Bryan Ferry
Dylanesque
Virgin
By David Chiu
Given that he has tackled Bob Dylan before (“A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna-Fall,” “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue,” “Don’t Think Twice”), it’s not surprising that Roxy Music’s Bryan Ferry would devote an entire album to the music of the rock legend. Like he has done on previous cover songs, Ferry does some drastic reworkings on Dylan’s most beloved songs that are sure to open some eyes and ears to the bard’s rabid fans: the lush piano and orchestral treatment of “Positively Fourth Street,” the direct rock feel of “The Times They Are a Changin’ and “Simple Twist of Fate.” A few of the numbers, such as the magnificent “Make You Feel My Love” and “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” does Ferry musically comes close to the originals; he nails it on the hard rocking finale “All Along the Watchtower.” Longtime Ferry fans will be pleased to hear how this record is reminscent of his ‘70s covers albums—it sounds more direct rather than glossy. Although his style now seems to devoid of the camp and irony from previous covers, Ferry continues to be in fine form with his signature velvety croon.
NewBeats 