Search - Bryan Ferry :: These Foolish Things

Prime Ferry

Jay Murphy | Landover Hills, Maryland United States | 04/27/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Musically,1973 was a very good year for Bryan Ferry. That year saw the release of his debut solo album which happens to be one of his finest collection of cover songs if not the best and Roxy Music's "Stranded"-arguably their best album as well. Seemingly everything Bryan touched that year was golden. "Hard Rain" is wonderful with its orchestral flourishes, adding more color and textures to the already colorful lyrics of Bob Dylan. Some may think it's overdone but I love its new theatrics. The Stones' "Sympathy For The Devil" also gets a full blown orchestral treatment with Mr. Ferry indeed sounding quite devilish. Other highlights include his funny, high camp version of "It's My Party", the rousing versions of "Don't Ever Change", "Piece Of My Heart", Baby I Don't Care", "You Won't See Me", "I Love How You Love Me", and "Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever". The pathos displayed in songs like "River Of Salt", "Don't Worry Baby", "The Track Of My Tears" and the title song is absolutely riveting. Hearing these songs is almost like seeing them acted out because of Ferry's inherent theatricality. In addition to the songs themselves, the wonderful remastering of this CD makes it a neccessary one to own if you dig all things Bryan Ferry. Check It Out!"

"trudi51" is sadly mistaken

Bill Board | God's Wrath, Ohio | 06/14/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

""These Foolish Things" represents the more "pop" side of Bryan Ferry, and, if you read the liner closely enuf, you'll see that, it all but name, it is a Roxy Music album/cd, with all the "Stranded"/"Country Life"/"Siren" musicians featured (which means, thank goodness, none of "Eno's" foolishness). So "Trudi" didn't like "Hard Rain...?" Sorry, darlin', that is the absolute very best "Dylan Cover" I'VE ever heard. And Ferry's rendition of Leslie Gore's "It's My Party" is an absolute hoot, too. Really, the only drawback is Ferry's way-over-the-top "dramatic" rendition of the Stones "Sympathy For The Devil," but - hey - this is a collection of one man's favorite pop songs, and he does pull it off EVER-So-Well! Say it again: FIVE STARS!"

Bryan's solo Debut.

Phillip Thomas Powell | Eastern USA | 08/21/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"An excellent tour through the history of Rock/Pop music of the mid-20th century. Ferry has selected a premium batch of cover songs for his signature interpretations, and his taste is (of course) impeccable. The weakest point on the album is probably his cover of 'Sympathy for the Devil' which I had long thought could not be tackled by anyone other than Jagger - that was, until Laibach got a hold of it and turned it upside down and inside out (to great effect). The remainder of the album is great though, and Bryan manages to reinterpret many of these classics without forsaking the power of the originals. An impressive opening salvo."