BRYAN FERRY
As Time Goes By (Virgin)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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Bryan Ferry has recorded lots of covers, warping a variety of pop, R&B and even some Great American Songbook melodies into personal statements that generally say something different than the songwriters might have meant. For As Time Goes By, a new collection of GAS numbers, though, he's chosen to play it remarkably straight. And the result is surprisingly (at least to me) successful.

With backing that ranges from the tinkle of cocktail piano to the pulse of a rhumba orchestra, Ferry demonstrates impressive restraint and genuine respect for fifteen songs drawn from the pens of the likes of Cole Porter, Kurt Weill and Rodgers & Hart. If he's ready to make a move from art-rocker to cabaret crooner, this disc is ample evidence that he has the chops to do it. Or this is a one-off project. Doesn't really matter, it's a fine album full of good performances of great songs.

Track List:

As Time Goes By * The Way You Look Tonight * Easy Living * I'm In The Mood For Love * Where Or When * When Somebody Thinks You're Wonderful * Sweet And Lovely * Miss Otis Regrets (She's Unable To Have Lunch Today) * Time On My Hands * Lover Come Back To Me * Falling In Love Again * Love Me Or Leave Me * You Do Something To Me * Just One Of Those Things * September Song

© 1999 - Shaun Dale