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King of Cool Ferry Shows His Dylan Heart

Sands Centre, Carlisle , 1st March 2007
Mary Ingham

News & Star 3rd March 2007

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NO WONDER they call him the "king of cool". Singer, composer and founder of Roxy Music, Bryan Ferry appears to have it all: a magnetic stage presence, smouldering good looks and huge charm. Dressed demurely in a dark suit, he fused raw emotion and consummate musicianship to deliver an intense and truly classy performance.

It was obvious from the moment Ferry and his band launched into their opening number, The 'In' Crowd that the superstar, sliding seamlessly from crooner to rocker to narrator of ironic tales, had lost none of the vocal and rhythmic magic which gives a fresh take to the oldest of old favourites such as Jealous Guy and I Put a Spell on You.

His sell-out concert at the Sands on Thursday kicked off a six-week European tour and featured much of his new album of Bob Dylan covers, Dylanesque, which is released on Monday. Dylan's Make You Feel My Love was sung with heart-breaking intimacy, its tenderness underlined by schmalzy blue-velvet lighting and a backdrop of twinkling stars. A similar poignancy - and some great harmonica playing by Ferry - made Positively 4th Street one of the high-points of an already-remarkable evening.

Ferry was supported by a glittering line-up of musicians: guitarists Chris Spedding, Leo Abrahams, and Oliver Thompson, bassist Guy Pratt, saxophonist Iain Dixon, pianist Colin Good, drummer Andy Newmark, and keyboard player Mandy Drummond, with backing vocals by Me'sha Bryan and Sarah Brown.

"We love you Bryan," shouted a woman from the balcony, echoing what seemed to be the dominant feeling at a concert billed by the Sands as its "ultimate achievement". The support acts were Barefoot and Smoke Fairies.