Bryan Ferry Dylanesque CD

Supposedly recording the album in one inspired week, the suave singer takes on some of the bard's best here in a manner that would probably appeal to Dylan's mercurial nature. "Positively 4th Street" gets a string section makeover; "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues" becomes a slow boiler with bedroom eyes; "Gates of Eden" is a crooner's delight; and the largely faithful "Make You Feel My Love," from TIME OUT OF MIND, gets its due as one of Dylan's great recent songs. This is a gripping listen for fans of both artists.

2007 solo return by the lead singer of Roxy Music with a project that logically stems from his 2002 "Frantic" album. Two of that album's highlights were two covers of Bob Dylan songs and Ferry decided to fulfill an artistic dream and expand that premise to an LP's worth of tunes. Ferry's penchant for covering Bob Dylan songs began with the opening track of his first solo album, which was "A Hard Rain's A Gonna Fall", a UK Top 10 hit in 1973. This album was recorded by most of Ferry's touring cast of musicians including Guy Pratt, Andy Newmark, David Williams, Chris Spedding, David Williams and the surprising guitar solos of Oliver Thompson. Other guests include Paul Carrack, Brian Eno, Robin Trower, Zev Katz, Bobby Irwin and son Isaac Ferry. Produced by Ferry along with Rhett Davies and musical director and arranger extraordinaire Colin Good and mastered by Bob Clearmountain.

Bryan Ferry adopted one of rock criticism's favorite terms for 2007's DYLANESQUE, a markedly Ferryesque take on 11 tunes by rock's poet laureate. An odd pairing on the surface, given their differing roots, but the two have much in common: Dylan is no stranger to the merits of arty posturing nor is Ferry to rock-&-roll grit.

Personnel: Bryan Ferry (Farfisa); Mick Green, Leo Abrahams (guitar); Chris Spedding, David Williams , Oliver Thompson (guitars); Robin Trower (acoustic guitar); Lucy Wilkins, Gavyn Wright, Jackie Shave (violin); Jon Thorne (viola); Anthony Pleeth (cello); Colin Good (piano); Paul Carrack (organ); Guy Pratt, Zev Katz (bass guitar); Andy Newmark, Bobby Irwin (drums); Frank Ricotti (percussion); Isaac Ferry, Brian Eno (electronics); Me'sha Bryan, Tara McDonald, Joy Malcolm, Sarah Brown, Sharon White, Anna McDonald, Michelle John (background vocals).

Rolling Stone (p.70) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "Cut fast and loose with Ferry's touring band, DYLANESQUE dresses up Dylan classics for a night on the town with AVALON-style atmosphere."
Spin (p.96) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "Ferry embraces these Dylan classics...with undiluted sincerity, gently remodeling the barbed lyrics into graceful modern art."
Entertainment Weekly (p.136) - "'Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues' and 'Simple Twist of Fate' quiver with controlled agony." -- Grade: B
Q (p.121) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "Ferry still has sufficient panache to turn 'Positively 4th Street' into a spectral piano ballad and give 'Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues' a romping, pub-rock makeover..."