Music / Reviews
Review: Bryan Ferry, Colston Hall
Happy 70th birthday, Bryan. Gawd bless him, even his support act is a cut above. “I live in London and New Orleans,” explains mildly annoying piano balladeer Judith Owen. She has a bespoke, supple band of Laurel Canyon veterans (including Leeland Sklar) and a fondness for wind machines and ’70s confessional pop that would once have been introduced by an avuncular Ronnie Corbett as the music break in The Two Ronnies. They cover Mungo Jerry’s In The Summertime in the style of Joni Mitchell and take all the fun out of it. It’s all terribly grown up and rather soporific. Music For Intercontinental Hotels. She’s married to Harry Shearer, did you know?
Bryan’s band begin thumping out a tune from the latest album of solid clattering funk as he ambles on stage. The patented Ferry stance is intact. Oddly diffident and shy, one shoulder down like a mortally wounded toreador in a rumpled Anthony Price suit. He’s in good voice. Gone is the rather alarming dessicated husk that featured on Todd Terje’s recent Johnny And Mary cover. Instead, a familiar oak-aged croon escorts us through Slave To Love, a favourite Dylan cover and Smoke Gets In Your Eyes.
A phalanx of backing singers provide the heavy lifting and bruising guitar solos are offset by violin, clarinet and sax when Jorja Chalmers steps into the spotlight. Love Is The Drug still quickens the pulse. One Night Stand manages to bottle some of the old essence with it’s thrilling undercarriage of bass and drums and terse, hard-won couplets: “what’s your sign, what’s your name?” The old lounge lizard still has an ear cocked for the codes and semaphores of seduction.
is needed now More than ever
Avalon continues to be the elevator music playing as you ascend to heaven. Then it’s time for a canter through some Roxy faves. They come thick and fast, the crowd roaring approval. Virginia Plain, The Strand – this is some of the greatest Pop Art ever recorded. There’s a moment to catch some breath with Jealous Guy – complete with whistling solo – and a foot-stamping Let’s Stick Together. Hurrah! Rhododendron is a nice flower.
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