When I heard that Bryan Ferry was making an album of Dylan songs I nearly said a naughty word or two.
Out of a sense of duty I got the album on the day of its release and I must admit...it ain't that bad. "All I really want to do" and "All along the Watchtower" sound more like cover versions of Byrds/Hendrix versions and " If not for You"..well, it was not for him anyway.
Very impressive is his take on "Positively 4th Street", a bitter and angry song which Ferry turns into a resigned and reflective lament. Another highlight is his handling of "The Gates of Eden". I have never even heard of anybody attempting to bring that one off but he makes a very good job of it.
The band are tight and never intrusive and the arrangements are clear cut and simple as Ferry lets the songs speak for themselves.
All in all it's worth having..now..I said it and it didn't hurt too much.
dubhlinn...
What was the source of your pre-listening angst? That Bryan Ferry was "out of his league" to take on the hallowed Dylan? Or, conversely, that Dylan was unworthy of a take by Bryan Ferry?
I probably live too far away to know these things.
A-Musing wrote:dubhlinn...
What was the source of your pre-listening angst? That Bryan Ferry was "out of his league" to take on the hallowed Dylan? Or, conversely, that Dylan was unworthy of a take by Bryan Ferry?
I probably live too far away to know these things.
I never really rated Ferry so I was very dubious about his ability to bring off an album of cover versions. His "Hard rains gonna fall" from years back did not exactly fill me with confidence but he has done a good job, mostly, on the new album.
I don't think that where you live has anything to do with it
Slan,
D.
And many a poor man that has roved,
Loved and thought himself beloved,
From a glad kindness cannot take his eyes.
And whether the blood be highland, lowland or no.
And whether the skin be black or white as the snow.
Of kith and of kin we are one, be it right, be it wrong.
As long as our hearts beat true to the lilt of a song.
Intresting Dubhs, and I think he did a good job of it. I always enjoy it when someone takes a known song and gives it a different turn if they do a good job of it. I was more drawn to the music in that recording, excellent arrangement, musically.
"Let low-country intruder approach a cove
And eyes as gray as icicle fangs measure stranger
For size, honesty, and intent." John Foster West
Wow....Dub....I never thought I'd see the day that there was a thread entitled "Dylan-ESQUE" started by you. It just seems so...I don't know....blasphemous or something.
Someday, everything is gonna be diff'rent
When I paint my masterpiece.
izzarina wrote:Wow....Dub....I never thought I'd see the day that there was a thread entitled "Dylan-ESQUE" started by you. It just seems so...I don't know....blasphemous or something.
Another (IMHO) very interesting set of Dylan covers is Tim O'Brien's "Red on Blonde" album. The best of Dylan's material continues to inspire me, what, almost half a century later? Very little else holds up like that.
Charlie Gravel
“I am so clever that sometimes I don't understand a single word of what I am saying.”
― Oscar Wilde
OK Dubh, you are obviously the person to ask. The only Dylan I own is a bit of old vinyl from the late sixties. What would you suggest I get to rediscover the man?
OMG this is beginning to sound like a "what whistle should I buy" post.
May the joy of music be ever thine.
(BTW, my name is John)
Tricky one that but my introduction to Dylan was his second album "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan". That got me hooked and the next one I heard was "Bringing it all back home"..that gave me an addiction.
Those two, along with "Planet Waves", "Blood on the Tracks" and lets say "Desire" should be enough to get you started. There is a huge body of work, official and unofficial, out there so just start listening to whatever you can pick up. There have been several greatest hits packages over the past few years which are fine for what they are.
"Live at the Budokan" is another great album on which he reworks everything with a huge band...good crack.
"Nashville Skyline " is another very under rated album and get yourself a DVD copy of "Unplugged"..that's another must have.
That'll do for now..let me know how ye get on.
Slan,
D.
And many a poor man that has roved,
Loved and thought himself beloved,
From a glad kindness cannot take his eyes.
I'm reluctant to disagree with as serious as Dylan aficionado as D.--and "Blood on the Tracks" is a fine and very approachable album--but my faves remain "Highway 61 Revisited" and "John Wesley Harding," which are oppositie sides--frantic/blues-driven/Beat-inspired on the one hand, and acoustic/countryish in sound and lyric influences on the other--of the same poetic/prophetic coin.
That said, I think the "No Direction Home" soundtrack double cd makes a good intro, and the film itself is not to be missed.
Last edited by JS on Sat Mar 17, 2007 3:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"Furthermore he gave up coffee, and naturally his brain stopped working." -- Orhan Pamuk
