Bryan Ferry

My wife and I were listening to Dylanesque,

Dylanesque - Virgin Records

and when "Positively 4th Street" played, she said "That's the most beautiful version I've ever heard of the angriest song ever written." With that statement she pretty much summed up the new Bryan Ferry album. The juxtaposition between Dylan and Ferry could not be more interesting. Dylan is rough-hewn poet savant who looks like he not only cuts his own hair but combs it with his car keys. Bryan Ferry is as suave as any 1940s film star- I can't imagine him leaving home without a pressed suit, shoes polished and hair brushed. Those descriptions apply to their musical styles as well. On Dylanesque, Ferry puts his polish on these Dylan classics and makes it work. I don't want to dwell on "Positively 4th Street," but it has a string arrangement behind it, and not only is he selling it as a love song but he closes the deal. For the most part he sticks with the known classics like "The Times They Are A-Changin" and "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" rather than more obscure songs, and I think it's a good plan. The album ends with a rocking "All Along the Watchtower" that tips a hat to both Dylan and Jimi Hendrix, who made the song his own. I haven't liked many of Ferry's recent recordings, or many of Bob's, but now I remember why I love them both.