ALBUM REVIEW: Bryan Ferry : Dylanesque
- Posted on March 5, 2007 9:56 AM
- 0 comments
By Peter Coulston
Being a lifelong Dylan devotee and a fan of Bryan Ferry since Roxy Music, I was determined to be as impartial as possible about this album. Having said that, I enjoyed it. Even Dylan’s most ardent followers will acknowledge that many of his song have been performed more effectively by other artists. This is not, perish the thought, a criticism of the great man; it just proves what a great songwriter he is, right. Many of the covers are, in fact, the definitive versions to the masses. Peter, Paul and Mary, the Byrds, Manfred Mann, Jimi Hendrix and Gun‘n Roses have made a living performing his songs and Dylan himself often borrows their arrangements. Bryan Ferry covered “Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall” in the early seventies, while a personal favorite of mine is the Leon Russell version of that same song.
This album attempts to re-interpret the songs, and succeeds in taking some of the anger out of the original while preserving the heart and soul. Supported by a three guitar lineup, three backing singers, good rhythm and keys and Ferry’s mean harmonica, there is nothing watery about these tracks. “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues” rocks along as it should while the upbeat treatment of “Simple Twist of Fate” from “Blood on the Tracks” reminds us that Dylan is a great story teller.It features some nice violin and goes on for over 5 minutes. “Make You Feel My Love” from Grammy winner “Time Out of Mind” could have been written for an old smoothie like Ferry with it’s strong piano support and no frills lyrics. A single, maybe? I particularly enjoyed this version of “The Times They Are A-Changing”, as it brought a whole new life to the lyrics and benefitted from some understated guitar. “All I Really Wanna Do” was OK, but it was never one of my favorite Dylan songs.
No surprises on “Knocking on Heaven’s Door”; it has been done before but the duel between harmonica and guitar was effective. The obvious anger in Dylan’s original “Positively 4th Street” has given way to a more subdued acceptance of the situation in this fine piano based version that makes the lyrics count in a more positive way (no pun intended). “If Not For You” gets a little funky but makes for a good listen. “Baby Let Me Follow You Down” is not really a Dylan song, but it is a staple of his live performances. Good use is made of the backing musicians and harmonica in this short 2 minute ditty. Another 5 minute opus for “Gates of Eden”, performed rather slow and eerie, building up the guitar, piano and harmonica as it goes. “All Along the Watchtower” was originally on the acoustic “John Wesley Harding” album but is now a regular encore piece for Dylan’s live shows using the style of the Hendrix version. No disappointment here. Ferry interprets the lyrics sensitively while the guitarist does the business. Like I said, I enjoyed this album, hopefully for the right reasons. For every good Dylan cover, I’ve heard ten bad one’s; and some were appalling. If you like your Dylan done a little different but with respect, don’t look any further than this.
This album will be in the shops from 5 March 2007
Bryan Ferry tours the UK thorughout March and April. Dates and tickets here.
Bob Dylan is also touring... dates and venues here.
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