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Bryan Ferry Concert Review

9:30 Club, Washington DC, USA, October 1999 By Marianne Meyer

I-Music Online, November 4 1999

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Bryan Ferry Croons Through A Century In Tour Opener

Once a master of arty outrageousness and then the very model of a modern jaded sophisticate, Bryan Ferry took the stage at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday (Nov. 4) for the opening night of his latest American tour in a new guise -- sincere crooner, anxious to convey his on-going love affair with pop standards. And perhaps in thanks to an audience who indulged -- and seemingly shared -- that love without catcalling for Roxy Music tunes, Ferry rewarded all with a nearly two hour set culminating in a handful of old favorites. What a swellegant party it was.

This was an older, more well-heeled crowd than usually visits the modern rock-skewed club, and notices throughout the venue warned/apologized that audience members would not get any, let alone reserved, seats for their $40 each. But no one seemed to mind, intrigued instead by a stage crammed with instruments for a 13-member orchestra. After two harp solos by a slender blonde in a black halter top and tight pants, a string quartet appeared (more pretty blondes) and furthered warmed-up the crowd before Ferry himself took the stage, smiling somewhat shyly and launching into a jaunty version of "The Way You Look Tonight."

Though he played the seducer, the crowd needed no persuasion to ride along for a century-spanning survey of pop music (allstar, Nov. 3), more remarkable when you realize that the host had made contributions throughout (gasp!) 25 years of it. Yep, it was 1974 when Ferry first recorded "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes," which the audience cheered with all its Roxy heart, though it was, even back then, an oldie.

Ferry performed much of his new As Time Goes By album, along with compatible detours like the traditonally folk-flavored "Handsome Rover" and a slinky "Casanova." As he did, a thread of continuity and credibility became apparent. Once-arty fascinations have led to an emotional rediscovery of some beautiful material and, though Ferry's voice has its limits, its clipped intensity and haunted melancholy blend perfectly with songs -- older or his own -- that explore obsessive love, regret, and loss.

Like much of the new swing revival, such retro romanticism could easily fall to kitsch, but Ferry's genuine affection for a past musical era, along with tasteful solos by the skillful band (including one last-minute replacement on bass) traded on nuance, not merely nostalgia. And when the band swung, it really swung, no less so than when the 24-song set entered its final turns.

First came John Lennon's "Jealous Guy" (which Roxy covered), evoking a few screams from besotted females, then a beautiful "Avalon," drifting upon lush strings. "Let's Stick Together" featured Ferry in his only instrumental solo (on harmonica) and the string-babes on whooping vocals. The two-song encore opened with a sweetly swaying "As Time Goes By" and punched the night home with a rousing "Do the Strand." As he vogued through the latter glam-rock anthem, Ferry's bouyant enthusiasm was positively, and surprisingly, endearing. The king of tragic sangfroid still rocks, too.