Bryan Ferry cover's The Beatles You Won't See Me
Much like his contemporary David Bowie, Ferry consolidated his glam-era success with a covers album, his first full solo effort even while Roxy Music was still going full steam. Whereas Bowie on Pin-Ups focused on British beat and psych treasures, Ferry for the most part looked to America, touching on everything from Motown to the early jazz standard that gave the collection its name. Just about everyone in Roxy Music at the time helped out on the album — notable exceptions being Andy Mackay and Brian Eno. The outrageous take on Bob Dylan's "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall," with Ferry vamping over brassy female vocals, sets the tone for things from the start. All this said, many of the covers aim for an elegant late-night feeling not far off from the well-sculpted Ferry persona of the '80s and beyond, though perhaps a touch less bloodless and moody in comparison. In terms of sheer selection alone, meanwhile, Ferry's taste is downright impeccable. There's Leiber & Stoller via Elvis' "Baby I Don't Care," Lesley Gore's "It's My Party" (with narrative gender unchanged!), Smokey Robinson and the Miracles' "The Tracks of My Tears," and more, all treated with affection without undue reverence, a great combination. Ferry's U.K. background isn't entirely ignored, though, thanks to two of the album's best efforts — the Beatles' "You Won't See Me" and the Stones' "Sympathy for the Devil." Throughout Ferry's instantly recognizable croon carries everything to a tee, and the overall mood is playful and celebratory. Wrapping up with a grand take on "These Foolish Things" itself, this album is one of the best of its kind by any artist.
My Trusted MOGs
Never much of a Bryan Ferry fan. Still not.
My Trusted MOGs
Word up. Rockin' and very fun album. His cover of Elvis' Jailhouse Rock track "Baby, You're So Square" will have you shaking your ass and laughing it off at the same time.
A huge Dylan fan I know was delighted with the rather sacriligious treatment of "Hard Rain".
Robert Christgau reviewed it memorably:
"These Foolish Things" [Atlantic, 1974] "A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall" defines this collection of rock classics - ranging from "It's My Party" to "Sympathy for the Devil" - as a pop statement. By transforming Dylan at his most messianic into gripping high camp complete with sound effects (when the poet dies in the gutter the chorus gives forth with a cute groan), Ferry both undercuts the inflated idealism of the original and reaffirms its essential power. Along the way, he also establishes "It's My Party" as a protest song. And just in case we're getting any highfalutin ideas, the title track reminds us that pop is only, well, foolish things, many of which predate not only Andy Warhol but rock and roll itself. A-
My Trusted MOGs
Hey! I like this! Too bad I can't yet (or don't know how to - I am a newcomer to MOG) upload this song! I shall look up and listen to some more of his music, this is just the first track I ever heard, so I can't yet say that I am a fan. But if his other music is like this, I might become one! Wegasky
My Trusted MOGs
fun version. love the glam treatment on this song. good one, m8.
My Trusted MOGs
Big ferry fan here and love bowie have heard most of the tracks you mention but not this one and think they're great covers great post ocean thanks x