The greatest -- indeed, only -- irony of Bryan Ferry's 2007 album-long tribute to the Bard is that Dylanesque never sounds "Dylanesque." There are no solo acoustic guitars, no swirling organs, no thin wild mercury music, nothing that suggests any of the sounds typically associated with Bob Dylan. No, Dylanesque sounds Ferry-esque: careful, precise, elegant, so casually sophisticated it sometimes borders on the drowsy. There are no new wrinkles, then, apart from a small but crucial one -- unlike his other records, this was recorded quickly, over the course of a week with his touring band in tow. This does give Dylanesque a comparatively loose, off-the-cuff feel, which is a bit of a welcome relief after several decades of cautious, deliberate conceptual albums, and gives the album its understated charm. Since Ferry never radically reinvents the songs -- apart from the sleek, sly propulsion of "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues" and a spare, haunting piano-and-strings version of "Positively Fourth Street" -- this is an album where all the pleasures lay in the subtleties, whether it's how Ferry phrases his delivery, how his road band feels supple yet muscular, how Eno electronically enhances a few tracks or how Robin Trower tears into "All Along the Watchtower." These are the details to savor upon repeated listens, but upon that first spin it's immediately apparent that the Ferry who made Dylanesque is an assured, relaxed vocalist who isn't sweating the specifics, he's simply singing songs with a band that offers sympathetic support. They may not push him, the way that Roxy did in its prime, nor does this have the meticulous ambition of his original work, but again, that's the charm of this album: Ferry has never felt quite so comfortable as he does here, and if that may not be exactly what all listeners are looking for when they listen to his work, this is the quality that will make Dylanesque a small understated gem for certain segments of his die-hard fans.
There’s something comforting about hearing castanets on a recording by Bryan Ferry – the unabashedly British post-modern rock crooner/sophisticate/poseur, and a true original. Castanets. That sort of unlikely, but terribly continental touch is almost expected from the man who brought the tuxedo and brilliantine slicked-back hair to progressive art-rock.Way back in 1973, castanets popped up in
More >
The reviews I've seen for the new Bryan Ferry LP "Dylanesque" result in the greatest polarity of opinion I've seen in years. Some say a brave re-work, some a travesty to Dylan's songs. I haven't heard the album yet, so can't judge.I'd be interested to know other opinions from Moggers.Here's "Positively 4th Street"
More >
There’s something comforting about hearing castanets on a recording by Bryan Ferry – the unabashedly British post-modern rock crooner/sophisticate/poseur, and a true original. Castanets. That sort of unlikely, but terribly continental touch is almost expected from the man who brought the tuxedo and brilliantine slicked-back hair to progressive art-rock.Way back in 1973, castanets popped up in
More >
Bryan Ferry, founding member of Roxy Music and one of Britain’s most distinctive singer-songwriters, announced that on June 26 he will release his new album, ??Dylanesque?? (Virgin). There will also be an appearance on "Late Night with David Letterman" that evening, according to Ferry's spokesperson.June 26 will mark his first release since 2002's ??Frantic??. The following day, June 27Th, Fer.
More >
The reviews I've seen for the new Bryan Ferry LP "Dylanesque" result in the greatest polarity of opinion I've seen in years. Some say a brave re-work, some a travesty to Dylan's songs. I haven't heard the album yet, so can't judge.I'd be interested to know other opinions from Moggers.Here's "Positively 4th Street"
More >
As previously reported, Bryan Ferry released(March 5) his new album of strictly Bob Dylan covers entitled ??Dylanesque??(Virgin). It was the first album released by the former Roxy Music frontman since 2002. Ferry recently sat down and explained his own personal ??Dylanesque?? moments with Yahoo, admitting he wasn't a fan of Dylan, right off the bat."I heard Dylan when he first came out, and I ...
More >
I didn't know but it just so happens that i am listening to Dylanesque. I am thinking that Bryan Ferry is doing a pretty fair job. It's my first listen after a great weekend for music aquisition. The new Ben Harper album is also fantastic and keep your ears open for a guy called Seasick SteveHAPPY BIRTHDAY BOB
More >
"As previously reported":PR, Bryan Ferry, founding member of Roxy Music and one of Britain’s most distinctive singer-songwriters, announced that on June 26 he will release his new album, ??Dylanesque?? (Virgin) in the US.Recently, Ferry decided to give fans the chance to stream his entire album of Bob Dylan covers before the release. Check it out, "CLICK HERE":CH[PR]http://mog.com/Walter_Weiss/.
More >
Click to purchase…
© 2006-2009 Mog Inc. All Rights Reserved
 "Dylanesque")
