Bryan Ferry "Dylanesque" Era: June 26

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Billboard:

ARTIST: BRYAN FERRY

ALBUM: DYLANESQUE (VIRGIN)

Can there be more of an antithesis to Bob Dylan than Bryan Ferry, at least when it comes to singing? Ferry's mellifluous tenor and predilection toward smooth, moody arrangements sits far afield from Dylan's craggy vocals and raw stylings. And that, of course, is what makes the Roxy Music frontman such an intriguing interpreter of Dylan's work. This 11-song enterprise, recorded in just a week with his touring band, is more hit than miss, faltering on a chunky, pedestrian take of "The Times They Are A-Changin"' and the somnolent "Make You Feel My Love." But it shines on a loose, ringing rendition of "Simple Twist of Fate," an ambient, Celtic-tinged version of "Gates of Eden" and an energized "If Not for You" with electronic "enhancements" by Brian Eno.

[busyboy]

Ferry Eyeing More Roxy Recording In 2008

Gary Graff, Detroit

Bryan Ferry is spending this year singing the songs of Bob Dylan. Next year it may be Roxy Music's turn.

The British icon tells Billboard.com that after he finishes touring in support of "Dylanesque," his just-released Virgin set of Bob Dylan covers, he hopes to return to the studio with Roxy Music mates Phil Manzanera and Andy MacKay to continue recording material for what will be the group's first new album since 1982's "Avalon."

"We did some bits of recording last year," Ferry says. "Not a great deal -- I'm still writing songs. I'd like to continue with that next year, with any luck."

Ferry says that after a reunion tour in 2001, the Roxy members "found we could work together again, and that was the main thing. That (tour) was a great success for us; we really liked that, and it was just great for the audience as well, who like what we do, to see a whole show of Roxy songs. I thought, 'Maybe we can do some more,' and I hope we can."

"Dylanesque" will keep Ferry -- who, in fact, has never met Dylan -- and his 10-piece band on the road into the fall, with concerts around Europe and in Australia, including the Concert For Diana and Tower of London Festival in England and major festivals in Turkey, Spain and Norway.

"It's such a terrible shame we can't get to America at the moment; we just can't afford it," Ferry explains. "It loses too much money, 'cause it's quite a big band, and the exchange rate being what it is ... Maybe we can find a great hedge fund sponsor for a tour."

There may be more Dylan in Ferry's future, too. There are another half-dozen songs left from the session; he won't identify them -- "'cause then it's more of a surprise" -- but says he would like to finish them for some sort of future release.

"There's just a few that aren't mixed yet," Ferry notes. "I think there were a few more good ones in there, so I'd like to go finish them after this current tour I'm on. Maybe we'll auction them on eBay or something."

[reception]

Bryan Ferry's creativity abounds in 'Dylanesque'

By Martin Bandyke
Detroit Free Press

"Dylanesque" by Bryan Ferry; Virgin

Considering its stopgap nature, "Dylanesque" is a pretty, pleasing solo outing from the vocalist of the British art-rock band Roxy Music.

What was originally supposed to come out this year was the long-awaited reunion album from Roxy Music. The thought of what Ferry and Roxy cohorts Brian Eno, Phil Manzanera, Andy MacKay and Paul Thompson might come up with is absolutely tantalizing, but the project has been shelved while Ferry struggles with writer's block.

To free his muse and get his creative juices flowing again, Ferry is back with, you guessed it, a Bob Dylan covers album. Cranked out in barely a week, "Dylanesque" is notable for its fresh, spontaneous feel.

Ferry is backed by a sizable band that features longtime associates Chris Spedding (guitar), Andy Newmark (drums) and Paul Carrack (organ). Together they work their way through a number of gems from Dylan's catalog, including "Knockin' On Heaven's Door," "All Along the Watchtower" and an especially gripping version of "Positively 4th Street."

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7/21 chart:

2 VRGN 117 166 FERRY*BRYAN DYLANESQUE 4,493 -32% 6,609 11,985