Due to extreme laziness I'm virtually retired from Ciao, although I'll still read and post the odd o...
Due to extreme laziness I'm virtually retired from Ciao, although I'll still read and post the odd op every now and then......
Member since:16.01.2001
Reviews:369
Members who trust:124
This album followed their best , "Stranded", but is still an excellent album containing some outstanding music. The same line-up (bar ever changing bassists, this time John Gustaffson) as "Stranded" is retained for this album, all the songs penned by Bryan Ferry either alone or collaboration with Mackay and Manzanera.
Ever ones for playing on concepts, the album was named to evoke the moods of "Country Life" magazine. The cover contains a green tropical , Playboy type backdrop containg two models , who could have been plucked from the streets of Amsterdam's red light district, in a state of almost total undress, totally at odds with the title unless a very dodgy pun is intended. The models didnt appear on the American version of the album.
There are two stand out tracks on this album. "Prairie Rose" is a Manzanera / Ferry collaboration featuring Manzanera on Byrds style guitar. The song has since been covered by artists such as Big Country and Then Jericho. "Casanova" features a particularly vicious Ferry vocal, in a song about the fall of a playboy. Ferry covered this as a solo artist , and actually bettered it. That version appears on his "Let's Stick Together" album.
Other worthy tracks , are "Tryptych" featuring Ferry's voice multi tracked into a heavenly Choir, "Bitter Sweet" featurring Bryan and as a master of menace singing in German, "Out of the Blue" another Manzanera / Ferry collaboration featuring a stunning violin solo from Eddie Jobson and the single "All I Want Is You" which is a perfect Roxy pop / rock run through.
It didnt match it's predecessor , and there are signs of the start of the bands decline, but it's still a good album , and is available on mid price.
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So you are still (or again online). Looks like you already got your new pc.
java 23.02.2001 16:04
Very good review although they are not my cup of tea. keep up the good writing!:0)
flashpointz 23.02.2001 16:04
Oh they are coming thick and fast these music reviews today - and all good ones. Is it me Mikey or is your writing geting better by the day. Well done, mate
Advantages: Some excellent cover versions, often interpreted very differently from the originals Disadvantages: Tracks 5 and 9 - well, what's the Skip button for?
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