Roxy Music’s lead singer Bryan Ferry unmistakable voice helped thefine the sound of the British Music in the late 70s and early 80s and since then has continued to release solo albums culminating in 2014’s “Avonmore”. The legendary singer will be at the Palace Theatre on 8/5. Some tickets are still available HERE
From his earliest recordings with Roxy Music at the beginning of the 1970s, Bryan Ferry has taken his place as one of the most iconic and innovative artists to emerge in popular music. In his work you hear a vocal and lyrical brilliance that merges the intensity of Lou Reed, the poise of Sinatra and the charisma of Serge Gainsbourg. But then there is something extra – a verve and performance so ultra-modern that it continually breaks new ground.
When Ferry’s group Roxy Music first appeared on Top of The Pops in 1972, performing their debut single, ‘Virginia Plain’, their impact was instantaneous. For here was a group which appeared to have taken the history of modern popular music, from French chanson to Elvis to progressive rock, by way of soul and the avant-garde, and fused their different inspirations into a seamless and glittering pure pop moment. More or less overnight, the band’s audience was secured – from screaming teenage fans to highbrow rock critics. And in many ways, Ferry’s creation of Roxy Music was one of the great statements of Pop Art – with all of the musicians, designers and stylists whom he had brought together combining their talents to make an intoxicating and radically new montage of musical and visual styles.
Released in November 2014, Ferry’s fourteenth solo album, Avonmore was hailed by fans and critics alike as a modern classic in the tradition of Another Time Another Place and Boys and Girls. Quintessential Ferry, the musical mood of Avonmore was racing, edgy, brooding, cinematic. The album’s mix of emotional urgency and darkling intensity was brilliantly sustained, in both original compositions such as ‘Soldier of Fortune’ (co-written with Johnny Marr), ‘Lost’ and ‘Loop de Li’ as well as bravura interpretations of Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Send in the Clowns’ and ‘Johnny and Mary’ by Robert Palmer. Thrillingly modern, utterly assured, Avonmore demonstrated all of the qualities that have made Bryan Ferry’s writing, arranging and vocal genius so iconic – tirelessly innovative, uniquely enthralling. [Michael Bracewell]
Tour Dates
August 3 – Paramount Theatre – Denver, CO
August 5 – Palace Theatre – Saint Paul, MN
August 7 – Burton Cummings Theatre – Winnipeg, MB
August 9 – River Cree Resort – Enoch, AB
August 13 – Orpheum Theatre – Vancouver, BC
August 15 – Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall – Portland, OR
August 17 – The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan – Las Vegas, NV
August 19 – Santa Barbara Bowl – Santa Barbara, CA
August 26 – The Hollywood Bowl – Los Angeles, CA
