Disco de Bryan Ferry: “Slave to Love: The Best of the Ballads”

Without question, Bryan Ferry is one of the most sublime singers of the past 30 years. And if you subtract the work with Roxy, he rates as one of the all time best interpretive artists, ever. Which is what makes a collection like "Slave to Love" frustrating. While it certainly spotlight's Ferry's extraordinary skill as a romantic singer, it jumbles and juxtaposes styles from the various stages of Ferry's career.

One of the greatest things about latter day Roxy was that the albums (in particular, "Flesh + Blood" and "Avalon") had such seamless flow to them. Even his more recent solo material had that silky continuity, making them best heard as whole albums. On a CD touted as "The Best Of The Ballads," having the wistful romance of "More Than This" pressed against the endearingly campy "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" becomes something of a distraction rather than an enhancement.

Them's the minuses. The plusses are that you do get a really slick 74 minutes of coolly delivered songs to while away the time to. There are a few harder to find single and soundtrack songs here as well. Roxy Music's tribute to John Lennon, their cover of "Jealous Guy," is reason alone to buy "Slave To Love." You'll also find "Is Your Love Strong Enough" and "Sonnet No 18" for those who don't have the originals.

So while I wouldn't disavow this collection to anyone searching it out, I'd also recommend "Avalon," "Boys and Girls" and "Siren" as albums to explore above this one.

Having been a fan of Bryan Ferry & Roxy Music for over 20 years now. I have gotten all the albums & compilations. As well as having made numerous mix tapes. The one tape I never got around to making was what for the most part is represented here with this import compilation. Spanning from his first solo lp (in 1973) up to his latest, as well as a few Roxy nuggets. "Just like You" is one of those tracks that just had to be on here! Also included are a couple of non-lp tracks: "Crazy Love" from the 'Bride stripped Bare' sessions in 1978, and "He'll have to Go" from 1988 and previously issued on the 1993 compilation 'The Ultimate Bryan Ferry & Roxy Music'. But both have also been available on japanese imports. You also have the hits and the classics. So whether you're a hopeless or hopefull romantic, you can't go wrong with any of these. You want the make-out album for the millenium? Stop here and buy now.

As a lover of both Roxy Music and Bryan Ferry, I had to get this CD. However, although some songs shine through("Slave to Love", "Zamba", "More Than This", "Jealous Guy", and "My Only Love"), Bryan's take on standards kinda sounds like someone doing karaoke at a wedding!! I would recommend this for anyone who wants a taste of the slow ballads, but would suggest "Avalon" before this (because when Bryan sings on that album, you can't help but feel romantic. On this album, with the order of the arrangement of tracks, it seems awkward and thrown together.) Still, if you're looking to relax with your sweetie or just kick it by yourself, this is a nice CD to do it to.

Great CD with a sampling of a few great songs from many Bryan Ferry CD's. Also includes the hard to find "Is your love strong enough?" He has one of the greatest voices of all time.

this is bryan ferry's best album.if you are a ferry fan,buy this first.you won't regret...