FLESH + BLOOD; and "Where or When," which features one of his great tortured vocals, accompanied by graceful strings.

This is by far the best recording ever conceived by Bryan Ferry. His previous works like Boys and Girls will remain classics in the New Romantic style of music, but if you like his old stuff with Roxy Music such as Smoke Gets in Your Eyes and These Foolish Things, then you'll love As Time Goes By. Ferry's more matured voice is evident in these recordings and his choice of band members make for a flawless musical accompaniment. I love this album so much that I decided to give in to the price of purchasing the limited edition import version.

For those of you that are not familiar with Bryan Ferry or Roxy Music...Lately, most of my music interest lay in the range of the acid jazz and techno, but this album has no boundaries and is sure to be enjoyed by all ages, regardless of musical preconception. It's just a classic interpretation of music from a beautiful era.

With this magical production, Ferry has obviously alienated those near hopeless naysayers reared on a monomaniac diet of "modern" music with all its catchy synth trappings and infinite levels of overproduction.

When the musical alchemist strips down those unnecessary layers, mines for the gold, and reveals the beauty and simplicity inherent in timeless structures, is it any wonder that some must flee? Beautiful, haunting, lush, moving, elegant, poignant, pleasantly addictive, are expressions and words that this creation objectively warrants.

One who can transform songs from the distant past into aural pearls that so easily eclipse contemporary options, is worthy of much praise. Bryan Ferry is a gift to the world of music.

This is an incredible album of 1940's music. A lot of familiar tunes and some not so familiar. This version of 'I'm In The Mood For love' is the best I've ever heard. Bryon sings a straight version of 'Miss Otis Regrets' as opposed to the dark comedy upbeat version by Bette Midler - both versions are worth a listen. The orchestration is top rate as are the arrangements. Most songs are reasonably short so they don't stand the chance of becoming boring and beat to death. Great buy.

I bought this album for three reasons:

1. These old classic songs are great. After hearing them many times for many years I never tire of them

and I always find them romantic and moving; and as with a previous reviewer, they transport me to

another time and place.

2. The band on this CD is absolutely first-rate and the musical arrangements are perfectly matched to the

time period and lyrics of each song.

3. I love Bryan Ferry's unique, not-to-be-mistaken-for-anyone-else's voice. It really goes great with this

music.

As a bonus, Amazon.com's low price for this album was way below what I expected to pay.