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Bryan Ferry: As Time Goes By

by Lucy O'Brien

Q, December 1999

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Former Roxy Music frontman croons his way through hits from the '30s.

Recording an album of cover versions is always a risky career move. But instead of indulging in some high-production karaoke, Bryan Ferry has faithfully focused on a particular period of classic '30s songs. Using the Billie Holliday-Teddy Wilson sessions from '35 as a model, there is a reflective, jazz-swing mood to these tracks: from the Casablanca theme As Time Goes By (originally sung by Dooley Wilson) to a jaunty Way You Look Tonight that's more upbeat than Holiday's version from '36, via a wistful rendition of the Marlene Dietrich anthem Falling in Love Again. Ferry always was a theatrical crooner, and here he is in his element. What could have been an exercise in whimsy comes over instead as subtle and full of emotion.

(the album is graded with three stars)

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Text copyright 1999 Q, used without permission.
With thanks to Grant Goggans.