Philadelphia Concert Review
The concert opens with a beautiful blond solo harpist and continues with
four additional very talented beauties - three violins and a
cello/viola? doing an arrangement of unknown origin - letting the late
arriving audience time to settle in. Ferry then appears with a 4 member
horn section - 2 guitarists/bass - and a piano player - and did 3
numbers from the new album - all well-received by an appreciative
audience, then Smoke Gets in Your Eyes - true to the album version.
Then an unexpected compeling rendition of Chance Meeting for the Roxy
fans - the orchestra works. Then - I don't remember the order - true to
the album renditions of Casanova, Bittersweet, Carriefergus, Sunset -
unexpected songs that seemed to lend themselves well to the instruments
at Ferry's disposal - as well as many more songs from the new album.
Finishing with Avalon (actually the only song that did not work for me -
no talented female singer, but the audience wanted it and Ferry probably
feels obilgated to do what I think is his signature song), Jealous Guy,
Let's Stick Together, then an encore of As Times Goes By and Do the
Strand. I am not a musician nor a music critic, but I thought Ferry's
orchestra was comprised of extremely talented musicians. I had never
seen Ferry in person - had doubts that he would be able to match the
production values on his albums - but the live versions were very
compeling and the selection of material allowed Ferry's voice to be
prominent.
The only disappointment was the venue - a flat-floor well-worn ballroom
with hard plastic temporary seating - the stackable kind. I was
expecting padded velvet seating - a theatre - something appropriate for
Ferry's image. Someone tried to save some money on the venue. All fans
can say they wanted their particular favorites - I'd like to see End of
the Line - Sentimental Fool, then a finish with Whirlwind or the Thrill
of It All, but it is a tribute to Ferry that he has such a large arsenal
of great songs that he cannot possibly perform everyone's favorites.
It is certainly the case that if you do not like the latest album, you
probably will not like this concert. But I find Ferry's selection of
30s songs impeccable and appreciated his voice and sincere renditions
with excellent accompaniment. Keep the torch burning. Someone has to
educate the masses.
Scott
Bryan Ferry set list 9:30 Club Washington, 11/3/99
Harp Piece 1
Harp Piece 2
String Quartet Piece
(Ferry comes on)
The Way You Look Tonight
Love Me or Leave Me
Easy Living
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
Chance Meeting
Lover Come Back
(Band Instrumental 1)
Carrickfergus
Where or When
Casanova
Bitter Sweet
(Band Instrumental 2)
Havana Moon
September Song
I Can't Get Started
You Do Something to Me
Sunset
Falling in Love Again
Just One of Those Things
Jealous Guy
Avalon
Let's Stick Together
As Time Goes By
Do the Strand